I'd like to know if Gov. Gregoire will recommend the legislature adopt sales tax holiday like 16 other states currently have.

Budget Balance!!! Are you kiding me!! Ask her about the 8 Billion she already spent. Where are the receipts for that! Didn't the voters vote no on the Gas tax increase? But she decided to do it anyways. Education in her book in closing schools. Tolls on the 520 and 90? you think traffic is bad now, wait until that happens.
Affordable living? yah right! Husband and I both work, married for 18 years,with 2 wonderful kids, still can't afford a house!
Gregoire and nickles both need to take a walk. I don't want 4 more years of higher taxes and hell.

Budget Balance!!! Are you kiding me!! Ask her about the 8 Billion she already spent. Where are the receipts for that! Didn't the voters vote no on the Gas tax increase? But she decided to do it anyways. Education in her book in closing schools. Tolls on the 520 and 90? you think traffic is bad now, wait until that happens.
Affordable living? yah right! Husband and I both work, married for 18 years,with 2 wonderful kids, still can't afford a house!
Gregoire and nickles both need to take a walk. I don't want 4 more years of higher taxes and hell.

Budget Balance!!! Are you kiding me!! Ask her about the 8 Billion she already spent. Where are the receipts for that! Didn't the voters vote no on the Gas tax increase? But she decided to do it anyways. Education in her book in closing schools. Tolls on the 520 and 90? you think traffic is bad now, wait until that happens.
Affordable living? yah right! Husband and I both work, married for 18 years,with 2 wonderful kids, still can't afford a house!
Gregoire and nickles both need to take a walk. I don't want 4 more years of higher taxes.

Why would anyone vote for her? She has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars through the years, with squandering money and not doing her job. She blames everyone else for her stupidity. Where did she spend the money that was set aside for the I-5 work in the flood plains of sw washington. She has never answered that question. She says her opponet can not be trusted. Well I feel that should be reversed. I am so sick of her dirty ads that I (a life long democrat) will not vote for her or any other democrat that is running for office. All we have had is dirty elections, lies and dodging any questions that might not make her look good.

No way should Gov. Gregoire be re-elected. I do not like the fact that she let the Native Americans slide on $140 million in taxes that they owe. Well the did not slide all of the way, they paid the Democratic party $250,000 instead of paying the $140 million in taxes. How can Gregoire raise everyone's taxes but let the billin dollar business of casinos slide? Oh yeah because she got $200,000 of that money for her campaign. No to 4 more years.

Since when is marriage a religious issue according to the government? It is the decision of the two people who will marry if it is a religious issue or not-NOT THE STATE! What about seperation of church and state!?

I am a life-long democrat, but the past four years, the governor and the legislature have relegated many dedicated educators and state employees to second-class citizen status by giving larger raises to union employees. Then the governor and the legislature again slapped exempt employees in the face by not having their cost of living "raises" kick in until September while union employees receive their larger raises on July 1st.

Exempt employees received no make-up for the years they were not given raises as union employees were this past year.

Do exempt employees not work as hard? Have they not dedicated themselves to educating Washington citizens or serving state government as much as union employees have? Why are my democrats punishing us? For what?

I have lost my faith in Washington's Democratic Party.

I tuned in late did I miss it? What is her response on the lack of collecting dollars from the Indian Gambling in the state of Washington. My understanding is other states with Indian Casino's are collecting a portion for the state to offset the need for more taxes from the citizens of their state. Aren't we one of the highest taxed state in the nation? This seems like it would have been a great way to have a healthy budget without increasing our already high property taxes, gas taxes etc. Is there somewhere to find out her reason for this? Is this reversible or permanent?

Our governor has governed thru taxes only.
She hasn't made the tough choices needed to
benefit the people of this state. No solutuion to transportation no solution to education no
no solution to way government works just try
to get a permit for something as simple as a sign and see your frustration lvl. We have more state employees and getting less and less service. I recently protested my property value accessments and was told it will take up 18 months to get a decision is that rediculess it sure is. We need a leader not a taxe and spend governor with no benefits

If the timber industery is doing so well in Washington State, why have I been out of work since Feb from a small 1 owner mill that has nothing to do with our nation. About 50 people lost their job at that time. Simson, another Washington mill has had to lay off over 100 people and cut back. All mills that I know of have had to curtail their production. And now that I have been laid off, why can't I get help from the Unemplyment to help with my retraining? When I ask for help for books, a computer, or even some money to help me when I have to go to Spokane to start classes, they tell me that they have no money in the budget and they have been cut back so that they can't give any help. All they do is call me and see how I am doing. If they can't help me, seems a waste of time.
Dennis Joyce
Marysville, Wa.

Chris Gregoire is ten times better than that sleazeball Rossi. He threw poor kids off their healthcare, Gregoire gave healthcare coverage to 84,000 more kids. Rossi says global warming is a hoax while Gregoire has signed the green jobs initiative and joined a regional climate initiative to lower greenhouse emissions. Rossi is opposed to legal abortion (and worked against the initiative codifying Roe vs. Wade into the state constitution). The man is a chronic liar. Skeezy Rossi even tried to exploit the Everett Aquasox's mailing list for campaign cash - the owner was forced to apologize for Rossi's shady behavior. Rossi is bitter, angry, and should crawl back under the rock he's been under for the last three years.

What happened to $35 license fees? Does anyone in Olympia respect the vote of the people?
What about that Oregon licensed bus? Did they pay sales tax to Washington on the purchase of that bus like the rest of us pay when we purchase a vehicle? Or do Gregoire supporters avoid their share of the taxes while asking everyone else to pay up!
What has Gregoire's Olympia done for the folks east of the cascades? Gregoire and her democrats have the majority and the power in Olympia. If they couldn't do something positive for the state in the last 4 years, their record speaks for itself.

