Govenor Points Out Prop 77 Far From Partisan

Cross-posted at Bear Flag League Special Election Page

Dan Weintraub live blogged the Walnut Creek special campaign forum. A key point comes up during the discussion:

A questioner accuses Schwarzenegger of paving the way for a right-wing
gerrymander.
Gov: In Ohio, the Republcians are mad at me because I have
endorsed their redistricting measure and the Republicans are in the majority.
This has nothing to do with Democrats versus Republicans. We don't even know
what the outcomes will be...

Prop 77 is not a Dem. v Rep. issue. In fact, CA Republican's would probably have lost seats with the last redraw under a system not geared towards protecting incumbents, such as 77. Prop 77 will allow voters to pick their politicians - instead of the reverse - and result in more responsive representation. If you don't believe it, ask why incumbent politicians in both parties oppose it.

Is Prop 77 perfect? No. But it is vastly superior to a system where no zero out of 153 seats change hands despite approval ratings of 25%. Throwing darts at a map of state is probably better. Allowing three random people out of the Folsom Yellow Pages choose is probably better. Allowing three random people in Folsom Prison choose is probably better.

For more on the importance of recognizing Proposition as more than a partisian issue, read our interview with Californian's for Fair Redistricting Chairman Bill Mundell.