On Saturday night, while the rest of you are enjoying life, I’ll be going the other direction, covering a gubernatorial debate between foes Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi.
Not that you can’t find something better to do with your Saturday night, but if by chance you want to watch, the debate will be aired live at 9 p.m. on KOMO channel 4.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s an honor, just like it’s an honor for members of some tribes to receive facial tattoos. Or for some young women to be murdered for the honor of their families.
I’m not sure if I’ll get any time with the candidates, or the chance to ask them any questions.
But I was wondering, if you had the chance to ask the candidates a question, what would you ask them?
As for me, I want to ask KOMO and the Seattle P-I who thought it would be a good idea to schedule a gubernatorial debate on a Saturday night, thus guaranteeing as few people as possible will watch.
Maybe we should reschedule election day for Superbowl Sunday?
I agree! A debate held on Saturday is ridiculous.
I’d ask Gregoire why she broke her promise to reign in government spending. State government has grown nearly 38% on her watch. Rather than reduce government, Gregoire has grossly expanded it. If I had a follow-up, I’d ask her to justify her decision regarding the casino cash and the kickback to her campaign via the Democratic Party. Then, I’d sneak in another one: Why does she support a state income tax, which citizens strongly oppose?
I’d ask Rossi if he plans to reduce the state basic health insurance provided to low-income individuals.
In spite of Gov. Gregoire insisting on KING 5’s Up Front program that we have a $800 million surplus. the how did we get to a point of actually having a $3.2 billion deficit, and what SPECIFICALLY are you going to do to fix it?
In spite of Gov. Gregoire insisting on KING 5’s Up Front program that we have a $800 million surplus, the facts are different. With that in mind, how did we get to a point of actually having a $3.2 billion deficit, and what SPECIFICALLY are you going to do to fix it?
Thank you Andrew for the sacrifices you make for our community all in the name of Good Journalism. Our thoughts will be with you.
And if I had to ask a question, I suppose I might ask Mr. Rossi why’ given our lower unemployment rates and financial institution stability, our state has survived the economic woes and uncertain financial times so much better than so many red states, and what policies of Governor Gregoire can he blame for this success?
hint: I may be a democrat so this may seem to be a loaded question, but I assure you that it only appears that way in print.
Governor Gregoire- Why did you support the Democrat-controlled legislature in passing $500,000,000 of new taxes and fee increases two years ago with the ’emergency’ clause attached at a time of peak historical state revenues? 1) How do you define an emergency for this purpose? 2) With the record level state revenues that already existed, why did you raise taxes after you promised NOT to during your campaign, unless it was a true ’emergency’?????
Moosette- First, if you have any knowledge of WA economics, you’d know that WA is generally isolated economically from the US economy, partially by geographics and also by the nature of companies like Boeing, who have contracts to do business that extend out several years, thus limiting any short term exposure to the major labor markets locally. WA historically is impacted by national economic downturns in a lagging fashion, and our recovers do the same. Second, our national unemployment rate is still historically low AND yes, the ‘underpinnings’ of our economy are still strong, whether you believe it or not- ask Treasury Secretary Paulson. Our economic weaknesses that do exist are industry specific, and due to widespread speculation in the real estate market….. We have yet to see the standard measure for a recession, two quarters of negative GDP growth, and most economists still don’t (other than the constantly negative-minded Democrats who are working hard to talk down the economy and spread FEAR amongst their fellow americans and senior citizens as usual) believe we’ll see it this year. With our now $3.2 Billion shortfall of revenues from what your dear Gov. Gregoire wants to spend this year, who are YOU going to blame for her FAILURE?
Financial institution stability? Surely you jest. I think it would be a good idea to ask the Wamu CFO to take the Math WASL. The concepts of compound interest and supply and demand seemed to have eluded him/her.
I would ask Governor Gregoire to visit our high school. She’s been so close so many times. She must have been able to see it across the inlet when she was on the waterfront with Mayor Bozeman. It would go a long way for the students and teachers to have such a distinguished visitor. Just a thought.
If I thought I would get an honest answer, I would ask her about her sweetheart deal to give the tribes a zero-revenue sharing gaming compact (the only one in the nation and which has been estimated to cost the state $140 million/year). My question would be whether she had promised the tribes this PRIOR to the last election. Remember, they were big supporters of her campaign (I believe they even financed one of the “recounts”).
I am not saying that we don’t have our troubles in these economic times, I am only saying that we have fared much better than many states. I am interested in what Mr. Rossi would change that would have caused us to withstand many of the pitfalls of the last eight years better than we already have. He has clearly aligned himself with the Bush administration and the Bush policies, many (not all) which have landed us in the predicament we are in. For example: Phil Gramm and the deregulaton of companies like AIG.
I would ask Gregoire why she stood silent as Seattle lost its 41 year old NBA franchise.
