We held a "populist" election and got a populist outcome. I listened to Tom Sullivan's radio program yesterday. It's a good show in that it draws commentary from a broad segment.
The reactions among the Democrats (the one's that aren't screaming lunatics) and more moderate voters come down to these: 1) Many liked the measures in the propositions but voted against them because they resent a Republican getting the win and therefore being politically empowered. 2) Resentment over having a special election in the first place. (Waste of money. Sacramento not doing it's job. Spending millions on an election, when the state is in debt, etc. ) 3) Fear of the loss of job security and worker's rights. Resentment that public employees are "looked down on" by the private sector. Fear of having this idea institutionalized.(Perception of class warfare.)
I'm not saying this is rational, it's just the expressed opinions.
I never for a minute thought Schwarzennegger would "give up". He's a big boy, not a waiter miffed over a short tip. He didn't deserve this. I like Schwarzenegger. I like having people with big agendas and ideals in government. We need idea people. But ideals and realities often clash. I'm watching and listening, and I think we may have witnessed the high-tide of partisan political reaction. We'll see.