California is Still a Blue State

But Schwarzenegger’s victory was already a foregone conclusion that progressive activists had already conceded. With all the talk that an Arnold victory would give other statewide Republican candidates coattails and shift the political dynamics of California, last night’s election results don’t prove that this happened. And while the state propositions were a mixed bag, progressives have a lot to celebrate with the defeat of Propositions 85 and 9, the passage of Prop 1C, and Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

California’s Democratic Party is a moribund institution with the same old elected officials who are used to winning every time. This year, every statewide officer chose to play a transparent game of “musical chairs” as they jockeyed for higher office. The Insurance Commissioner (John Garamendi) ran for Lieutenant Governor, and the Lieutenant Governor (Cruz Bustamante) ran for Insurance Commissioner. The former Governor (Jerry Brown) ran for Attorney General, and the Attorney General (Bill Lockyer) ran for Treasurer. And, of course, the Treasurer (Phil Angelides) ran for Governor after winning a brutal primary with the Controller (Steve Westly) that has relegated both to private-citizen status.

Most won their respective races – largely due to name-recognition and the high number of Californians who vote the straight Democratic Party ticket. While the Angelides campaign certainly hurt the chances of down-ballot Democrats, voters were not about to elect a right-wing conservative like Tom McClintock to statewide office. Only Cruz Bustamante – who has his own share of troubles – lost his race.

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