Readers of this recent post know I take a special measure of joy in today's lead editorial from the Seattle Times:
Enough of stem cells. The job of governor has nothing to do with stem cells. Gov. Christine Gregoire should use her re-election money to talk about things the governor actually does, starting with budgets and taxes.She should end the TV ads of people who fret that Dino Rossi is standing between them and medical salvation.
[snip]
There is, however, no state program for embryonic stem-cell research. In four years, Gregoire has not started one, and she is not proposing to start one. Rossi is not proposing to block one.
I would note that not only has Gregoire not started one, the post linked above discusses at length that she famously scrapped a prominent - and disingenuous - campaign pledge in 2004 to doing something about the issue.
Your move, Governor.
Cross-posted at the Examiner.
Posted by Eric Earling at September 23, 2008 07:10 AM | Email ThisMcCain should get a couple of votes and make Washington in play. We're not a 'battleground' state yet, but don't be surprised in a couple of weeks when McCain unleashes his secret weapon- Sarah Palin. By keeping her sequestered and the media doing what the media does best- destroy people- when Palin does emerge, all the rags will look foolish. Kind of like a rope-a-dope.
With respect to rope-a-dope, is Gregoire trying to put us to sleep with these nonsense ads in the hopes of emerging after the election?
Posted by: swatter on September 23, 2008 07:23 AMThought not. You see through it, too. The new language "code" of politicians and can never be broken.
Posted by: swatter on September 23, 2008 07:59 AMNow, feel free to SOURCE your allegation... otherwise, we could all play the same game...
Like BOB endorsed slavery when he became a left wing nutter. Know what I mean?
Posted by: Hinton on September 23, 2008 08:22 AM"But in the first major race of her career -- the 1996 campaign for mayor of her hometown, Wasilla -- Palin was a far more conventional politician. In fact, according to some who were involved in that fight, Palin was a highly polarizing political figure who brought partisan politics and hot-button social issues like abortion and gun control into a mayoral race that had traditionally been contested like a friendly intramural contest among neighbors. "
Posted by: Robert on September 23, 2008 08:45 AMNot to go too far off-topic, but some specifics would be appreciated. TIME magazine - not exactly known for its objectiveness recently - simply saying abortion BOO! and gun control BOO! - isn't cutting it.
How did she bring abortion into the race? Did she run ads? Did she accuse her opponent of taking a stance? Was it an answer to a question during a debate?
Specifics, Robert. Or stick to the subject at hand.
Posted by: jimg on September 23, 2008 08:59 AMThe issue at subject at hand is a poltician using a divisive issue that really has nothing to do with his/her current or future office to get elected. I agreed it is stupid, but politics often is. If you don't think Palin isn't the type of politican to use divisive issues to get elected, you don't know the "Barucuda".
The trouble with Republicans, including Rossi in Saturday's debate, is that they don't fight back hard enough.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 09:18 AMThat said, apparently it's OK with you that Palin and Queen Chrissy the Hypocrite engage in "divisive" and "irrelevant" politics... and, since it's OK... one wonders why you broiught it up.
As a brief aside... it almost seems like there's a leftist roster out there... and someone has to come in to get beaten around the head and shoulder region almost every day.
Strange, that.
Posted by: Hinton on September 23, 2008 09:18 AMWow, that's really specific! Good job.
Anyway, the article is a joke. It's from 9/2 when everyone was printing anything they could think of about Palin...remember panic mode? In a particularly good bit of investigating reporting, it lets you know that - GASP! - she attends the largest and most influential church in Wasilla.
Consider the source.
Posted by: Paula on September 23, 2008 09:22 AMSo, why is she persisting on this obsolete tactic? Branding Rossi? Focus groups or push polling showing it effective? Help out here, please, Gregoire and Company.
Posted by: swatter on September 23, 2008 09:39 AMMaybe Robert can spew on this one.
_________________________
Democrat Barack Obama's campaign hit Republican John McCain today over his family's ownership of foreign cars, saying it would air a TV ad in Michigan highlighting McCain's statements on buying American.
But the ad, which accuses McCain of misleading Michigan voters by saying he's bought American vehicles "literally all my life," doesn't say that of the 13 vehicles owned by the McCain family, only one is registered to McCain himself - a 2004 Cadillac CTS built in Lansing.
The 12 other vehicles include a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, a 2001 Honda sedan, a 2007 Ford half-ton pickup and three Gem neighborhood electric vehicles - essentially road-worthy golf carts built by a Chrysler subsidiary.
