Scorched-earth spokeswoman for the WA State Dems, Kirstin Brost, emerges from this fawning Stranger profile with egg all over her face.
Regarding the pending contested election lawsuit against Democrat and current Governor Christine Gregoire by Republican opponent Dino Rossi, she said this to Stranger staff writer and willing dupe Josh Feit.
"They don't have a case," she says of the Republicans. "They need to prove that illegal votes cost Rossi the election, but they don't have that. What they have is PR and BS."
Mmm hmm. And in this state Demo party press release, Brost recently wrote:
Rossi’s problem, of course, is that the election contest statute clearly says the GOP must prove that the illegal votes cost Dino Rossi the election.
Uh, no, Ms. Brost. Your problem, and your party's, if you read this morning's Seattle Times, is that there was a court ruling yesterday that misconduct or neglect by election officials would be enough to overturn Gregoire's razor-thin and highly suspect victory. And was there EVER plenty of misconduct and neglect.
Further evidence of Brost's political acumen comes in the Stranger profile. Over margaritas, Brost - a former political assistant and house-sitter for Democratic attack-dog James Carville - said that:
...she still "doesn't know what John Kerry's position on Iraq was" and that Al Sharpton was the best candidate in the Dem field. ("Howard Dean had nothing on Al," Brost, 27, says with a smile.) She also allows that "Oh my God," George Bush's designs on social security " make me want to vomit."
Well, points for honesty on Kerry, at least. As for the rest: Classy. Smooth. Savvy.
Feit, by the way, previously demonstrated his own counter-counter-intuitive political instincts with this bit of sage advice for Gregoire, in another Stranger piece, where he proclaimed:
...Rossi's initiated a PR war in an attempt to instigate some sort of people's coup to intimidate lawmakers and overrun the legal process.
Feit closes his profile of Brost by urging that state Dems hire her permanently, perhaps because her spewing tracks so closely with his own moonbat mutterings.
...Brost's gig with the Washington State Democrats is up in two weeks. It'd be a shame if local Democrats lost her talent.....Brost says simply that after a much-needed vacation, she'll come back to Washington to find political work "with smart people, aggressive people, people who aren't afraid to shake things up." Hmmm, sounds like a dare to me. Hopefully, for the Democrats' sake, the typically tepid Party will meet Brost's challenge. I, for one, hope the Gregoire camp in particular recognizes how talented Brost is and hires her as the governor's spokeswoman.
As a supporter of the Washington state GOP, I heartily concur.
Posted by Matt Rosenberg at February 05, 2005 10:22 PM | Email ThisYou know, not in a million years would Dino hire anyone this crazy or tasteless to represent him. I think this gal is yet another nail in the Gregoire coffin.
Zell Miller continues to be shown oh, so right.
Posted by: Michele S on February 5, 2005 10:28 PMIf Brost is seen as the Ds 'saviour', then we Rs are in better shape than we thought!
Posted by: Michele S on February 5, 2005 10:38 PMI doubt that she really meant that Al Sharpton was the best Democrat presidential candidate, and maybe she never said it (even in jest). As far as Kerry's position on Iraq, I was never able to figure it out either :)
Posted by: Richard Pope on February 5, 2005 11:35 PMACK! Fresh out of college....(moonbat 101!)
Young-mouthy-liberal-idiots in denial are what our colleges are turning out these days......Did she attend SCCC?
All I can say is....it figures..
Posted by: Deborah on February 6, 2005 12:32 AMJust curious...work with me here...is it possible that HL Lucy is her evil twin? The basic position on things seems to be roughly comparable, even if a bit more polished in Brost's case. While demented, Brost has a discernable sense of humor, though. 180 degrees out of kilter.
Carville whelp. The fog is starting to clear.
Richard, I'm hoping that you are correct about the satire thing. I'd hate to think that anyone was that far gone. Sharpton. I'm sure his mother,assuming she still lives, loves him. But that's no reason to give him a moment's consideration.
Posted by: scott158 on February 6, 2005 12:32 AMBut the judge cited a 1912 state Supreme Court case often mentioned by Democrats. In that case, the court found that if it is unknown which candidate received an illegal vote, “it must be treated as a legitimate vote.”
If I understand, you are agreeing this was the judge's decision but believe there remains another cause of action permitting the election to be set aside if there was "misconduct or neglect by election officials would be enough to overturn Gregoire's."