Why do we spend more in gas right next to California? We take from one hand and pass our money right into the states hand. It is due the leadership not being responsible with what they had and our Governor letting them take it. I wonder if she can take responsibility for the things she has done poorly like a good leader should. It is not good for the state to have its leader turn around and blame the congress for loosing 1000 jobs to another state. Take the high road and take this for what it is...you messed this one up. Stop looking for someone to blame and take point for the bad things you have done to our state and fix this before you leave. Do the responsible thing and point to yourself for the mistakes that have been made by you and congress.

If you combine what she said in the on-air interview with what is on the Web site, it is very clear that the Governor will say and do whatever is necessary to stay in power. According to the Governor she is now against a State Income Tax. April 25 Spokesman review editorial board meeting (On You Tube segment 2), she stated she was for it, but the timing isn't right and the public needs more education on the topic. Flip-flop?

She says there is a 800 million dollar surplus, but, she doesn't recognize the OMB projections of an upcoming deficit. Apparently she is failing to recognize the underfunding of the State employees pension plan (Pew center for the States Study 2006) and the impending Schools equalization decision which will wipe out the "surplus" in one year.

RE: Native Americans and Gambling.

Republican attorney general Rob McKenna says attacks on the governor are a partisan sham.

"It was a negotiation," McKenna said. "It was conducted strictly in the framework of state and federal law and it produced a compact which was adopted strictly within the requirements of the framework of state and federal law. Period. And if anyone ever questions the process I would be happy to tell them that, to the letter, we believe the law was scrupulously followed." You can read about it in the PI from 7/25/08

Gregoire, has done more for the state of Washington than any other gov. in recent history! She has proven that she knows how to manage everything necessary to insure the wellbeing of the state.

Responding to tj:
How can you expect to have quality roads if you do not pay for them? It is not fair for those who use the roads pay for them? Also the tolls charge not only the taxpayers of the our wonderful state but the visitors to our state who use these roads. It is not the fault of Gov. Gregoire that the previous administrations could not put together infrastructure that would be adequate. She is taking the correct steps to solve the problem though.
If you think that living is unaffordable here you should move to some other state where the economy is truly in crisis. Most other states have both sales tax and income tax. Some states even have occupational taxes(where they charge you a fee based on the job you have and even house wives have to pay -- even though they do not work). Not to pleasant? As far as I am concerned Gov Gregoire does miracles with the budget that she has! How can you expect to get quality services (or any services) from the state gov. without paying for them? You can not get something for nothing. The world does not work like that.
As for closing schools, well, I do not know about that, but I have heard more about improving the quality of education in the past 3 years than I have in my entire life.
I would also suggest that you look into getting a better education. College education equals better paying jobs. The price of college in Washington Is very affordable compared to allot of states thanks to both Gregoire and the state legislature. As a returning student there is more financial help available to you than students strait from high school.
Good luck and hope this advice helps.

Gov Gregoire will always have my vote!!!

I heard Rossi tried to change his name to Dean Ross when he first ran for office. What a loser.

Gregoire has made investments in education and the environment - places where Rossi cut deeply when he wrote the state budget. Rossi somehow doesn't understand that keeping kids healthy and giving them an education is a key if you want them to grow up and be successful.

Go Gregoire, you have my vote.

I used to like Rossi but honestly I'm starting to think he's doesn't have much going. He seems like an empty suit that's been harping on the same non-issues since 2004.

Gregoire has done a good job working on global warming and bringing jobs to the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

Oh, where to start? Well, how about categorically?

First, my recollection may be sour but isn't she taking credit for the creation of the "Rainy Day Fund" but unless I am mistaken (and please feel welcome to correct me). I thought that was a ballot issue that the voters had to approve and not by gubernatorial fiat?

Second, she sounds as though she is running against George Bush. That certainly benefits her in appealing to those who haven't the ability to think for themselves and are willing to allow her to shift the spotlight to the unpopular sitting President of the other major political party.

Third, with regard to taxes. At least she made an unequivocal statement on her opposition to a tate income tax. However, I don't believe the citizens are so much against a state income tax as we are the unwillingness to adopt a tax of which we will have no control. At least with the sales tax we have to have a popular vote to increase them. I've never seen a provision in any of the state income tax proposals that prohibits the legislature from raising the tax without a vote of the electorate.

Fourth, the Indian gaming issue: that wasn't discussed in this interview but certainly is an issue that deserves serious scrutiny. What she has claimed in past interviews is that she was against the bill as originally proposed and that she crafted a better one in it's place. How? She didngt allow nearly as many machines as the tribal casinos wanted--but the casinos still don't contribute to the tate tax collections like what I think all other similar states do.

AND: didn't she propose NO new taxes on the 2004 campaign trail but raised them immediately in her first legislative session as governor?

About gay marriage: she is for same rights. The question she should have been asked but wasn't (after dancing around this question) is: "If a measue to allow same sex marriages was put on your desk for signature, would you sign it or veto it?" That would be the telling answer? Separation of Church and state? Give me a break, the entire Establishment Clause has been take completely out of context by many governments and skewed to achieve whatever means a politician wants.

Balancing the budget: Yepper, jump on that bandwagon now just before the election. Her excuse for coming onboard late is that the tax receipts are down (of course, in major part because of the national economic situation brought on by the Bush Administration). She the governor, for Pete's sake, what about PLANNING? So now that the cows are out of the barn she institutes a hiring freeze. And now thinking about cutting employee cellular telephone use, etc., etc. he's simply another politician who has to spend money when it's available and not spend it on unnecessary services just because it's there to spend. Why did she double the expenditures for her own staff?

