Posted on 01/12/2005 1:55:19 PM PST by vox_freedom
Gregoire sworn in as Washington governor
By David Ammons The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Christine Gregoire, winner of the closest governor's race in Washington history, was inaugurated today, but faces an immediate court challenge that could make it a short-lived honor.
"Change is here and more is coming," she said in her first official speech.
Democrat Gregoire, 57, a scrappy three-term attorney general who took on the tobacco industry and polluters, took the oath of office before a joint session of the state Legislature. Minority Republicans had battled unsuccessfully to delay her inauguration for two weeks.
Republicans in the House Chamber rose along with cheering Democrats to greet her swearing-in, but did not join in the applause.
Backers of her Republican rival, former state Senate budget Chairman Dino Rossi, continue to agitate for a statewide revote.
Gregoire, in a prepared inaugural address, acknowledged her tiny election margin, and urged partisans not to let their differences paralyze the state.
"This is not an easy time to lead," she conceded. "Much has been written about red states and blue states and the great political divide — not to mention the razor-thin governor's race here.
"Many have asked how I can govern without a clear mandate from the voters. I believe the voters have given all of us a mandate — a mandate to overcome our differences and to solve problems."
Gregoire said the state is more unified than might be apparent from the election flap. Voters everywhere want good-paying jobs, affordable health care, effective and efficient government, good schools and colleges and a clean environment, she said.
She announced creation of a select commission on election reform, to be headed by Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and the former Senate Democratic floor leader, Betti Sheldon of Bremerton.
"Clearly the election recount ordeal of the last two months has challenged us, and among our challenges this session is election reform," she said. "We want every vote to count — and to be counted right the first time."
Although the state is dependably Democratic, Gregoire narrowly lost the first two vote counts. But when Democrats ordered one final hand recount, she pulled ahead for the first time, by a minuscule 129 votes out of 2.9 million ballots cast.
Republicans say widespread irregularities, including votes cast by felons and dead people, spoiled the election to the point where it's impossible to truly know who won.
Invoking a rarely used law that allows an election "contest," Republicans have asked the courts to set aside the election and order a redo. Chelan County Superior Court Judge T.W. Small was hearing a motion today on the Democrats' attempt to intervene in the Republicans' lawsuit, and has scheduled more proceedings on Friday.
The case is expected to end up in the state Supreme Court, which has already ruled twice in election-related matters.
If the State Supreme Court hands this election contest to the Democrats, the next avenue of appeal would be directly to the US Supreme Court. But as we saw in the Lautenberg-New Jersey mess, SCOTUS does not like getting involved in state election issues. It's unlikely they would take the case unless issues related to the 14th Amendment (and the 2000 presidential election) could be raised.
One good thing is at least the education liberals won't get their liberal agenda against education in yet. Such would be detrimental to the strong community feeling for education in my hometown.
If you heard her speech today, she committed to "cost of living raises" for all public school teachers as a sop to the education lobby and unions. This while the state is $500+ million underfunded in its budget.
She did this without suggesting how taxes will be raised to pay for it...
That should not have been done. However, I will not argue that teachers don't deserve more in some locations at least (I think that in some other locations that they are paid just fine). It's the exact opposite budget (and political) situation in my state. The education liberals are doing all they can against public education.
I think it depends on the Washington supreme court. I have heard it said on earlier threads that they are liberal, but that some of them might have twinges of conscience. Now that Gregoire is in office, however, it would be extraordinary if they took any action.
As for SCOTUS, I am extremely doubtful they would act to overrule the state court. They did it in Florida, but they will not want to do it again, because they got four years of abuse from the media and all their liberal friends as a reward for doing the right thing. That's why they refused to overrule the corrupt decision of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Her husband has always given me the creeps. There's something sinister and sneaky in those eyes.
One racketeer being sworn in by another racketeer.
This has GOT to be frustrating !!!!!!!!! If I still lived there, I'd be demonstrating every day.
I guess it's important to take this one step at a time and first see what happens on Friday in Chelan county court and to do everything possible (including prayer) to thwart this illegal election of Gregoire. Perhaps prayer of Christians across this nation is what is needed most to overturn this illegal & fraudulent election.
The Bible says that "Righteousness exalts a nation and sin is reproach to any people". As I wrote & told Commissar Sam Reed, someday he and all corrupt government officials will kneel in judgement before the Lord God Almighty for their corrupt actions or abdication of civic & governmental stewardship as defined in the Word of God. Reed & DemoRATS & others can mock or scorn this in this life, but someday they will be held accountable and judged for their actions.
I guess it's important to take this one step at a time and first see what happens on Friday in Chelan county court and to do everything possible (including prayer) to thwart this illegal election of Gregoire. Perhaps prayer of Christians across this nation is what is needed most to overturn this illegal & fraudulent election.
The Bible says that "Righteousness exalts a nation and sin is reproach to any people". As I wrote & told Commissar Sam Reed, someday he and all corrupt government officials will kneel in judgement before the Lord God Almighty for their corrupt actions or abdication of civic & governmental stewardship as defined in the Word of God. Reed & DemoRATS & others can mock or scorn this in this life, but someday they will be held accountable and judged for their actions.
Oregon now has 65 mph speed limit. The southeastern quarter of Oregon is empty, and in pratice you can drive about as fast as you want. Police don't sit out there waiting to give tickets to the two cars an hour on the road.
She stole the election. Anyone who has kept up with the FACTS knows this. It's laughable that she ignores the fraud and accepts the swearing-in.
She not only needs to not be governor, someone needs jailtime.
It tempts me to cynicism....
First, it shows what would have happened had not the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the corrupt Democrat controlled supreme court from continuing the Gore recount.
Second, It shows the importance of the electorial college and why the Democrats want to get it removed.
Finally, it reveals what seems to be the Democratic blue print for stealing elections, disallow military vote, control Supreme Court, stash ballots in safe districts.
Well, there we go, now Washington has been certified as corrupt.
DITTO
It is hard to even imagine how difficult it would be to have this woman in our face for four years.
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