Californians may opt to skip this election

Sac Bee ^ | 9/17/06 | Mark baldassare

[NormsRevenge]

Rather than embrace the opportunity to decide California's future on Election Day, voters appear poised to make the record books by staying home.

--snip--

When the Public Policy Institute of California Statewide Survey was released a few weeks ago, political observers seized on the news of a 13 percentage-point lead for Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over the Democratic challenger, State Treasurer Phil Angelides, and that the four multibillion-dollar state bonds for infrastructure projects enjoyed only narrow majority support.

But this focus missed a more important story -- a surprisingly high level of voter indifference in the upcoming election. Based on PPIC's recent survey and election trends, we may be headed for the lowest turnout ever ...

--snip--

Are the signals of the most recent poll pointing to an even lower turnout in the upcoming November election? In the PPIC survey, 64 percent of frequent voters in state elections said they were following news about the governor's election. But only 15 percent of those voters were following the elections "very closely," and 49 percent were watching it "fairly closely."

--snip--

As they did in 2002, Californians appear to be tuning out election news because they are turned off by the candidates' campaigns. Fewer than half of the voters say they are satisfied with the choice of candidates in the governor's election this year. Three in 10 Republican voters say they are unhappy with the candidates this year -- an improvement from 2002 -- and roughly half of Democrats and independents are not satisfied.

--snip--

In a state that depends on its citizens to make policy at the ballot box, many Californians appear ready to sit out this election. The outcome may be left to a relatively small group of older, affluent voters who do not reflect the state's diversity.

[ECM]

Speaking as someone currently trapped (mostly by inertia, I'll admit) in this hellhole of a state, the pickings (outside of McC) are pretty bloody slim.

[NormsRevenge]

...the pickings (outside of McC) are pretty bloody slim.

--


The Inter-DICC-tors will be along shortly to straighten you out.. ;-}

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[In a state that depends on its citizens to make policy at the ballot box, many Californians appear ready to sit out this election. The outcome may be left to a relatively small group of older, affluent voters who do not reflect the state's diversity.]

Best news I've heard all morning!

[bordergal]

"The outcome may be left to a relatively small group of older, affluent voters who do not reflect the state's diversity".

Good. I'm tired of people who use the vote to stick their hands in the pocketbooks of others.

The columnist who wrote this piece should be thrilled that many voters will be older and fiscally conservative. We'll actually let him or her keep more of their "hard earned" paycheck.

[BigFinn]

The prospect of Phil Angelides being elected is one SCARY thought. That is reason enough.

[NormsRevenge]

He can be recalled , yaknow. ;-)

[BigFinn]

Prevention is a beautiful word.

[NormsRevenge]

I wouldn't advocate feeding a Trojan Horse once its in the compound just to keep it healthy..

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I stopped voting for the "pols" a long time ago. I vote only on the measures. I am not persuaded by the argument if I fail to vote for Ah-Nuld I'll get Angelides-So What! The true question being can any self respecting person participate in any fashion in the current political process? The concept of "one man one vote" has rendered the vote meaningless.

[Lancey Howard]

Sounds to me like California should pass a law requiring all citizens, er inhabitants, to vote.

[calcowgirl]

A different slant:

CA: Arnold outflanks Angelides on the left
Los Angeles Daily News ^ | Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Posted on 09/17/2006 10:21:10 AM PDT by calcowgirl

(snip)

The question in November's gubernatorial race isn't whether Republicans will turn out for their candidate, but whether Democrats will turn out for theirs. By donning Democrat's clothing, Schwarzenegger has effectively stolen the “I'm a real alternative to Arnie” thunder away from Angelides. With Republicans desperate to hold on to power, he has lost little, while gaining much, by going to the left.

[calcowgirl]

Sounds to me like California should pass a law requiring all citizens, er inhabitants, to vote.

If all of the illegal aliens voted, we'd all be making minimum wage, paying our union dues, and working for the State.

[staytrue]

The Inter-DICC-tors will be along shortly to straighten you out

Here I am. Sorry I'm late.

Arnold is a great candidate. The people of CA are self destructive and socialist, but Arnold has guided them to a pro business, less socialist state.

You can blame the coach, but you have to have good players too and the players/voters are not in the mood to fully embrace the conservative agenda.

Vote for Arnold.

[mugs99]

the pickings (outside of McC) are pretty bloody slim.
They sure are. If not for McC I wouldn't even bother to drive to the polling place.
.

[Lancey Howard]

That's the Democrats' general idea....

[Lancey Howard]

Paradise.

[NormsRevenge]

you have to have good players too and the players/voters are not in the mood to fully embrace the conservative agenda.

Thanks for standing in. We appreciate out-of-staters trying to set us straight. ;-)


when the party itself does it's darnedest to run from a sane agenda only for the sake of power alone and then abuses it, 'nuff said.