What a concept of fiscal responsibiity. Maybe it woud have helped if she had spent some time in a for-profit business and her paycheck was linked to success instead of working as an employee of the State since the time she graduated from law school.

The transportation matter: What's this business about having to fight the Seattle contingent tooth and nail? Damn, isn't she the governor? What it's about is trying to balance interests so that she continues to get that King County vote without completely alienating the vote of the largest voting block in this state. If she and other politicians were consistent, they would grant the viaduct and 520 bridge the SAME amount of state money that the Tacoma Narrows Bridge received---$0. The alleged claim is that the Settle/King County transportation matters are serious regional matters that need support from Olympia. Gee, isn't the Tacoma bridge a regional matter that should have gotten at SOME state funding?

These are precisely the reasons we should hve term limits.

Make me gag, Christine.

Yea, I remember when Rossi tried to pass off his scam of a transportation plan where he said an 8 lane 520 bridge was cheaper to build than a 6 lane one. Rossi just lies and says things that sound nice, but the second you look deeper everything falls apart.

Hard to say that the AG did anything but confrim the law was followed. Show us the quote where he says it was a good deal for the people of Washington State? Energy Policy? Imperium is shut down and staff is laid off. DSHS can't justify the payment of a Billion dollars in benefits to people without SS#'s, not citizens, missing equipment. All according to the State Auditors office. Ferry system in a shambles ( including just this weekend during the height of the tourist season. The response from the Gregoire supporters, if you don't like it leave.

How about standing up and removing the people who have been making the questionable decisions in Olympia for the last couple of decades? If they don't do the job remove them , rinse and repeat.

James - I agree. How can we trust Rossi to fix transportation problems when he voted for the largest cut in transportation funding in state history AND wouldn't even take a position on the 9.5 cent gas tax? Big projects take money, not a greasy smile and pamphlets full of made up numbers like Rossi handed out earlier this year.

That's right James if the Governor had been forceful enough to push through the EIS and SEPA in an expedited manner we could be saving Hundreds of Millions of Dollars int he delays caused by the Studies for replacing a bridge that already exists. She could have waived the State Sales tax charged on the Bridge which is estimated to be 189 Million dollars that has to be financed over 40 years by the tax and toll payers. She could have agreed that Standard Union Wages are adequate instead of prevailing wage which add an additional 20% to labor costs, along with mandating minority contractor participation and requiring a certain percentage of the workforce to be union apprentices. She might have even gone so far as to veto the Legislation authorizing tolling in an underfined "Corridor" which allows the tolls collected in excess fo the actual bond payments to be diverted to "Other" projects in an area. Trains, light rail, buses, donkey carts whatever the heck they want to throw the money at. They also have not limit to what those tolls can be in a "corridor". There is alos no limit as to which facilites can be tolled.

Above comment claimed:
''Gregoire has done a good job working on global warming and bringing jobs to the Tri-Cities and Spokane.''

To the TRI-CITIES ?!?!.. You must REALLY be hoping nobody is paying attention.
For just ONE example:

What about those HUNDREDS of high-paying high-tech jobs that disappeared when Areva took them to Idaho, because Gregorie (again) kow-towed to her eco-extremist constituents and effectively did NOTHING to help Tri-Cities keep those good jobs in WA.

I would rather see Christine Gregoire than Dino Rossi for a few simple reasons. The biggest of them being the future of science and science education in our state. Dino Rossi thinks that Creation is a scientific topic and belongs in our public Biology classes, in clear violation of the separation of Church and State. The second reason is that Dino Rossi is also on the wrong side of important environmental issues such as whether or nor CO2 is recognized as a green house gas, which scientifically speaking, it is. The list goes on, Stem Cell research, equal rights for homosexual couples, etc. The more I know about Dino Rossi, the more I realize how deluded he is about science and social issues that are important to our state and the future of our nation.

Mr. Zornes you are right on the money.

I'm held accountable to my boss for delivering to metrics. I'm not able to hide behind the government and make excuses for missing my numbers. She, and whoever gets into the office next term, needs to get our state back on track. And if Dino gets in office he will be forced to make hard decisions to correct years of political abuse by those before him. Our current governor would have benefited from being out in the real world. With the mind set she has today she would have been fired for her (lack of) performance working for my company. And I’m certain that would be the same for those reading this post as well with their employers. If not, please tell me where your job is becuase I'd love to work someplace and not be held acountable for delivering poor performance.

I am considering a move out of our state if she gets back into office for another 4 years. I’m not able to sit back and watch Washington State get destroyed financially and take me down with it. King County are you listening?

She didn’t win the last election and I’m packing if she slides by again.

go Dino

Being out in the real world? please. He started preparing for the new election as soon as he lost the last. Hopefully after he loses this time he will just continue to do whatever it is he does in the "private world" (where he belongs).

Why not move to California where the Republican Governator rules. You can see how great a republican does running a state. Both have similar ideals of how government should be misrun.

Dino Rossi would not do a thing to help the budget. He would get in, see that there are lots of programs that are non negotiable then he would tax less and run deficits (standard promise of the republicans sans the run deficits part which happens as a result of no taxes). The way we do things here in WA is tax, we should tax those that make over 200 thousand much higher. Tax the large businesses, spread the wealth to all. They use more they should pay more. Cutting programs right now would not be good since more than ever we need them. the Current larger national problems that have been caused by the current inept administration will have a long lasting affect on all states no matter where you are. The current sitting president has been the best thing to happen to us dems for a long time. Being the worst president in the history of our country is quite a feat.

