Posted on 01/07/2005 3:04:26 PM PST by Josef1235
Friday, January 7, 2005 · Last updated 2:34 p.m. PT
Gregoire: 'Healing to be done'
By DAVID AMMONS AP POLITICAL WRITER
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Gov.-elect Christine Gregoire on Friday pledged to tour the state to begin a healing process after an election that deeply divided voters and the political parties.
"It's my job to help the state of Washington heal," she told a Capitol news conference called primarily to introduce an initial round of key appointees. She is keeping outgoing Gov. Gary Locke's chief of staff, Tom Fitzsimmons, for at least six months and his budget director, Marty Brown, will become her legislative director.
"A `healing tour' - what a joke!" groused Mary Lane, spokeswoman for Republican rival Dino Rossi. "That sounds like Dr. Phil and not the governor of the state of Washington.
"As for healing, right now she is an illegitimate governor and the only thing that will heal this state is a revote."
Gregoire said she's dashing to put together a new government, and trying not to be diverted by criticism and lawsuits, including the new one lodged Friday by the Republicans.
She's scheduled to be sworn in next Wednesday after being declared the victor in the ultra-close race with Republican Dino Rossi. She won a statewide hand recount by 129 votes out of over 2.8 million cast.
Legislative Republicans plan to demand that her inauguration be postponed while a challenge works its way through the courts. They want a statewide revote.
Gregoire said she understands the angst and anger, but believes the election was properly conducted and valid.
She said a tiny amount of human error is inevitable in conducting an election with so many votes, but that the state's election system fared remarkably well.
"Every day, it's a new issue that has been raised," she said. "I have yet to see any proof of any illegality on behalf of election officials. They have operated in a consummately professional way. I see no intent on their part to defraud the voters of the state of Washington."
She said some "honest potential mistakes" have been made, but added: "They are not fraudulent. They are not illegal."
Gregoire repeated her mantra that, "The election is over, so we need to move forward."
She said the continuing angry reaction is "highly unfortunate," and that she intends to try to defuse it, both by traveling around the state and by finding effective solutions to people's most pressing concerns, such as schools, health coverage and the economy.
She didn't have a definite schedule or format, but said she'll start her travels early in her term, including during the legislative session that begins Monday.
Lane said Rossi had toured the state for town hall meetings on the budget and other issues, and that the Gregoire's tour sounds bogus.
"We are not going to put this behind us. Forget about it," she said.
Gregoire acknowledged that the foreshortened transition has put her behind in the naming of a cabinet. She said she hopes to fill three top posts within a month after a national search: directors of Social and Health Services, Labor and Industries, and Community, Trade and Economic Development.
She pledged to bring change and diversity to government with her picks, but will have to rely at first on the holdovers from her longtime mentor, Democratic Gov. Gary Locke, who's leaving after two terms.
Two of Locke's most visible and best-liked veterans will be joining her team.
Fitzsimmons, a mountain-climbing former Ecology director, will continue as chief of staff, the top post in the governor's inner office. Initially, it's a six-month appointment. He has been with Locke all eight years.
Brown, another longtime Olympia hand in both the Senate and the administration, has been one of Locke's most trusted lieutenants, both as legislative liaison and budget director. He'll serve a pivotal role for Gregoire, pursuing her legislative agenda in a Legislature that is divided over the validity of her election.
Lyle Canceko, Locke's former outreach director and deputy communications chief, will be Gregoire's community relations manager, and will do the advance work for the "healing tour."
Gregoire's other appointees also are familiar to Olympia insiders. Victor Moore, who has worked for both parties as House Appropriations Committee staff director, will take on Brown's role as budget director. He also has been budget chief for the court system. Laurie Dolan of Spokane, a Democrat who has lost two state Senate races, will serve as Gregoire's policy director.
Gregoire previously announced that she's keeping Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg as head of the National Guard, emergency management chief and top homeland security adviser.
Also note Marty Brown is coming back - UT-OH!
After stealing the election I don't believe that there will be healing.
Hell no.
You from Canada? What province? I've done some v-teer I-net work for Sandra Pupatello and a long, long time ago for the BC Liberals.
I'm from Quebec.
One other thing: Wait and see if Gregovych says "new beginnings"
Cool. Must feel sorry for you in that weird province. It must be tough being in Quebec, eh?
Gregoire knows she has a huge problem with the election. You can see it in her words. Even she isn't convinced she won.
I really wonder how one makes an "honest potential mistake"?
Socialism has been gripping here for a while but I think it's starting to lose its grip, a little at a time.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315362/posts
May crowds all over the state drown her out with a REVOTE chant on her heeling tour.
Great!
I think it should read "stealing to be done" or maybe it's already been done? This outright fraud is getting absolutely no exposure in the MSM.
If she had integrity she would have also agreed to a re-vote to end this problem.
Update: TVW HAS GREGOVYCH ON AT 8:30 PM/2030 HOURS TONIGHT!
This from the woman, who leads by 179 votes, called 261 votes a tie and now claims she is legit. BARF!!!
Hallllo! you have THOUSANDS more votes than voters! Prima Facie evidence of illegalities, you idiot Dims!
I don't care if she is sworn in, this WA election needs to be investigated. It's really convenient that there were more voters than registered, the heavily Demonrat King County discovering 'overlooked' votes, the military being denied their voting rights and the usual charades by the Demonrats of people that don't exist or are dead. Reforms most certainly need to be made. But the WA state GOP needs to continue to push for this to be examined-all the voter names and anything to check into the fraud.
She's saying that, even if the mistakes tilted the election the other way, if they were not intentional mistakes (intended to defraud), then it should be okay.
I wonder how she classifies thousands of extra votes, and no reconciliation with the register list prior to certification as an honest mistake that should be overlooked.
And she used to be the Attorney General?
-PJ
Without a new election, this bi#$h will NEVER be my governor. It's time for a massive revolt against this kind of democRAT fraud.
Wear Orange. Fly Orange. Tell the 'Rats to CRAM their sleazy fraud!
WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED!
ELECTION CONTESTED!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