[b9]

Vote for Arnold.

and disappoint Bin Laden.

[sdillard]

I intend to vote for Arnold. As I have said before, if he does nothing for the next four years except veto stupid bills from the Dem-controlled Legislature, that's enough for me.

This voting story was in every paper in the state last week. Liberal groups are upset that "the poor" and "the uneducated" don't vote. Well, I'm not. I'm one of those "educated, affluent, home owning, white" voters who actually reads the stuff and makes a decision based on what is best for me and my community.

I never, ever "encourage" anyone to vote. If they have no interest, best that they stay home.

Politics in this country are going to get very interesting after the 2010 census. Congress will be re-apportioned and there will be a big loss of blue state seats and big gain of red state seats, to reflect the migration of people to the south and mountain west. This will also hugely shift the electoral map for presidential elections.

The Dems know that if they don't take the government back in 2006 or 2008, they probably never will again. That's why they are so enraged now. They know what the future holds for them.

[calcowgirl]

...if he does nothing for the next four years except veto stupid bills from the Dem-controlled Legislature, that's enough for me

Like the following?

• Global Warming
• Minimum Wage
• Prescription drugs
• Homosexual indoctrination (SB1441)
• Pork filled infrastructure bonds
• etc.

Oh, wait. He has signed (or pledged to sign) all of those.
He even initiated many of them, despite total opposition from the Republican legislature.

[calcowgirl]

...Arnold has guided them to a pro business, less socialist state.

Less socialist? Land grabs, global warming, record increases in spending, all time largest deficit in state history, borrowing, borrowing, borrowing...

What state do you live in? It certainly isn't California!

[ansel12]

I don't "sit out" elections period, I never have, I never will.

[DoughtyOne]

As much as I agree with you, there are some important ballot initiatives which every Conservative can and should vote on in good concience. The Sacramento Bee is hoping it can drum up increased unrest to the point Conservaives will stay home and the leftists can pass what they want unchallenged.

[NormsRevenge]

Good!

A vast majority of folks here don't either.

[b9]

The Sacramento Bee is hoping it can drum up increased unrest
to the point Conservatives will stay home
and the leftists can pass what they want unchallenged.

Worth repeating!

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"In a state that depends on its citizens to make policy at the ballot box, many Californians appear ready to sit out this election. The outcome may be left to a relatively small group of older, affluent voters who do not reflect the state's diversity."

Horsepucky. As we've seen in previous elections, such as the ill-starred special election Arnold called last year, situations of low turnout are a gift to the Left. The unions ensure high turnout of their members, for starters.

Fact is, there are precious few reasons for optimism for this election. What was once the Reagan Majority sees no reason to go to the polls, so they don't. The Gimme Gimme Crowd in the big cities has everything to gain, and so you can expect the big bonds and tax hikes to pass, and government to grow. Until an inspiring and charismatic small-government candidate comes along, that's the way it will be.

I once had high hopes for Bill Simon, but he ran a totally inept and arrogant campaign which ignored ample warnings about the Hindelang scandal. Simon has since been revealed as an obnoxious silver-spoon dilletante. McClintock has the right policies and ample experience but is about as charisma-free as a politician can be. Schwarzenegger has a spine like a piece of wet spaghetti and is the ultimate Girlie Man, showing zero leadership whatsoever and rolling over to the Left time and again.

It's slim pickin's, I'm telling you.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Having said all that, though it's difficult to muster much enthusiasm to vote for Arnold, I can work up quite a batch of vim and vigor for voting against Angelides.

So don't get me wrong, I'll go to the polls with bells on. But I fear too many won't.

[newzjunkey]

We're less than a month from early voting. I'll be glad to get my votes cast and forget about it. There aren't really many issues/candidates to get excited over this term.

It'll end up nearly straight-ticket and NO-NO-NO-NO-NO... voting for me.

[newzjunkey]

I never, ever "encourage" anyone to vote. If they have no interest, best that they stay home.

Well, if you know they're apt to be tool of the Rat party that's a good strategy. If instead they have more than one brain cell to rub together (or are your young kids) encouraging voting isn't a bad idea.

[newzjunkey]

If I get to a point where I can't make my own ballot marks and know marks made for me are my intent, I'm not going to vote again.

[InABunkerUnderSF]

I don't "sit out" elections period, I never have, I never will.

Me either, but I encourage all my leftist nut case neighbors to.

[A CA Guy]

Well let all the left stay home, the rest of us better remember to vote and even more importantly call all our associates who are conservative to vote as well.

Last election we had an extra ten people vote just by me making sure some friends know they should vote.

Simple stuff, but if we all get a few others to vote, it does add up.

[b9]

I can work up quite a batch of vim and vigor for voting against Angelides.

... I'll go to the polls with bells on.

Me, too!

[ansel12]

"Last election we had an extra ten people vote just by me making sure some friends know they should vote."