It's basic, if you care about roads, education, jobs, health, libraries, police and fire response, arts, right to choose, church and state separation, etc... Keep Gregoire in office.

Vote Dino Nazi if you want cuts in healthcare from needy children and older retired folks, cut school programs, cut pay for government workers (Arnold is currently doing this in CA to save money) while driving around in his hummer and not living in the governers mansion (he's too good for it) probably get the same type of hypocritical approach as this from Nazi, losing state funds for roads, and the ever popular running deficits.

These are realities that will happen depending on who is in office. Folks it's important look what happened with 4 more years of Bush ineptness.

Don't do it!!!

Actually Keith I was thinking Texas.

With that aside I have plenty of nicknames I could share regarding your choice of whom our next governor should be but that's not what this blog is for. Please keep your comments about Rossi to yourself and let’s just focus on the real issues at hand.

It is easy to attack Rossi and make assumptions about what he would do in office. But the record your chosen governor has is not made of assumptions. Just good old plain lack-of-results and decisions that defy logic. I don’t vote purely by party denomination and it is a great attack plan by our current governor to bundle Rossi into that same pool as President Bush. I agree President Bush has faced challenges that no other president has faced but I doubt if Kerry could have done any better. I’m not sure I make the connection with Rossi and President Bush other than party denomination. Keith, can you explain? The only thing I can think of is she hoping to confuse voters and stray them away from the issues within our state. Issues that have not been improved upon by our current governor.

So let’s leave this where it should be. Just within our state.

She has had her chance and failed. It is time to step aside. Keith I don’t think the election is going to be as close this time as your candidate’s track record is tough to hide from.

Hahaha Texas..... should have figured. Washington aint no Texas sweetie. I think you should move to Texas today. They need someone like you much more than Washington.

Party denomination is just a tiny little part of the equation. Your right. Not much connection between Gino Nazi and Bush. My bad.

What Washington really needs in this time of difficult financial affairs is a sleezy, greasy, smiling suit telling them everything is fine while he has his guidos do the dirty work behind the scenes. Dirty work like cutting healthcare, cutting education, cutting schools, cutting roads, cutting jobs, while saving money for businesses and the top 3 percent wealthy. Yeah that's exactly what Washington state needs!! It will be just like California being run by its sleezy, greasy, smiling suit.

Wow Keith sleezy, greasy, Gino Nazi? Are you a staffer for the Governor or just a photographer who crashes opposition events? It makes sense that you are a prime example of who supports the Governor.

You got it right except you forgot no job having, barely any public service doing, professional government public service running only, governor wannabe smiling suit wearing...greasy, sleezy, Gino Nazi....

but you appear to get the idea

I think everyone who views this will get the Idea..about you. Now given your insight into sleez, no doubt garnered at the right hand of the Governor, perhaps you can tell us why the Governor sells herself so cheap to the Unions and the Tribes? Granted, being a lifelong public servant she is used to working for less, but shouldn't she hold out for the same hourly rate Spitzer's service provider got?

Governor,
As a gay man in a loving, respectful 15 year relationship, your stance on Gay Marraige alarms me. We pay our property taxes, pay more in sales taxes than the average home, yet do not use a majority of the benefits achieved by the taxes....but who cares?
My partner has committed 30 years to the states largest utility, and because we are not legally "married", I will be denied benefits that are legally given to a straight, married couple?
Pure and simply wrong!
Seperation of church and state are great in concept, yet the religious right wants to keep the concept of marriage only for a man and a woman. Frankly, many do not care what religions wants.
The state issues a license and that license should be available to ALL, regardless of gender, orientation or skin color. That would be true non-discrimination.
Take a stance and forget about the religious aspect. Issue thousands of US a marriage license.
My 4 Republican siblings are waiting!
( P.S. Don't worry...they won't be voting for Rossi)

"Chris" Gregoire demonstrated to voters that she refuses to take responsibility for any wrong doing under her administration. She blamed Bush, she refused to acknowledge the deficit, and she refused to take responsibility for letting those jobs go from the Tri-Cities. The deficit and the rising unemployment have nothing to do with Bush, and a lot to do with Gregoire's spending frenzy. How can we expect her to fix problems if she wont even acknowledge them?

Democrats rule the house, senate, and Governors seat... For many many terms. Everything we like or dislike in WA is due to the democrats. I don't think a minority vote by a Senator, Rep, or Dino Rossi made WA what it is today. Any minority votes were overruled by democrats. So, fewer schools, jobs, roads etc are squarely in the Democrats courts. How hard is that to figure out. Vote responsibly. If we keep doing what have been doing do you think you will get different results?

Washington state is doing "fairly well"? That's a quote from a fluff butt desk jockey who takes an hour in the morning to look at the overnight numbers to see how the ol' economy is doing. Head in the sand. It reminds of of a similar observation that George Bush Senior made during a press conference in the closing months of his career. Unemployment was off the charts among other economic disasters going on at the time. When questioned by a reporter about the economic woes facing the American people, he countered by saying he thought that the economy was in "pretty good shape". The room went silent.

No, she doesn't get four more years. I really can't afford it!

Someone please tell her (and Darcy Burner, for that matter) that George Bush isn't running for reelection (thank God), so campaigning against him is really passe.

Let's give Dino Rossi a try. At least he's not in bed with the unions, or the tribes, or anyone else.

I'm tired of hearing Gregoire talk about he 1% property tax cap. That's funny, I thought that was Tim Eyman's initiative? And with no cap on assessments, which despite the recession and plumetting real estate values, continue to rise, a tax rate cap is really pretty meaningless. Like local governments can't figure out they still get more money if they just continue to increase assessments. My taxes have gone up 30% in just over 2 years in this home. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Chris.

