On Monday, my vigil to get David Irons to publicly state his position on I-912 ended when the Seattle P-I managed to coax a tepid statement opposing the anti-roads initiative. So I followed up by demanding that putative state GOP leader Dino Rossi answer the same question. (“Et tu, Dino?“) Well… a letter to the editor in today’s Seattle P-I summarizes the issue so nicely, I thought I’d push the limits of the fair use doctrine, and repeat it here.
Rossi must have opinion about gas tax
The great, unasked question: Where does Dino Rossi stand on Initiative 912 to repeal the gas-tax increase?
Rossi’s whole campaign focused on improving Washington’s business climate. Business interests strongly oppose I-912 because it repeals funding for long-overdue transportation improvements. This suggests Rossi would oppose I-912.
But his failed legal quest for an election do-over was repeatedly invoked by I-912’s talk-radio sponsors to motivate their signature-gathering troops and “send Democrats a message.” This implies Rossi’s support. I suspect Rossi still refuses to declare a position on initiatives, just as he did during his 2004 campaign. With I-912, he risks alienating one of his two bases: business or anti-tax conservatives. So what’s the point?
Your Monday editorial answers that question: “When mobility, traffic congestion and thousands of local jobs are at stake, we’d hope for stronger leadership.”
We know Rossi will run for public office again. In the meantime, he appears to have become the de-facto leader of this state’s Republican Party. Isn’t he the one person with the best chance of saving the 2005 transportation investment should he speak out against the job-killing I-912?
David Groves
Bainbridge Island
Thanks David… well said. I’ll be looking for Dino’s letter to the editor in reply.
In addition to demanding that Rossi publicly state whether he supports I-912, I also posed the same question to Irons’ colleagues on the King County Council. Three have responded thus far: Dwight Pelz and Julia Patterson are opposed to I-912, and Raymond Shaw Reagan Dunn supports it. No surprises there.
Patterson was the only one of the three to provide an explanation, and I think it is worth sharing, as it makes clear to residents of South King County some of what they will lose should the gas tax repeal pass.
I will be voting against I-912 because I support all the South King County transportation projects that the 2005 state transportation package funds. I believe we need the additional lanes on 405 between Renton and Tukwila, the improvements to the 405/167 interchange, and the completion of the HOV lanes on SR 167. All are funded in the 2005 state transportation package, and will not be completed if I-912 passes. These projects are important to the residents of South King County and will help reduce congestion and keep our economy strong.
This, of course, is exactly the type of effort to educate voters that we need from our elected officials and other civic leaders if we are to have a hope of defeating I-912. It’s the type of bold leadership one would hope candidates like Irons and Rossi would display if they really want to prove that they deserve the public’s trust.
And one final note. While Shaw Dunn didn’t provide an explanation, his prompt and terse response to whether he supported I-912 did prove that he is an attentive HA reader… and has a bit of a sense of humor to boot.
Yes.
-Raymond
He’s the new kid on the block, and I don’t much care for his politics thus far, but this certainly scores him a couple of points in my book.
Sweet. I met with our locals Republicans and Democrats last night at the Benton County Fair and posed the same question. All were willing to respond publically and I should see some response today which will be posted on my blog. They all agree that Benton County voters should not be going to the polls with sound bytes from I-912 dancing in their heads.
I wonder what will happen to gas tax revenues if oil goes over $100 a barrel and stays there?
Rossi, like the innards of black box voting machines and Mr. Cynical’s BIAW washing machine, is a blank slate — an enigma, a mystery, a black hole.
And I don’t trust anything I can’t see inside of. That includes you, Dino.
I heard they capped prices in Hawaii
Goldy, why is it so important for you that Rossi comes out and second guesses your govenor?
Dino who? Wasn’t he some republican dip shit that ran for governor in WA?
jimmy-
What’s yer blog?
