"Touch it and you die!"
Category: Politics...
Posted Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 07:37 AM [GMT-6]

Great interview on The Today Show a few minutes ago. Ann Curry was discussing the California gubernatorial scene with Sherry Bebitch-Jeffe, who is with the USC School of Policy Planning and Development. Ms. Bebitch-Jeffe was quite articulate and had some good insights about Ahnold's campaign, and what he needs to do (and not do) to maximize his chances for success.

Her best line came in regard to Prop. 13, the 1978 initiative that rolled back property taxes in the state. She said that Prop. 13 is "the third rail of California politics: touch it and you die."

In a world ruled by nuance and attention to esoteric detail, the truth of that statement stands pretty tall.