I'm also sick of hearing her blame Rossi for budget decisions made during a time of terrible deficit in negotiations with a Democratic governor and legislature.

It's definitely time for Change!

I read every post on here, Keith you should be shameful to call people names and use names such as GINO NAZI, which is disrespectful of the Jewish people who were terrorized and killed by the millions in the Nazi Party. I agree it is time for a change, if we want the same results and same issues we have now let’s keep Christine. If we want change, (WE NEED CHANGE) then lets go with Rossi. Stop showing your low (trailer park) intelligence and give me "FACTS" of what Christine has done well in this State. Stop squandering and don’t use idiacracy to fulfill your need to want to put people down while using name calling. Are you a bully, or did the other kids in the trailer court pick on you growing up and now you are just an angry person? You really need to get a life, or is it you are a sex offender and you might get locked up (for life) for committing the crimes that you do, and you know with Christine she will just let you out under a bridge to predatorize children.
Keith aren’t you the same guy that did that in the other post?

So I watched the show and was set back at the much 'nicer' tone that was take toward the governor than her challanger a few weeks ago, or I may be wrong? What has realy amazed me is the 'dirty' side that a few are taking. Come on people, grow up. What has a one sided government gotten us? Not much in the big picture. Try to look at the facts, because no one is in a glass house on this. I belive that the hard core on either side have got to take a serious look at themselves and come back down to earth on their views, name calling gets us nowhere. Personally I think those with the 'Big D' in this state don't think that it is time for a change, well I do. Please keep it to the facts and keep the name calling out.
Follow the money and or voter base and that is were those running will be. See who does more for the people, all of us, keep them in office, the rest that vote with their 'backers' or with the wind NEED TO GO!

Rossi is going to have a smooth go of it if he runs on the "no new taxes" platform. They've already been raised through the damn roof by govenor Chris and company so his job is done as far as that goes. He won't have to raise anything. I cant take anymore tax hits. My little business is getting hammered to death and I dont want to even get into the personal tax slams. It sure is fun spending other peoples money eh' Chris??? I know its one of MY favorite things to do too. You had my vote last time but you lost it this time.

More people Like Leddog3 will come out and vote and Rossi will truely win this time. Even though he won last time. King County is not the only county that counts. No more deceased people and felons will count this time either. Black Sheep.

Nope i would not vote for the rat face. Hey how about this instead of a gas tax how about charging people the first time they get there tabs ( say they just moved to our state) they should have to pay a higher rate. Aren't they using the roads we already paid for.

Brian, name calling shame on you (SNICKERING).
I do agree though Christine Gregior resembles some type of animal. However her getting whooped (for incompatency) will be shame enough.
GO ROSSI!!!!!!!!!

Rossi will lose same as he did last time. He will cry about the election being flawed same as he did last time. You guys will sit around on your no spell checking dumb fat butts writing about how bad Gregoire is same as last time.

It's all good baby... Democrats rule the house and senate finally it's time to take care of the 90 percent of those of us who basically have been forgotten by republicans in the national election. The local election will be the same Dems all the way baby. What will be nice is both parties now will run gov't and bring some good changes for average dudes like me.

Rossi will lose same as he did last time. He will cry about the election being flawed same as he did last time. You guys will sit around on your no spell checking dumb fat butts writing about how bad Gregoire is same as last time.

It's all good baby... Democrats rule the house and senate finally it's time to take care of the 90 percent of those of us who basically have been forgotten by republicans in the national election. The local election will be the same Dems all the way baby. What will be nice is both parties now will run gov't and bring some good changes for average dudes like me.

So here we go...You can tell by some of the posts that the elections to them are just a sporting contest between the reds and the blues. They can't look at it any other way. The name callers don't know how to debate anything fundamental so they use terms they understand to discuss a candidate.. Belly buckers with zero mental horsepower. They think their at a Seahawk game. If Hitler came back from the dead and ran on their favorite color, he'd get their vote. Straight ticket voters are what gets us into a lot of the mess we look at in government today. It's a lot less work to do it that way though I have to admit. You don't need to think so much about the issues.

Kdogg or Keith whatever you call yourself.
Smart, so you dems are so smart you just spent
5 million dollars on toilets and sold them for
12 thousand. Wow good investment.
Proving once again how truly smart you really are.
Mayor Nichols is following in the foot steps of Christine, and she is not there to advise him "NOT" to spend money on items like that.
She leads the State and the rest follow; it goes on and on and on and on and on.
Put a strong "INTELIGENT" individual such as Dino Rossi in office and he will "LEAD" and the others will follow.
I also saw a comment about how he gained commissions on sales for his clients? OK you make no sense, he was a "REAL ESTATE INVESTOR" in the commercial market. Not a "REAL ESTATE AGENT".
Maybe you need to read up on Mr. Rossi “A LOT” more.

who with the current state of affairs in banking, business, real estate, etc... would elect a republican into office when we see how they work from the perfect example our national gov't has given.

two groups

1. business and super rich
2. complete idiots

which are you?

Scott, you missed one:

IRAQ. 12-15 billion dollars a month. Wow. Good investment.

Actually it is a good investment in Iraq.
King 5 blog= 0 dollars
Voting for Rossi= 0 dollars
Voting for McCain= 0 dollars

Spending 12-15 Bilion a month in Iraq saving our country from Terrorism and ending a terrorist governement lead by a mad man in Iraq.

PRICELESS.

