Proposition 71 was the result of not only a changing national scene, but was also an elaborate orchestration of politicians, interest groups, and prominent celebrities. As stem cell research was being brought to forefront of national politics, Proposition 71 took advantage of California's unique initiative process and became groundbreaking legislation that would impact the policies of states across the country

In many respects, Proposition 71 was a response to President Bush's restriction on stem cell research funding and other restrictive therapeutic cloning legislation that had been introduced into Congress. In August 2001, President Bush announced that he would only allow federal funding for stem cell research on embryonic-stem cells already in existence and would not permit the creation of new lines. However, the number of viable preexisting cell lines was not as large as previously estimated. In addition, use of these lines had several drawbacks, including lack of genetic diversity.

A week before President Bush's announcement, the Weldon bill was passed in the House. A similar bill, the Brownback bill, was introduced in the Senate. Both the Weldon and Brownback bill criminalized not only reproductive human cloning but also therapeutic cloning.

Many were alarmed at the new bills, fearing that they would be used to prevent further research that could help cure many debilitating illnesses. Two Hollywood couples, Lucy Fisher and Doug Wick and Janet and Jerry Zucker, formed a group called Cures Now that was designed to combat the Brownback legislation. Both couples had a vested personal interest in the legislation- as they have children who suffer from diabetes. The two couples held extensive fundraisers and spoke to influential individuals such as Nancy Reagan and Karl Rove. Ultimately, neither the Brownback or Weldon legislation had the support to pass in Congress.

In September 2002, as a response to the Weldon and Brownback bills, the California legislature introduced a bill that would allow therapeutic cloning. The bill was signed into law by Governor Gray Davis. As a result of the bill, California became a location where embryonic stem cell research could be conducted. However, the major hurdle was that the embryonic stem cell research still remained unfounded. State Senator, Deborah Ortiz introduced a bill that would give one billion dollars to embryonic stem cell research. However, the measure was quickly blocked. Ortiz then contacted Cures Now, thinking of the possibility of bypassing the legislature and introducing a proposition directly to the public. Bob Klein, a board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation who has a son who suffers from juvenile diabetes, was also contacted. In addition to being a successful real estate developer, Klein had also assisted in successfully lobbying Congress for one and a half billion dollars of supplemental funding for diabetes research. Thus, a coalition of politicians, Hollywood celebrities, venture capitalists, and interest groups came together to launch Proposition 71.

Around the same time that Klein and other were orchestrating Proposition 71, stem cell research was coming to the forefront of national politics and becoming a dividing line between Republicans and Democrats. Ron Reagan publicized the issue at the Democratic National Convention. In addition, former presidential candidate, John Kerry, began attacking Bush's stance on stem cell research and promised to reverse it if elected. The Bush campaign tried to blunt Kerry's attacks, and reaffirmed their desire to see stem cell research result in promising medical breakthroughs.

Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, was on the fence for several weeks concerning the proposition. Ultimately, however, the governor saw the proposition as a way to further his attempt to change the face of the Republican part. Schwarzenegger had attempted to soften the Republican party by being more liberal on social and liberal issues, while remaining conservative in other areas. Schwarzenegger had publicly stated that he believed this would expand the Republican base of supporters, without sacrificing their current supporters. Consequently, in October, Schwarzenegger announced his support of the proposition. With his support, the proposition passed easily, receiving 59% of the vote.