In the Capitol Notes podcast it was suggested that Perata’s Iraq resolution, a non-binding initiative that would call for immediate withdrawal from Iraq and a new emphasis on a international engagement, will have a difficult time getting out of the Assembly.  Anthony York stated that he would be “surprised” if it does make it to the governor’s desk. 

Frankly, I had not even thought that this would be an issue.  The reporters believe that his support for Hillary Clinton and her stance on Iraq would motivate him to kill the measure.  The thinking goes, that he would not want this to become an issue for her in the presidential campaign, given her current larger struggles on the issue.  They also indicate that in general, the interest in the Assembly for this measure is less than in the Senate.

I find this exceedingly disappointing.  Voters should be able to express their opposition to the war on the ballot.  Non-binding or not this would be a powerful statement by the California voting public and can be used as a lobbying tool to encourage the California delegation to get our troops out of Iraq.

The increase in turnout is a good thing and I would be surprised that Nunez would pass that up, given the benefits for his term limit initiative.  Killing Perata’s ballot measure certainly would bring a great deal of backlash against Nunez from the large numbers of Democratic voters who actively oppose the war in Iraq:  the very people who generally do not support Hillary Clinton.  This measure should have a chance at Arnold’s desk.

Kate Fulmar notes that Arnold once said that “non-binding resolutions are pointless, and just a way to pay politics.  At the same time he is Mr. Direct Democracy”.  This puts Arnold in a bind.  However, he doesn’t lose much by letting it go past him.  Those who would want him to kill it have already written off Arnold.  He can always let it sit on his desk for 30 days, which would automatically let it advance.  Nunez and the Assembly should vote to move Perata’s initiative go forward.