Mark Baldassare
Mark Baldassare
ahead challenge governor
The governor has a big challenge ahead of him.
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.
among amount challenge money ratings spent strong time
The challenge for him this time is really twofold: first of all, he's got very strong disapproval ratings among the voters, who are opposing his measures, particularly Democrats, and secondly, there is a very substantial amount of money that is being spent on the 'no' side.
education lots rhetoric state
The public's frustration with the state of education is palpable. They see lots of rhetoric but little progress.
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The public is frustrated and disappointed with what they see as a lack of progress in improving the quality of education. Because the issue is so important to them, (voters) want to see officials at all levels engaged, even if they're not directly involved (in education).
attitudes deep ignore run
These attitudes run deep and wide. To ignore them could be politically perilous.
ballot competing headed june plans
Essentially, all of these competing plans that were headed for the June ballot were very popular.
change governor key looking measures moved negative public sign support voters
There's still a long way to go, but the governor is still looking to find the key to what will change public opinion. While his measures may not have moved in a negative direction, there's no sign that voters have any more inclination to support his package.
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People are very concerned about the direction of the economy, rising gasoline prices and the ability of the government to respond to the terrible things that are happening around us, such as natural disasters. They're looking to this special election and they really can't draw a connection between what concerns them the most and what seems to be the purpose and the emphasis of the special election.
borrowing resolve short term
Borrowing in the short term has become the way to resolve these impasses.
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I think I'm most surprised at the degree to which people are pessimistic about education and the extent to which they lack confidence and trust in state government in general. This is one of the reasons -- at the state level at least -- that people are reluctant to raise their own taxes.
ballot connects current voters
Voters see little on the ballot that connects to their current concerns.
anyone hardly initiative interests picked
hardly anyone picked out an initiative and said, 'This one interests me.'
inspiring none passion
None of the propositions favored by the governor's administration are inspiring much passion,