Real politicians/candidates used to have positions on issues, Chuck. I think we still expect more from politics in Washington state than some empty PR machine afraid to state their opinions.
herbalizer@7
Dino is your next governor dummy.
windie@9
But if he does come out with a statement, you will be the first to take offence to his monday baseball playing…or second guessing “our elected” officials.
Rujax @ 8
I don’t know if Goldy want’s me advertising here but… heck, I am just a little fish and pretty new in the arena. Mind you that the site started out with a fight against a local church expansion plan.. but here goes
http://www.mccranium.org
@10
Having wet dreams again, Chuckie?
I really don’t think Goldy will mind Jimmy, actually its kinda cool to see an E. WA progressive blog ;) Also, put (or link) your post in here on their answers, I wanna see it :D
chuck, even if I disagree or think his opinion is stupid, I’ll respect him more for having the guts to state his beliefs on a difficult issue.
This should be the first step if we want to elevate our politics and get people involved again.
It’s NOT an “anti-roads” initiative. Most people signed it to send a message to lil Crissy and Co. and all the other powers-that-be in Olympia, that you DO NOT go against the will of the people; evident by using BS clauses like an “emergency” to get an end run around 1993 overwhelmingly voter-approved I-601. There are better options to pay for improvements that this crap. I-912 will pass anyway; all the whining in the world won’t change a damn thing. And who the hell gives a shit what Rossi thinks about all this publicly anyhow? I’ll vote my mind, not his. Get over it already. Thanks.
I don’t mind Rossi keeping his opinion of I-912 to himself. He’s entitled to a secret ballot. After all, he holds no office, doesn’t make policy, and is only a private citizen like the rest of us. (pause)
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 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
Rossi,
Isn’t he the guy who won the first 2 votes for Governor?
“Job Killing I-912” WTF??? This highlights one of the points we’ve been making. We want the fucking problem fixed. We want to reduce congestion on freeways. It isn’t about make work jobs for a bunch of fucking union lackeys.
Reply to 17
He’s like the team that was ahead at the half and 3rd quarter but was behind when the whistle blew on the 4th quarter. One game, one final score.
@16
The majority of the people sent a message by electing Gregoire instead of Rossi.
@18: No, only after three recounts and King County mysteriously finds the needed votes at the last second they did……..but then again, this is Washington; I would’nt have expected anything less. Thanks Crissy “recounts till I win” Gregoire and Co.!
Thanks windie @ 14
What I think will be funny is when our local Republican leadership stands up and and defends the tax publically. Should set an example to those Repbulicans on the wet side who quietly sitting on the fence.
I know many of our Republican leaders out here and they are all good thoughtful people. While I dislike some of their political views I do know them to be stand up people. Heck, one of them used to fix my cars!
“Dunn didn’t provide an explanation, his prompt and terse response to whether he supported I-912 did prove that he is an attentive HA reader… and has a bit of a sense of humor to boot.
Oh my God, Goldy, did you address your letter to him this way?
20
There were only 2 recounts, and if King County hadn’t misplaced those “found” ballots in the first place, Gregoire would have won the first recount and Rossi would have had to pay for the second one.
Goldy,
Reading that PI editorial, I would say that David Groves is quite the attentive HA reader, as well!
roger,
If only my bank could find some extra checks the way KC can find extra votes…
Dino won Vote 1
Dino won Recount #1
Chrissie won Recount #2
semantics; there were 3 tallies. Never any pure recounts of same ballots, as stuff was added in..
@26
Even your hand-picked Republican judge in your forum-shopped Republican county thinks Rossi lost. Give it up.
jimmy@22
You know, I wonder…
From what you said, maybe the east-WA people have more *Real* conservatives and fewer pseudo-neocon wimps. It’d be fun to see who’s willing to make a stand and who isn’t.
Roger,
Earing dude was no Republican. We shopped for one, and he got sick or somthing and we got him
@29 so you’re admitting you shopped for a prejudiced judge?
Nice one!