Now Imagine if the guy who invented the internet (Al Gore) would have been president during 9-11 when thousands of Americans lost their lives. Would we have bombed an asprin factory or would we be driving two stroke taxi's on three wheels and our woman all covered in Burkas?
Dont be angry just because Christine wont be in office anymore, why dont you go protest about "NOTHING" like all the other Demacrat/Liberals do.

Are we now the international police for all corrupt governments?? And Terrorism, most of the terrorists responsible for 9/11 were either from Saudi or Paki both countries we continue to support while they hide the heinous leaders who masterminded the slaughter on 9/11. Lets police our own country and spend the trillions of dollars spent to rid a country the size of Texas of a “mad man” on building our own infrastructure. Sure lets send troops overseas but lets send them where the terrorists are hiding (or more likely not hiding but being harbored).

You are a citizen of this country and you have the most corrupt government in modern history. We are at an all time low in the world arena, we have a government that has stripped its own citizens of rights we have fought and died for over the past 200 years.

When I view the current situation we are in it’s like watching it’s a mad mad world. We are dragged into a war by chicken hawks who when they were 20 something avoided serving their country by pulling strings to get deferred from the draft that so many of our brave fathers fought. Shame on them. Now they lead us into a war costing trillions and causing more lives lost than 9/11. Shame on them again.

How does this relate to your boy who WILL lose in the election. Well he is from the same party and rightfully should be grouped with them since he has the same philosophy as they.

So Keith, you want us to police where the terorists are. Isnt that called Afganistan?
Also explain to me why Sadam had a Jetliner he used for training men wearing dark uniforms, it was a stripped down version of a 7 hundred series Boeing airplane. There is video survelance of this activity, before 9/11.
About the only countries in that region we can trust ultamatly is Kuwait, and possibly Dubia.
The only reason why your voting for Christine Gregior is because she is a demacrat, you would vote for any demacrat wether they can do the job or not. She is not a good leader, she cannot balance budgets and sure were getting our roads done, however the money that was "asked for" to do the current work was already spent. So now where is the money were spending now going. Or is that the prediction of the 2.7 BILLION dollar defacit that Christine claims is a surplus. Tell us why Ex govenor Locke sent DSHS workers to study the social services in China? Do you have any answers Keith, can you even speak about "ACTUAL" events. Or are you one of those protesters that spit on our hard working military and sit down in front of the tanks being loaded by "CIVILIANS" and cause grief for those hard working individuals who just want to feed their families? Can you even bring up an event that Gregior has done? She talks about not spending but all I hear is how she is going to do it, well tell us Keith what is it exactly she is going to do? Rossi mentioned cutting the State workers from some training and special events can save us 5 million dollars a year. He spoke about cutting back smaller areas but not one area. Do you even have children Keith? I have three, a 9th grader, and 9th grader, and one in the 4th grade. I have noticed that the ciriculum is easier for them now. My oldest childs work was much harder when she was in the 3rd grade than my youngest child when he was in the 3rd grade. Wow so Christine can ease up the ciriculum pumping up the numbers. Good job way to crunch. You really need a reality check into the real world and how it is for a Working family and how things have changed so dramatically. I bet you even like John Edwards right? Well did you know in 1989 he was suing Dr.s and that is what has caused our healthcare to go up. You going to blame that on Bush and our Gov. too?
Keith why dont you bring up some "good things" Christine has done. Has she helped families of the devistating flood? NOPE.
What about the Indians getting the tax releifs and her receiving campaign money? I smell a rat currently in our Gov mansion. I do have one question for Rossi though, I want to know if he will remodel upon him moving in? I would definitly be cleaning the place out, getting rid of the stench and the filth that has been there for the past four years. Gregoire= CORRUPTION.

Dino Rossi is the last gasp, disingenuous (GOP is NOT the name of our party) representation of the Ellen Craswell, radical right wing, fundajelical "Christian" and BIAW takeover of the Republican party in the state of Washington. Once he loses - and I PRAY TO GOD THAT HE DOES - then, hopefully, those of us who represent the true ideals of the Republican party (remember Dan Evans? John Spellman?) can have voice and vote in our party once again. So I'll vote for Gregoire this time, and hope for a better, true Republican in the future. Rob McKenna, are you listening???????

"Hope" gets you nowhere. You can't take it to the bank thats for sure. I made that mistake when I voted Gregoire last year. Scott, as far as your arguments go, you haven't shown any. Just childish mudslinging.
As I posted earlier, you seem like one of those straight-liners that would vote Hitler if he ran on the blue ticket. One thing to remember folks, even if Rossi or Gregoire gets in, all those ideas and platforms they support and use as campaign tools, are nothing more than that. Once they're at the desk, they have to figure out how to get all those great ideas through the legislature. Better roads, affordable health care, lower taxes, better schools, bottles of milk for hungry children, smaller government blah blah blah.. The campaigners all say the same goddamn thing. They want you to believe that they are going to march right in and start making immediate good on those promises after you vote for them. They can't!! You're a SUCKER if you think for a second that's how government works. A sporting event. They play dumb people to the hilt..They dont want you to read a newspaper, watch a newscast or have a higher education. That creates smarter, well informed people who ask too many questions. They prefer the mentality of those that can't see beyond the end of their nose.

Ledogg/Keith

Good point, isnt that why Demacrats target lower income areas for votes? To gain more popularity depending upon the lower educated areas knowing they can "pull the wool over the eyes".
So what your saying is also true about Obama, and with the issues going on with Russia he lacks the notion for the office.
If I were Govenor the first program I would cut back is welfare, that way this state is not a safe haven smorgesboard for criminals (putting sex offenders high on that list) and a good place for business to prosper. Also not a safe haven for people who dont want to work (yes there are people who cannot work and thats an exception). If illegal immigrants can come to our country illegally and find jobs so can citizens.

