There's an axiom in politics that loyal readers know this blogger ascribes to; it goes something like this: you win campaigns by talking about the issues voters care about, not by talking to them about the issues that interest you. Preferably, there's some natural alignment between those two. But in a representative democracy you have to speak to what is on the mind of the electorate. Period.
Someone might want to share that idea with the Gregoire campaign:
This ad goes beyond even her campaign's other stem cell spot, discussed here just last night. That one at least used the word "embryonic" in a vague attempt to accurately portray Dino Rossi's position. This ad, not so much.
The phraseology of saying a candidate opposes "stem cell research" when they actually in fact only oppose government funding for embryonic stem cell research is teetering on the edge of being a blatant falsehood. That's exactly what this latest ad does.
The Seattle Times got Rossi's position right earlier this month:
Rossi supports adult stem-cell research in an effort to find cures for a variety of diseases. But he opposes using embryonic stem cells, which are collected from embryos that are destroyed in the process.
We've discussed ad nauseum at this site that recent medical advances may well preclude any need for the controversial destruction of embryos to harvest embryonic stem cells. Private sector investments in the pursuit of stem cell technology further speak to the reality of the full stem cell debate: the money is flowing to adult stem cell therapies, not embryonic.
The truly galling fact is that while Gregoire's campaign is perfectly happy to use an understandably emotional - if misinformed - mother to do their dirty work, the Governor herself bailed on the stem cell initiative she tried to make such a big issue in the 2004 campaign (more on that in a few days from this blogger). Meaning, under the Gregoire administration stem cell research has been something akin to a total non-issue, by her choice.
All of this disingenuous fear mongering is of course intended to continue Gregoire's desperate habit of dodging issues actually on voters' minds. Even as of late last year the top issues for local voters were education and transportation. The economy and gas prices have since leap-froggedahead through the course of this year. Then of course there is that crazy little $3.2 billion deficit looming on the horizon that the Governor is desperate not to talk about. Never mind that it is likely to be the biggest issue on the plate of our next Governor.
In sum, Gregoire doesn't walk to talk education. She doesn't want to talk transportation. She doesn't want to talk about the budget deficit she played a large role in creating (oops!).
One supposes her campaign could sell us more adds touting the 200,000 jobs were supposed to believe she's responsible for, but with unemployment and food stamp rolls both rising maybe that's not so prudent.
Bluntly, Gregoire won't talk about issues that are actually confronting state government. She is, however, happy to take far-fetched liberty with her opponent's position on an issue she purposefully decided to abandon herself.
Classy.
Posted by Eric Earling at September 18, 2008 08:01 PM | Email This"New polling suggests that the Republican Party is beginning to regain some of its luster and, perhaps as important, is experiencing a surge in excitement among its political base.
A new poll by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press reports that independent voters have an equally favorable opinion of both parties, 50 to 49 percent, a one-point edge for the GOP. That compares to an 18-point Democratic advantage as recently as August, a wide gap that had generally held for more than a year."
Posted by: John Bailo on September 18, 2008 08:05 PM...and please, Shania, save the drama for your mama! Get educated on the subject before agreeing to be a political dupe for someone that has been in the position do do something about your situation for 4 years and has done Squat. GMAFB
You know that blog debate or townhall that she and Dino did debuted far too early... or the chrissy queen and her minions manipulated the timing so as not to be called out on being dishonest as she is with these despicable ads.
You know chrissy queen, it doesn't say much for YOU when we know you think we're stupid.
***
OFF TOPIC
yoohoo duffie... comments... capitulation??
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 18, 2008 08:51 PMIn a close race, you underestimate the impact this ad may have.
Posted by: Luigi Giovanni on September 18, 2008 08:59 PMGregoire has in fact become a parody of herself.
Posted by: Andy on September 18, 2008 09:11 PMI'll ponder your post tomorrow afternoon as I drive 15 MPH on the interstates between Redmond to Tacoma.
Every Washingtonian wants to grow old and die on a Gregoire commute.
Posted by: Andy on September 18, 2008 09:14 PMOh, you're right Luigi, but in the wrong way. Most Washingtonians will see this ad and say to themselves "with all the things going wrong in this state, why is our governor concerned about this one single issue that isn't even on the priority list to most of us?"