Why should I care what David Irons or Dino Rossi or the Governor or Goldy or Roger Rabbit or Chuck or righton thinks about I-912? I’m voting against it, no matter what these folks say. Rossi’s position (or lack thereof) isn’t going to change any votes, so what difference will it make?
When Rossi actually runs for or holds office again, then I may pay attention to his positions. I don’t see anybody caring about Gary Locke’s or Phil Talmadge’s position on I-912.
31
Then you shouldn’t care about those of us who do care or are just merely curious.
Suppose Dino Rossi revealed his position on something.
Nevermind, what am I talking about? That would be crazy.
I thought Rossi was thinking of running again in 2k8..
If so he shouldn’t be ducking issues at all. Same goes for Gregoire of course :)
Windie, indeed that may just be the case. I suspect some of the so called republicans over there are really just needy rockstars.
@24: Yes, well isn’t that nice? Very convienient when King County knows before-hand after all other counties reported in (the third recount) just how many votes had to be “found.” Wow! Maybe the Dems. and lil Crissy should have gone out and bought a bunch of lottery tickets; that had to be the “luckiest” twist of fate possible. Hhhhhmmmmmm…..
I’m starting to think that this election is the “Bill Clinton” of WA state politics.
Windie; of course we, or you guys, would always look for a friendly venue. Did John Edwards make his millions in pro-defendant jurisdictions? (no).
Jon @ 31
“Why should I care what David Irons or Dino Rossi or the Governor or Goldy or Roger Rabbit or Chuck or righton thinks about I-912? I’m voting against it, no matter what these folks say.”
We’ll ask Pat Robertson to state his position for you, Jon.
righton@38
Pay me no mind, I can be hopelessly naive and idealistic sometimes.
Mark1 @ 36
‘Very convienient when King County knows before-hand after all other counties reported in (the third recount) just how many votes had to be “found.”‘
But then, millions of dollars later there is not a shread of evidence that any such thing took place.
That’s ok, Mark1, just tell the nice people in the white coats. . . .
righton @ 26
“Dino won Vote 1
Dino won Recount #1
Chrissie won Recount #2”
Actually, this is incorrect. Legally Rossi led after the vote, and led after the first recount. He lost the election, however, after the second recount.
Sorry, champ. I suggest you suggest professional help.
Oops. . . @ 42 make it,
I suggest you seek professional help.
dj @ 39: “We’ll ask Pat Robertson to state his position for you, Jon.”
Overdose on your snarky pills today?
righton @ 38
Did Rossi make his “millions” as a real estate broker? (no).
dj; ok, change “won” to
“his vote total exceeded her vote total”
nitpicking anal retentive lawyers..
dj; real estate brokers can’t make a living by venue hopping; trial attorneys can, and do.
@41: DJ- Only Judge Bridge’s opinion; it dosen’t necessarily coincide with the truth. As Rossi said: ‘…….and with the political make-up of the Washington State Supreme Court……’ Theres a true statement if I ever saw one. Impossible to get total fairness in the name of politics. If you believe all this election mess was fair and balanced, then you’re the one who should be seeing the fellow wearing the white coat my friend.
Mark1 @ 48
“Only Judge Bridge’s opinion; it dosen’t necessarily coincide with the truth.”
It is more than Bridge’s opinion. It is now case law. Does it coincide with the truth? Well, my point is that millinos of dollars went in to falsifying the hypothesis that Gregoire won. The petitioners were not only unsuccessful, but they were handily trounced on every legal argument they made—right down to the Frye hearing.
“As Rossi said: ‘…….and with the political make-up of the Washington State Supreme Court……’ Theres a true statement if I ever saw one.”
Rossi was being a disingenuous asshole when he said that. He knew that the case was so resoundingly squashed by Bridges ruling that he had no chance whatsoever at the SC. What an asshole he was for denigrating the SC (which had not even ruled on his case). His statement showed a disgusting lack of statesmanship.