PS. Notice it's a McCain (FAMILY)
There is too much hype in this business. What you may have read about is the exciting finding that we can reprogram adult cells to have stem cells properties. If true, these cells can be used to clone people.
There is far too little know as yet to know whether these cells are comparable to embryonic cells. That is why the research is still needed.
However, if you think about the meaning of this breakthrough, the ethical issues with adult cloning are pretty hard too!
Posted by: SeattleJew on September 23, 2008 09:52 AMHowever, I will still vote against Rossi because he has bought into then entire radical relgious package and I find THAT scary.
I have persoanl reasons for disliking Gregoire but for a Republican to get mny vote I want to know that he is rational. Ties to Lou Guzzo and the DI are enough to rule Rossi out.
If you need a flip side view, I suspect any here would vote for a scoop jackson democrat. Why? Because Scoop never belonged to radical groups.
I fear that the Palin nomonation means that the rep aprty is int he hands of the rad right for a longt time.
Posted by: SeattleJew on September 23, 2008 10:00 AMThe beauty of these leftist Little Lies is that they sound plausible even though they are more lie than truth. To make it into a nice sound bite that the MSM can beat Republicans over the head with, that's where the scumbling comes in. The short list: Legal vesus illegal immigration (immigrant hate or racism), federal Roe v Wade abortion versus all abortion, fixing Social Security vesus "killing it", racism versus affirmative action and the list goes on and on.
But why do they lie? Because if they told the truth on any of their positions, nobody would bother to vote for them. Thye need the straw man to scare. It also shows you what Democrats and the leftists think of the American people in general. They think that they are rubes who can be easily manipulated.
This article is great.
Bill Clinton said Monday he understands why Sarah Palin is popular in the heartland: because people relate to her.
"I come from Arkansas, I get why she's hot out there," Clinton said. "Why she's doing well."
Speaking to reporters before his Clinton Global Initiative meeting, the former president described Palin's appeal by adding, "People look at her, and they say, 'All those kids. Something that happens in everybody's family. I'm glad she loves her daughter and she's not ashamed of her. Glad that girl's going around with her boyfriend. Glad they're going to get married.'"
Clinton said voters would think, "I like that little Down syndrome kid. One of them lives down the street. They're wonderful children. They're wonderful people. And I like the idea that this guy does those long-distance races. Stayed in the race for 500 miles with a broken arm. My kind of guy."
"I get this," Clinton said. "My view is ... why say, ever, anything bad about a person? Why don't we like them and celebrate them and be happy for her elevation to the ticket? And just say that she was a good choice for him and we disagree with them?"
Amazing.
Posted by: The Pirate on September 23, 2008 11:01 AMYou are afraid of the wrong people. Fear the big govt. police state facists; aka Gregoire and Obama.
Pallin and Rossi are exactly what government needs more of.
Posted by: AP on September 23, 2008 11:27 AMGovernor Gregoire,
I have two children who have grown up battling juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. My wife and I have given them chemotherapy injections and sat with them at the hospital while they go through intravenous infusions of powerful drugs. So I have some empathy for the personal struggles James Lortz and Shanai Cole share in your recent television ads. I am sad that they don't know the truth of stem cell research. And I feel pity that Lortz and Cole are so vulnerable that their ignorance and words would be manipulated to deceive, lie and misrepresent Dino Rossi's stance on stem cell research. You know well that Rossi is against GOVERNMENT FUNDING of embryonic stem cell research. Would Lortz and Cole have done the ads if they had known they were telling a lie? You made this a part of your 2004 campaign then walked away from it when you became governor and have done nothing in four years on this issue. These ads have given me a clear example of your bad judgment, lack of integrity and poor character. You should apologize to Rossi and the citizens of Washington and stop running these ads. You are not the kind of governor I want in Washington.
James D. Kellett
Snohomish, WA
Democrats are used to being able to spew almost anything and not only get away with it, but many times have their garbage parroted by the sympathetic media.
I heard an almost unbelievable Biden clip this morning where he said, "and when the market crashed in 1929 President Roosevelt went on TV and reassured the American People"...that might not be an exact quote but it's pretty close.
Except Roosevelt didn't become President until 1933, and TV didn't start broadcasting until the late 1940's. At age 65 Biden surely must know all of this.
Imagine if Sarah Palin had made such an entirely historically inaccurate and ridiculous statement. The media would have a field day screaming that "this proves Palin is not qualified to be President".
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 11:42 AMI concur. Your heartfelt letter is excellent.
