Governor - Vote for Christine Gregoire (Incumbent, Democrat)

Seattle Times: Rossi
Post Intelligencer: Gregoire

Are you really going to vote for someone who lists himself as “Prefers G.O.P. Party?” The Grand Old Party Party? To quote an unnamed individual at work, “Seriously?” To be consistent, maybe he should put his name on the ballot as “Dino Rossi Rossi.” Or list his current occupation as “Commercial Real Estate Estate.” Or his education from “Seattle University University.” I really hope Rossi doesn’t stutter, ‘cause then I’ll feel bad.

If you are a Democrat please vote for Gregoire. Don’t even think about Rossi. In a blue state, it’s amazing that the race 4 years ago was so close, and is still probably close this year.

Some of it may have to do with the fact that Rossi just seems to be a likeable, funny guy. When you see him, he’s always smiling. I like people who smile, it makes we want to smile and puts me in a better mood. Gregoire on the other hand, looks downright scary. In fact, I’m afraid of her, she looks really mean, like the strict Vice-Principal you once had in middle school that would kick your ass if it was legal. She’s like McCain and Rossi is Obama. But Gregoire can’t help it – a woman at her age (61) to have succeeded early on in the old boys network, she had to act hyper-professional. That’s just how it was back then.

Some may say in a local election, party affiliation doesn’t matter as much. The Seattle Times wrote an editorial blasting the Gregoire campaign for discussing Rossi’s stance against embryonic stem cell research, saying that it is irrelevant to the Governor’s race since there are no plans for stem cell research in Washington.

I disagree. A likeable Republican who can sway the votes of Democrats, I would be very afraid to vote that person into the governor’s office. Why? Many Presidential candidates come from the Governor’s office. I know, Rossi probably won’t be running for president anytime soon, but you have to stop thinking short-term and make strategic decisions that benefit you in the long-term. I would do all that I can to prevent giving Rossi a position in the Governor’s office, because you never know when a likeable Republican’s stance on embryonic stem cell research may come back later to haunt you if he gets propelled into the national spotlight. Look at Palin, who would’ve ever thought she would be on the ticket? It's not like I'm just voting for Gregoire to keep Rossi out. I believe she's done a good job and we need someone proven.

Vote Gregoire if you’re a social liberal. Vote for Rossi if you like people who smile.

From the PI Editorial:

Washington voters should re-elect Gregoire based on proven performance, capability and drive. Especially for uncertain times, she's a much more proven leader than her Republican rival, former state Sen. Dino Rossi.

Rossi was a capable senator and is a capable campaigner. But his avoidance of questions about his social conservatism, his unrealistic transportation ideas and even his unwillingness to be labeled Republican on the ballot all warn there's a lot about how Rossi would govern that most of us, including perhaps the candidate, would learn only after he took on the job.

Gregoire is a known, trustworthy performer. She led state agencies well for years, and has done the same for the whole state. Gregoire has made improvements and smart choices in perhaps every area of major responsibility, many long neglected.

If you want to look at a quick summary on their views, you can read the Seattle Times Summary. Note that Gregoire supports the WASL while Rossi is in favor of replacing it with a proven standardized test model. You’ll see below that I’m in favor of changing the WASL, but her stances as a social liberal trumps her position on the WASL.