We are about to find out.
Back in August, as noted here, the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies asked Californians in simple terms if they were in favor of the change Proposition 66 will make. The result was 3-1 in favor.
With no good argument against the initiative, the opponents -- with more money than the supporters -- have resorted to deceit. Christine Mai-Duc and Allison Wisk report for the LA Times on campaign mailers, one of which is the notorious Willingham mailer by the No on 66 campaign we have discussed here before. In order to bring a Texas case into the discussion, the No on 66 campaign tells the bald-faced lie that 66 is "modeled after laws in Texas." There is no truth to that whatever.
Polls on 62 are mixed, and polls on 66 are very few. The Field Poll is one of the few, but it simply read the respondents the confusing ballot label. So we really don't know where things will come out tonight.
Back in August, as noted here, the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies asked Californians in simple terms if they were in favor of the change Proposition 66 will make. The result was 3-1 in favor.
With no good argument against the initiative, the opponents -- with more money than the supporters -- have resorted to deceit. Christine Mai-Duc and Allison Wisk report for the LA Times on campaign mailers, one of which is the notorious Willingham mailer by the No on 66 campaign we have discussed here before. In order to bring a Texas case into the discussion, the No on 66 campaign tells the bald-faced lie that 66 is "modeled after laws in Texas." There is no truth to that whatever.
Polls on 62 are mixed, and polls on 66 are very few. The Field Poll is one of the few, but it simply read the respondents the confusing ballot label. So we really don't know where things will come out tonight.
I'm sure many of the readers outside California are tired of my talking about these propositions. For those who are, the end is near. But the race is important for the nation as a whole. California is too large for other states not to be affected by what happens here.
For the record, Kent, I am not tired of your California CJ ballot discussions at all. Indeed, keep them coming in the hours, days and weeks ahead. I am certain lots of abolitionists will be spinning the 62 and 66 voting results in lots of ways, and I am eager to hear a different perspective.
Similarly, please feel free to cover Props 57 and 64 at great length as you feel inspired. I am especially interested in how the Prop 64 resentencing provisions might play out if passed, and I am struggling to find any thoughtful commentary on that front.
In short, keep up the great work. Even if I do not agree with everything I read, I always learn a lot from the posts you (and others) do here at C&C. I know how thoughtful blogging can sometimes be a thankless job, so I wanted to take this opportunity just to say thanks!
I second Doug's motion. The amount of knowledge and energy it takes to post here is amazing.
I should also note that lying has become routine for death penalty opponents, thus unintentionally disclosing what they think of their own case if it were stated honestly.