Watch: As New Polling Shows Prop. 50 with a Big Lead, Our Pundit Panel Dives into the Politics and Policy of the Special Election
Gavin Newsom set forth a pro-Democratic gerrymander of California to fight a pro-Republican gerrymander in Texas. Our panel of experts demystifies the issues and personalities behind the fight.
The “Stop Trump” message of the Proposition 50 campaign appears to have broken through with California voters, as a new CBS News poll shows supporters with a commanding 62-to-38 percent lead over foes of the disputed redistricting measure.
Thirteen days before the Nov. 4 special election, the poll of 1,504 registered voters released on Wednesday found an overwhelming portion of Democrats (85 percent) and a large majority of independents (60 percent) swamping Republican opposition to the Gavin Newsom-sponsored initiative (78 percent against), with most backers citing disapproval of Donald Trump and his policies as a key reason for their stance.
Among other findings, polltakers reported:
63 percent of registered voters said that Trump “treats California worse than other” states, while just 30 percent believe there is equal treatment.
60 percent said they disapprove of his administration’s immigration deportation program, compared to just 40 percent who support it.
58 percent said that the policies of the White House occupant are making them “financially worse off," while only 18 percent said they are better off economically.
Complete results of the poll — which showed Trump badly underwater with a negative job rating (66 percent disapprove and 34 percent approve) compared to Gov. Newsom’s positive 53-to-47 percent rating - may be found here.
A few hours after the survey was released, Newsmakers TV’s All-Star Panel of National Political Pundits reunited to deconstruct the political and policy implications of Prop. 50, the one and only measure on the special election ballot.
Veteran state political reporter Carla Marinucci, venerable Democratic media strategist Bill Carrick and author and journalist Dan Morain joined the genial host for a conversation ranging from Trump’s military invasion of blue cities, Newsom’s presidential prospects, and the tribulations of former Vice President Kamala Harris, to the weakness of national Democratic leadership, the chances of the House changing hands in the 2026 mid-terms, and the fallout from the national war between the states over redistricting.
Plus: the political significance of widespread public disgust with Trump’s destruction of the East Wing of the White House.
All this and more, right here, right now on Newsmakers TV.
Check out Episode 527 via YouTube below or by clicking through this link. Our podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, or on Soundcloud here. TVSB, Channel 17, airs the show every weeknight at 5 p.m. and on weekends at 9 a.m. KCSB, 91.9 FM, broadcasts the program at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
Image: South Dakota Public Broadcasting.