Illegals? They are being opportunistic. It's the greedy republican slanted businesses and business owners hiring them that we should go after. You know the same ones that want tax breaks on their personal and business taxes and support Gino Rossi. The same businesses that are sending jobs to India and getting tax breaks while making record profits while laying off us citizens left and right. How is this different than hiring an illegal to do the menial work.

Thank God we are finally seeing the greed factor and these businesses are starting to pay the price for their greed.

So Hey let's elect Gino Rossi to run the government in Washington because that's what Washington needs is someone who will take care of Businesses because as we know they are always taking care of the population do business in.

So once again you are much mis-informed, who said anything about big business. Its the "Small busniness" that is being targeted. You know the ones that are owned and opperated by a soul Proprietor?
Besides, wasnt it Janet Reno and the Clintons that tried to break up Microsoft, one of our largest corps in Washington state providing jobs for how many people. Or does that not count?
You forget how records will follow people.
Gregoire said that things will get better in this state with Obama, well howcome she cant do it now?
Unfortanatly the buck stops at her office, stop the blame game and get something done.

One more comment on that, the reason why those business owners hire the illegals is because they cannot stay in business and pay more than our welfare system does.
Demacrats have a history of:
1. Letting criminals out of jail (mostly sex offenders)
2. Taxing the hell out of the smaller people, including small business.
3. Lying.

When I think of small business, I think of the auto repair shop that charges much less than the dealers, I think of the guy who steam cleans carpets, the guy who landscapes, the guy who remodels and does handyman work, the woman who owns a small antique store. The list goes on and on.
Gregiore has done nothing but make it impossible for these types of businesses to stick it out, this states B&O tax is outragous and ludacris.
Also please inform me why everytime the liberals/demecrats picket or protest, it ends with violence and mayham?
Or are you going to dance around all these questions continually Keith?

It's the king5 Keith and Scott Blogger sight.

4 more years??? God I hope not!

4 more years!!

With a decent democratic national party running the country and the same decent democratic party running local government we should finally see a full example of government by the people for the PEOPLE!!

I am excited

Well, after considering the alternative I am voting for Gov. Gregoire.

Let's see...... Hmmmm.....property tax values were raised 48 - 60 percent here in Grays Harbor County this year. Talking with others, the same is happening all over the state. More road tolls, higher gas taxes, grocery prices have gone sky high, ferry systems shut down all at once. I sit and look out the window because my social security check can't even get me through the first two weeks of the month. Heck yeah, let's vote in another four years of that crap.

4 more? I'm outta here!

4 more? Microsoft just announced opening a 'server farm' out of state because of the tax advantages offered to them there. Boeing moved its HQ for the same tax advantages.
There must be a significant cost savings because the Chelan/Douglas county areas have some of the cheapest power in the nation.
Thanks again Christina...er I mean 'Chris'.
Oh, and Keith, the name of the next gov is spelled Dino...not 'Gino'.

Are you kidding me? She has not helped the local economy, and she is a nasty piece of work. I don't recall seeing such a mean-spirited campaign. This must be because she can't promote merits to win reelection.

So, do you not think Rossi would raise taxes? With the vast increase of citizen, our infrastructure is not setup to handle the amount of people here. How do you fix that? You have to pay money to do so, which translates into higher taxes. Yes, I would love to not pay high taxes too, but it is a needed evil. And to complain that it is all Gregoire's fault... you have no understanding how things work. I can't afford a house too but is that because of Gregoire or is it the Rossi's of the world trying to make major money by artificially inflating real estate to make max profits. Or did you forget that he was(is) a real estate developer? Come one... Oh, don't forget the signs in eastern washington that say don't let Seattle steal the election? Hmm... Rossi is from Bellevue people! So either way, neither person really cares about eastern washington!

The Democrats pride themselves on their services for the people. Democrats raise taxes, but create programs with that money. They raise taxes, but do more for the poor.

Gregoire raised taxes alright. She increased taxes, but did not improve this state. She didn't improve schools, improve health care, solve the homeless problem, or increase welfare services. She raised taxes on gas, but didn't use the money to improve roads or increase public transportation. She is bad for this state.

It's time to see if balancing the budget, decreasing spending, and cutting taxes can fix the issues in this state. I think it can! It's time for Rossi to show this state just what a Republican can do for small business and working people.

The Democrats pride themselves on their services for the people. Democrats raise taxes, but create programs with that money. They raise taxes, but do more for the poor.

Gregoire raised taxes alright. She increased taxes, but did not improve this state. She didn't improve schools, improve health care, solve the homeless problem, or increase welfare services. She raised taxes on gas, but didn't use the money to improve roads or increase public transportation. She is bad for this state.

It's time to see if balancing the budget, decreasing spending, and cutting taxes can fix the issues in this state. I think it can! It's time for Rossi to show this state just what a Republican can do for small business and working people.

The Democrats pride themselves on their services for the people. Democrats raise taxes, but create programs with that money. They raise taxes, but do more for the poor.

Gregoire raised taxes alright. She increased taxes, but did not improve this state. She didn't improve schools, improve health care, solve the homeless problem, or increase welfare services. She raised taxes on gas, but didn't use the money to improve roads or increase public transportation. She is bad for this state.

It's time to see if balancing the budget, decreasing spending, and cutting taxes can fix the issues in this state. I think it can! It's time for Rossi to show this state just what a Republican can do for small business and working people.

No

NO

NO WAY!

What has she done in four years?

All that I can tell is that she has tripled the amount of money that the state government has spent, but traffic is worse, B & O taxes are crippling, and her response has been to hire more consultants to create another blue-ribbon committee that will write a report that will do nothing.

