A careful read of Joel Connelly's column today hints strongly at a dynamic I've heard more than a little of behind the scenes: many Democrats - and related interest groups - were pleased to get Gregoire over the finish line in 2008, but have precious little interest in her sticking around for a reprise in 2012.
Posted by Eric Earling at February 27, 2009 09:02 AM | Email This...the 'shortfall' is a direct result of the $8B in increased spending during Gregoire's first term in office.
"Gregiore is making the hard choices and she's taking the heat for them."
...as well she should since she created the mess in the first place.
Posted by: Rick D. on February 27, 2009 01:14 PMI'm sure that's part of it, also has to do with the rapidly falling revenue that's usually generated from taxes. Every state spends during the good times, and cuts during the bad, not just the Dem. run one's as you would seem to have convinced yourself into believing.
...as well she should since she created the mess in the first place.
Gregiore did not create the current Bush induced recession which is effecting the whole country. Do show me a state that's not running a deficit?
Posted by: Cato on February 27, 2009 01:56 PMBut then he had Rossi and the other Republican lawmakers helping out. Sheesh, how I wish for the days of Foreman and Ballard.
Gregoire didn't even try to save the rain day fund and instead she squandered the money before the Democrat induced recession.
Posted by: swatter on February 27, 2009 02:10 PMI'm not concerned with what "every state" does or doesn't do. The bottom line is the Governor spent beyond her means and has gotten us into a hole on par with that of California's budget crisis. She lied about the deficit she knew we had to get elected and is now officially both a failure and a lame duck Governor 3 months into her 2nd term.
"Gregiore did not create the current Bush induced recession which is effecting the whole country. Do show me a state that's not running a deficit?"
No. That was your buddies Frank and Dodd that created this mess, not Bush, who warned Congress repeatedly that some oversight was needed for these GSE's as far back as 2001. It's documented fact, but that doesn't apparently register with your while wearing your partisan glasses on. Oh, and there are 4 states not in a deficit currently: Montana,Wyoming,North Dakota and W.Virginia.
Dodge and weave.
The bottom line is the Governor spent beyond her means and has gotten us into a hole on par with that of California's budget crisis.
Yes, I agree. So did a good portion of America and $8 Million is a drop in the bucket compared to California's much larger problem even when you adjust for population differences.
She lied about the deficit she knew we had to get elected
A politican lied? Like that's never happened before.
Rossi claimed he was prepared to spend tons of money he didn't have on Seattle centered projects. Something tells me those would go right out the window had he been elected. Would he then be a liar too or would you claim he was practicing common sense fiscal management?
That was your buddies Frank and Dodd that created this mess, not Bush, who warned Congress repeatedly that some oversight was needed for these GSE's as far back as 2001.
Uh huh, who was in control of Congress in 2001? Oh right, the Republicans. Who held the White House? Oh right, the Republicans. While I do belive Frank and Dodd do share some responsibility you completely overlook Gramm and the greedy people who took advantage of the deregulation and lax enforcment...like this or this. The later being a prime example of someone who would have been caught had anyone in the Bush Administration bothered to give a damn.
Oh, and there are 4 states not in a deficit currently: Montana,Wyoming,North Dakota and W.Virginia.
I figured that statement would come and bite me in the ass. Nice job. Now what happened in all the other 46 states that ARE running a deficit? Maybe they all overspent much like everyone else in America.
Actually it's $8 Billion, with a B and no, it is exactly proportional to California's factoring in the population equation. Nice dancing, but you'll need better shoes.
"Rossi claimed he was prepared to spend tons of money he didn't have on Seattle centered projects."
This is how you got the nickname ObfusCATOr, remember?
"Would he then be a liar too or would you claim he was practicing common sense fiscal management?
You may have heard he didn't win in November, so the point is moot. Hypotheticals solve nothing, but you do enjoy setting up your straw men. Having 8 Billion dollar in red ink left to him by Gregoire though, he probably would have shelved many of his promises in order to get the budget back under control, which is good fiscal management.
"While I do belive Frank and Dodd do share some responsibility you completely overlook Gramm and the greedy people who took advantage of the deregulation and lax enforcment.
Sure Gramm sponsored the Gramm-Leach-Bliley bill of 1999, but the House and Senate (with Democrats support mind you) approved it and Clinton signed it into law. You'll remember that it was Bwaney Fwank and Chris Dodd that benefited directly from it with sweetheart deals and outright cronyism, then stonewalled any attempts to reign in Fannie and Freddie when experts were trying to sound the alarm of an impending crisis. But Democrats didn't want to hear it. Just listen to Maxine Waters, Bwaney Fwank, and Gregory Meeks in that video with their condescending attitude saying "there's nothing wrong here, why are you wasting our time with this"? I guess now WE ALL know.
"Now what happened in all the other 46 states that ARE running a deficit?"
Couldn't tell ya. Currently, I only reside in one that is one of the worst so how other states were mismanaged means little to me. You're obfuscating again.