Arnold's deadline soon shall pass

As the CSM article reminds, Arnold's deadline to reenact his four key reforms will no doubt come and go this week without much action from the state Legislature:

Tuesday, that deadline will pass with little progress, and Mr. Schwarzenegger will have to decide whether to ramp up an initiative campaign unlike any seen in American history - both for its intensity and scope.

Even for someone with Schwarzenegger's considerable skills of communication, the ballot presents enormous challenges. Not only would the governor be picking a fight with some of the most powerful groups in the state - from teachers to legislators - but he would also be pressed for time. If he wants to hold a November special election, he has only seven weeks to gather 1.2 million signatures for each item.

I doubt that Arnold will have much difficulty garnering those signatures, but the votes come fall should be another matter. The public is fairly evenly split on his proposals, giving them only modest support for now. However, this is without any major advertising from what should be very strong and well financed opposition.

If Arnold goes through with his expensive special election, Democrats should view it as his own electoral "primary." It will be an uphill battle for Arnold to overcome a defeat so close to the actual election. Democrats should be unafraid to take him on come 2006.

I'm not advising defeat of these proposals simply on the grounds that it would be beneficial for Democrats next year. It goes without saying that most of his proposals are bad for the people of California and more beneficial to Arnold's special interest friends then anyone else. That alone should be the reason they fail.