That is how I think,

If you care about voting, try to get 3 non voters to vote

If you are a passionate activist, try for 10 new votes

If you are good at public speaking, shoot for a hundred.

If you have the skills and talent to win a 1000 new voters, then run for a local office.

[A CA Guy]

One thing, make sure they are conservatives you are getting to the poles.
Lots of kids at first don't vote and that can be a good thing.

[FairOpinion]

You claim that Arnold signed: "Homosexual indoctrination (SB1441) "


I see you are still spreading INACCURATE PROPAGANDA about Arnold.

SB 1441 was NOT about "homosexual indoctrination" and you know it. It is adding sexual orientation to the list of things that state agencies or organizations receiving state funds cannot disciminate against. It's a relatively innocuous bill.

Anyone can check it themselves, to see, that I am the one posting the truth, and you are the one posting the anti-Arnold (= PRO-ANGELIDES) PROPAGANDA.

Just go to the link and put in SB 1441 to read the text:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html

Or just go directly to the text:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_1401-1450/sb_1441_bill_20060828_chaptered.html

"SECTION 1. Section 11135 of the Government Code is amended to
read:
11135. (a) No person in the State of California shall, on the
basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification,
religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, or disability, be
unlawfully denied full and equal access to the benefits of, or be
unlawfully subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity
that is conducted, operated, or administered by the state or by any
state agency, is funded directly by the state, or receives any
financial assistance from the state. Notwithstanding Section 11000,
this section applies to the California State University."






Arnold VETOED the important bills, with major consequences, such as the homsexual marriage bill and he VETOED SB 1437, which WAS the one that people referred to as the "homosexual indoctrination bill" of children.

"One that the governor did veto was SB1437, which would have banned any textbook, instructional material or school-sponsored activity from "reflecting adversely" on the state's sexual smorgasbord. "


http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52010

[calcowgirl]

It is adding sexual orientation to the list of things that state agencies or organizations receiving state funds cannot disciminate against. It's a relatively innocuous bill.

There you go defending the GLBT agenda again--before you called the bills "mere crumbs" and "not real important"... now you call the bill "innocuous."

Many, many disagree with you, FO. And YES--it is indoctrination. If you don't embrace the agenda and teach that homosexuality is AOK, all state funds will be terminated. That includes scholarships to students at religious schools, youth groups offering a host of services, etc.

Read away!

CA: Governor takes a bad step -- to the left (SB 1441)
Bakersfield Californian ^ | 9/5/06 | Marylee Shrider
Posted on 09/05/2006 11:39:09 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

Schwarzenegger Squashes Religious Freedom (SB 1441 SIGNED!!!)
SAVE CALIFORNIA ^ | 08/28/06
Posted on 08/28/2006 9:27:06 PM PDT by Heartofsong83

[ansel12]

"One thing, make sure they are conservatives you are getting to the poles."



Thank you for bringing that to my attention

[A CA Guy]

I know you would take that for granted, but for some folks here who aren't you and don't know better it had to be posted.

[calcowgirl]

"One thing, make sure they are conservatives you are getting to the poles."

We want dems at the "poles" and conservatives at the polls. ;-)

[A CA Guy]

Thanks, I did have a brain spasm there I must admit.

I mean polls, thanks. :-)

[jrp]

Speaking as someone currently trapped (mostly by inertia, I'll admit) in this hellhole of a state, the pickings (outside of McC) are pretty bloody slim.

Boy, I can relate to that. I'm almost tempted to vote for Angelides. The resulting flood of socialism, especially government-run healthcare, would overcome my interia pretty quickly. (I won't actually vote for Angelides, tho:)

[Onelifetogive]

Californians may opt to skip this election

All of them?...or just some of them.....like normal....

[CyberAnt]

HELL NO! WE'RE NOT GOING TO SKIP THIS ELECTION.

These stinking democrats have written the most horrible legislation and we will turn up at the polls and DEFEAT THEIR GROSS JUNK!!

[goldstategop]

Faced between a choice of two liberals, there's not much of interest to voters. Most of the stuff on the ballot is borrow and spend bonds and tax increases. Hardly the stuff of which a revolution is made.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[goldstategop]

Republicans are so desperate they've become closet socialists. Be careful what you say - the Only Brand Is Republican Republicans on here will gang up on you and denounce you as a traitor to the party.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[napscoordinator]

It amazes me that California is the seventh (or fifth?) economy in the World. How can that possibly happen with a majority of the state democratic. Can the Republicans at least learn what it takes to improve each of our Red states from California. I never knew California was that good at running an economy until recently. It certainly shocked the heck out of me. What is the strongest Red state economy in the world? Are we even close? It seems like we have our work cut out for us to compete. I am sure that we will get there, but I would like to knock California out of that top state economy. Why should we be out done by a blue state? We should be working harder at this.