California voters (at least some of them) are poised to go to the polls in a special election in just under three weeks to decide the fate of five propositions put on the ballot by Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature. The key props – 1A through 1E – are said to be essential to resolving California’s critical budget shortfall.

According to a new survey by the Field Institute, voters aren’t buying it.

First, let me say that I have not changed my opinion of the Field Poll as a historically unreliable source of information on how voters view pending ballot measures. They have been so far off on so many issues I have been involved in that I always take their data with a slab – not a grain – of salt. That said, the trend that Field is reporting (all of the above measures are trailing badly) is almost certainly correct and reflects the results of other recent polling.

That 1A thru 1E appear headed for the trashcan is not the most interesting finding of the Field Poll. The most interesting finding is that 72 percent of voters agree that voting down the measures “will send a message to the governor and state Legislature that voters are tired of… Read More

The National Federation of Independent Business – California, a major player in California politics, and the hands-down grassroots representative in Sacramento for small business owners, has come out strongly against Proposition 1A.

According to the NFIB-CA, In order to determine support or opposition to Proposition 1A, they balloted more than 21,000 members during the month of April. Of those who responded, the majority were in opposition to Proposition 1A. The content of the ballot was developed based on information provided by both the support and opposition committees.

They have issued this statement:

I just received a release from the Steve Poizner campaign, calling for two debates between himself, Tom Campbell and Meg Whitman — the leading candidates for the GOP nomination for Governor next year. The proposed topic? The ballot Propositions.

While the idea is a good one, given that Propisition 1A is the most controversial item on the ballot (with its trigger of $16 billion in new taxes), and that Poizner and Whitman both oppose 1A, and Campbell supports it, that debate doesn't sound that exciting to me (no offense intended).

So, I have a better idea. Let's invite Arnold Schwarzegger into the fray. A Schwarzenegger/Campbell vs. Poizner/Whitman debate would be very interesting, indeed…

I would be happy to jointly moderate the event with my friend Abel Maldonado!… Read More

Critical Swine Flu prevention tip:

Don’t do this!!!!….

Just a little Thursday humor for you.… Read More

To commemorate President Obama’s first 100 days in office, conservative leader Gary Bauer has released a list of Obama’s 100 mistakes, misstatements and missteps. If nothing else, it will provide balance to the sycophantic media reports celebrating Obama’s 100 days of bringing heaven to earth. … Read More

Today we feature as our daily commentary a video interview that I conducted yesterday afternoon with Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The topic? The outrageous votes of Capitol Democrats yesterday against GOP sponsored bills to eliminate the California Integrated Waste Management Board…

Care to read comments, or make your own about today’s Daily Commentary?

Just click here to go to the FR Weblog, where this Commentary has its own blog post, and where you can read and make comments.… Read More

Today we feature as our daily commentary a video interview that I conducted yesterday afternoon with Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The topic? The outrageous votes of Capitol Democrats yesterday against GOP sponsored bills to eliminate the California Integrated Waste Management Board… … Read More

The Academy has the Oscar, the TV folks have the Emmy and the American Association of Political Consultants has the Pollie. Today, I inaugurate the Snoozie. The Snoozie is warded to the most boring political advertisement during a campaign.

The winner for the special election of May 19th is…..Abel Maldonado and his web ad for Proposition F. A friend told me that a photo ofyours trulywas used in this ad as a “party boss” and that I should check it out. Some friend.

About a minute into the ad I figured F stood for the fork I would need to stab my leg with to focus. Mercifully, a picture of me, FR publisher Jon Fleischman, Art Torres and Nancy Pelosi appeared as part bosses.

A professional may have found photos of people that would be more recognizable, but hey. The bad part was there was over 3 minutes left to watch. Proposition F may really not mean anything, but the public relations value could be valuable, but not like this.

On the plus side, Maldonado wasn’t chewing gum while he lectured us.

You have been warned. Watch at your own risk.… Read More