Some notes on the day of Gregoire's kickoff:
1) Things are feisty from the start. No surprise. This is the penultimate, non-Presidential race in the state...by far.
A modest surprise: Gregoire trying to link Rossi to President Bush. One would think that Darcy Burner's failure pull off that stunt against Dave Reichert in 2006 would warn against such tactics. Especially in a year when the GOP Presidential nominee is perceived by much of the lay public as the anti-Bush - at least as far as Republicans go. Given how well Rossi did in this deep blue state four years ago, it's a fair bet many independent voters aren't going to buy that shtick.
2) Speaking of that odd message point, David Postman offers some critical coverage of the Gregoire announcement, including mention of that peculiar meme.
Note Postman's discussion of Gregoire's failure to capitalize on retail campaigning (hello, missed prized-visual for the TV and still cameras). Dino Rossi has the challenge of shooting-the-moon so to speak by running a great race in a blue state in back-to-back gubernatorial cycles. Yet, he will be aided in doing so by a candidate in Gregoire who seems destined not to be able to establish the common-man appeal of which we already know Rossi is capable.
3) For the first time in ages, I'm impressed by the ability of a GOP candidate and the state party to successfully bracket a significant news cycle for a Democratic competitor, as witnessed in the P-I article linked above.
Posted by Eric Earling at April 07, 2008 08:11 PM | Email ThisAnd, classic Moonbat move attacking Bush. Rossi hasn't even been in public office for the past four years and Bush won't be in office for the next four. Yet the Moonbat strategy is still Bush Hatred from the get go. What a bunch of fools.
Posted by: Jeff B. on April 7, 2008 08:48 PMCan you please help me understand how Rossi and Bush differ and why Rossi is so much better than Bush? I am trying hard to be a republican but appearantly am not at the level that my legislative district chair or you will accept me as one yet.
Thanks.
Posted by: Lysander on April 7, 2008 09:09 PMNo, thanks.
Posted by: Eric Earling on April 7, 2008 09:50 PMOh, thanks for that. That's most informative.
Posted by: Daniel K on April 8, 2008 12:00 AMSo you attack Gregoire for trying to group Rossi and Gregoire together but in your post and when asked in response to your post you refuse to give one example of how they differ in their type of policies supported?
Is this another trait I need to become an accepted republican?
Posted by: Lysander on April 8, 2008 05:35 AMReady to stand up? I thought your carcass was in the chair for the past 3-1/2 years and only now are you promising "to stand up and deliver results for [the] people"?
"Join you?"
Sure Christine. I think Washingtonians will join together in November to abdicate you from your throne in Olympia and have a real leader like Dino Rossi ascend to the Governorship. It's 4 years too late, but hopefully, he'll be able to begin to repair the Democrats have done in this state for the past 25 years.
This year every local Republican candidate can go around riding the JM coattails in style and flaunt it in front of the triple headed Lib-Hydra.
"Education can lift individuals out of poverty and into rewarding careers."
~Christine Gregoire
"Education exposes young people to a broader world, a world full of opportunity and hope."
~Christine Gregoire
"Education is the foundation upon which we build our future."
~Christine Gregoire
"We've established a Washington State Academy of Sciences that will enable us to make decisions based on science about what is right for our state, meaning the quality of our lives will get better. "
~Christine Gregoire
"When nearly a third of our high school students do not graduate on time with their peers, we have work to do. We must design our middle and high schools so that no student gets lost in the crowd and disconnected from his or her own potential. "
~Christine Gregoire
CHRISTINE GREGOIRE REALITY:
Gregoire delays WASL math, science requirements
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Christine Gregoire today delayed until 2013 a requirement that students pass the math and science portions of a high-stakes exam in order to graduate from high school.
She also vetoed large sections of the bill overhauling the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) exam.
-Read the rest in the link below-
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2003698697_webwasl08m.html
Time to empty the garbage in Olympia.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 8, 2008 07:03 AMWhat would Rossi's budget have been the last four years?
What programs would have been cut?
What would he have emphasized in transportation?
How would he have effectively addressed education?
Answer questions like these well, and it should be smooth sailing into office. Answer them poorly, or not at all, and we trade one set of rhetoric for another.
Posted by: BA on April 8, 2008 07:11 AM"...when asked in response to your post you refuse to give one example of how they differ...
No, he recognized you question for what it was and declined to take your troll bait...
Posted by: jopalm on April 8, 2008 07:20 AMAs someone who just cringes at the rampant spending of Bush and Gregoire, it seems the two are of the same mold as each other.
In Bush' case, he doesn't have to balance a budget and hasn't. Admittedly, the war took a big chunk out of us, but some of the other programs were also budget busters. I try to rationalize the Bush' spending by thinking that it is always better to waste a little than waste a lot (a lot would have been if the Ds were able to stir up the electorate to demand and get even bigger programs than Bush).
