1. "I've never been a believer that what might be happening in federal politics is necessarily affecting what goes on in state politics," she said. "I think we're going to pick up seats in the [state] House and Senate, and at a very minimum will retain all our seats in the state Senate."

Well, of course she would say that. ANY state chairman would say that. What are you going to, agree at the beginning of the campaign that your candidates are going down? Of course not. If the national polling looks bad, you're going to say it's not indicative and that your legislative candidates are going to do well. If you did anything less you'd demoralize your candidates and dry up your money.

As a "gotcha," this is not much of a "gotcha," Stefan.

Posted by: ram on January 26, 2007 11:30 AM

2. I do think we have to be realistic. Demographics in Washington State increasingly favor Democrats. The mainstream media relentlessly pounded Republicans over the war, and refused to report anything positive, such as the healthy economy. It was a very stacked deck and evidently Democrats would like it to be even more one-sided by restoring the "fairness doctrine".

It's not all doom and gloom though. Democrats have plenty of time to do a major face-plant before 2008.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on January 26, 2007 11:50 AM

3. I hope The Reagan Wing doesn't sue Stefan (or me) but I think this logo they have crafted sums up my feelings about Mommy's WSGOP pretty well.

Posted by: huckleberry on January 26, 2007 12:17 PM

4. Whatever the outcome, the two sides in this power struggle need to work together to bring sense back into Washington politics.

The worst thing that could happen is the loser will disappear. Make this into a win/win for the Republicans; instead of one winner, make it two. I don't know how anyone is going to make it happen, but two get more done than one.

Posted by: swatter on January 26, 2007 12:26 PM

5. Nationally, for the next two years, the Democrats will attack American businesses on every level. (From Wall Mart to your local Teriyaki place.) The big pharmacy companys have already begun massive layoffs. They'll attack big oil next (if they do, the price of gasoline will double) and then they'll go after Boeing and possibly Microsoft again. If the Republicans can't capitalize on this--both locally and nationally--then plan for the big recession in 2009 as the final lesson to voters.

Posted by: Doc-T on January 26, 2007 12:41 PM

6. The Repubs @ ALL levels of gov't need to show some BACKBONE.

We're tired of Democrat Light

Posted by: Jack Burton on January 26, 2007 12:57 PM

7. I almost hope there will be a D WH and congress, as there will be a big recession during the next presidentcy. It being Hillary would be icing on the cake!

Posted by: Right said Fred on January 26, 2007 01:39 PM

8. Huck,

As a member of The Reagan Wing, I think I can confidently speak for the organization and say, we have no problem with you using that logo the way you did.

Posted by: Michelle on January 26, 2007 02:14 PM

9. I have been reading with interest the differing opinions of the two candidates Diane and Luke; no one seems overly supportive of either. So why doesn't someone start a petition tonight to draft a 3rd candidate? If that third person is presented with enough signatures maybe they would consider stepping up to the plate and leading the Republican Party. It's a long shot, you would first have to identify who the 3rd person would be and second you would have only few hours to convince that person to run and you would have to have the majority supporting them before the nominations begin.

Posted by: justathought on January 26, 2007 02:51 PM

10. justathought,

That is happening as I write this so hang on
the fun maybe about to start. One thing though
whoever it maybe doesn't need signatures. Anyone
can be nominated from the floor.

Posted by: phil spackman on January 26, 2007 02:58 PM

11. Phil,
Who is leading this charge? Hopefully it is someone from the voting body. I realize that nominations can be made from the floor but the most compelling evidance that niether Luke or Diane are the right choice is to due the petition and have those on the voting body sign it.

Posted by: justathought on January 26, 2007 03:05 PM

12. justathought,

Why don't you email me at pmspackman@msn.com
I think it would be better to discuss this
privately. The Esser people seem to think he
has a divine right to the position. So I
don't think its a good idea to do this out in
the open

Posted by: phil spackman on January 26, 2007 03:12 PM

13. "ram" (#1) -- I'm not criticizing her for what she said back in May. I think she was correct. Or could have been correct if the party reacted appropriately in legislative campaigns. The gotcha is about what she's saying today.

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on January 26, 2007 03:32 PM

14. Phil,

I just wanted to make sure that members of the voting body were working on the petition not just a bunch of people who don't vote. It wouldn't do any good to have non voting members signing.

Posted by: justathought on January 26, 2007 03:51 PM

15. I'm not sure if the petition is for state committee members only or not, but it would do some good to have signatures on it from grassroots activists in the party as well. They're supposed to be representing us.

If we can petition our congressmen and senators, why not our state committee members?

Posted by: Michelle on January 26, 2007 04:02 PM

16. Congrats, It looks like your blog has pull.

Posted by: Mike Barer on January 27, 2007 10:32 PM

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