I think both statements are true. There is a least one more avenue available than simply requiring the votes to be traced benefitting Gegoire.
However, I think its fair to sat that the judge will not set aside the election upon simply showing that there were more illigal votes than the margin of victory.
Posted by: Erik on February 6, 2005 12:37 AMI'm working on an article about the Democratic Party's "in-your-face", almost rap culture-like, politics and their increasing propensity to disregard decorum and disrespect institutional traditions. (Think booing at the State of the Union.)
The Stranger article refers to a NY Times piece, saying:
"Brost even won special notice from the New York Times for ruffling Washington State's tradition for polite politics when they covered the recount story."
Does anyone have a link to or copy of that NY Times article? It might be something I want to use. (the Stranger piece may very well make my list, too!).
Thanks.
Posted by: JeanneB on February 6, 2005 06:39 AMHere's hoping you'll be even handed in your story. For example, you could mention how for the first time our republican lawmakers refused to stand for Governor Gregoire...and how a duly elected state senator calls her "temporary" on TVW. Also, a Bush cabinet member swearing at a US Senator would be good...hey, Bush calling a reporter and "a**hole" would be a nice balance too! Plenty of examples of lack of decorum. And while you are at it, on the street side..don't forget those wonderful folks who stick pictures of dead fetuses in the faces of kids (young kids)...I know, they were my kids.
Truth is...neither party has the high ground on this issue. I have no idea what paper/blog you write for...but here's hoping journalistic integrity trumps partisan and biased party writing...
Posted by: jim on February 6, 2005 07:07 AMWatch for democrat election "reform" proposals to start popping up that will be designed to allow for fraudulent manipulation of the system by democrats and partisan election board supervisors. I expect one to be a variation of the international Iraqi poll sites in which democrats will offer to run polling places for Washingtonians who are now living or working in places like Boston, NY, or S.F. -- maybe Cuba.
Posted by: Baynative on February 6, 2005 07:12 AMThe anti-abortion protesters doesn't fit my theme. In the history of protests, many ugly things have been said and done. I'm talking about what elected officials and party representatives do.
As for cursing, those were both spontaneous examples. My focus is on calculated, planned, premeditated acts by those representing their party.
I know you will take this as a partisan response, but it's not. For example, many people have suggested I use the Wellstone Memorial as a perfect example. But it, too, didn't fit my criteria. The poor judgement shown there was not planned, it merely bubbled up from the partisan speeches which, I think, surprised many in attendance. It was simply an example of unplanned boorish behavior.
Posted by: JeanneB on February 6, 2005 08:12 AMjim--once the depositions start and the Court case rolls out, it will be devastating to the Dems.
Remember this quote--
"This election is a model to the rest of the nation and the world at large".
---Christine Gregoire
The Judge is wisely allowing the evidence to be presented for his consideration as well as the consideration of the voters of Washington State.
Now jim..I know you are the "King of Spin and Hyperbole". Admit it...you would love to be on the R's side of the Court of Public Opinion PR side to this election fiasco, wouldn't you??
I mean you take Gregoire's quote (which is on tape) and Berendt's blubbering and bawling outburst about spending his whole life making sure that every vote was counted (especially the illegal ones) and what is in that box of provisional ballot affadavits.....man, it's a PR person's dream come true. There are a few other choice quotes to add to this dung heap and voila...what a TV Ad Campaign for the R's. And the stars of the Ad are your folks.
No jim...no hurry. If the election is set aside, Owen will take office briefly with an election in November. In the meantime, the Lefty's have create their own personal political Hell.
If only Howard Dean were Chair of the Democratic Party!!! What, he might actually be??!!!
Life is good when you are Right jim!
You are correct at what the Dems will "try" to do if they prevail in Court. However the fact that Gregoire opened her mouth real wide and uttered "this Election is a MODEL to the rest of the Nation and the World at large"...is going to be something very tough to worm out of after all the evidence is presented and Election Officials and others deposed. I think the harder the Dems try to make a silk purse out of this sow's ear Election, the worse it will look in the Court (of Public Opinion).
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on February 6, 2005 09:10 AMAnd the Vice President's zinger to the Senator was a private remark, personally addressed in response to massive disrespect by said Senator, and not at all a public demonstration.
Posted by: Insufficiently Sensitive on February 6, 2005 09:41 AMSeattle Times: "When asked about the series of Democratic motions rejected by Bridges, Durkan said, "Watch who appeals. That'll tell you who got what they wanted.""
