Support for Prop. 87 continues to fade; Opposition leading, in turnaround from July poll

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | November 2, 2006 | Matthew Yi

[thackney]

Despite endorsements from Bill Clinton and Al Gore, support for Proposition 87, a measure that seeks to tax oil production to fund alternative fuel development, continues to wane, according to the latest Field Poll results to be released today.

Both the Democratic former president and vice president in recent weeks have been front and center on behalf of the Yes on 87 campaign, being featured in television advertisements and leading rallies such as the one that Clinton appeared in at San Francisco's civic center on Wednesday.

But the latest poll, taken between Oct. 23 and 30, shows 40 percent of likely voters surveyed said they intend to vote yes on the measure; 44 percent said they oppose the initiative.

The new Field Poll also shows a measure to impose higher taxes on tobacco is in a dead heat, and an initiative that would require parents to be notified before a minor has an abortion is ahead slightly. A measure that would clamp down on government powers to condemn property is trailing.

Prop. 87 seeks to raise $4 billion by taxing oil extracted in California and use the funds for research and development, and distribution of alternative fuels. A portion of the money would also be set aside to help consumers buy automobiles that use alternative fuels.

In two previous polls, the results were different. In the first survey, conducted in July before the media blitz began, 52 percent said they intend to vote yes; 31 percent said no. A second survey in late September showed 44 percent supporting Prop. 87 and 41 percent opposing it.

Still, with 16 percent of those surveyed in the latest poll saying they are undecided, the outcome of Prop. 87 probably will not be immediately clear as California voters cast their ballots on Tuesday.

[B Knotts]

Based on those numbers, and considering it's Field, I'd guess it will lose 62-38.

[2banana]

Please tax us more...

[bboop]

Oh YAH HURRAY. There is a teeny bit of common sense here in California. phew ....

[McGavin999]

California is really becoming pathetic. They won't even vote for something that will stop the government from taking away their own property.

[goldstategop]

Its going down to defeat. I expect the same to happen to Prop. 88 - the statewide parcel tax.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[RichInOC]

You're kidding. Not only have both Bubba and Al done ads for that thing, but right now, and for the last few days, I'm not sure if they're running anything but Bubba's ads.

I love it.

[P-40]

I suspect that the voters are starting to see through tax increases that are meant to appeal to emotions and not common sense. I also suspect that most of the really stupid Californians are no longer able to vote in California...as they have all moved here, Austin.

[Bigh4u2]

"A portion of the money would also be set aside to help consumers buy automobiles that use alternative fuels."

Always looking for that 'giveaway' for their base.

[goldstategop]

When you have both Clinton and Gore stumping for a measure you know in your heart its THAT bad. Prop. 87 combines all of the worst provisions in an energy policy - tax increase, an expensive new bureaucracy and no requirement to produce alternative fuels. Its a scam and voters have wised up to it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Bigh4u2]

"Its a scam and voters have wised up to it. "

Which is really amazing considering we are talking about California here and the 'left coast'.

[sergeantdave]

How is prop 90 doing?

[repvetsyiydli]

WHy whether energy, meds, stem cells is there not one LIEberal entinty to make Dems dreams a reality?

Is there no research that the Dems champion what Soros, CLiton etal are willing to throw their millions into?

Or do LIEberals just feel guilty by making a buck and helping lieberal causes?

[Smogger]

Amazingly most voters feel the same way I do.

Yes on Prop 85.

No on everything else.

[calcowgirl]

These polls are all over the board. 

 

 

Field Poll (PDF), November 2, 2006
Proposition	Yes	No	Undecided
Prop 85 - Parental Notification	46	43	11
Prop 86 - Cigarette Tax	45	45	10
Prop 87 - Oil Production Tax	40	44	16
Prop 90 - Eminent Domain	35	42	23
Hoover Institution Poll, October 31, 2006
Proposition	Yes	No	Undecided
Prop 85 - Parental Notification	42	51	7
Prop 86 - Cigarette Tax	49	47	4
Prop 87 - Oil Production Tax	49	44	7
Prop 88 - Parcel Tax	31	60	9
Prop 89 - Public Financing	35	52	13
Prop 90 - Eminent Domain	58	28	14
Datamar Poll (PDF), November 1, 2006
Proposition	Yes	No	Don't Know
Prop 1A - Transportation Funding	56.8	27.2	16.0
Prop 1B - Bonds - Transportation	56.9	33.5	9.5
Prop 1C - Bonds - Housing	42.4	48.2	9.5
Prop 1D - Bonds - Schools	47.2	44.1	8.7
Prop 1E - Bonds - Flood Control	61.4	29.4	9.1
Prop 83 - Jessica's Law	69.0	24.0	7.0
Prop 84 - Bonds - Environment	50.4	40.0	9.5
Prop 85 - Parental Notification	46.8	46.8	6.4
Prop 86 - Cigarette Tax	44.8	49.8	5.4
Prop 87 - Oil Production Tax	45.2	48.0	6.8
Prop 88 - Parcel Tax	28.6	62.5	8.9
Prop 89 - Public Financing	27.5	60.1	12.4
Prop 90 - Eminent Domain	46.2	41.2	12.5

 

 

[calcowgirl]

Ping - a comparison of polls, FYI.

[tubebender]

The direction of the city of Eureka is not looking good at this time. Of the five councils members, four are pro business and two of them are up for reelection and the Progressives Regressives are pouring a lot of Horse Waste into the race.

The election is all about Robin and Cherry Arkley and their deep pockets as Republican supporters. They have purchased the 38 acre UP rail yard near the waterfront and plan to clean it up and develop it into a multi-use area. This track yard has been vacant for 35 years...

[calcowgirl]

The direction of the city of Eureka is not looking good at this time. Of the five councils members, four are pro business . . .

Interesting. I thought the tree huggers had been in charge for all these decades.

The election is all about Robin and Cherry Arkley . . .

That has to rile 'em up a bit! Good!

[tubebender]

You must be thinking of Arcata, the Kook Kapital North. It is so bad there that two pro-business Dimocrats challengers may win.

[Grampa Dave]

Arcata, home of Enviral Terrorists and other rats who hate America.