California Insider

A new PPIC poll finds that 87 percent of likely voters say the environment will be an important issue when they decide how they will vote in November, and few of them are happy with what they think they know about Schwarzenegger's record. Among other things, this shows the power of branding in politics. Schwarzenegger has crusaded against global warming, pushed a massive investment in solar power and other renewable energy sources, created the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to guard the state's signature mountain range, opposed offshore oil drilling, and signed legislation to protect coastal waters. But he is a Republican. And in California, being a Republican politician usually means you oppose policies that most voters consider to be good for the environment. Schwarzenegger has made a few appointments that the enviros don't like and vetoed a few bills they wanted signed, but even the most ardent environmental lobbyists concede that his record is more mixed than hostile. But voters, especially Democrats and independents, don't seem to see it that way.