“Impossible to get total fairness in the name of politics. If you believe all this election mess was fair and balanced, then you’re the one who should be seeing the fellow wearing the white coat my friend.”
Who said I thought the election was fair and balanced? I think the Republicans scammed the whole state twice during the election. First by getting illegal votes for Rossi (how else could the election be so close?), and secondly with their sham of a lawsuit.
righton @ 47
“real estate brokers can’t make a living by venue hopping; “
Yeah. . . especially if they are not a real estate broker.
@36
You have a short memory. Gregoire won the hand recount before the King County canvassing board decided to count the disputed ballots or anyone knew who those votes were for. Gregoire didn’t need them but they could have tipped the victory back to Rossi.
38
Righton, excuses are like assholes — everybody has one. Your guy lost. Live with it.
@46
If I may nitpick a bit further, dj isn’t a lawyer. But I am … :D
@47
“real estate brokers can’t make a living by venue hopping”
Like hell they can’t. Who makes more money, a real estate broker in Omak, or a real estate broker in Beverly Hills?
@48
Oh, so now the judge is wrong … Mark1, excuses are like assholes — everybody’s got one. Your guy lost. Live with it.
Speaking of assholes… how many of you REALLY believe that CG got more LEGAL votes than Dino.
What I don’t understand about the Vast King County Conspiracy is this: Somehow, they got Chris Vance to sit on 250 ballot signatures that would have rehabilitated votes for Rossi. In other words, Rossi would have won if Vance had been as productive in getting his voters’ votes counted as Berendt was.
So, obviously, the utterly-rational and always-correct thinkers from the Right must have been nefariously befuddled during this episode. Everyone can see that sitting on 250 petitions that everyone knew were going to survive a legal challenge was nothing but a dumb mistake. So why did Chris Vance and the State Republican leadership make that mistake?
Apparently, Ron Sims and Dean Logan have a mind-control ray. This explains why one of the downtown government building has a bunch of obviously “X” shaped designs on the outside wall. What look like supports are actually “X-File” antennas, transmitting Democrat mind-control rays at Chris Vance. If it weren’t for the mind-control rays, the brazenly corrupt conspiracy in King County never could have gotten past the wily and superior Republicans.
So, in the name of fairness, I call for the cessation of utilizing mind-control rays to influence the Republican leadership such that they fail to secure elections they could have won, but never did.
@56
“Speaking of assholes… how many of you REALLY believe that CG got more LEGAL votes than Dino.”
After $4 million in legal expenses and a two-week trial in front of a hand-picked Republican judge in a forum-shopped Republican county, this seems like a reasonable conclusion.
@57
Vance & Co. did sit on 250 Rossi signatures, but not because of a mind control ray. Mind control rays only work on people who have minds. They did it because they’re stupid. I asked the Democrats’ lawyers about this, and they told me the GOPers sat on their signatures because they thought if they turned them in, it would legitimize the Democratic signatures. So their signatures weren’t counted and the Democratic signatures were counted. A monumental blunder by the GOP.
Actually, my understanding is they had 275 signatures.
58 (continued)
I’m not counting the 250 or 275 signatures the GOP didn’t turn in as legal votes because those ballots have never been validated and tallied, consequently we don’t know (a) who they actually voted for, (b) how many were legal votes, or (c) how many were duplicate, dead, felon, or unregistered votes.
How did this regress so badly to the election?? ID10T error
“Business interests are opposed to I-912” Which business interests? I and many other business persons strongly favor I 912. The Highest gas taxes in the nation imposed by Queen Christine and her court in violation of candidate Gregoire’s promise wiil drive people and business out of Washington Queen Christine was appointed by the King County Democratic party using election fraud. We are still discovering more ways that the Dreocrats systematicaly stole the election. Then the passed a “reform” package that will only make it easier next time.
Has anyone ever seen the supposed 250-275 affidaivits that Rossi’s camp just sat on? Personally, having been involved in the Gregoire effort to get such affidaivits, I find it impossible to believe they collected that many with the reportedly 8-person effort. That would really be incredible.
