I wouldn't be surprised if he does. He's the governor of California after all and I don't think clemency costs him too much politically. If he was the governor of Texas this would be a slam dunk.
The majority of us in California favor the death penalty.
As a Californian who voted him into office, I he gives Clemency to Tookie, he can forget getting my vote again. I am sick and tired of Rhino's - including GW.
If he was convicted of murder in Texas he would have been dead 10 years ago.
I think there would be a massive recall on him. Or they would guarantee that his political life would be over. I think he will state that he "agonized" over the decision but wont grant clemency. IMO
Why would you think that? Support for the death penalty in California has polled over the past 20 years as high as 82% and never been below 68%. Right now support is about 75%.
Politics in California is incredibly complex. It is dangerous to jump to conclusions based impressions you've received from MSN news stories.