Bottom line is the Dems lost procedural motions but live to fight another day, the Reps lost substantive motions on what remedies were allowable, and are dead on the revote unless they get an appellate reversal.
It's still fun though, and who DOESN'T enjoy a good dig in the ribs of one's opponent?
My concern is that we are putting so much emphasis on the end result that we are going to lose focus on the procedural missteps, malfeasance, and general corruption in the system of voting. THAT, my friends, is something we dare not let slip by the wayside, for we will be at this in future elections if we do not deal with it.
I fully understand that the process of discovery and entering evidence into the system benefits those of us opposed to the incompetent/criminal behavior that has gone on. Go too far, and we lose focus as people get either burned out on the subject, or so focused on the end result that when the end comes, things are over.
Prognosticate and snipe away in the good spirit of partisan citizenship. But let's ensure that we close this one out in a legitimate way, and prevent nonsense in the future.
Steve
Posted by: Patches Pal on February 6, 2005 10:53 AMThe court has clearly been called upon by the legislature to make factual determinations regarding whether Christine Gregoire can be said with any certainty to have gotten more legitimate votes than Dino Rossi.
In the event that the court finds that the election outcome is unknowable because of the incompetance of various officials, it may not have the power to do anything other than announce its findings to the public and to the legislature. If the legislature decdides to keep Gregoire in office despite such a finding, there may not be any legal remedy but legislators who refuse to support a revote would show themselves to be partisan hacks. The situation would not be much different from if Dino Rossi were to have won by 2,000 votes but the legislature were to pass a statute granting Gregoire the governorship: the legislature would be within its power to do it, but everyone would know that they were abusing their powers in doing so.
Posted by: supercat on February 6, 2005 10:58 AMBeen going on so long that we hardly notice it anymore.
I am personally taking a different tack on the subject though. I believe that I have nearly convinced In-N-Out to expand to the Puget Sound, and with every move of an existing customer of theirs, my case is bolstered that they need stores up here to service their existing customer base.
And..... I get to have In-N-Out without having to leave the state. (Finally)
(side note: In response to my annual business case that they should be up here, for the first time they indicated plans to expand to Seattle. Big news, and no details on location/timeframe. Gave them suggestions of stores in Issaquah, Redmond, Alderwood, Southcenter, and Tacoma Mall area. Told the info was forwarded to real estate for analysis.)
When life hands you lemons.....
Steve
Posted by: Patches Pal on February 6, 2005 12:26 PMHow about one in Vancouver? Would love it!
Posted by: Susu on February 6, 2005 12:41 PMAre they looking to build a food prep center in the PNW? That's what I suggested to them few years back.
Sorry to see them stop the toweling of the freedom fries.
I still have the 'modified' bumper sticker on my Datsun F-10.
Posted by: MB on February 6, 2005 01:21 PM(Well, it worked for Paul Berendt)
Posted by: Susu on February 6, 2005 01:34 PMOf course your answer is partisan. You don't want to write a fair article..you throw away the easy examples I suggest as all being not appropriate for your article.
That's the same response the liberal writers give when they talk about how mean the republicans are.
Truth be told...BOTH parties have lack of sensibility, rudeness and calculated offensiveness.
But nobody wants to write that story...the truth. They all have their points of view they want to get across (and goodness knows there are plenty of examples on this site alone about the bias of the MSM -- you are providing an equally valid bias of the other side.
Much less of this existed before Newt Gingrich got on the scene. Swearing man himself, Dick Cheney, acknowledged during the campaign how much more reasonable BOTH sides were prior to 1994. Gingrich did an effective divide and both sides have been pushing it further toward the edges. He talked about how he and Speaker Foley would work together honestly to bridge differences and work for the people.
Your article will no doubt be just another one-sided view that will show the path to working together respectfully (and writing about it intellectually honestly) is still a long ways off.
And flamers...read the above carefully. It's both sides that do this and guilty. Yes, I think Newt was the catalyst (as Cheney provided the timeframe) but both sides have been off and going ever since.
Posted by: jim on February 6, 2005 01:50 PMMight I remind you a republican mantra for the past 12 years is "we don't govern by polls?" Why would the poll of public opinion be of any value here when all the others aren't (like bush having the lowest approval rating of any 2nd termer, and most americans feeling iraq was a mistake, and an insane number of americans thinking saddam was behind 9-11).
