(LA Times) The broad policy changes that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled with a flourish in his State of the State speech in January have foundered amid a series of missteps, compromises and clashes with a well-organized opposition.

Portraying 2005 as the "year of reform," Schwarzenegger shocked the political establishment with a menu of far-reaching proposals: a new method of drawing legislative and congressional districts; spending restraints aimed at averting future deficits; an end to spiraling public pension costs; and better pay for the best teachers.

  He said he would take his ideas straight to the voters in a special election if necessary.

One by one, however, his proposals have proved all but unsalable. "The whole special election … and direct democracy is looking more complicated to his people than maybe a few months ago," said Dave Gilliard, a Republican political consultant.