Prop. 78 unpopular, feelings hurt

Prop 78 before reading its poll numbers

People don't like big pharma, which is backing California Proposition 78 in the special election, but Claremont McKenna Professor Jack Pitney warns the LA Times that propositions are sensitive creatures:

Prop. 78 May Suffer From Drug Makers' Poor Image
By Lisa Girion, Times Staff Writer

Californians like the idea of a statewide drug-discount program for the poor: A recent Field Poll found Proposition 78 leading by a healthy margin.

But that support sagged when respondents learned that the nation's big drug makers were behind the initiative.

And therein lies the problem for supporters of the measure: Its biggest backer is also its biggest liability.

"Public opinion has a short list of bad guys, and the drug companies are on it," said Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College. "That can be hurtful to Proposition 78."