Presidential Elections California

Disturbed by the electoral crisis in Florida, state Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg wants to make California a chad-free state. Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) wrote to Gov. Gray Davis on Tuesday asking him to include $300 million in his next state budget to dramatically upgrade California's voting systems. More than 70% of California voters use what Hertzberg considers "antiquated" and nearly "obsolete" punch card systems.

Disturbed by the electoral crisis in Florida, state Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg wants to make California a chad-free state. Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) wrote to Gov. Gray Davis on Tuesday asking him to include $300 million in his next state budget to dramatically upgrade California's voting systems. More than 70% of California voters use what Hertzberg considers "antiquated" and nearly "obsolete" punch card systems.

A Sacramento judge has ordered changes in a ballot argument for an initiative on California's March 26 presidential primary ballot that would limit attorney fees in liability suits. Superior Court Judge James Ford rephrased a statement by initiative backer Michael Johnson invoking consumer advocate Ralph Nader's name in his argument in support of Proposition 202, an initiative opposed by Nader.

Bottom line: They hate us. Oh sure, they take their cultural cues from Hollywood, eat our lettuce and live better thanks to the fruits of high technology that blossom in our fertile Silicon Valley. But most of the 220 million Americans who live outside California loathe us with a smirky passion. Nice place to visit, and all that. Nowhere is this animus more passionately felt than political circles, where the state's bigness is instinctively equated with badness.

Bottom line: They hate us. Oh sure, they take their cultural cues from Hollywood, eat our lettuce and live better thanks to the fruits of high technology that blossom in our fertile Silicon Valley. But most of the 220 million Americans who live outside California loathe us with a smirky passion. Nice place to visit, and all that. Nowhere is this animus more passionately felt than political circles, where the state's bigness is instinctively equated with badness.

California's chances of becoming a major, early player in the presidential nominating process improved dramatically Wednesday when a national Democratic Party panel decided to let the state move up its 1992 presidential primary from the traditional June date to the first Tuesday in March. The state Legislature and the governor must approve advancing the date, and there are indications that they are willing to do so.

A Republican stumbling block developed Thursday in the state Senate to a proposal for an early California presidential primary that is designed to give the state a bigger voice in picking the nation's chief executive in 1992. The bill, already passed in slightly different form in the Assembly, was expected to come to a vote Thursday but Senate GOP leader Ken Maddy of Fresno requested a delay for at least a week.

While California legislators debate the local implications of advancing the date of the state's presidential primary, national political strategists say that the shift could significantly influence the nature of presidential campaigning and even the outcome of the nominating process. But not necessarily in the ways its sponsors expect.

Legislation changing the date of California's presidential primary got back on track Thursday after the Senate's Democratic leader gave the green light to negotiations on the long-stalled bill. The legislation would move the state's primary for President from June to the second Tuesday in March, something supporters say will give California considerably more clout in the 1992 presidential selection process.

An Assembly committee Monday revived a previously rejected bill to move up the state's presidential primary from June to March to give California more clout in choosing the nominees to be the nation's chief executive. A 13-5 vote sent the measure by Assemblyman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) from the Ways and Means Committee to the Assembly floor. The bill calls for the presidential primary to be consolidated with the regular statewide primary election on the first Tuesday in March.

Proponents of an open primary argued Wednesday that it would bring back disaffected voters by allowing them to vote for any candidate--Democrat, Republican or minor party member--in a primary election. In particular, the open primary would appeal to "many of the moderate voters who have thrown up their hands at the present system," said state Sen. Lucy Killea, a Democrat-turned-independent from San Diego.

A Sacramento judge has ordered changes in a ballot argument for an initiative on California's March 26 presidential primary ballot that would limit attorney fees in liability suits. Superior Court Judge James Ford rephrased a statement by initiative backer Michael Johnson invoking consumer advocate Ralph Nader's name in his argument in support of Proposition 202, an initiative opposed by Nader.

Secretary of State Bill Jones announced Monday the selection of 15 presidential candidates to appear on California's March 26 primary election ballot, including Democrat Bill Clinton and eight Republicans. So far, there is no prospective nominee from Ross Perot's new Reform Party. Jones, a Republican, noted that he can add names to the list between now and Jan. 27, when the lineup for the presidential ballot becomes final.

Gov. Pete Wilson signed legislation Tuesday aimed at gaining California more clout in selecting presidential candidates by moving the 1996 presidential primary from June to March. National political strategists agreed that advancing the primary to March 26 probably will have a greater impact on the Republican race for the White House in 1996 than on the expected renomination by Democrats of President Clinton.

An Assembly committee Monday revived a previously rejected bill to move up the state's presidential primary from June to March to give California more clout in choosing the nominees to be the nation's chief executive. A 13-5 vote sent the measure by Assemblyman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) from the Ways and Means Committee to the Assembly floor. The bill calls for the presidential primary to be consolidated with the regular statewide primary election on the first Tuesday in March.

The most splendid phrase ever used to describe political life in California belongs--as usual--to the writer Carey McWilliams. Way back in the 1940s, McWilliams saw the emergence of a California that was oversized in every regard, pre-eminent in its wealth, but lacking the political will to focus itself. He referred to California as "the Eunuchoid Giant." I remember, the first time I saw the phrase, I looked up "eunuchoid" in the dictionary just to make sure it meant what I thought. It did.

The most splendid phrase ever used to describe political life in California belongs--as usual--to the writer Carey McWilliams. Way back in the 1940s, McWilliams saw the emergence of a California that was oversized in every regard, pre-eminent in its wealth, but lacking the political will to focus itself. He referred to California as "the Eunuchoid Giant." I remember, the first time I saw the phrase, I looked up "eunuchoid" in the dictionary just to make sure it meant what I thought. It did.

The Assembly, on a bipartisan vote, approved a bill Thursday to move up California's presidential primary election from June to February to give the state more clout in picking the nation's chief executive. A 45-20 vote sent the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra), to an uncertain Senate fate. It also faces the opposition of Gov. George Deukmejian, who previously said he saw no compelling reason for the proposed change, and expressed concern about the cost involved.

Legislation changing the date of California's presidential primary got back on track Thursday after the Senate's Democratic leader gave the green light to negotiations on the long-stalled bill. The legislation would move the state's primary for President from June to the second Tuesday in March, something supporters say will give California considerably more clout in the 1992 presidential selection process.

Gov. George Deukmejian said Wednesday he supports the idea of moving the June state primary election closer to the November general election as a way of reducing costs and shortening political campaigns. Responding to a question at a press conference, Deukmejian said he likes the idea of a September state primary. He recalled that when he was a state senator, he had proposed legislation to do just that, but the bill failed to pass.