From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary E-mail…
A Silver Lining in the Golden State
California Republicans aren’t as jubilant as their brethren nationwide. Despite much effort and money spent, the GOP lost the governorship, failed to unseat an unpopular senator and will win, at most, only one of eight statewide offices. The attorney general’s race and two Democratic-held House seats remain too close to call.
There were, however, a few rays of hope among the ballot propositions, which, with the exception of Prop 19 (the failed marijuana legalization measure), broke down into two categories: fiscal and structural. The GOP managed a split in both. Californians approved one measure that prohibits the state government from seizing certain local funds and another that requires a two-thirds majority for new fees. Voters also beat back attempts to impose new vehicle fees and reduce business tax credits. One sour note, though, was Prop 23, which would have suspended a draconian climate-change bill until the unemployment rate dropped. It was badly defeated, 61% to 39%.
Still, Republicans won perhaps the most important battle of all. Two competing ballot measures addressed the state’s redistricting rules, and the GOP is doubtless pleased with the voters’ decision. Prop 20, which sought to place congressional districts under the authority of a citizen’s commission, passed with 61% of the vote. Meanwhile, Prop 27, which would have abolished the commission altogether (thereby restoring all redistricting power — state and federal — to the Democratic-dominated legislature), garnered only 40%. For Republicans, the victory removes some of the sting of Meg Whitman’s defeat in the governor’s race.
Then again, the GOP also has to deal with the aftermath of Prop 25, which eliminated a prized Republican asset: the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass the budget. Supporters of the measure ran misleading ads, highlighting the fact that legislators would not be paid until they passed a budget — while neglecting to mention that it changed perhaps the single-most salient feature of the budgeting process. The gambit worked: Prop 25 won 54.9% of the vote.
The two-thirds requirement for tax increases remains in place, but some Californians are concerned that the legislature will use Prop 25 to find ways around that bulwark. Only time will tell, and there’s always the chance that the citizen’s commission will draw districts that hold Democrats accountable for their actions.
— Carl J. Kelm
November 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am
How could anyone write such pap!!!!
The national election showed conservative results….The California results showed the moochers have eaten the producers and the gleaners are coming for the scraps via Captain Medfly.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am
There are no silver linings to the debacle that took place in CA Tuesday night. We lost all statewide races with the possible exception of Steve Cooley. We need real leadership at the helm of the CRP.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am
The silver lining, besides the opportunity for a more equitable redistricting next year, is that we are now rid of Arnold. He has damaged the CA Republican party beyond measure, and I’m sure was a significant factor in allowing Democrats to escape blame for the wasteland that is California’s economy. Now Democrats own it all. Our job as the opposition is to help the people understand what Democrats are doing to them economically. We also have to remember that it can be worse to opt for the short term gain of helping a bad Republican take office than to stand for principle and ensure that only honest Republicans, who will honor the Republican brand, gain our support.
Additionally, it is clear that the public employee unions must be confronted head-on. They are killing this state and, given the increased visibility of the pension tsunami, we have an opportunity now to align with principled liberals, who worry about employee compensation crowding out their spending priorities, to take the unions on. The people need to be inspired and informed if we expect them to change long-established and habitual voting patterns.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Wishful thinking….the moochers come here in droves and the welfare industrial complex feeds them, houses them, gives them FREE health care, and gives them money and up to three meals a day for their kids….
When the utility rates go through the moon you will be paying for the BK union pensions and the moochers’ next benefit move…..free OWNED housing…