I would ask both candidates what they intend to do to bring NBA back to this region. Remember, if we don’t get NBA back, then the city loses 25 million from Bennett.
I don’t think the state of the economy is a partisan problem or the result of partisan politics. I think it’s an American problem and I think it’s fallout still from the terrorist attacks. They did target our financial center, didn’t they? And our Department of Defense. It’s only been 7 years.
I don’t think the state of the economy is a partisan problem or the result of partisan politics. I think it’s an American problem and I think it’s fallout still from the terrorist attacks. They did target our financial center, didn’t they? And our Department of Defense. It’s only been 7 years.
Karen:
Fallout from September 11? How did that effect the deregulation measures passed before the attack? And what has that got to do with huge corporations building artificial wealth on overburdened resources and undercapitalized debt loads? Please enlighten us with something specific to support your theory.
This may in some way not be a partisan problem in that human greed is not partisan. Yet you cannot deny that all of this is happening after eight years of a Republican controlled White House and Congress. Government is supposed to provide oversight and protection for its citizens not for large corporations.
Come on, Moosette. Our state is facing a $3.2 BILLION deficit. Are we supposed to say, “Oh, well, some states have it worse” and vote for the same clowns that have got us here? Christine Gregoire has added 6,000 NEW state workers since taking office. Now, I know she is beholden to the State Government Employees Union, but come on! Her political payback to them and the tribes are killing us. Vote for more of the same if you want, That is your right. I just hope there are enough people who see through the juvenile attempts to tie Rossi to Bush and vote for a CHANGE.
My question remains: What changes will Mr. Rossi offer us that would have caused us to fare better than we are now? This is not “a few states have it worse”, this is specifically that we are much better off than republican led states that have followed Bush sdministration policies.
Facing a 3.2 billion dollar deficit is not the same as having a 3.2 billion dollar deficit. We all face deficits in our budgets and then take steps to ameliorate those deficits. That’s life. Certainly the cost of energy prices and inflation are creating a possible shortfall in the projected budget, but again we have to look at what the causes of these increases are. Shall we talk about a needless war causing us billions of dollars and destabilizing a region; leading to higher energy prices? How about deregulation of the financial institutions that many of our retirement and savings accounts are tied to. These are tangible money drains that have absolutely nothing to do with a contract with the Native Americans. It is these kinds of policy failures on the Federal level that precipitate the kinds of re-budgeting the states all face.
As for me I would rather trust my state to one who is oppsed to the policies that create the problem than to one who toes the line with those policy makers.
“It is these kinds of policy failures on the Federal level that precipitate the kinds of re-budgeting the states all face.”
So, given all you cite: the war, the increase in fuel prices, deregulation of financial institutions… you think the proper response is to ADD 6,000 new state employees??? THAT is the “re-budgeting” measure you approve of?
George Bush’s failures do not absolve Christine Gregoire of hers.
Blue light: The question still remains….What changes will Mr. Rossi offer us that would have caused us to fare better than we are now?
I hear a lot of negative about Christine Gregoire, how about some positive about Dino Rossi?
I am not an expert on Dino Rossi’s platform. Nor am I a Republican. But here’s one: He has said he WILL NOT raise taxes.
moosette — Quit making excuses for the socialists, please.
Ah Blue light thank you so much. A politician who says he won’t raise taxes. I feel so much better now. Why I’ve never known a republican who said no new taxes and then went back on the promise….
oh wait George Bush, Senior and Junior, Ronald Reagan….
hmmmm guess I don’t feel so much better now.
If that is the only positive thing you can come up with about Dino Rossi, than who is the one making juvenile assumptions?
moosette — Quit making excuses for the socialists, please.
Mike, which socialists would that be? Right now the Republican administration is behaving more like a socialist government than it ever has. By picking and choosing which financial institutions we want to bail out and which we don’t we are creating a government that is in control of the economic and financial markets in our country.
Does this seem like the free market line that the Republican Party is so hot on?
The reason I enjoy reading and commenting on Andrew’s blog is because it’s fun and entertaining. I appreciate his take on the little town that could. And will. His posts make me laugh and they make me think.
I don’t want to argue or discuss politics. The partisanship in this country has gotten ridiculous. I see intelligent grown men and women molding their personal beliefs and tossing their common sense aside to fit their party’s politics. When I walk into the voting booth I am first and foremost, an American citizen. That’s how I vote.
Moosette: The blame and division in this country is the problem. They bombed our financial center and our Pentagon. They tried to bomb our President’s home or our Congress’ workplace, we’re not sure which, and we’re all squabbling and pointing fingers at each other. I think their attack was pretty successful, don’t you? If they were trying to undermine our way of life, they did a pretty good job.
What do you think is draining the economy? The war? And what did they think we were going to do? Roll over?
