Some assorted ideas being bandied about inside my twisted skull as we wait for next Tuesday's results:
1) What a dead political season for the local scene. Consider it a bit of a calm before the storm given the Governor's race, but things remain oddly quiet in the Evergreen State for such a major election year.
2) Though the economy seems to be going through a slow growth patch rather than a recession - at least based on a multitude of economic data released this week - expect the angst level to remain high. Regardless of the macroeconomic numbers, the mood of the consumer/voter is going to be troubled at best given media coverage, candidates talking down the "Bush economy," and, most importantly, soaring gas and food prices pinching family budgets.
3) Related to the point above, that isn't good news for Governor Gregoire. The incumbent needs the mood of the electorate to be better, especially since her race is quite obviously the almost lone spot on the ballot for voters to cast a serious ballot against the local status quo (it's not as if one gets the feeling voting out an incumbent here or there in the Legislative races will do much to change things, despite the importance of some of those individual contests).
4) Ever really wonder exactly why the P-I is such a liberal rag? The recent thoughts of Associate Publisher Kent Bunting lend a clue.
5) More proof our societal fascination with avoidance of even the appearance of conflict of interest has gone too far. I'd resign too.
Posted by Eric Earling at May 02, 2008 08:09 AM | Email ThisA CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Thursday indicates that 71 percent of the American public disapprove of how Bush his handling his job as president."
Dino would have a better chance if he changed his party affiliation to something other than Republican, esp in this state.
Posted by: Unkl Witz on May 2, 2008 08:32 AMIn advance, why can't the Rs go on the offensive and blame the NoDrillingInANWAR as a big contributor, or environmental regulations run amok as another regarding drilling and refining, and finally, ethanol production has increased food and feed prices due to Democrat policies and stonewalling?
Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Posted by: swatter on May 2, 2008 08:38 AMWe are in worse shape than we were coming out of the Reagan disaster.
I'm ready for a change.
As I said earlier, I would not want to be running on a Republican ticket this year, particularly in this state.
If someone with a clue ever takes the reigns of the GOP, expect another '94 like revolution. The Democrats are campaigning for higher food prices, higher fuel prices, higher taxes, and a weaker economy. The GOP could beat the crap out of them if they dump the Rockefeller/Statist/Losing wing of the party for good.
In the state of Washington, Gregoie is our Bush. Why aren't the Democrats running someone against her? If it is Rossi v. Gregoire, the only way Gregoire wins is another stolen election. I understand the GOP leadership in this state is beyond pathetic*, but so has Christine Gregoire's entire career as an elected politician. She is the worst governor in my lifetime.
* - (notice the silence Eric talks about above? That's the inept, minority, quiet GOP lack of leadership in this state)
Posted by: AP on May 2, 2008 09:17 AMHint. Trying to divert the discussion to Bush and Iraq ain't going to cut it.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 09:20 AMLeftists can't point to a single record of accomplishment so they resort to serial lying instead. Game's up, you phonies.
For change to truly happen, it does need to start from the bottom up by more people getting involved with politics. This starts at the local non-partisan level like school boards, city councils, and parks commissions. It takes people learning what it means to be a representative responsive to the people. These people can then feed the partisan positions for the respective parties and the public will have some experience with the person's responsiveness to the public. Instead, we have people sitting in positions and not moving on. I am a big supporter of term limits, maybe we need to ressurrect this idea and move more people through the system, instead of having the same old inside-cronies game that has been played.
Posted by: tc on May 2, 2008 09:33 AMYou need to lay off the martinis and get yourself another source of news and information besides Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.
Unless you're a denizen of Fort Lewis, or in the National Guard, life here in Washington is not too bad. Our local economy is plugging along and the price of housing has not dropped nearly a far as most places elsewhere. So I'm happy with the current State Administration.
Maybe you can tell me what's so bad about it.
Now things at the national level??? That's what we should be discussing. But I notice you folks never like talking about that too much.
Does Congress control the price of gas? Is that what you are telling us?
If so, let me know and I will write me Congressman demand that they reduce it.
And you do what leftists do so routinely. An ad-hominem attack followed by dodging the question. You aren't exactly nice people, are you?
You can't defend Democrats' record of accomplishment because they don't have one.
You'll have an even more difficult time defending your statement that Republicans are "wrecking significant parts of the planet".
Have at it. I bet you can't come up with a coherent answer before its time for me to enjoy my martini.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 09:54 AMThat indeed will be a great day for America and Washington state both.
God save the Queen, but to hell with Christine.
Posted by: Rick D. on May 2, 2008 10:05 AMMy point is that you blame Bush for everything whether or not it makes any sense to do so out of pure, blind hatred of the man.
