As SierraWasp asked you in his post #33 above, "Would you please describe a CA "party regular" for me? Examples would also be helpful..."
...Congressman Doolittle and Assemblyman Bill Baker were widely believed to be negotiating with Willie Brown for a redistricting map that would be favorable to them personally. I cannot provide links to support this...
Widely believed? i.e. Rumored? I know the newspapers don't cover everything, but what I read from the news of that time tells a bit different story (Public libraries offer online news going back many years).
The team that led the floor fight included the moderates you dislike...
I can handle moderates Republicans just fine. I had always considered myself one. What I dislike are Democrats in (R) clothing (that many call "moderate"). Them, I despise.
I appreciate your other input. I am truly undecided on this measure. I think it is a horrible law and that there were better and easier solutions. I don't like that the districts will be used before voter approval (why not after?). I don't like that we would turn over the power to only 3 judges (why not 5, or 7?); I believe this opens that body up to severe manipulation and corruption. I don't like that the process for selecting the pool of judges is being compiled by a pseudo-governmental body (The Rose Institute) who will be subject to unknown oversight, if any. I don't like that the Judicial Council will provide the initial list (the sole, two Legislators on this council are as left as they come: Joe Dunn and Dave Jones). I'm sure I forgot something, but you get the idea.
I do, however, find the current scenario horrible as well. So, I will have to decide.