I’m not sure who the they are that you refer to, but it has been proven over and over that it was not the Iraqi’s, there were no weapons of mass destruction and we went into a war presumptively with the first strike. We invaded Iraq, they did not attack us.
If we were serious and correct about retaliating against the attacks on 9/11 we would have focused our attention on Afghanistan were it belongs.
Karen, I apologize if I seem partisan to you. I am not. I have voted for both republicans and democrats. However it seems to me that the failings of this administration and the atmosphere of fear that they promote is and has clouded much of our judgement in recent years and has prompted knee-jerk reactions that have proven to be to our detriment rather than our benefit.
I am more than willing to consider republican candidates. However, I cannot support a candidate that is such a follower of current administration policies. I am not a Christine Gregoire lover as some have asserted. I am open and would still love to hear some concrete policies that Dino Rossi has that would serve us better. That’s all.
I wasn’t asking Governor Gregoire to come to our high school as a Democrat or a candidate, or for political reasons. I was asking her to come because she is the leader of this state. I would hope that she would talk to the students and the teachers about unity and the future and about being prepared. That’s what good leaders do. They shake off the negative stuff and keep their eyes on the prize.
See, that’s why I don’t want to get into this discussion. You say Afghanistan, I say Kuwait.
You do not owe me an apology for being partisan. I wasn’t referring to you. You seem to have thoughtful and logical ideas. I guess I was explaining why I avoid the political blogs and the political issues.
I don’t consider myself a Republican, but I must lean that way. Props to Dad for spoon feeding us Barry Goldwater.
I think that the time of governments moving in clouded secrecy is over. You can see that at the local level. These poor guys can’t make a move without their actions being scrutinized and criticized or their words being dissected. It’s not quite that at the national level, but it will be. And you just have to be careful. Your words have some power.
BlueLight’s”…. I would ask her about her sweetheart deal to give the tribes a zero-revenue sharing gaming compact (the only one in the nation and which has been estimated to cost the state $140 million/year). My question would be whether she had promised the tribes this PRIOR to the last election. Remember, they were big supporters of her campaign …….”…”
1) I’d like to know the answer too then ask both of them what they intend to do to rectify the error in judgment.
2) I want to know what each would do to bring the casino’s in line with Washington’s no smoking laws?
It is idiotic that the tribes are allowed to permit smoking in the casinos.
Is the health of their employees less important than other citizens in this state?
Is the health of the Native American of less value than the rest of our state’s citizen?
For Governor Gregoire : Who pays the medical costs of the Native American’s who get lung diseases?
Thank you Andrew and take care…
Sharon O’Hara
Binion here:
OK, here’s the word on the debates:
-Reporters will not be allowed in the studio. We will sit in a room off the lobby equipped with Internet and phones and will watch the debate on television.
Usually reporters watch the candidates and take note if they have any communication with staff. This isn’t to say Rossi or Gregoire would need help answering questions, it’s just one of those things.
Holly Gauntt, news director for KOMO, said the candidates, who were allowed 20 guests, would probably not seat any staff in the studio. The audience would likely be made up of family, honchos at KOMO, the Seattle P-I and members of the League of Women Voters.
-Why Saturday night at 9 p.m.? Gauntt said it was because the station wanted a prime time slot to get as many viewers as possible. She said the network doesn’t allow the affiliates much latitude to pick and choose, and because of college football scheduled for Saturday, the evening presented a prime time opportunity, no pun intended, to put the candidates on screen.
Gauntt commiserated that the timing of the event puts a strain on news agencies trying to get debate stories to voters for Sunday’s papers.
I explained this to the Sun newsroom and it received some doubtful grumbles.
-An additional concern is that the debate will not be widely viewed because Saturday night is not traditionally a time that people sit around the family room and partake in civic viewing.
-There won’t be commercials during the debate, which is reassuring, however, the station, the P-I (and without a doubt the Kitsap Sun) will benefit from the bonanza of political advertising this season.
-One of the thoughts bantered around the newsroom was with all the money television stations will make on political advertising, they should present these debates at times when people are more likely to watch.
-Candidates agreed to speak with reporters on their way out of the building, which is kind of funny if you think about it. We’re standing in the lobby, a veritable gauntlet, throwing questions at them while they make a dash for the door.
That should turn out well.
The Natives in Alaska own their mineral rights, thanks to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act from 1971.
So, you don’t think she’s going to being making a visit to South Kitsap High School anytime soon? Have fun, Andrew.
Had a winderful time chatting with you today. Thanks for the wonderful exchange of ideas.
Good night all.
Written testimony can be given to Legislative Committee staff for distribution on a relevant agenda item when one cannot physically attend a meeting. It should be replicated locally wherever possible.
Wrong thread…
So Christine Gregoire is asking us, the citizens of Washington State, to suggest how to solve the financial woes. Here’s my suggestion: LEAVE OFFICE CHRISTINE GREGOIRE!!!!!