http://mediamatters.org/tools/syndication/tag_rss/california_initiative This link is for use by RSS-enabled software to retrieve Media Matters items matching the term: California Initiative en-US Copyright 2008, Media Matters for America http://mediamatters.org/items/200712050004 In reporting on a Republican-backed California ballot initiative that would award the state's electoral votes by congressional district,<em> The</em> <em>Sacramento Bee</em> stated that "Republicans behind the initiative said it would force presidential candidates to visit California more often and give more voters a voice in the presidential outcome." But the <em>Bee</em> did not note that there are only three congressional districts in California that Sen. John Kerry or President Bush carried by 5 percentage points or less during the 2004 presidential election; thus, if the initiative passed, campaigns would presumably have little incentive to "visit California more often," as the initiative's backers reportedly claimed. Moreover, California voters would have less influence on the outcome of elections, because voters would likely deliver fewer than the current 55 electoral votes to the winner. http://mediamatters.org/items/200712050004 Wed, 5 Dec 2007 12:12:44 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200712030004 The <em>Los Angeles Times</em> reported that supporters of a controversial Republican-backed California ballot initiative that would award the state's electoral votes by congressional district portray the proposal "as a way to make California's elections fair." But the article did not mention opponents' argument that the measure would not "make California's elections fair." Further, the article did not note that several of the key initiative supporters it named are prominent Republicans, or that the initiative was endorsed by the party's state convention. http://mediamatters.org/items/200712030004 Mon, 3 Dec 2007 13:51:20 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200711260002 Reporting on a Republican-backed California ballot initiative that would award the state's electoral votes by congressional district, NPR correspondent Ina Jaffe aired an audio clip of Republican consultant Dave Gilliard, who asserted: "We want [presidential candidates] to come out here and actually campaign throughout California. We want them to go to the Central Valley, and Inland Empire, and the North Coast, and talk to Californians about what's important to California." In fact, California has only three congressional districts that Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) or President Bush carried by 5 percentage points or less during the 2004 election, and thus, if the initiative passed, campaigns would presumably have little incentive "to come out here and actually campaign." Further, Jaffe's report did not note one of the major arguments made in opposition to the California initiative -- that it reapportions the electoral votes of only California, rather than applying a nationwide standard for the distribution of electoral votes. <br /> http://mediamatters.org/items/200711260002 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:32:51 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200709260008 http://mediamatters.org/items/200709260008 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:36:54 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200709130009 On KTTV, Fox's Los Angeles affiliate, correspondent John Schwada reported that "there are several new plans to further boost the power of California voters," referring to separate Republican and Democratic ballot initiatives that would change the way the state's electoral votes are awarded. But Schwada did not explain how the Republican initiative to award votes by congressional district would "boost the power of California voters." Under the state's current winner-take-all system, California currently awards 55 electoral votes to its winner, far more than any other state. Under the GOP plan, the state would give far fewer electoral votes to its winner. This, by definition, reduces the power of California voters. <br /> http://mediamatters.org/items/200709130009 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:37:37 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200709100004 http://mediamatters.org/items/200709100004 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:17:56 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200709100001 An Associated Press article on the California Republican Party state convention reported that "Republicans at the convention also endorsed a proposed ballot initiative to change the way the state awards electoral votes in presidential contests," but did not note that the initiative was originally proposed by a lawyer with deep ties to the state GOP or report any Democratic criticism of the proposed initiative. <br /> http://mediamatters.org/items/200709100001 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:52:20 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200708250001 http://mediamatters.org/items/200708250001 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:28:06 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200708240004 On <em>Special Report</em>, correspondent Anita Vogel falsely claimed that ballot initiatives proposed by Democrats on the distribution of California's electoral votes would "protect the current process." In fact, the initiatives would change the "current process" if enacted by California and other states. http://mediamatters.org/items/200708240004 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:30:38 EST http://mediamatters.org/items/200708230011 On <em>Fox News Live</em>, correspondent Anita Vogel reported on a ballot initiative proposed by a Republican organization that would "divvy up" California's "55 coveted electoral votes to the winner of each congressional district, rather than the winner-take-all system currently in place." On-screen text during Vogel's report identified a spokesman for the GOP group as "pro-reform" and an opponent of the initiative as "anti-reform." However, the spokesman has criticized two other initiatives on California's electoral vote that have been proposed by Democrats. http://mediamatters.org/items/200708230011 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:40:57 EST