Then, the little light will come on and say "well, if she had a record of accomplishment she'd be touting it, so if these are her priorities, they certainly aren't mine by any stretch....let's vote Rossi this time around and see if he can't straighten out this mess Gregoire has gotten us into".
..."Underestimate the impact" indeed.
Gregoire is taking us for idiots - that is nothing new.
Vote Rossi !
"When I saw this ad I thought, "How stupid!" The only thing accurate is the Rossi is against EMBRYONIC stem cell research. Rossi is NOT against stem cell research. But that is what the text says and of course, James Lortz, says EMBRYONIC. I feel bad for the poor patsy. He doesn't understand that stem cell research has already produced results and holds more promise for Parkinson's than embryonic stem cells. He is being used by another politician who doesn't really give a **** about his well being. Unfortunately most of the uninformed voters may believe this ad is true. This is a old democrat of misrepresenting a Republican opponent.
There have been many successes with adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells have shown virtually no hope. It should not be governments position to fund this research.
I wish politicians would stick to the truth (yes some Rs misrepresent their opponents also, although the Ds have turned it into an art form) and quit using someone's personal tragedy for political gain. In 2006 there was an ad regarding a Puyallup firefighter and some insurance issue. It was shown that the family member in that ad misrepresented the facts. The democrats are taking this 'art form' to new lows. Gregoire's approval of these ads prove that she is lower than whale dung."
Oh, Luigi. The impact this ad has? I'm telling anyone that will listen that Gregoire is a waste of $1.98 worth of chemicals. This ad is going to put Rossi over the top. THANKS CHRIS!!
Posted by: Silkworm on September 18, 2008 09:48 PMIf I remember correctly... WVH?
I know, I know, I'm sooo bad...ain't it fun! :))
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 18, 2008 09:51 PM...holy crap. Can you say "sleaze"?
...or "strange"?
First off, that's a pretty blatant falsehood about Rossi being against "stem cell research", when, as Eric pointed out, he's against EMBRYONIC stem cell research.
Second off, WHERE did they find that woman? And who was cutting the onions?
Wow...so who's responsible for fear-mongering now?
Posted by: Cydney on September 18, 2008 10:00 PMThere are MANY of us who DO care about this issue, but are on Dino's side. The other stem-cell ad was better, since it actually clarified his position. Like I said before, it's a PRO-Dino ad. This one invites him to respond, and I think she just threw him a softball.
Go Dino, Go. Hit this one out of the ballpark like I know you can!
Posted by: Michelle on September 18, 2008 10:12 PMCan you imagine the ridicule heaped upon him by the Pravda-Intelligentsia in their fishwrap and the always dainty Dave Ross on his radio program?
Posted by: Rick D. on September 18, 2008 10:18 PMThis ad is appalling. If that woman is an actual mother, she's being horribly exploited and is apparently too stupid to realize it. If she's an actress, well, she's just really awful.
I believe Christine has outdone herself. She is a sleazy, tacky, incompetent, do-nothing politician.
Posted by: Paula on September 18, 2008 10:56 PMThere's a huge difference between being against government funded embryonic stem cell research and being against ALL stem cell research. Yet, the dems keep pushing the opinion that if you oppose any government spending on embryonic stem cell research then you are a religious zealot who is opposed to any type of modern medicine.
Posted by: Ken on September 19, 2008 06:43 AMAnd yes, the Queen is indeed running scared. Her handlers know she can't win on the issues or her sorry record, so they're attempting to create a sideshow out of nothing. How could any intelligent person vote for such a loser? .....oh, yeah, I forgot about the Seattle thing....
Posted by: Saltherring on September 19, 2008 07:02 AMWhere is Dotzhauer now when Gregoire needs him? Well, he is in Snohomish County writing silly letters against fellow Democrats and sliming the Democrats. Said said Democrat-Dave Somers- but, but, but, he can't do that, I am a Democrat.
Posted by: swatter on September 19, 2008 07:36 AMThis is the type of issue that should be fully debated by medical ethics and theologians. Not lawyers.
Our country is being ruined by lawyers -- and I'm talking about the ones we elect to office.
Posted by: SeaRep on September 19, 2008 08:25 AMOLYMPIA -- Gov. Christine Gregoire for the first time Thursday echoed what Republicans have been saying for months: The state faces a budget deficit next legislative session.
