Mark Baldassare
Mark Baldassare
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.
education lots rhetoric state
The public's frustration with the state of education is palpable. They see lots of rhetoric but little progress.
directly frustrated improving involved issue lack levels officials progress public quality
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.
ability concerned concerns connection direction draw election emphasis gasoline government happening looking natural people prices purpose respond rising seems special terrible
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.
confidence degree education extent government lack level people raise reasons reluctant state surprised trust
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,
election elections endorsing energizing generating governor proposals public reasons special specific
The reasons for the special election and the reasons for the specific proposals the governor is endorsing are not something that are energizing the public right now or generating a lot of support.