Spin wars begin over early poll numbers

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Friday’s Field Poll takes voters’ temperature on a number of measures on the November ballot. These early numbers are, in many cases, the first public indication of what the public may be thinking about initiatives that most people probably have not heard much about.

But the groups supporting or opposing those proposals kicked into high gear Friday after the release of the poll. Opponents of marijuana legalization said the early numbers -- which show voters narrowly rejecting Proposition 19 -- show the measure is ‘in deep trouble.’

Democrats and labor unions are backing a measure -- Proposition 25 -- which would allow the Legislature to pass a budget with a simple majority vote. While the poll showed the measure with an early lead (65% of those polled approve it, 20% reject it), a statement for a coalition of business groups opposed to Proposition 25 said those early numbers are ‘based solely on the fallacies pushed by the public employee unions and political party insiders that back this measure. Once more voters learn what Prop. 25 will do, voter opinion will change and it will change quickly.’

Those surveyed were also asked about measures aimed at repealing the state’s greenhouse gas law and an $11-billion water bond.

You can see the entire poll here.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento