In the past few years a pattern has emerged from a string of explosive political campaigns in California that have sparked public debate across the nation. Launched in the form of ballot initiatives, these campaigns have attacked affirmative action, immigrants, bilingual education, and labor unions. They have divided traditional progressive coalitions, scapegoated marginalized communities, and revived formerly bankrupt social policies. The results of these battles contain profound lessons about the difference between winning and losing campaign strategies and media messages. Continue reading WHY PROGRESSIVES KEEP LOSING CALIFORNIA’S INITIATIVE WARS, by Hunter Cutting and Kim Deterline, photos by Scott Braley →