Posted by: The Pirate on September 23, 2008 11:55 AMThere's a pattern here. They can't show they are totally in the tank for the DNC, but they can do their occassional "balance" piece on a day when their readership is down 1/4 to 1/3rd of what it is on most days of the week.
(You can be sure the daggers will be out for McCain, Reichert and Rossi again as the weekend nears.)
2) I'm a diabetic. Have been almost my whole life. That's 7 needles I get to stick in my body a day (4 insulin and three blood tests.)
That's 2400 times a year I have to stick a needle in myself, which sucks. It doesn't suck half as much as the diet though.
I really hope that they find a cure in my lifetime, and there's been a lot of work done in stem cell research (ADULT stem cell research) that is encouraging.
But, as a personal message to Christine Gregoire, if it means grinding up the remains of unborn children to cure my diabetes, then I'll take the needles and the crappy food. It's just too, too ghoulish to even think about.
Posted by: johnny on September 23, 2008 11:56 AMThanks for your great, common sense, moral words.
Great posts!
Posted by: The Pirate on September 23, 2008 12:04 PMI would agree, in that Rossi will take any position that he feels will garner him votes. His position on stem-cell research is weasely -- to say the least. Dishonest and manipulative, to describe it accurately.
If Rossi thought research on foetal stem cells would save him or a close family member's life, he would be rabidly in favor of it --- just like Nancy Reagan became when she was made aware that stem-cell research could have helped RR in his dotage.
The canard about Rossi being in favor of stem cell reseach (using only adult stem cells) is just Rossi's attempt to get people who are in favor of this research and the religious right (who are against using foetal stem cells) to vote for him.
Adult stem cells are much less maleable and practically useless for research. The foetal cells come from blastocytes that were going to be used for implantation, but are no longer useful for that purpose. They are going to be literally thrown in the garbage if not used for research.
Gregoire should announce that Rossi, monstrous murderer that he is, is in favor of throwing babies in the garbage. Then we'll see how irrelevant the discussion is
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 12:15 PMAre you fringe-nutters so whacked that it's only a problem when President Bush "lies" to you? Are you such a moron that you're willing to give YOUR leaders a pass when THEY lie to you because of your BDS?
Are such an idiot that you'll still support her? Or is this a matter of Queen Chrissy the Liar doing PRECISELY that which you hypocritically accuse Rossi, that is "in that Queen Chrissy the Moron will take any position that she feels will garner her votes?"
This "discussion" couldn't GET more irrelevant. That bimbo running this state has engineered a $3.2 billion deficit, and has become a wholly owned tribal subsidiary. Either one of those issues is far more important then this smokescreen she's throwing up.
Heh. "Throwing up." Kinda sums up Queen Chrissy the Hooker's entire tenure.
Posted by: Hinton on September 23, 2008 12:33 PMHow do you even respond to that? And why bother?
The good news? They're losing.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 12:33 PMMy prescription for your recovery is to smoke 1/2 of a blunt followed by one beer every twenty minutes -- and some old Willie Nelson records.
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 01:01 PMOh bs! Name for me ONE "cure" from stem cell research that would have changed Reagan's Alzheimers. And provide the links because you are a liar Headless Lucy.
What is sad is that Democrats would take advantage of people with serious illnesses and their loved ones in time of crisis when they are most vulnerable, promising them miracle cures to get them to do the Democrats political bidding.
What people should know is how Gregoire is lying. She said last time she was for stem cell research. She didn't spend a single penny of stem cell research. Not a penny.
FYI, the duffman is on your side. It is just in the gubernatorial race this time and the presidential that he may temporarily appear to be against you. He was a dyed-in-the-wool Clinton supporter. Just so you know.
Posted by: swatter on September 23, 2008 01:11 PMAlso, your information on the viability of fetal (you say potato I say potahto) stems cells versus adult for research purposes is woefully out of date. You need to read some readily available current papers on the subject, you're stuck in 2004 somehow.
But, I do now know why your nom de plume is "Headless", you apparently don't have one. But hey, I like that "foetal" that's cool. Like when I was a kid just out of art school I'd do "colour".
Let's face it. The Libs/dem's will not answer what you have asked. Because there is NONE!
Yet there are countries around the world have been trying with no luck either..
But the MSN say's zip.
They just want to spend money.
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 23, 2008 01:39 PMhttp://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-02/uocf-usc021005.php
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 01:47 PMUh, Rossi opposes embryonic stem cell research. The promising research you linked to is not that.
