California Special Election 2005: California Voters Just Say NO
Teamster member Noah Teegarden holds up a sign against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ballot measures during a get-out-the-vote drive at the local teamsters hall in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Nov. 7, 2005.
The ASSociated Press has Voters Reject Schwarzenegger Initiatives.
In a stinging rebuke from voters who elected him two years ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s efforts to reshape state government were rejected during a special election that darkened his prospects for a second term.
The Republican governor and former Hollywood actor, who likes to say he can sell anything, on Tuesday saw all four of his signature ballot proposals rejected.
The election pitted the once-dominant Republican governor against two of California’s powerhouse political forces — public employee unions and Democrats who control the Legislature.
The unions spent millions of dollars to beat Schwarzenegger’s propositions to limit the use of their member dues for political purposes, cap state spending, redraw legislative districts and restrict public school teacher tenure.
It was a sobering evening for a man once considered among the most popular politicians in America. The contest represented the biggest test yet of a faltering Schwarzenegger’s leadership.
Voters overwhelmingly defeated Proposition 76, the governor’s centerpiece proposal to slow the growth of state spending. Proposition 77, which would have redrawn legislative and congressional districts, was knocked down by a similar margin.
Failing by slimmer spreads were Proposition 74, a plan to make teachers work longer to achieve tenure, and Proposition 73, which would have restricted political spending by public employee unions.
Poll after poll showed it was an election that Californians didn’t want, with a total lineup of eight initiatives that didn’t connect with every day issues such as gas prices, housing costs and the war in
Iraq.Schwarzenegger’s conflict with the unions made him a target for teachers, nurses and firefighters. Their television advertising blitz helped push his popularity ratings to record lows.
Union leaders and Democrats who opposed the governor chanted “sweep, sweep” at their Sacramento victory party. “I’m very grateful to Arnold Schwarzenegger for really working people up,” said Deborah Burger, president of the California Nurses Association.
Well, the voters of California have spoken loud and clear.
STATUS QUO!
There will be many analyses of the special election campaign. And Flap will write and comment on them over the weeks ahead.
But, for sure the unmistaken message from California was the COMPLETE rejection of Schwarzenegger’s reform agenda.
Others may spin this defeat for the Governator and the California Recovery Team, but Schwarzenegger was BEATEN and TERMINATED.
If Flap was Arnold, after a nice relaxing trade mission to China, I would start entertaining movie deals.
More later…….
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Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page