@ 57:
Oh great, now Heath has been reading the ss minnow’s site.
Amazing what goes for humor here goes for fact there.
@56
Given that most of the illegal votes were white male felons, who tended to vote for Rossi on average, I have little question Gregoire won. Take out the dead Republicans that we know voted for Rossi, and it becomes a even bigger win.
@54, @47
Listen to Roger, he knows about hopping. (I can’t believe you missed that one yourself).
The fact is, that any lawyer knew that Rossi was going down with the challange. Especially after the judge set the standard as clear and convincing, and all the GOP had to argue were questionable statistics. That is why Rossi didn’t appeal. (As an aside, want to see how you can tell that the minnow is not a lawyer? Look at any of his posts during the trial. Never have I seen a person ignore the law and evidence more just to spin his side; John Carlson wasn’t even such a whore). It is a shame a man who has otherwise shown some honor whored himself to the ss minow and his lackeys by making that comment and didn’t just take the gentlemanly way out. Of course, if he had been smart, he would have conceded after the final count and gave himself a chance at 08 election.
Back on point: If Rossi really wants to lead this great state, he should be held accountable on the major issues of the day. If he has no position on the anti-roads initiative, he is incompetent. If he has a position, he better be able to justify it. If he is not in favor of the anti-roads intiative, he should help lead the charge to defeat it, since it is his followers that are ramming it down our throats, and (since they can’t really argue against the DOT) are using his loss as an excuse.
I actually think Rossi is a good enough man that he will take a stand. If not, well the minnow and his likes deserve him then.
62
All you have to do is breathe the word “Rossi” and it pushes their buttons.
63
If you want to clean up election fraud go to Ohio where the problem is a lot bigger than here.
“Speaking of assholes… how many of you REALLY believe that CG got more LEGAL votes than Dino.”
Well, since Bridges in his ruling came out and said Gregoire had the most LEGAL votes (i.e. if he allowed the Republican’s methodology, Gregoire prevailed), I guess it is only brainwashed assholes who think Gregoire did not get the most legal votes.
Gary @ 63
‘“Business interests are opposed to I-912″ Which business interests? I and many other business persons strongly favor I 912.‘
Yes, but that is because you are a brainwashed idiot. The transportation package is widely recognized as being pro-business.
“The Highest gas taxes in the nation imposed by Queen Christine. . . .”
Yes, but in the State with the lowest income tax in the nation.
“. . . .and her court in violation of candidate Gregoire’s promise wiil drive people and business out of Washington Queen Christine was appointed by the King County Democratic party using election fraud. We are still discovering more ways that the Dreocrats systematicaly stole the election. Then the passed a “reform” package that will only make it easier next time.’
Get professional help. . . .
Really.
Get it.
Isn’t it interesting on the anti-road initiative the wingnuts blame only Govenor Gregoire, but not all the republicans and buisness interests that supported the need for better roads.
Gary@63
http://www.seattlechamber.com/.....licy_id=10
Greater Seattle Chamber is for the tax, and more even… I suppose that means they’re against I-912
JDB@69
Its because businesses want better business, but the Righties are only into partisanship… If helping business is put against hurting the Dems, they don’t even have to pause before they go all out.
dj @49
Who said I thought the election was fair and balanced? I think the Republicans scammed the whole state twice during the election. First by getting illegal votes for Rossi (how else could the election be so close?)
Actually, dj – I do not get your idea of a Republican scam. I think it is only natural for voters who have followed in one lock-step mindset, election after election, to finally discover that some people are better than status quo. Dino did just that, for a time…
JDB @57
Somehow, they got Chris Vance to sit on 250 ballot signatures that would have rehabilitated votes for Rossi.