Posted by: Palouse on September 23, 2008 01:51 PMYour link headline is:
UCF stem cell research may hold promise for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Once again you put forth a lie. I asked for a CURE, not a "may" or "looks promising". Furthermore, as pointed out by another poster, your link points to ADULT stem cells, not embryonic. Rossi doesn't oppose adult stem cell research.
Posted by: pbj on September 23, 2008 01:58 PM[You have proven me wrong therefore I will revert to name calling.]
Posted by: Duffman on September 23, 2008 02:17 PMIs it unethical to use them for research and not toss them in the trash? Ethical concerns. Please.
You are so obtuse.
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 02:25 PM(Translation: What a load!)
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 02:29 PMYou are a product of blo-jabe....but nice try there headlice [I got your drift]...you're a good sport. :)
Posted by: Duffman on September 23, 2008 02:33 PMThe subject has nothing to do with the race for Washington State Governor. The financial mess Gregoire is responsible for does.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 02:34 PM(Your comment is lame.)
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 02:36 PMtrabajo del soplo [& no lameness 'bout it] :)
Sorry, done playin your silly games...BUH-bye
Posted by: Duffman on September 23, 2008 02:41 PMThere is no budget problem -- just an honesty problem with the Rossi Campaign.
In case you forgot, the state budget is mandated by law to be balanced.
Posted by: headless lucy on September 23, 2008 02:44 PMHave you ever seen a Democrat, or anyone on the left admit they were wrong about anything? Think about it. It just doesn't happen. The best you ever get is something like, "if my remarks were misinterpreted then I apologize". I can't think of even one instance when a Democrat simply said, "I was wrong, I'm sorry".
These people are the same kids we played with in school who cheated at every game, and crowded in line. Oh yeah, the same ones who ended up being lawyers, which is what most Democrats are.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 02:50 PMQueen Chrissy the Bitchio has led us into this astronomical, $3.2 BILLION (so far) budget deficit; bent over for the tribes like she was paid directly for services rendered; and, of course, lied directly through her tooth in the 04 election about this very subject.
Saying that "There is no budget problem" is not unlike Baghdad Bob telling the world their were no American troops in the capital.
Is it possible that you're as moronic as all that?
Posted by: hinton on September 23, 2008 02:52 PMCan you give a solid cite for the $3.2 billion deficit? I thought if the budget is supposed to be balanced by law that is just a projection? I want solid facts here.
Posted by: Crusader on September 23, 2008 02:59 PMI kept wondering, when was Rossi Governor? Seems to me Democrats have occupied that position for the last 30 years at least.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 03:00 PMhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008189261_govbudget19m.html
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.
While Republicans blame the projected shortfall on Gregoire, saying she spent way too much money, Gregoire points to President Bush.
Gregoire's budget office wouldn't discuss what it might do to cut spending, except for previously announced steps such as a state freeze on hiring, equipment purchases and out-of-state travel. That's expected to save $90 million. The governor also told Moore to look for ways to trim another $200 million out of the current budget.
Dino Rossi, the Republican candidate for governor, also would not discuss significant cuts he would make if elected to balance the budget.
Ok, here are the facts:
1. Gregoire admits there is a deficit
2. Gregoire blames Bush for the deficit
3. Gregoire does not provide any solution to close the gap
4. Rossi also has no answers
So basically our 2 candidates running for Governor are either clueless or liars.
Posted by: Crusader on September 23, 2008 03:06 PMDon't you ever listen.
Everything on your government computer is a public record dumbass.
Our friendship is over.
Posted by: headlicesonlyfriend on September 23, 2008 03:07 PMIt's a projected budget shortfall for 2010/2011 because people are buying less gas because the gas companies are gouging us.
Yes. Keep thinking that. That gallon of gas where Evil Big Oil makes $0.30 per gallon, and our wonderful State takes twice that.
Who's gouging on the price of gas, you idiot...
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 23, 2008 03:25 PMAre you out of your freaking gourd? The gas tax goes to the transportation budget and has absolutely nothing to do with the general fund state budget. Nothing.
In fact it's unconstitutional to use gas taxes for anything BUT the transpo budget.
And as I told Pope Richard the 13th yesterday, stop splitting hairs. There is a $3.2 billion deficit between the amount of projected revenue and the projected obligations - stuff we've already committed to paying for - over the next two years.
People buying less gas = $3.2 billion deficit in the general fund. Good gawd you're dumb.
Posted by: jimg on September 23, 2008 03:26 PMAnd Rossi is absolutely correct for not doing so. That would only provide campaign fodder that Gregoire would use to say "Rossi is turning his back on [insert group here]". She created this fiscal mess, and shouldn't be rewarded with re-election to try and fix it. Rossi has a record of creating a balanced budget without raising taxes, she doesn't.
