I confess that I wasn't thrilled to be quoted in yesterday's Everett Herald article on the passing of Ellen Craswell. Reporter Jerry Cornfield called me regarding a reference I made in this recent post to Craswell's 1996 candidacy being the tipping point for a trend (with many factors stretching to today) in which independent voters in our state began to take a reflexively dim view of Republican candidates.
As such, I saw little good coming from discussion of that point in an obituary piece. I'm thus glad my quote was preceded by broader reflections on Craswell's life. On that note, I recommend David Postman's reflections as well as a candid, personal remembrance from Larry Stickney.
Posted by Eric Earling at April 09, 2008 07:15 PM | Email ThisI simply knew based on Cornfield's description of why he called that some reference to the my recent post mentioning Craswell would be made in the article. I would have preferred that the angle not be included in the article, but I wasn't writing it and the whole issue of the fallout of the 1996 campaign ended up being discussed in much of the recent Craswell coverage, well beyond the Everett Herald.
Posted by: Eric Earling on April 9, 2008 08:12 PMYou were quoted making an honest observation about her. I don't think it could be misunderstood as disrepectful.
Posted by: Mark on April 9, 2008 08:45 PMThere is nothing in that sentence that is incorrect. In fact, it is why the Democrat party has such a stranglehold on this progressively more secular state.
Seattle groupthink dictates what this state does, and I'm beginning to think it should reap what it sows.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 9, 2008 09:44 PMHats off to John.
It's unfortunate. I saw little good in it to begin with. But confessions are good for the soul.
Posted by: Michelle on April 10, 2008 12:19 AMI expect you're told that alot. Let me join in.
Posted by: Cliff on April 10, 2008 05:19 AMWhy Cornball dwelled on the negative aspects of her is beyond me.
I felt the same about Falwell's passing and what the press wrote. I was never a follower of him but I always respected his following and what he tried to do.
Marhioro of the Democratic persuasion had a much better sendoff in the press. So, did Dunn.
I really don't know why Cornball had to say what he said about Crasswell.
Posted by: swatter on April 10, 2008 07:50 AMEllen Crasswell was a loon, plain and simple.
After the election Ellen and her husband left the GOP for the Constitution Party. Well that didn't work, they got booted from the Constitution Party because apparently she was nuts (sort of like Mrs. Roach) and caused a huge drop in their membership.
RIP, Mrs. Craswell.
Eric you may have been misquoted by Mr Cornfield, but his statement is essentially correct
I was very impressed by the dedication of Mrs. Craswell's Army at Political Events in 1996.
Unfortuneately she and her husband will be remembered not for their personal honesty and dedication but for "winning the battle, but losing the war" and causing Rick White to lose his house seat in 1998
Posted by: Green on April 10, 2008 01:47 PMI asked a question of Mrs. Craswell: "The Washington Constitution grants to the Governor the power to pardon and to commute sentences of those convicted of crimes. If elected as governor, what policy would you follow in considering the use of this very profound power?"
As Mrs Craswell wore her Christian beliefs on her sleave, I believed I threw her a softball question she could hit out of the park. Forgiveness and redemption are among the core values of Christianity. I also believed that the power to pardon given to or assumed by heads of state in most nations, provinces, states, etc. back to ancient times is a profound form of authority. A pardon is not to be granted or denied without thought and consideration by one elected or appointed to, or has taken the office that has such power.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Craswell stumbled in her answer to my question proving that she unfortunately had not given it much thought.
Posted by: Roger Knight on April 12, 2008 03:10 PMMost of my family are swing vote Republicans from Snoho county. All went Bush in 00 and 04. By 06 they were voting for people like Maria Cant Vote Well, making jokes about it, but voting for her anyway.
Keep deluding yourselves you're not associated with right wing nutjobs like Crashwell, but the fact is ya are. And every time you make a "Queen Christine" snark, you sound more and more like a bitter old queen yourselves. And unelectable. Dino ol boy.
Posted by: shawnkempsbartender on April 14, 2008 10:37 AM