I figure it's only fair to blame the Democrats in congress as well since they are the ones blocking us from extracting our own oil from our own land.
Posted by: Kato on May 2, 2008 10:07 AMNo. No more than the President does. But you guys have no trouble laying that at the feet of 'Bush and his oil buddies'.
The fact remains, gas prices have doubled since the Ds took over Congress. And if you recall, Pelosi promised lower gas prices if the Ds were to gain control of Congress.
Don't blame me. Don't blame Bush. Blame the people who know better than the laws of supply and demand and promised you lower gas prices in 2006.
Posted by: jimg on May 2, 2008 10:09 AMYou leftists ain't got diddly.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 10:43 AMHow many WA lefties have choked over it?
No, the answer is NOT "not enough of them"!
I love the clowns like Bunting that say the swiftboat vets for truth were dishonest.The Swiftboat vets merely set the record straight on John F. Kerry's service after he (kerry) hitched his wagon to his service record as a qualification during his disasterous 2004 campaign. Bunting conveniently left out the part about Kerry's traitorous rhetoric after he got out of the service and compared his fellow soldiers actions were "reminiscent of those of Ghenghis Khan".
Bunting continues to whine... "This wasn't a case in which political operatives with malicious intentions created a phony issue and spread it with campaign dollars and all the viral means at their disposal until the media took notice. In this instance, the media created a phony issue, and remained obsessed until it provided adequate fuel for the swiftboaters."
Translation: When you're candidate is exposed as the scumbag he is, blame the accusers of being dishonest and their setting the record straight as being a "phony issue", despite your candidate making it an issue every chance he could on the campaign trail.
"I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for duty"ring a bell Kenny?
Oh to view the world through the distorted, dysfunctional and delusional lens of a liberal.
Posted by: Rick D. on May 2, 2008 11:56 AMWhat Unkl Witz ought to realize is that once people realize the Democrats and liberals, progressives, or whatever they call themselves today are a bunch of power hungry nasty liars the sooner we will be rid of them.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 12:13 PMJust my thoughts.
Posted by: tc on May 2, 2008 12:28 PMIt is revealing however of how silly many liberals are. Their posts look like the kind of notes a fifth grader might pass you in class. Challenge their actual ideas and record of accomplishment and this sort of response is what you get.
I don't think these people should be in charge of anything.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 12:38 PMBut Noooooo - they have zero plans but to tax the crap out of everything under the sun, which doesn't lower the price of gas one cent.
How about a gas tax reduction in this state.
Raising it 9.5 cents hasn't built a damn thing in two years.
Let's drill some of our own wells and let the prices drop. We don't have to take oil; we just have to show the guts and will to do it. Right now and rightfully so, the gas barons see the USA as a bunch of wimpy, progressive liberal environmental weaklings.
Posted by: swatter on May 2, 2008 12:43 PMps: and sometimes (here at Western State) they graciously let me be in charge...
Posted by: Duffman on May 2, 2008 12:43 PMPerfect opportunity to spend your tax rebate by sitting down and writing checks to Dino Rossi, Dave Reichert and Toby Nixon.
Posted by: John425 on May 2, 2008 01:16 PM...and remember the de-valued $dollar; so give more than gave last time 'around' (the mulberry bush)
Posted by: Duffman on May 2, 2008 01:29 PMWell, what does one expect from self absorbed adolescents? Clarity? Thoughfulness?
Not in the cards. Hit the bong, boys......
Posted by: Hank on May 2, 2008 01:37 PMTaxes: 12 cents
Distribution and Marketing: 8 cents
Refining: 8 cents
Crude oil: 72 cents
The one most "complicit" in the destruction of Obama's political career (Not just his presidential aspirations) is Wright.
We haven't yet reached the point where anti-American racist bigotry can get you elected, tho with the efforts of people like Wiz, that can't be much farther down the road.
Posted by: hinton on May 2, 2008 03:29 PMWho could have possibly imagined?
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 04:13 PMThe other shoe is William Ayers (Weather Underground Terrorist) and good friend of Senator Obama. The American electorate still hasn't heard about their association, so Ol' Barry is about to get not only vetted, but probably politcally neutered after it's all said and done.
The Chicago Chicanery might work in Illinois, but don't pull that BS on a national scale and expect to get away with it Barry.
Cheers!
Posted by: Rick D. on May 2, 2008 04:28 PMI've been waiting for hours for Unkl Witz to tell us all what "significant parts of the planet" he claims Republicans have wrecked.
Having their lies challenged upsets lefties who are used to telling lies and never getting questioned. That is why Hillary was so shocked at being questioned over her sniper fire lie.