Posted by: Palouse on September 23, 2008 03:27 PMIt's the game Democrats always play because it works time after time. You saw Gregoire use it in the debate when she implied that Rossi would take funds from "education" to use for "roads".
They sit back smugly and accuse Republicans of being irresponsible spenders knowing full well they can turn the tables if Republicans actually try to implement spending cuts. Yeah, they are dishonest creeps.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 03:32 PMIt's the game Democrats always play because it works time after time. You saw Gregoire use it in the debate when she implied that Rossi would take funds from "education" to use for "roads".
They sit back smugly and accuse Republicans of being irresponsible spenders knowing full well they can turn the tables if Republicans actually try to implement spending cuts. Yeah, they are dishonest creeps.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 03:33 PMAs soon as Poltician A identifies areas to be cut, the special interests scream bloody murder.
And it doesn't even have to be a cut. Just a reduction in the amount of an increase. See: Social Security, 1996 Presidential race.
Posted by: jimg on September 23, 2008 03:34 PMHe has not stated that he won't make spending cuts. In fact, it's certain that he will, because he has pledged not to raise taxes. He just has not (rightly) stated where the cuts will be.
Posted by: Palouse on September 23, 2008 03:48 PMDo you not understand politics? Rossi can't trot out a list of cuts. He might as well paint a target on his back.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 03:57 PMShrug. It's fine with me, because has pledged not to raise taxes. There's only one other way to balance the budget if you don't increase taxes, and that's exactly what this state needs after Gregoire's 33% spending increase.
Posted by: Palouse on September 23, 2008 04:02 PMYup, in a perfect world I'd agree. This ain't a perfect world. This is politics. And you, I strongly suspect, are a closet Gregoire supporter.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 04:07 PMI don't know where you got that idea. He has absolutely stated he will cut spending. From his website:
Here are some specific measures we’ll take to begin addressing the deficit:
A Constiutional Ammendment reinstating spending limits: Voters approved these limits in 1993, but the legislature has ignored them and increased spending. As governor, I’ll stiffen these limits to curb out-of-control spending.
Freeze hiring and discretionary spending: Governor Gregoire ballooned state hiring by 8,000 employees over four years. I will implement a detailed , reasonable freeze on hiring and certain expenditures.
Reduce the size and spending of the governor’s office: Governor Gregoire increased spending by 85% on her own office. Fiscal leadership starts at the top. I’ll start by reducing spending on the governor’s office by at least 10% in the next budget.
I will not support a state income tax like Gregoire does – not now, not ever.
Once we have solved this deficit, I will look to return money to taxpayers whenever possible by cutting taxes
Posted by: Palouse on September 23, 2008 04:11 PMI appreciate what you're trying to get across, but you're missing the point.
So, let's try this:
Which one of the two major candidates for governor has previously crafted a balanced budget without raising taxes?
Which one hasn't?
You can claim Rossi won't do this or won't do that, but the fact remains he has written a responsible, balanced budget that didn't raise taxes. And if I recall, we were facing a deficit at that time, too. Just not a $3.2 billion one like we are now.
If you simply look at the past actions of the two candidates, it's crystal clear what the outcome will be next time.
Posted by: jimg on September 23, 2008 04:25 PMThis is the game these miserable, rotten, horrible people play. And they cheat.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 04:25 PMStill trying to blame the general fund shortfall on lower gas tax receipts?
Or will you admit you were blatantly wrong?
Posted by: jimg on September 23, 2008 04:28 PMI believe leftist philosophy, which is really socialisism, attracts a certain type.
I never did like them.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 23, 2008 04:36 PMI guess she must have renounced her Catholic faith to support embryonic stem cell "research".
Posted by: Independent Voter on September 23, 2008 05:21 PMFirst off:
Which one of the two major candidates for governor has previously crafted a balanced budget without raising taxes?
is absolutely right.
Second, Rossi has put out some proposals, but it's awfully hard if not impossible to really know what you are going to do till you actually get into office and have the powers of the governor and see what the governor can see.
Finally, I'd be glad to explain what I'm going to do so long as Gregoire says how she's going to do it. So far, we basically have "Barack Obama will win and fix the economy and save us all just like Jeebus."
That ain't good enough.
Posted by: Cliff on September 23, 2008 07:08 PMI still have no idea what lie you are talking about in regards to Rossi. If you want examples that Rossi provided as to how he will balance the budget, see my post @95.
Posted by: Palouse on September 24, 2008 07:47 AM