As for Gregoire, her track record at Ecology and Attorney General and as governor-select shows someone who has to balance the budget, but has used all our surpluses from the 'good' years on exotic programs and wasteful spending, instead of stockpiling like a good leader would do. Ecology tripled staff, the AG staff budget ballooned and the number of State employees have balloned, also.
As for Rossi, he struck to some tough budget measures, was able to work with the other side on budget issues and would have left a 'rainy' day fund without proposing legislation to make it so.
Posted by: swatter on April 8, 2008 07:26 AMI personally think the Math WASL was horrible. It focused on how you write instead of whether you actually knew math or not. I did not like it. I don't like the Integrated Math they are teaching in High Schools. I am glad to see the state going back to testing specific knowledge areas, like Algebra, Geometry, etc. It is just my opinion, by I think that for those that need a strong foundation in Math (engineers, scientists, etc.), teaching and testing by subject is a lot better way to go. I never understood why Colleges are requiring Liberal Arts majors to basically know or be ready to learn calculus at the college level.
Maybe it is just me, because I grew up in the 70's and had Math taught in the subject matter fashion, and went on and did fine at an engineering univesity.
Posted by: tc on April 8, 2008 07:44 AMThat Duffman?
Pardon me if I don't put much stock in your prognostications.
Posted by: jimg on April 8, 2008 09:55 AMhttp://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4257814.html
#5 is the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Gregoire increased the budget by 33% in the last 4 years yet did nothing about the viaduct.
She has been terrible. This should be a very easy win for Rossi.
Posted by: AP on April 8, 2008 11:29 AMGiven the lackluster support people here have given him Rossi might be better off ditching McCain and brining in Romney instead. =P
in the last 4 years yet did nothing about the viaduct.
No one is going to fix the viaduct till it falls down. Even if she did tear it down and build a replacement you'd be bitching about cost overruns and increasing the budget size by 45% instead of 33%.
Of course we would. The fascist, inept, crony, religious extremist Unioncrats that run this state would rape the budget to pay off their crony special interests. 25 years of one party rule has been enough. The fascist, inept, crony, religious extremist Unioncrats have made education worse, traffic worse, the environment worse, affordability worse, and the quality of life worse. A quarter century of failure. It is time to pull the plug.
Posted by: AP on April 8, 2008 11:43 AMYou keep believing thats going to happen. Meanwhile Seattle gets bigger, and the GOP turnout gets smaller.
- Increased state spending by 33%.
- Expanded the size of state government.
- One of the highest small business failure rates in teh nation.
- $2.4 billion dollar deficit.
God save the Queen, but to hell with Christine.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 8, 2008 12:28 PMThat bum needs to be ousted before he bankrupts the county.
Posted by: tg on April 8, 2008 01:47 PM
Is that number adjusted for inflation pbj? Do you even know what inflation is?
- Expanded the size of state government.
Great talking point, got any evidence?
- One of the highest small business failure rates in teh nation.
I thought you didn't believe in the coming recession pbj? This seems to be a good indicator.
Besides you said over in the Key Arena thread that "The ecnomy loses and gains jobs all the time", so why are you blaming Gregoire for loosing these jobs/businesses? That sounds mighty hypocritical of you.
- $2.4 billion dollar deficit.
Sounds like a balanced budget amendment is in order.
Nice to see intelligent thought on here rather than pbj's nonsensical ramblings. =)
It is what Gregoire does to her resume in order to get elected.
"Great talking point, got any evidence?"
In 2003, the state had 104,263 employees. In 2007 they had 108,693. You can check it out HERE.
"I thought you didn't believe in the coming recession pbj? "
That is the difference between us. To you it is a religious matter, to me it is a simply case of facts. And the fact is that, according to the definition of recession, we are not in a recession. Now that may be a politically inconvenient truth for you, but that is the definition of recession.
This seems to be a good indicator.
The only indicator is in the definition of recession.
Besides you said over in the Key Arena thread that "The economy loses and gains jobs all the time", so why are you blaming Gregoire for loosing these jobs/businesses? That sounds mighty hypocritical of you."
I said the economy gains and loses JOBS all the time - not businesses. That is because people often change JOBS. I didn't say businesses you little liar.
Gregoire is the one who chased Boeing out of the state and is killing small businesses. After four years of Gregoire, you may just get your recession for which you are longing.
"Sounds like a balanced budget amendment is in order."
You mean like I-601 that the corrupt Democrats overturned and ignored? Yet another bit of distraction from the liberals while they rob the taxpayer's wallets.
Posted by: pbj on April 8, 2008 05:21 PMTime for change!
Posted by: pbj on April 8, 2008 05:35 PMMy question was legitimate. He claimed that gregoire was wrong to say Rossi and Bush are similar but provided no evidence to suggest what she said is not true. I am really curious to find out how he feels they are different and which candidate he likes better.
Posted by: Lysander on April 8, 2008 05:42 PMor her cozying up with the states Indian tribes for votes?
