Steve Peace

Steve Peace, a former California budget director, had recently filed an initiative to end partisan elections in the state. He has now withdrawn it, according to the Secretary of State's office. I've contacted the firm listed as the contact point for the initiative, but no response.

The Internet is hot this afternoon with angry right-wingers convinced that the following ballot initiative -- just filed but not even ready for circulation -- is part of Gov. Schwarzenegger's secret plan for next year's special election. The initiative, sponsored by former Gov. Gray Davis budget director Steve Peace, would end partisan registration and partisan elections in California. That's right. Imagine there are no parties, no heaven either.

This has no chance of passing in our partisan age, or perhaps any age. Democrats would oppose it too. And if Schwarzenegger really is behind it, it's likely little more than a threat intended to force partisans on both sides to make deals with him. And I'm not sure it would be very effective even as such a tool. The fact that conservative Republicans see it as a threat is another example of the incredible weakness -- and related paranoia -- of the right in California.