Is Proposition 34 dead? The huge level of spending by
independent-expenditure committees–such as the $8.7 million from the
Tsakopoulos family on behalf of Phil Angelides–suggests that the spirit of
Proposition 34 is indeed dead, at least for statewide races. What, if
anything, does this portend for the November election?

“It’s Schwarzenegger vs. Angelides in the general election. What was the
biggest surprise of election night?”

Who wins the Democratic primary election for governor: Phil Angelides orSteve Westly?

Angelides.

Phil.

I had originally bet on Westly last year, because of Garry South’s skill,Westly’s resources and fresh image, and Angelides’ heavy ethical baggage andoverly nasty style and surly image–but I guess I’m going to have to eat myeBay stock on this one.

With all the attention on the candidates and the state’s finances, at least
one issue has been given short shrift. That’s Proposition 81, the $600
million bond issue intended to improve California’s library system. So
what’s with libraries? How come they don’t excite much interest among the
media? Don’t people read anymore?

What are the political implications of Republican Gov. Schwarzenegger’s decision to repay some $3 billion to education that he borrowed earlier?
Does it appear that the governor simply bought off the teachers in hopes of
getting their support this year? Does this hurt him with the Republican
political base?

“What is the political impact of having $37 billion worth of bonds on the
November ballot? Is it a win for both Schwarzenegger and Democrats? Does the
winner of the Democratic gubernatorial primary go on the stump arm-in-arm
with Schwarzenegger during the general-election campaign?”

The May Revision is coming up in two weeks and late tax receipts show that
the state may have several billion dollars more than it expected. Should the
administration use this money to pay down the structural deficit, or should
the funds go somewhere else?

The California Democratic Party holds its convention this weekend in
Sacramento. State Treasurer Phil Angelides, a candidate for governor and
former chairman of the state party, hopes to receive the party’s
endorsement. How important is the party’s endorsement? If he receives the
endorsement, will it give new energy to Angelides’ campaign?

The latest Field Poll puts Steve Westly up by 11 points over Phil Angelides
in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, which surprised some political
observers. Has Angelides’ campaign misfired in a fundamental way, or is this
simply a question of a deep-pockets candidate, Westly, buying up a lot of TV
time? Can Angelides turn it around?

“Huge demonstrations are taking place across the nation over immigrants’
rights. Although immigration is a federal issue, there are state impacts.
Will these demonstrations force a fundamental political change in the
Capitol’s attitude toward illegal immigration?”