We are in absolute agreement on this! Had this been done, the contester would have been CG. For reasons I still do not comprehend, the R’s did nothing about them. I could also whine and snivel over the appearance of unfairness on that point, but why bother? The R’s failed to properly anticipate the aggressive tactics of your chosen party’s apparatchik. It is no secret that had competent party officials done their requisite homework, Dino would have been elected. The key is competent…
windie @70
Its because businesses want better business, but the Righties are only into partisanship…
Umm, I don’t necessarily think that is the case. Certainly there are nutcases on either side, but I know how I feel about paying anything extra for a gallon of work-enabler. I have already watched my raises for the past 3 years go to gas in a mere few months…it is up to your legislature to come up with a plan for raising revenue, and gas taxes (increasing the price) at this time are a magnet for electorate anger.
@63
If so much business is being driven out of the state why are so many people are moving here?
@71
“The R’s failed to properly anticipate the aggressive tactics of your chosen party’s apparatchik. It is no secret that had competent party officials done their requisite homework, Dino would have been elected. The key is competent…”
You nailed it, marks! All the GOP lawyers flown in from D.C. were here to keep an eye on WSRP. I’m surprised Vance kept his job.
@71
“I have already watched my raises for the past 3 years go to gas in a mere few months…”
Poor baby! How do you think us retirees on fixed incomes feel?
Roger Rabbit @73
Umm, Touche?
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawnnn ! ! ! !
This whole thing is boring……….
Tax cuts for the rich.
Hillarycare.
Ban guns
Outlaw death penalty
$25/hr minimum wage
Outlaw Wal Mart
Checking (un)Sound Politics,* Armen Yousoufian has been awarded of attorney fees and penalties from King County totaling $380,000 versus $330,000 in expenses for 4,000 hours of work. That means Armen made $12.50 an hour for volunteer activism that usually pays $0.00 — not bad.**
Hey Stefan how are YOU doing in your legal claims against King County for public disclosure violations — has your total recovery of attorney fees and penalties reached $0.01 yet? har har har har har
* If Stefan’s gonna be a poll worker, and I’m gonna be Dean Logan, I have to supervise him.
** Actually, Yousoufian should have got more. He’s the guy King County stonewalled for years, who wanted public records on the stadium scam — you know, the stadium we voted down, but have to pay taxes for anyway.
Hey Goldy – I know it’s your blog, and you talk about whatever you want, and if I don’t like it I can go f myself…
But seriously…. I’d like to know what you think about I-900. I haven’t seen any discussion of it here, and it’s gonna be on the ballot. I also haven’t seen any organized opposition. Seems hard to argue against, but maybe HAs don’t like it.
RR,
Actually, Yousoufian should have got more. He’s the guy King County stonewalled for years, who wanted public records on the stadium scam – you know, the stadium we voted down, but have to pay taxes for anyway.
You guys voted it down? And still must pay for it?? WTF???
Well, since Bridges in his ruling came out and said Gregoire had the most LEGAL votes (i.e. if he allowed the Republican’s methodology, Gregoire prevailed), I guess it is only brainwashed assholes who think Gregoire did not get the most legal votes.
It helps when you got a bunch of dumbass donks who cant reconcile the voter registration to the actual votes. They were only off by 1,800.
Speaking of public disclosure, this court decision http://mrsc-web.mrsc.org/mc/co.....pp0688.htm is one of my personal favorites.
You Rightys will enjoy this, because it’s a classic example of how-stupid-can-bureaucrats-get.
The ACLU office in Seattle requested certain records from the Blaine school district. The records were not exempt from disclosure but school officials, in a fit of pique, refused to mail them and told the ACLU if they wanted to see them, they’d have to drive up to Blaine and look at them in the school office.
If you’re gonna fuck with somebody, pick somebody besides the ACLU. That cost the school district $58,000.
Marks @ 71
“Actually, dj – I do not get your idea of a Republican scam. I think it is only natural for voters who have followed in one lock-step mindset, election after election, to finally discover that some people are better than status quo. Dino did just that, for a time…”
The point is that Democrats (1) had no clue that the gubernatorial race would be so close, and (2) most Democrats were so focused on defeating Bush that they, more or less, ignored the gubernatorial race. Hence, if there was motivation to systematically (or even unsystematically) cheat, it would have been the Republicans.
