That headline needs to be tattooed on the foreheads of every politician, journalist, and pundit in this state. The PPIC poll leaves no doubt about the public's dislike for the governor and his insane, economically ruinous policies that cause direct harm to children, the sick, the disabled, and many others:

The PPIC Survey, which began before an agreement was announced on the state budget on July 20 and concluded just afterward, finds Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s approval rating at a record-low 28 percent. Approval of a California governor has not been this low since August 2003 (26% approve, 67% disapprove), when then-Governor Gray Davis was facing a recall and budget standoff with the legislature. The governor’s approval rating for handling environmental issues has also declined (35% approve, 43% disapprove) since last July (46% approve, 36% disapprove).

That's George W. Bush territory. Schwarzenegger's overall trajectory in office closely resembles the reviled former president: elected under dubious circumstances, he won Democratic support for stupid economic and fiscal policies that have produced a severe recession characterized by high unemployment. Of course, Bush had the power to run deficits to prevent spending cuts - Arnold doesn't, and in his desire to destroy the services that made California prosperous and a pleasant place to live, he is alienating the public:

"A lot of the cuts being made were not popular, and he really took the lead and was out front on what he said was needed — staying firm on not raising taxes — so the entire deal has his fingerprints," said Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at California State University-East Bay. "I hear from a lot of people who would have understood if some taxes were raised. Raising taxes on the wealthy sure would have been more palatable than cuts on students, elderly and children."

The legislature's approval ratings are low as well - 17% approve of their job, which is actually somewhat surprising given the frequent legislature-bashing that goes on in our media.

As Sacramento prepares for yet another special session, called this time to try and implement Arnold's regressive tax policies, it is worth keeping in mind just how unpopular he is. Legislators should feel themselves under no pressure whatsoever to do anything this guy asks. Arnold will be gone from office in 18 months, and while the Legislature still needs to deal with him on the budget, there is no reason at all for them to deal with him on tax reform.

Democrats would do well to treat Arnold like Bush, and run out the clock on his failed governorship. With record unemployment, no prospects at all for economic recovery, and his desire to smash public services, Californians are going to continue to sour on their governor, and look forward to the day in January 2011 when we are no longer plagued with his corrosive presence in government.