‘Independent’ voters really lean Democratic
Re “GOP’s Prop. 187 Wounds Healing, but Dems Are Bleeding,” column, May 11
I was disappointed by George Skelton’s column. It isn’t about disputing Skelton’s facts but his selective use of them. Skelton never states how deeply California has turned into a so-called blue state. Virtually every statewide elected office is held by Democrats; both U.S. senators; a majority of House members; and both houses in the state Legislature.
Skelton instead focuses on the micro issue of party affiliation. Partly as a result of Proposition 187, these trends only got stronger over time, not less so. When Michael Dukakis came close to George H.W. Bush in 1988 in California, it was considered a “victory.” By the time of the disputed 2000 election, Al Gore won by almost 12 points
There simply aren’t any viable third parties in California, so although an increasing number of new voters may like to think of themselves as independent, the majority continue to vote for Democrats.
JOE STEMME
Culver City
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