But, this is only hypothetical anyway. Just between you and me, I don’t really believe that either of the major parties were cheating.
@79
You must be new around here.
RUFUS @ 80
“They were only off by 1,800. “
No the weren’t. That was Steffie brainwashing.
Go get de-programmed.
@80
“I guess it is only brainwashed assholes who think Gregoire did not get the most legal votes.”
Glad you’re finally seeing the light, Rufus.
“It helps when you got a bunch of dumbass donks who cant reconcile the voter registration to the actual votes. They were only off by 1,800.”
It’s a wash, because this was almost exactly offset by the 1,900 absentee ballots dumbass elefunks in red counties counted without checking signatures.
Actually, Rufus, as dj points out the “1800” is a phony number. The Republicans relied on lists that weren’t designed for reconciliation and weren’t valid for that purpose. The 1800 came from comparing an “apples” list to an “oranges” list. No system was in place at the time of the 2004 election that would make a valid reconciliation possible.
On the other hand, the 1900 ballots counted in Rossi counties without verifying signatures against voter lists is a real number. The Democratic lawyers didn’t make a big issue of it in the election contest trial for a couple reasons. First of all, the burden of proof was on the GOP. Second, after Judge Bridges’ initial rulings, it was clear the Democrats wouldn’t need more votes, so there was no reason to invest a lot of time and money in investigating these improperly processed ballots.
The fallout of high gas prices includes strained budgets among police and fire departments, school districts, city and county road departments, and other local governments that operate vehicle fleets. This will ultimately lead to tax increases and service cuts — e.g., fewer police patrols, less snow plowing, etc.
So Rabbit
Let me get this straight. The 1900 votes from red counties were found by looking at whether all the votes were check off against the voters list. On the other hand comparing all the votes’ cast against the voter list in King County is comparing apples to oranges? Are all votes supposed to be checked off against the voter lists? Are you denying that there were at least 1800 more votes cast in King County than on the voter registration list?
dj @68 answers Gary @68:
“The Highest gas taxes in the nation imposed by Queen Christine. . . .”
Yes, but in the State with the lowest income tax in the nation.
dj, don’t accept Gary’s attempt to deceive. Not even the reprehensible “Tax Foundation” (deliberately not linked) tries to make us believe that Washington’s gas tax is the nation’s highest, and they also conveniently ignore the fact that several other states, unlike Washington, impose sales tax or other taxes on top of the gasoline excise tax.
As of the end of 2004, Washington’s gasoline tax of 28.0 cents/gallon was the highest in the nation except for 18% of the states in the union:
Michigan — 29.8 cents
Florida — 30.6 cents
Rhode Island — 31.0 cents
Wisconsin — 32.1 cents
Connecticut — 32.5 cents
Nevada — 33.5 cents
California — 38.2 cents
Hawaii — 38.8 cents
New York — 39.6 cents
(Source)
Even if the new gas tax were imposed immediately, rather than phasing in over three years, it still wouldn’t be as high as the 2004 rates in California, Hawaii, and New York.
I have $100 that says at least one of those states will raise its gasoline tax even higher by the end of 2007. Anyone want some of that action?
dj @83
The point is that Democrats (1) had no clue that the gubernatorial race would be so close
I would argue the same on the GOP side, but it is beside the point:
20 years of Democrats in the WA Governorship nearly tipped the scale against (and I could expound on that, if you wish).
It was close because at some point, there were two issues which provided a confluence; Gregoire, and her weak record vs. Rossi, and his better message.
Perhaps I should say “better articulated message”
RUFUS @ 90
The 1900 votes from red counties were found by looking at whether all the votes were check off against the voters list.