Tell me...are polls suddenly valid when they finally support a point you have? And of course, I haven't done the favorite republican thing and blast the poll takers as mindless, ditto-head robots with biases out the wazzooo.
Truth is ... if any judge ever "appointed" a democrat governor, president, dog catcher, whatever...the Rs would be shouting "activist judges" faster than you could say "I am not a crook!" How sad it must be to hold back condemnation of overzealous judges just because they made a republican president...a guy who got less votes by a lot.
Just imagine that reality....as you ask me to imagine a Dean reality. (By the way, what part of Vermont's buget don't you like? -- for the natinoal budget, there are TRILLIONS of reasons not to like what bush has done to future generations)....
Posted by: jim on February 6, 2005 01:55 PMAll I'm saying is the Dems have lined themselves on the side of saying
"This election is a MODEL for the rest of the Nation and the World at large"
---Christine Gregoire
In order to set aside this election, the Judge would clearly have to disagree with Ms. Gregoire's statement. That's all.
If there is no new election, it is somewhat moot.
If there is, it's an issue. That's all.
You can try to rally the Bush-haters to support Gregoire and hope it is enough. My belief is the R's will pick up many more votes than they lose.
jim--just wait until you see the actual evidence, depositions of Election Officials, staff and others (like Mr. Berendt & his cronies re: the provisional ballot affadavits).
Enjoy the game. I really didn't have a preference in this game until I heard Goldstein was an Eagles fan. That automatically makes me a Patriots fan. Goldy is on such a loser's roll, I ought to bet the farm on the Pats!!
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on February 6, 2005 03:11 PMStefan and Mr. Cynical. Let's think about this for a moment. If/When there's a revote, something's going to pop out on the mantra. We saw a bit of it from the representative from Fife.
The opponents of the revote are going to demand that the vote be limited to the voters on Nov 2. We know that Terwilliger and Logan are being obtuse, saying that there's no way of determining who voted that day. I'll bet you dimes to donuts that if there's a revote, and they think they can gain ground with it, they will suddenly become HIGHLY motivated to make that determination.
It's obvious to me, thanks to Stefan's work, that the feigned ignorance and inability is merely a ruse to avoid their shortcomings coming to the light of public review. The auditors think that we are all stupid, and will quit asking about the inability to reconcile votes with voters. As soon as these blatantly political creatures sense the inevitable from a ruling that demands a revote, they will conduct a campaign to ensure that 1) votes are limited to 'Nov 2 voters,' 2) Suddenly, a LOT of people in counties with a heavy Rossi presence will see challenges, and 3) Nothing changes in procedures for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. It's the only way they can win.
Posted by: Patches Pal on February 6, 2005 03:52 PM
I appplaud you for remaining firm in your beliefs as the decisions and evidence mount against you. That's not easy...for most people would succumb to reality instead of holding on for the smallest of glimmers of hope.
Keep hope alive...was that a republican slogan too?
Posted by: jim on February 6, 2005 09:15 PMPatches Pal--
I've never seen this election contest resulting in a "re-vote". I believe the Judge will set this election aside, Gregoire will be ousted when all appeals are exhausted, Brad Owen will replace her and there will be a new election in November. That's not quite the same as a revote is it PP??
In 'n' Out is one of the very best small hamburger chains around. They are in Cali and are one of the few reasons left for anyone to go to Cali. As far as a fast-food burger goes, they are simply the best. There are better burgers, but no better fast food burgers.
Posted by: SnoCo Voter on February 6, 2005 10:56 PMSingle burger, Double burger, Triple burger. With or Without cheese. Fries, the Golden "O"s, a couple of flavors of shakes, and a few fountain drinks.
That's it. Short menu, fast service and DELICIOUS.
And a cult following akin to the one "Dick's" used to have.
"In and Out. In and Out. That's what a burger is all about"
I remember being thrilled to hear that an "In and Out" was going to move into one of the 'pads' on the south side of the SuperMall in Auburn (back when it was new, full, and full of promise). And, being disappointed when the shell got about 1/3 finished and work stopped -- permanently. And, of course, the last time that I was in CA (about 4 years ago), my (now former) DP and I managed to forget to find one -- she never DID find out what she'd been missing (Native WA'ian).
(sigh... something that CA has 'on' WA: In and Out burgers)
On topic... Glad that someone corrected the spelling of that knucklehead's first name.
s/ Kristen "FlyingTigress" L.
