Washington Comeback(Chinup..Rossi Fans!)

TownHall.com ^ | 12/25/04 | Bob Novak

[paltz]

WASHINGTON COMEBACK

Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, facing a potentially difficult 2006 second term election in the state of Washington, may have mixed reactions to Republican State Sen. Dino Rossi apparently being counted out in the 2004 election for governor.

Democratic State Atty. Gen. Christine Gregoire was an overwhelming favorite for governor, but Rossi was ahead in the recount until court rulings favored the Democrats. The only proven statewide candidate for the Republicans, Rossi would be the GOP's best Senate bet against Cantwell.

Cantwell goes into the 2006 campaign in poor financial shape. According to federal filings, Cantwell's campaign committee on Sept. 30 was $2.5 million in debt with $264,000 cash on hand. She was elected to the Senate in 2000 by 2,229 votes, personally giving or lending $10.3 million out of her $11.5 million total campaign expenditures. Cantwell's personal net worth of over $40 million was devastated by a falling stock market.

[paltz]

John Thune Part Deux!

[Dutch Boy]

This might be yet another chapter in the long running saga of the law of unintended consequences. Ashcroft and Thune are but a few. In the long run it was much better for Thune to lose the first election only to unseat Daschle in the second. I'm sure with Ashcroft as AG a few more on the left needed to visit their shrink.

[Enterprise]

My thoughts exactly. Daschle may end his days cursing how "fortunate" it was that Thune lost two years ago, and how that "fortune" helped unseat Daschle. If the morons had anything resembling intelligence left, they would lean on Gregoire to quietly go away so that Cantwell will have a chance in 2006. Otherwise the Republicans (gasp) may gain yet ANOTHER Senate seat! It's just so delicious to see them caught in a steel trap with doom approaching. They might yet escape, but they have to amputate something first.

[paltz]

And 2006 means campaigning begins NOW!...bwaaahhhahahaha

[Enterprise]

"Cantwell's campaign committee on Sept. 30 was $2.5 million in debt with $264,000 cash on hand."

"And 2006 means campaigning begins NOW!..."

I couldn't have framed it any better!

[NordP]

Ah, yes....just like with W's Dad losing his second term, opening the way for W to have a two term presidency...

The Lord works in strange, but ALWAYS GLORIOUS ways!

Four words....method to the madness :-)

[knarf]

"But, I've heard that only about 11% of these millions on top of millions is going toward education and health care and the rest has been embezzled by the legislature and filtered through the general fund for thingslike diversity training, Kwanzaa education, homeless programs and gay and lesbian pride projects."

What?
You're against tobacco for jobs?

< /sarcasm >

[connectthedots]

Gregopire is in big trouble. She will be recalled if she does win the election.

[anniegetyourgun]

xactly. Gregoire has been a miserable failure as an AG there in WA. I'm still holding out hope for Rossi in the guv's mansion.

As for the Cantwell vs Rossi speculation, it would likely end up being just as close as this governor's race has been. In the end, I'm not sure he could take the seat from her - especially if Hillary is gearing up for presidential run. (And she is.) Cantwell & Murray have been faithful to get up everyday and read Hill's fax, and repeat whatever she tells them to say that day. Hillary will provide Cantwell whatever she needs as payback for her loyalty to the Clintons.

[paltz]

I have a feeling that if Rossi were to run against Cantwell, the out of state donations would be HUGE, jsut b/c of the way he getting screwed over. Politicos from all over the country are watching this race VERY carefully and we will not forget. Cantwell is so fiancially weak, she has to dig herself out of a hole first b4 she could raise any real dough agianst Rossi. financially weak

[paltz]

ok...that was the most incoherent post I have ever made in my 5 years here.

[ken5050]

Cantwell actually did OK financially in her first election. he made millions with stcokfro the dot.com ( REalPlayer?) she worked for..and as I recall she sold a lot of it to finance her Senate campaing, which is basically why she got the nomination..she could self-finance..and the seat was expected to stay GOP easily. The stock tanked after she sold some..but she couldn't cover lots of loans and other committments she'd made beased upon her then, previous net worth..She's been on the worng side of some campaign finance rulings...THE GOP will scrutinize her every penny this time out..

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

I'm sorry folks, as wonderful as you think this might be for unseating Cantwell:

1. It probably won't happen because she will win by fraud AGAIN, in broad daylight.

2. We need a Gov. with some sense of how to fix the business climate here, NOW! Dino is that choice.

[SuziQ]

John Thune Part Deux!

Indeed. WA state's loss may be the country's gain if we can get a Repub. Senator from there!!

[Rodney King]

Gregopire is in big trouble. She will be recalled if she does win the election.

No way, no how.

[rockrr]

I was with ya there, paltz (at least in spirit ;'}

I'm not quite ready to focus on Cant~do~well just yet. The governors race ain't over. The 'rats were sloppy in their cheating this time around and I believe we have the proof to convince the SCOTUS of federal election fraud.

If it doesn't go that way, we know a couple of things:

Two years ago I was asking (myself) who we could campaign for the governors seat. I didn't even know the name Rossi at the time. Well, a bunch of people know it now! They know him to be a stand-up guy, a straight shooter who says what he thinks, and does what he says (sound familiar?). Rossi has earned a pile of political capital and I hope that he spends it wisely.

Christine Gregoire is the mirror opposite - she might be cunning, but she is also reckless and careless. Where Rossi has integrity, Gregoire has gall. Instead of negotiation, she uses manipulation. Gregoire squandered any political capitol she may have had, and promises to be an abject failure as governor.

The electorate in the State of Washington is pissed about this sham of an election (for the moment). Notice how I qualified it - Conservatives are livid (and rightfully so). Moderates and a few leftists have been offended by the shameless temerity of Gregoire and Berendt. This presents a possible opportunity. If we can only steel ourselves to the task and work to change attitudes in the "blue zone".

Hugh Hewitt says (in his book) "If it ain't close, they can't cheat". I have come to embrace this as the lynch-pin for future elections. IMO the reason we are failing to secure this race is not because of any brilliant diabolical scheme on the part of Gregoire, not because the WSSC decided to create law from the bench, but because enough people voted leftist to bring the election into cheatable range. Then it became a case of 'rat "count count count until you win, then stop".

I believe that the order of the day is to change the hearts and minds of the moderates (the leftists are too far gone and the only thing for them is marginalization).

As for me, I'm doing my little part to make being a 'rat in Western Washington a decidedly uncomfortable thing. I started in earnest during the weeks leading up to the election, and now it has become a mission (nay, a crusade!). There's nothing like inflicting a little public humiliation to get your blood up! (I don't recommend this for the feint of heart).

I may have come to the (political) party a bit late, but I intend to stay awhile!

[Bush gal in LA]

So ,it's over then? Gregoire's in and Rossi's out?

[Petronski]

Never forget that the Cantwell personal fortune was 'earned' by planting crapware on innocent computers: Real Player.