No, that is not what the issue was with the 1900 votes. Are you too young to remember? Or were you not paying attention before you became a professional troll?
“Are you denying that there were at least 1800 more votes cast in King County than on the voter registration list? “
That wasn’t the issue in KC, either. There are likely tens of thousands more voters on the voter registration lists than there were voters. You don’t have a clue what you are talking about, do you, RUFUS.
N in Seattle @ 91
Thanks for the correction! I’ll just add that we now have one of the lowest car tab tax in the nation, too!
DJ
Your talking our of your ass again. You dumbass that was the whole point to the 1800 votes. There was 1800 more votes counted than on the voter role in KC. Ah shit, I am talking to to a donk about numbers. DJ go back to highschool and learn how to count.
RUFUS @ 96
“Your talking our of your ass again. You dumbass that was the whole point to the 1800 votes. There was 1800 more votes counted than on the voter role in KC.”
Ummmm. . . RUFUS, read what you wrote very, very carefully. I think you will agree that either you aren’t saying what you think you are saying, or you don’t know what the fuck you are talking about.
I say again, there were tens of thousands of more voters on the voter roles than there were votes in KC.
Sheesh. . . fucking Stoooooopid.
dj – Arguing with RUFUS is like trying to teach a pig to dance; It frustrates you, and irritates the pig….
marks@92,93
I still feel that rossi only even got close because the dems were all staring at Bush, and Gregoire barely even bothered to run.
DJ @ 49:
Well, we very obviously disagree then. It’s obvious to me that your head is filled with unintelligent theories, total arrogance, and a lot of hypocricy to say the very least if you actually believe all this BS you’re shoveling. As the old adage goes: “It is a crock of shit, and it stinketh!” I heard the UW Medical Dept. is conducting free checkups and counseling if you so desire to see that man in the white coat after all; sounds like you need it. Thanks.
Mark1 @ 100:
Given that dj has the law and the facts on his side, it would seem to be you that you are the one that needs some counseling. I wish you the best.
Rufus:
So, are you seriously suggesting there was 100+% turn out in King County? Heck, even the minnow doesn’t go that far, and he is the one you are getting your faulty numbers from. Do you have a cite for your 1800 number? If the best you can do is the minnow, his inability to perform statistics has been well documented.
And, as dj has pointed out, Judge Bridges ruled that even with all the Republican machinations, Governor Gregoire still recieved the most legal votes. Of course, if he was wrong, Rossi could have appealed…, so strange that he didn’t.
JDB @ 101: Nope, he dosen’t. Like I said before, all a matter of Judge Bridge’s legal and personal opinion. If you believe all judges’ rulings as set in stone, and absolutely correct all the time, then YOU are the one who needs to be seen by the man in the white coat. Think for yourself you small minded heathen, or continue to follow the masses like some poor lost ignorant pleib. Good luck my friend.
Mark1:
I was born a snake handler, I’m going to die a snake handler.
You are right, a judge’s decision is not set in stone. They make mistakes. That is why we have court of appeals. See, if you think the judge was wrong in his decision, you appeal that decision….,
What, Rossi didn’t appeal? Ooops, looks like you are the one who is a poor lost ignorant plebe. Sucks to be you. But if you can show an area where Judge Bridges was wrong, I would love to hear it. The BIAW and GOP spent millions, and they couldn’t, but surely your superior brain can come up with something. Let’s see you think for yourself.
Quick lesson, saying something the minnow has posted on his board is almost a guarenteed path to being wrong. But you can think for yourself, surely you can come up with something novel and intelligent that hasn’t already been shown to be wrong a thousand times over.
JDB @ 103:
Rossi didn’t appeal it because unlike you, he is somewhat intelligent and knows it is damn near impossible to get a fair shake in the way-too-left State. One should admire him for bowing out gracefully and with class. I’ll sleep just fine tonight even so. God help this State and Queen Crissy; she definetely needs it. Thanks.
Gregoire will kick Rossi’s ass in 2008.