Mark Baldassare
Mark Baldassare
ahead challenge governor
The governor has a big challenge ahead of him.
fact since speaks whether
It speaks to the fact that whether you're controller or treasurer, if you've been there since 1998 or 2002, you won't be very well-known on the statewide stage.
easy finger point taking
It's very easy to point the finger at the Legislature and the governor, but ultimately, they're taking their cues from the voters.
along deeply irony leaders lines opportunity partisan public reconcile split state unable voters
It's an unfortunate irony that state leaders were unable to reconcile their differences, while voters - who are often deeply split along partisan lines - were very much in agreement. This was an opportunity to give the public something it collectively wanted.
challenge explain plan voters
This would be unprecedented. I think it will be a real challenge to explain to voters a plan of this magnitude.
education governor public
As long as the governor has education in the mix, the public will be supportive.
agreement bond budget consensus governor leadership measure question reach test type voters
This is a real test for the governor. If they are able to reach an agreement on a bond measure and a consensus on what type of budget to pass, voters will think differently about this governor. If they are not able to do that, voters will question what kind of leadership the governor is able to provide.
agreement lack numbers steady time
I think it is significant. His numbers have been steady during a time when Californians were disappointed over the lack of agreement on the infrastructure bond.
appears bond deal last seemed stake understand unlike viewed voters willing year
He's being viewed as someone with a lot at stake in the bond deal but one who was willing to compromise. Unlike last year when he seemed to be saying, 'My way or the highway,' this year he appears to be conciliatory. He seemed to be willing to settle, and voters understand that.
consistent democrats exactly fairly puts reach talking trying
He has been fairly consistent on the issue, and it's one that puts him in exactly the same place as the Democrats and independents he's trying to reach out to this year. If I were him, I would be talking a lot about this.
recall trying
He was able to do it two years ago in the recall election, and that's what he's trying to do again.
blitz campaigns huge media minds occurs operate percent voters
It has huge implications for how campaigns are going to operate if 40 percent of voters are going to make up their minds before the media blitz that occurs right before an election.
action clearly direction governor message move public question sacramento says special state translate whether words
Clearly the governor got the message of the special election. The question is whether the words translate into action in Sacramento and move the state in the direction the governor says he would like to go and the public says they would like to go.
coming direction itself matter policy public seems state toward
Clearly, without having a policy in place on where we're going, the public itself seems to be going toward mailing in the ballot. No matter what direction is coming out of the state capital, that's the direction that the public is going in.