Dang! she must have thought. I used to be able to lie like that all the time!
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 04:43 PM1. Unemployement today is 5%, far below the averages of the last century.
2. Inflation is only in the low single digits even with energy inflation caused by by the Enviro/leftwing refusal to allow increased supply to meet demand (no nukes, no drilling, no refinerys, no new coal-fired power plants etc.).
3. Longest average life span in the history of the country.
4. Lowest levels of areas in non-compliance with criteria air pollutants (ozone, particulates, lead etc. ) since they were established.
5. Highest standard of living in history of the country.
6. More freedom to worship, invest, travel or speak without fear of government interference or criminal brigands than in most of the history of mankind.
I know people on the left are most happy when they can proclaim everthing is awful; but the facts are that our private sector free market constitutionally limited government society has made life in the US pretty good.
On the other hand, the poverty, fear, and hopelessness engendered by the governments abroad that the left wing holds up as ideals (Cuba, Hugo Chavez's Venezuela, Mao's China and even the left wing socialist governments in Europe) makes their supposedly privileged citizens fight to get to the United States where they can be miserable like you.
Posted by: KW64 on May 2, 2008 05:00 PMAs you illustrate, their ideology results in continued poverty, fear and hopelessness. The amazing thing is the amount of anger. Leftists are filled with anger. Amazing considering all the yelling they do for "peace". I can attest to this on a personal level. I've tried to have a civil political discussion on our friendly political blog neighbor, HA. Once I apparently gained the upper hand I received the most disgusting comments from people that described things they wanted to do to my wife that I will not repeat anywhere.
I'd shrug off this kind of behavior generally but you can go to any leftist blog site and see this stuff.
The left is just filled with unhappy, angry, mean people. If you proudly walk around wearing a Che t-shirt you definitely have a screw loose.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 05:28 PMNo Bill. As evidenced by their representation here on SP, they live in a world of theory rather than a world of reality. Sad, but true.
Posted by: Rick D. on May 2, 2008 06:03 PMCan you imagine having to constantly bolster your political beliefs by lying? Leftists do it constantly.
One of the greatest things about being a conservative is waking up every day and knowing you don't have to lie or play the other silly games leftists are compelled to do.
Our beliefs are decent, and honest. We don't have to hide what we believe.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 06:31 PMTrying to come up with facts to substantiate pure nonsense such as Unkl Witz saying Republicans are "wrecking significant parts of the planet" requires a certain amount of discipline. Uncl Witz knows he was spewing pure garbage but he's used to getting away with it, as liberals are generally. Oh how it's time to call them on every single lie they tell.
I can't wait to see what happens when the whole country sees liberals for the lying, unhappy, negative, angry phonies they are.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 06:52 PMAnd yet they snivel and complain constantly about capitalism and us evil conservatives that have made these things possible. What a bunch of spoiled babies.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 07:22 PMSure doesn't appear so. Here's to putting up your feet and enjoying a bit of gin!
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 2, 2008 07:41 PMThey expect "the Dow" to make them money.
They expect their house to go up in value.
They expect to sit on their arse and do no work, or research or not to innovate or to take risks and yet retain wealth.
That's not what America is about.
We are not a privileged royalty.
We are about competition and dynamism.
It's anyone's ballgame right now.
That's what threatens the "ins"...
Posted by: john bailo on May 2, 2008 08:00 PMLongtime investors know that historically the market goes up. There are always doom and gloomers out there who are waiting for "the crash". You can factor in crashes such as the one in '29, or the one in '87 and still see how well the market has done over time. The doom and gloom crowd only get to say "see we told you so!" about once every 50-years.
And by the way, people who invest in the market aren't "privileged royalty".
Investing in the market is all about "competition and dynamism". When you buy a single share of stock you are investing in a company's future success.
Why on earth am I having to explain something so basic?
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on May 3, 2008 06:36 AMSo be it.
But, sadly for the lefties, Europe is shedding its socialistic blinders as London just voted in the 1st conservative mayor in 30 years AND the conservatives gained 256 seats and the Labor party lost 331 seats overall. The Labor party only took 24 percent of the vote, the Liberal Democrats didn't fare much better with only 25 percent and the conservatives garnered 44 percent.
Now lefties will whine this is no big deal. But it IS when you
Add to the mix, Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy being elected as president of France and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy and we see a pattern emerging of countries fed up with liberal agendas, showing it with this very public rout and heading to the right.
You lefties do understand this is devastating news for you, don't you?
You oh so regualarly whine, America is too slow in following Europe... LMAO: Be careful what you wish for!
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on May 3, 2008 01:28 PM