Mark Baldassare
Mark Baldassare
among concerns evident general help left public students
There are real concerns in the general public about who is going to be left behind, and those concerns are particularly evident among African-Americans and Latinos. There's a sense that when students fail, you need to help them achieve.
directly frustrated improving involved issue lack levels officials progress public quality
The public is frustrated and disappointed with what they see as a lack of progress in improving the quality of education. Because the issue is so important to them, (voters) want to see officials at all levels engaged, even if they're not directly involved (in education).
election elections endorsing energizing generating governor proposals public reasons special specific
The reasons for the special election and the reasons for the specific proposals the governor is endorsing are not something that are energizing the public right now or generating a lot of support.
change governor key looking measures moved negative public sign support voters
There's still a long way to go, but the governor is still looking to find the key to what will change public opinion. While his measures may not have moved in a negative direction, there's no sign that voters have any more inclination to support his package.
education governor public
As long as the governor has education in the mix, the public will be supportive.
action clearly direction governor message move public question sacramento says special state translate whether words
Clearly the governor got the message of the special election. The question is whether the words translate into action in Sacramento and move the state in the direction the governor says he would like to go and the public says they would like to go.
coming direction itself matter policy public seems state toward
Clearly, without having a policy in place on where we're going, the public itself seems to be going toward mailing in the ballot. No matter what direction is coming out of the state capital, that's the direction that the public is going in.
along deeply irony leaders lines opportunity partisan public reconcile split state unable voters
It's an unfortunate irony that state leaders were unable to reconcile their differences, while voters - who are often deeply split along partisan lines - were very much in agreement. This was an opportunity to give the public something it collectively wanted.
confidence degree education extent government lack level people raise reasons reluctant state surprised trust
I think I'm most surprised at the degree to which people are pessimistic about education and the extent to which they lack confidence and trust in state government in general. This is one of the reasons -- at the state level at least -- that people are reluctant to raise their own taxes.
agreement lack numbers steady time
I think it is significant. His numbers have been steady during a time when Californians were disappointed over the lack of agreement on the infrastructure bond.
challenge explain plan voters
This would be unprecedented. I think it will be a real challenge to explain to voters a plan of this magnitude.
ballot connects current voters
Voters see little on the ballot that connects to their current concerns.
appears bond deal last seemed stake understand unlike viewed voters willing year
He's being viewed as someone with a lot at stake in the bond deal but one who was willing to compromise. Unlike last year when he seemed to be saying, 'My way or the highway,' this year he appears to be conciliatory. He seemed to be willing to settle, and voters understand that.
anyone hardly initiative interests picked
hardly anyone picked out an initiative and said, 'This one interests me.'