The Experts Expound

"The governor spent a week traveling around the state pushing his budget reform plan, which includes automatic cuts when times get tight. Is this a good idea, and is his sales pitch working?"

Remember when the Pinto was blowing up in slow-speed crashes, and Ford said they could fix it by putting a piece of plastic over a bolt near the gas tank? This is like that.

It's a terrible idea. It's been a terrible idea for decades, and it will always continue to be a terrible idea. However, "across the board" has a ring of fairness to it that many voters might find appealing. Until, of course, the ox they're most interested in gets gored.

Of course it's a good idea – even probably a necessary thing. But it doesn't change the basic fact that Californians want everything but want to pay nothing. Also, this same basic idea has been on the ballot before – Wilson put it on in '92, and Arnold in '05 – and it went down to defeat both times.

One word: smokescreen. Arnold should plan on moving to the Extended Stay Inn because his lack of leadership will cause the budget fight to go into October.

God willing and if the creek doesn't rise. In other words, only time will tell.

The question is, does anyone who is a real person really pay attention either or to the governor or to the budget anymore? The Legislature is out of control, and they're just going to tax the state until it becomes like Michigan.

I'm a guy who owns three time-shares, and you're asking me if a sales pitch is working?

It is a good idea, but the sales pitch can't work at such an abstract level. So he's just spinning his wheels.

I don't like "across the board," but it gets the job done. His stumping is having an effect.

He is popular. Traveling, taking his message to the people is very effective.

This governor needed to adopt the "Straight Talk Express" approach with the people of California, and he has blown that opportunity. The one guy with enough bipartisan appeal to be honest with the voters in his budget deficit discussions is pitching "True Lies" instead.

The people from whom we sought opinions: Andrew Acosta, A.G. Block, Mark Bogetich, Barry Brokaw, Morgan Crinklaw, J. Dale Debber, Peter DeMarco, Jim Evans, Kathy Fairbanks, Jeff Fuller, Rex Frazier, Ken Gibson, Evan Goldberg, Deborah Gonzalez, Sandy Harrison, Bob Hertzberg, Jason Kinney, Mike Madrid, Nicole Mahrt, Steve Maviglio, Adam Mendelsohn, Barbara O'Connor, Bill Packer, Kassy Perry, Jack Pitney, Adam Probolsky, Tony Quinn, Matt Rexroad, Matt Ross, Roger Salazar, Dan Schnur, Will Shuck, Ralph Simoni, Sam Sorich, Ray Sotero, Gary South, Kevin Spillane, Rich Zeiger