"I'm expecting a shortfall and I'm preparing for it," she said in a telephone interview."
Anyone in leadership that takes this long to even acknowledge an obvious problem deserves to be fired. Gregoire blames Washington and pretends to demand accountability. She ought to start with herself.
Working families have not increased their spending over 31% the past 4 years like Gregoire did.
To only now acknowledge the Budget Trainwreck she created is telling...she is either blind or incompetent. Neither one is good.
And we still haven't heard a peep about the DEFICIT in the State Retirement Fund. Governor Gregoire, someone someday is going to have to fund this. While you increased spending $8 BILLION and created a phoney-baloney Rainy Day Fund for political window-dressing, the State Retirement Fund went deeper and deeper into debt and our Budget situation is now disastrous.
The question now is this:
Do voters trust Gregoire, the person who caused this mess with overspending, to fix her mess? Do voters trust Gregoire, who only now even acknowledges the problem, to fix her mess? Do voters trust Gregoire, a 39-year Government tax-and-spend Bureaucrat to fix this mess without a major tax increase? Do voters trust Gregoire who now says she is preparing some secret mystical plan for fixing her mess??
I don't!
Please Lefty's....share with us why we should?
As a medical person myself. You hit the problem right on the head. If this lady can't handle her son's problem by now. (Diabetic testing) Then this poor child needs another mother.
The Gov is making a huge mistake with this stupid ad.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 19, 2008 09:40 AMWhat a joke Gregoire.
Throw in the towel.
PS--
Can't wait for your secret budget balancing plan Christine!!
Not months, years. As in, when the last budget was approved.
Posted by: Palouse on September 19, 2008 09:54 AMThe top four lawmakers who received campaign contributions from Lehman Brothers employees:
Hillary Clinton $409,980
Barack Obama $395,574
Charles Schumer $181,450
Christopher Dodd $165,800
Hopefully voters will connect the dots!
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on September 19, 2008 09:59 AMThe top four lawmakers who received campaign contributions from Lehman Brothers employees:
Hillary Clinton $409,980
Barack Obama $395,574
Charles Schumer $181,450
Christopher Dodd $165,800
Hopefully voters will connect the dots!
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on September 19, 2008 10:00 AMWhat a tragic 'governor' to stick this on TV.
That traffic plan is stuck somewhere just like we all are everyday all over western Washington.
A Skagit County Deputy and 5 citizens are slaughtered because of this poll management idiot and she runs an ad like this!
I am looking for a delousing station. It was pornographic to my mind.
She just can't escape the theft of the 2004 election in her mind. Too busy wondering when the facts will leak out she can't lead can't make a decision free of that situation.
Yeah I know, quit dreaming.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 19, 2008 10:19 AMDino Rossi is opposed to public funding of embryonic stem cell research only. Adult stem cell research, or privately financed embryonic stem cell research is OK.
Just another example of why the former attorney general is rightly named Fraudoire!
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 19, 2008 12:45 PMAnyway...enough of national politics. I actually this this ad is completely bogus. Why? Because the state has far more serious problems, like the economy, to focus on. Rossi is correctly hammering away on this, and Gregoire needs to focus back on the real issues, or she'll loose. She's already turning off moderates like me, who after watching her squander a complete majority in the state legislature, and not push ANY significant reform through, are ready to give a fiscal conservative like Rossi a chance. Split ticket may be the way to go in '08!
Posted by: Proteus on September 19, 2008 02:26 PMRepublicans have their own issues, the biggest is the recent move toward neo-conservatism (which translates to "not-conservative-at-all") which is pretty much taking us towards fascism.
Fortunately Rossi is closer to the side of being a true conservative, and therefore as a former Democrat who has seen the light of a 3.2 billion dollar state deficit on the watch of a Democrat Governor & Congress Rossi will get my vote.
Posted by: Jake on September 19, 2008 11:15 PMThe cricket chirps are DEAFENING!
Posted by: Hinton on September 20, 2008 06:43 AMYou can disagree with the beliefs of people who say embryonic stem cell research is wrong. But to accuse them of being immoral is obviously irrational. Irrationality is offensive enough to me, but exploiting emotions in order to push irrationality is everything that's wrong with political campaigns.