Posted by: FlyingTigress on February 7, 2005 04:58 AMJim, what eyes did you use to view the world back then? Don't you remember the temper tantrum the Democrats threw because they lost the House. They effectively shutdown the government and blamed it on the GOP The GOP was effectively STUPID because they thought they won over the hearts and minds of the voting public.
The Democrats lost the House. They didn't know what to do. They lost the money printing machine to feed their egos first and their pet projects second. They lost power and still have no clue today. Just think of Pelosi and Reed in our Congress. Reminds me of Chopp legislature and who in the senate. So in WA state, if you lose the governorship, then people will see real change, recognize the lies they were told during Locke's tenure. Remember Boeing leaving, or did you forget about that one?
Problem was they didn't win over the minds of the MSM. Peter Jennings on ABC election night coverage said the voters had a collective temper tantrum when the GOP won the House. They still don't have the MSM more than 10 years later. Just remember the senators around the FDR monument last week on Social Security. WAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! That was a real photo-op, with no commoners there. Go figure.
Now there are stupid comments from both sides. But our "Governor" has really said dumb things. We need to follow the process to the end.
For all of you In-N-Out burger lovers, yes they are good burgers. But for all of you burger lovers; better check your cholesterol. My nephew just had a heart attack at 41. He was a real carnivore. No, I am not a tree hugging veggie as I eat meat too, but you have to moderate. Their doctor told them to change their lifestyle now or his arteries will reload again.
Posted by: puddybud on February 7, 2005 07:00 AMFTigress, puddy, sgm, SnoCo, Susu, and all, I thank you for the encouragement on the expansion of a great brand and a great burger. Let them know you are here and they merely need to put up a store. For what it's worth, it would be a monthly sinful indulgence for me (one of the few sins I seem to work into a full schedule) but one worth fighting for. I shall pass along your comments, and encourage you to do so as well. This is as encouraging as their initial response, though the reaction to my bumper sticker, shirts, and license plate holder gave similar nods and acknowledgements. A grass roots campaign?
I think our friend who wrote the press release may have a job waiting for her at the Seattle Times. I don't say that lightly, but their track record of accurately portraying issues and events, and, their inability to quote someone in context is disturbing. I don't know if the reporters are getting one past the editor, the editor isn't reading these things, or in the absence of someone paying attention, they think the public supports their nonsense. Yesterday's quote from Dunshee comes to mind, in the article on prisons. If this is their objective, she would fit right in.
As an aside, I ws really thinking that the JOA fight is going to end up sinking the PI. Up until the past week, I wouldn't have minded that one bit. But now, I have my doubts that Blethen and company do a creditable job with the Times, and maybe they should both sink.
Steve
Posted by: Patches Pal on February 7, 2005 08:15 AMYou are correct. The Dems acted like spoiled children who had been reprimanded. They acted poorly and it has hurt them. They reacted in kind to the Gingrichers and it hurt them.
Your point about the pork is interesting. SPending has gone way up since the repubs took control (only getting even close to fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets under a dem president) and government has grown much faster under all R leadership than under mixed or D leadership.
The Rs love to claim the dems love big government, love to raise taxes and spend more. Truth is...do do the republicans...except for the taxes part. They like to borrow like mad to pay for all the increased spending (at much higher levels than the Ds) and put the burden off to future generations. The dems tax/spend appraoch at least has us pay for what we get...not some future poor generation that had nothing to say about it...)
Posted by: jim on February 7, 2005 09:58 AMIn and Outs are good. Burgerville though reigns supreme in NW burger cuisine. Oh for a B'Ville on Whidbey Island.
Posted by: Whidbey Teacher on February 7, 2005 11:44 AMI would like to add that Brost as a student of Carville, learned stupidity at the feet of the really stupid one. Notice how the "smart one", Kerry used him in his campaign. I still wonder what Mary Matilin sees in him unless he has it where advertised enhancements are unnecessary. So everyone, Brost can't change her spots, unless of course she gets a hemispherectomy, and loses the Carville outlook on life.
Now regarding Jim's comment on Repub spending; if Al Gore was in office do you realize the amount of spending we would have above that Bush has spent? His administration would have looked at protecting the amoeba and paramecium (sic) from nuclear attack. Sure when people get a chance to grovel at the trough, they will. I hate pork politics as much as the true Repub does, and I think the Repubs in Congress have issues too. I see it in a realist glass.
'Nuff said.
Pudster
Posted by: puddybud on February 7, 2005 12:42 PM