Checking in on California

A new poll shows that voters support the Governor's infrastructure bond proposal by a 56/27 split, with the rest of voters undecided. And the governor's approval rating has shot up to 40%. More importantly for him, his disapproval rating has dropped back under 50%, a small milestone as he struggles for re-election.

While this is good news for him now, voters will have to face a campaign that points out the downfall of his plan, the longterm costs, and the specter of raised taxes in the future. And it will happen. And while saying you support something is one thing, actually voting that way is another issue. Keep an eye on polls that ask both for bond approval and Arnold in head to head matchups. The numbers should be fairly even.

Also of note, Dan Walters points out the Governor's claims that he has spearheaded the cuts in the state deficit are largely wrong:

Lower-than-expected deficits have almost nothing to do with Schwarzenegger's holding down spending. They have almost everything to do with the surprising vigor of the economy, which has pumped many extra billions of dollars into state coffers. The nonpartisan legislative budget office pegs the windfall of unanticipated revenues at $11.5 billion in three years.

Had Arnold actually made budget cuts, the state's financial picture would be even rosier. Look for Democratic candidates to point this out a number of times before this fall.

And, as always, help Phil Angelides out with some scratch or some volunteer work.