So let me get this straight… when Dave Reichert and the WSRP shop around the bullshit notion that Darcy Burner is lying when she sometimes describes her Harvard degree in computer science and economics as a “degree in economics,” the fair, balanced and impartial editors at the Seattle Times decide that’s worthy of a front page story. But when a judge determines that the evidence implicating Rossi in the Buildergate scandal—a fundraising scam the PDC has already determined to be illegal—is sufficient to compel Rossi to testify under oath just days before the election… they bury that story in the B section?
And they have the nerve to call me a partisan hack?
Whether that proves harmful or helpful to Rossi remains to be seen, said Matt Barreto, a University of Washington political-science professor. “It could be a game-changer. But it’s not necessarily a nail in the coffin for Rossi. It depends on how he responds, what comes out and what the media coverage is,” Barreto said.
I don’t doubt that most reporters attempt to be objective, but if you believe in these final days of the election that the Times isn’t writing its headlines, placing its stories, and otherwise shaping its coverage so as to favor the candidates it prefers, well then, I’ve got an 8-lane 520 bridge to sell you.
The story is on the front page of the P-I, (just) above the fold.
The probable IAM settlement rightly takes the prime front page real estate, with Ty Willingham and Ted Stevens also more prominently placed than the sleazebag’s upcoming
I have no recollection, and besides I’m not running on that issuedeposition. Also, the P-I gave the story to Chris McGann, their chief Olympia correspondent, rather than some “staff reporter”.[Deleted]
Well, I guess you could argue that the big story would be at the end of the deposition, not the announcement of the deposition itself.
I wonder if this is going to be a videotaped deposition? Is Rossi going to come across as the “aw shucks – I’m just a buisnessman” real estate smoozer like he does in his commercials, or is he going to be combative?
The only thing I regret is that in the rush to take his deposition, they haven’t had time to go over documents in details yet – things like phone records, appointment calenders, memos, e-mails, etc.
If they had, it could make for a really entertaining deposition. Like when Ted Stevens insisted under oath that he didn’t know anything about an expensive massage chair in his home and he had never used it, and then the prosecution then produced an e-mail from him talking about how much he loved it and how he fell asleep reclining in it. (Now McCain, I could believe if he said he didn’t know anything about the furniture in his various homes, or where it came from).
Which makes me wonder: How many accountants are meeting with members of Congress today to go over and amend their financial disclosure forms filed over the past several years?
Democrat hacks press on
Not knowing the truth nor care
Rossi wins again
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rhp @3,
But, Rossi must assume those documents will be examined, and so he must be very careful not to perjure himself.
Not worth winning the governorship if you end up being convicted of a felony in the process.
Goldy @ 8: Assuming he’s prosecuted in state (not federal) courts, couldn’t Rossi just pardon himself (and his supporters) if he’s elected?
It might be the reason the BIAW and Rossi are shoveling so much money into the race for the governor’s office. I had to wonder about how good an investment that was, since being a Republican governor of a state with a Democratic legislature is going to have limited value. But perhaps they were unrealistic going into this election, went “all in” gambling that as long as they won they could avoid prosecution, and now that they’ve crossed the line the HAVE to win, one way or another, fair or foul?
rhp @9,
No, their calculation is that the inevitable fines are just a part of doing business, and that seizing the governor’s mansion is well worth that price. Think about it… if the BIAW is fined, say, a record $1 million, that’s a fraction of the total they dumped into this campaign. And with Rob McKenna in negotiating the ultimate deal, you can be sure it won’t be a 7-figure penalty.
Campaign finance violations have civil penalties, but this deposition is different. If Rossi is caught perjuring himself, that’s a felony that carries a criminal penalty.
@2 The death tax isn’t high enough yet. We’re gonna confiscate your paper and give it to Goldy as community reparations. Wait and see!
@3 Stevens isn’t the first lying idiot to hang himself with an e-mail, and won’t be the last.
When will these fools realize e-mails are evidence and they shouldn’t write e-mails they don’t want to read in court?
@4 This would be a good time to take votes on some issues while all the Republicans are out of the office.
@5 Like he did the last time?
HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR HAR
Goldy @ 10: Okay, granted that these are civil proceedings, not criminal. And that the Republicans consider getting caught in these violations just part of the cost of doing business.
But doesn’t somebody have to sign those financial statements which are filed with the election commission? I’m assuming that they are signed under oath. If the person who signs them knows about illegal contributions outside of campaign financial records, wouldn’t that have criminal reprocussions? Remember, that’s what got both Al Cappon and Ted Stevens – not the bad conduct, but filing false financial reports with the government.
@7 Say, that’s right, I wonder if they’ll check his photo ID if he show up at the polls so he doesn’t cast a fraudulent vote? We’ve gotta protect the integrity of our elections! What happens in Alaska affects all of us!
Actually, I’ll be very surprised if anything of consequence is reported after this deposition. Questions will be asked, denials will be made, lots of vagueness of memory over any specific details. Any follow-up to prove Rossi a liar will have to wait until after the election.
But I hope I’m wrong.
We’re another seat closer to 60. Thanks, Ted.
Back to Ted Stevens (well, it’s kind of related, in that Stevens is a Republican, these are legal proceedings, and Stevens is a convicted felon and Rossi is on the verge of becoming one unless he is VERY CAREFUL today….)
The Republicans can’t decide whether to support Ted Stevens or throw him under the bus. The White House noted that he’s going to exercise his right to appeal, and otherwise there is no comment. McCain earlier called upon Stevens to resign, as he had “breached his trust with the American people”. Sarah Palin, who couldn’t have gotten anywhere in Alaska Republican politics without at least the tacit consent of Sen. Stevens, can’t decide. At one point she’s saying it’s an example of the “culture of corruption” which she fought against in Alaska and promises to fight against in Washington D.C. On the other hand, she has backed off and simply says that she “knows Sen. Stevens will do the right thing for the people of Alaska”, an endorsement which seems to support whatever he decides to do.
Sure, Stevens has been carrying the water for the Republican Party and their finanical supporters for decades. But what has he done for them lately (i.e., in the last two months?). Loyalty towards fallen comrades seems to be a virtue lacking in the Republican Party these days.
This is not the type of October Surprise which McCain was counting upon.
I wonder if the Republicans have anything else up their sleeves? I’ve been expecting Bush to launch a Seal attack on the hijacked cargo ship off Somalia sometime this week or over the next weekend. But at this point I think even a major foreign crisis isn’t going to change this election.
The Tacoma paper ran it on the front page of the local section.
It made the front page of the Olympian, barely. Might have gone higher, but some idiot went the wrong way down I5 and caused a wreck.