For some reason I keep thinking about Clara Peller when I watch the new campaign ad from the supporters of the redistricting initiative, Proposition 77.

The ad takes a humorous bent toward voter frustration with the Legislature, with Sacramento actress Golden Henning playing a cranky little old lady who waves her walking cane as she rants about lawmakers in general, and their role in drawing political maps in particular.

Clara Peller, if you don't remember, became a minor celebrity, of sorts, thanks to the 1984 "Where's the beef?" TV ads for Wendy's.

Prop 77 political consultant Wayne Johnson previewed the ad for reporters in Sacramento this morning, and said the campaign will spend $2 million for statewide airings this week. He hinted there are more ads to come; the opponents of Prop 77 have not yet aired any ads.

It also sounds unlikely that the Prop 77 team will highlight any of its ties to Governor Schwarzenegger in the final month of the campaign. In fact, what was most interesting in Johnson's informal remarks today was that members of focus groups have occasionally told him Prop 77 is the only thing on the ballot in which they're even interested.

"There's no question it has a broader constituency," said Johnson.