Schwarzenegger suffers defeat at polls

In a stinging rebuke from voters who elected him two years ago, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to reshape state government were rejected during a special election that darkened his prospects for a second term. The Republican governor and former Hollywood actor, who likes to say he can sell anything, on Tuesday saw all four of his signature ballot proposals rejected.

The election pitted the once-dominant Republican governor against two of California's powerhouse political forces—public employee unions and Democrats who control the legislature.

The unions spent millions of dollars to beat Schwarzenegger's propositions to limit the use of their member dues for political purposes, cap state spending, redraw legislative districts, and restrict public school teacher tenure.

It was a sobering evening for a man once considered among the most popular politicians in the United States. The contest represented the biggest test yet of a faltering Schwarzenegger leadership.

"The governor's strategy of vetoing marriage equality legislation and supporting restrictions on reproductive rights in an effort to turn out right-wing voters for his ballot measures not only failed, it backfired," said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of gay rights group Equality California. "By aligning himself with the extreme right on social issues, the governor mistakenly believed he could gain support for his package of propositions dealing with redistricting, spending cuts, teacher tenure, and labor unions. California voters soundly rejected that strategy."

Voters overwhelmingly defeated Proposition 76, the governor's centerpiece proposal to slow the growth of state spending. Proposition 77, which would have redrawn legislative and congressional districts, was knocked down by a similar margin. Failing by slimmer spreads were Proposition 74, a plan to make teachers work longer to achieve tenure, and Proposition 73, which would have restricted political spending by public employee unions.

Poll after poll showed it was an election that Californians didn't want, with a total lineup of eight initiatives that didn't connect with everyday issues such as gas prices, housing costs, and the war in Iraq.

Union leaders and Democrats who opposed the governor chanted "Sweep, sweep!" at their Sacramento victory party. "I'm very grateful to Arnold Schwarzenegger for really working people up," said Deborah Burger, president of the California Nurses Association.

Appearing before supporters at a Beverly Hills hotel after learning that at least two of his initiatives had failed, a smiling governor did not concede defeat. "Tomorrow, we begin anew," Schwarzenegger said, his wife, Maria Shriver, beside him. "I feel the same tonight as that night two years ago.... You know, with all my heart, I want to do the right thing for the people of California." (AP, Advocate.com)