We need a leader. She has been in Olympia so long, she truly believes that government creates jobs.

No Chris Gregoire must not be reelected.

We need a leader, not a life-long bureaucrat.

We need Dino Rossi.

NO WAY! She is corrupt and incompetent. She has increased out taxes and given us NOTHING for our money. No she wants to charge you to use roads you ALREADY paid for.

Rossi may or may not work. I dont know. I just want someone else to try petting the kitty the wrong way for the next four years. The real problems exist within much of the legislature and the dismal operations of various government agencys. I'm sure their's a lot of you redcoats that would like to see a housecleaning but its not gonna happen. Use the tools you have along with your vote. Emails, letters etc. Skip the phone calls. No papertrail with that. Write and tell them what you're upset about. Be specific and try to sound like you sort of know what you're talking about. Not just whining. If you have a solution, even a vague one. throw it at them. Once in a very great great while they actually will steal a voters idea and call it their own and thats ok. You never get anything accomplished if you look at politicians as nothing more than schoolyard bullies. Remember when the big boys in Washington DC were going to stop the "Do not call" program for telephone solicitation? Someone there thought it was too anti business. Senators and others in the capitol got more emails and letters in a week from the public on that subject than damn near anything in history. Remember how fast that little problem went away? That bit of legislation got put into someones "I guess it was a bad idea" file. Point is, and not to sound too flag waving here, but your voice does count and it will be heard. But we need lots of voices. Don't be idiots. The dumbing down of America will continue and thats what they want if the people don't start throwing on the brakes. In the time it took you to read this (assuning you're still reading) you could have fired off an email to your local representitive or the present governor. If thats too much trouble, then good luck to those of you that piss and moan and run in circles, thinking this is a sporting event. Just stay up in the stands where its safe.

ledog3/Keith, Once again you arent reading/listening what people are saying.
What I am reading from the last few posts are these people are upset because we were promised some things by Gregiore (things she promised) and she has not followed through.
Yes all poloticians will promise the moon and stars, usually they will make these promises and at least deliver some dirt from the moon, however Gregiores shuttle hasnt even left.

Little figure of speech, have a good day all and Vote for Rossi.

Mmmm... 4 more years. What a great idea! More taxes, more spending, more government corruption (union raises for campaign contributions and tribe bribes), loosing Tri-Cities jobs to Idaho, increased traffic congestion, etc, etc, etc. Dare I go on?!

Oh, yea, 4 more years. I can't wait!

No way, not four more years of gas tax increases. Gregoire said we voted in the gas tax, yes some people did, but why was it even on the ballot? Why did Gregoire just recently add 2 more cents to the gas tax when we the citizens of washington are struggling. I do believe it should be put on hold. I made the mistake of voting in Gregoire last time, but not this time. She said in the last race, no new taxes, but the first thing she did was raise taxes. I do not believe in her, do not want her for another four years. We need a change and that change is Dino Rossi. He has my families votes. She is so busy tying herself to Obama and his family, when she should be taking care of the bigger family here in Washington state.

The independant Pew Research Center gave WA the grade of A- in terms of the effectiveness of it's government. Only 3 states in the entire nation received such high marks. That says a lot about Gregoire's ability to lead.
http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/gpp_report_card.aspx

The Pew Center on the States also issued a report on State Pension and Retirement Plans which stated that the State of Washington is in the BOTTOM 5 in the country in Pensions for it's workers BECAUSE the State has chosen to underfund the pension fund since 2003, against the advise of the State acutaries office. They are 5 BILLION in the hole with half of the pension participants eligible to draw benefits in 10 years. Can you say Tax Increase?

No to GREGOIRE!

gregoire,heck no!!! since she has been in office i am 38yrs old and ride a skateboard to and from work bcause we don't have the gas money for my wife to come and get me. also my wife and daughter have lost there healthcare(dshs) because i earn to much(25k-30k) for a family of 3. i don't have healthcare because i can't afford it. we have to pay for my wifes medications because she has no healthcare. i forgot to tell you that my wife is a heart transplant patient and is disabled. 25-30k a yr and we can't get healthcare for my girls, gregoire, heck NO!!!

NO!!

Sadly gregoire is the lesser of the two evils. Would you rather have Rossi as governor? Let me remind you that the party he is affiliated with and with whom he holds hands with (Bush) increased our national debt from 1 trillion to over 5 trillion in 8 years. Bush has essentially sold America. You want someone who looks up to him to take over???

Think the big problem is we have way too many "DEMO-RATS" and not enough true democrats. I support the latter. Christine Gregoire is just another of the "Demo-Rats" securing her future at the taxpayers expense.

I am a Democrat but looking for performance instead of excuses and more overhead. Voting for Dino!

Let's give poor old worn out Gregoire a break. Let her retire. She has worked so hard for all of us the past 4 years making Washington State a better place for all of us. So I say... Go Mr. Gop Man Go! Tag your it!

Are You Kidding Me?

Gregoire is a failure. She squandered away the state budget, raised the gas tax, raised the property taxes, raised the sales tax, cost the state of Washington more jobs then it ever has in its history and has forced the unemployment rate to surge past an all time record 6%+ in the last 8 years. She has allowed more off shore outsourcing then any other Washington Governor Democrat or Republican. She has made it more difficult then ever to survive in this state with just the basic living essentials. She has failed on Education, On Healthcare, On Traffic And Safety and that's nowhere near the end of it. And now she wants 4 more years?

I don't think so. We as Washington State Resident's can't afford 4 more years of the same. Its Time For A Change. Its time to Elect Dino Rossi for Governor. Gregoire had her chance and she lost the trust of everyone.