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on April 8, 2008 05:56 PMGregoire accepted an 18% raise OMG while most companies in this state were giving 2% or less.
Her Fee Hikes, State hirings, continual overreaching regulations, and Billions upon Billions of new socail spending cannot be ignored.
She has grown her massive pension while failing this state.
She will follow the money trail where ever it leads including her desire for another 7% in a State Income tax.
Rossi will just have to speak to half of these and sheel be squeeling like the pig spender she is.
I'm Damn ready for a change in this state!
A neophyte with no name recognition almost defeated an incumbent, who has been (wrongly) hailed as a local hero in our "liberal" media, where the largest paper in Seattle endorsed him. His party parachuted one million dollars in at the last moment, to pay for misogynistic attack ads. (What were they supposed to do, get him re-elected on his record? Ha, ha, ha.)
Mr. Rossi had better hope no photograph exists of him with Worst. President. Ever. If it does, we'll see it on TV every day in October.
Posted by: tensor on April 8, 2008 08:28 PMBlood and fear have very distinct smells.
Good to see tc, lynsander, tensor, et al. out "helping". Keep up the good work guys.
Posted by: chris on April 8, 2008 08:43 PMIs a year where Democrats swept the nation and the "neophyte" out raised her opponent 5 to one (just ask Goldstein about that), she peaked. Even with the liberal biased media in her corner she couldn't win.
"Mr. Rossi had better hope no photograph exists of him with Worst. President. Ever. If it does, we'll see it on TV every day in October."
Don't worry. Rossi has never even met Jimmy Carter.
Posted by: pbj on April 8, 2008 08:47 PMJimmy Carter was spotted in Eastern Washington recently.
My guess is he's already campaigning for Queen Christine.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 8, 2008 09:29 PMFace it, its an uphill year for Republicans and anyone who doesn't think it will take much effort in this predominantly "blue state" is delusional.
Posted by: KS on April 8, 2008 09:59 PMSo small businesses don't count as jobs now? What planet do you live on? Small businesses (Def: Company that employees 2 - 50 people) seem to make up a majority of tax revenue in this state.
That is because people often change JOBS. I didn't say businesses you little liar.
I see, so they folded their small businesses to take other jobs that were more profitable? This is Gregoire's fault how? Seems like a rationale move to make in this recession economy.
Gregoire is the one who chased Boeing out of the state and is killing small businesses.
Gregoire and the Dem. controlled Legislature gave Boeing a huge tax break, how in that chasing them out of the state? Boeing is still here...in case you haven't noticed the big airplane factories in Renton and Everett. Seems to me there are lots of small business in Washington State.
Don't worry. Rossi has never even met Jimmy Carter.
Got proof? Seems to me Dino Rossi hangs out with the "agents of intolerance". Rossi's Chief-of-Staff is on their board. =)
It is Gregoire's Washington economy that has the large rate of small business failure. And as you pointed out, that is a great deal of the economy.
What you are too ignorant to understand is that people leave or quit jobs and get hired every day in this nation and the economy is just fine. That is because even though the workers are mobilr and moving around, the businesses still exist. That is not the same thing as have the tax and spend reckless Gregoire killing the small businesses.
"I see, so they folded their small businesses to take other jobs that were more profitable? This is Gregoire's fault how? Seems like a rationale move to make in this recession economy."
No you damn idiot. A worker, do you comprehend? Obviously not. A WORKER, not a f'ing busniess owner you idiot. Put down the crack pipe and we can have a conversation.
"Gregoire and the Dem. controlled Legislature gave Boeing a huge tax break, how in that chasing them out of the state? Boeing is still here...in case you haven't noticed the big airplane factories in Renton and Everett. Seems to me there are lots of small business in Washington State."
They moved their headquarters to Chicago because of the harsh business climate created by the Democrat hegemony. I notice you aren't complaining about the CORPORATE WELFARE she gave BOEING. How is that different from subsidizing the SONICS? Shouldn't the company pay its own way? You are a hypocrite! Subsidize BOEING, but not the Sonics.
Besides, BOEING is so noncompetitive, they won't last more than 20 years if they stay here. No amount corporate whoring can compensate for a bunch of business hostile socialists that are the Democrat hegemony in Washington State.
"Got proof? Seems to me Dino Rossi hangs out with the "agents of intolerance". Rossi's Chief-of-Staff is on their board. =)"
You don't prove a negative idiot. If you think so, then PROVE that Gregoire has never beheaded a baby.
Posted by: pbj on April 10, 2008 03:20 AMIt is a time for change to the corrupt form of politics practice in Olympia. It is time clean up the State.
The viaduct stands as a ready reminder to the failed promises of the DOT and the Governor.
It's the penultimate [i.e., second to last] non-Presidential race in the state, by far?
What, exactly, does that mean?
Sorry for the nitpick, but I couldn't resist.
Posted by: Bill on April 11, 2008 04:53 PM