Dino Rossi released a definitive statement today confirming what he has been saying all along. He will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2006. The full statement follows --
Seattle, WA – Dino Rossi will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in the 2006 campaign.
In a letter sent today to Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Rossi explained that he and his wife Terry do not want to disrupt their young family and that he is focused on improving Washington state from home, not from Washington, D.C.
“A recent poll indicated that I have a 12-point lead over the incumbent,” Rossi wrote to Dole. “It is flattering to be considered and it would be an honor to serve Washington in the U.S. Senate. However, there are two problems I don’t believe can be overcome.
“The first is the effect it would have on my family. My wife and I have four children aged 14 to four, and at this point in their lives it would be very difficult and disruptive to move them across the country. Second, I’m not sure how I can solve the problems I’m focused on – making our state a better place to do business and improving opportunities for the people of Washington – from the U.S. Senate. Right now I’m committed to turning this state around, and I need to stay here to accomplish that goal. For these reasons, I will not run for U.S. Senate in 2006.
“With that said, I strongly believe we need someone new to represent Washington in the U.S. Senate. Polls show that voters want someone other than the incumbent. I think the people of Washington sense that they’re not getting their money’s worth with the incumbent. She has proven herself unable to work across party lines, which does our state no good.
“The people of Washington need a Senator who has a big enough vision for our state to bring Republicans, Democrats and independents together. I will be happy to support a candidate who will bring leadership, vision and integrity to the U.S. Senate.”
Rossi added today that the ideal Senate candidate would have a mix of private sector and public service experience. He said he “looks forward” to campaigning for a candidate to replace the incumbent.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 15, 2005 10:31 AM | Email ThisGo Dino!
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 15, 2005 10:56 AMBut then again, look who is in office now. :-)
You're right. It is nice to see character and message content winning over smooth talkers with contidictory messages and actions.
Posted by: fred on July 15, 2005 11:13 AMApparently, nobody got the message when Rossi sent out those 'Thank you' letters to his doners/volunteers that had the not-so-subtle "Paied for by Rossi for Governor '08" line at the bottom.
Anyhow, I hope Mike McGavick or Diane Tebelius runs. Both would be good candidates, and have a decent shot at winning.
Posted by: Cliff Smith on July 15, 2005 11:25 AMAs for people to run, I think Ron Sims needs to try and unseat the Maria. God, just typing that is hard to do, even in jest. :-)
Posted by: Vote for Cantverywell? on July 15, 2005 11:59 AMDino for Pres in '16 after Condi or Jeb.
Posted by: JCM on July 15, 2005 12:02 PMJCM, no more Bushes or Clintons!! From what I hear Jeb is the best of the three Bushies, but enough is enough- it is not a dynasty (same goes for the Kennedys).
And as for the Foreman comment- we can only hope.
Posted by: swatter on July 15, 2005 12:10 PMTwo ways. First, by pulling the plug on having the national campaign invest time and resources in WA state several weeks ahead of the general election. Remember, we're talking about just a little over a hundred votes making the difference here. I know it's speculation, but how much more of a GOTV might have occurred among the Republican base and independents if Bush or Cheney had made a stop in WA state in the last week or two of the campaign? Would that have built some momentum among Rossi supporters going into the election? Would it have helped or hurt Rossi? My guess is the former.
Second, while Rossi was fighting for his rights in court contesting this fraud of an election, the DC pols were wining and dining Fraudoire in DC during the governor's conference. You want to pull the plug on something, pull the plug on that. Feting an illegitimate governor while your guy (ostensibly) is fighting for his rights in court is a lousy way of showing your support.
Posted by: Interested Observer on July 15, 2005 12:23 PMBut, Maria Can't has got to go. Ironically, the reason Rossi choose not to run - for his family - is something that Maria Can't doesn't know a damn thing about. Never been married and has no kids. Is that the vision she has for the future of WA state?
From the look of her diehard support for VAWA, one would have to think so.
And, for all you Republicans - keep up your mindless and cowardly support for the worst federal legislation since Jim Crow laws. You are taking the male vote for granted, but enough people have been screwed badly enough that they are going to take their vote elsewhere.
Loss of a significant portion of the independent male vote will be the downfall of the Republican party this time around.
Posted by: BananaLand (aka Iguana) on July 15, 2005 12:27 PMFor the Senate, I just hope that the Reps put up a viable candidate that can attract more than just the Anti-Cantwell vote. As the Dems saw in 2004, pinning your straegy on an "Anyone But [insert incumbent name here]" approach doesn't work.
Washington Reps have been doing that for years, and it hasn't gotten us anywhere. As Dino was fond of saying during the campaign, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
Posted by: Darth Dogbert on July 15, 2005 12:44 PMI was trying to navigate Access Wa on how to convert my business license to start taking on employees. Scant on how to hire an employ, but plenty of info on...
-how to sue your employer
-how many breaks you are entitled to
-how to collect child support from an employee
-what the minimum wage is
-how to make a claim if you are injurred and aren't going to work
-every nickel and dime state agency you pay a fee so they can continue collecting a fee.
and the list goes on- nearly 50 links on how to go after a business (or collect money for the state). It was sickening.
I gave up and asked an accountant to do for me. This is why we need Rossi as Gov
Way to be business friendly Washington!
I've kept my operation out of the state. There are much better places to operate a business and with potential employees that appreciate having a job as opposed to be being conditioned to always behaving like a victim.
Posted by: BananaLand (aka Iguana) on July 15, 2005 12:56 PMRossi is definitely Executive branch type.
Andy, try Idaho.
Posted by: JCM on July 15, 2005 01:30 PMI just hope that Chris Vance doesn't think this is a green light to bully his way into having the party put him up against Cantwell. I am weary of the state GOP running candidates based on party seniority or favoritism. We need to put up candidates that can actually win.
We saw what happened when we put Bob Dole up against Bill Clinton at the national level. It probably made Dole feel good, but in the end it's all about winning.
I was surprised Rossi did as well and it was as close as it was.
But the wining and dining during the contest reeks.
Posted by: swatter on July 15, 2005 02:02 PMDon't be surprised if Gregoire is gone by Christmas.
Posted by: Don on July 15, 2005 03:40 PMThen have Reagan Dunn run for the 8th District seat.
Chris Vance is a nice enough guy, but I really think that if we put him out there as the candidate for Senate, we'll end up with another 6 years of Cantwell.
Posted by: Darth Dogbert on July 15, 2005 04:41 PMHere she was hoping beyond hope Dino would focus his energy elsewhere, that her every move would no longer be viewed through the Dino filter and our Dino let her down.
What's an illegitimate queen to do but bang her head on her desk??
Of course, she also hoped that she wouldn't have to face him again, that the voters would not be given the stark choice between the honorable man they clearly prefer and the campaign liar with whom they were stuck.
Chrissy, do at least one thing right: please buy Tylenol instead of aspirin, babe; give my J&J stock a great big use boost.
The people of this state will back him in anything he does!
Posted by: Deborah on July 15, 2005 10:32 PM