Posted on 01/28/2005 10:46:44 AM PST by areafiftyone
A Strategic Vision, LLC poll asked respondents if there was a revote, who would you vote for and Republican Dino Rossi was selected by 51%; Democrat Christine Gregoire was the choice of 43%; and 6% were undecided with a margin of error of ±3%.
When asked who do they believe actually won the gubernatorial election, 53% said Republican Dino Rossi; 37% said Democrat Christine Gregoire; and 10% were undecided.
"This poll is ominous for Christine Gregoire,” said David E. Johnson, CEO and Co-founder of Strategic Vision, LLC; "Even though she has been sworn in and is acting as Governor, a clear majority of voters do not believe that she won the election fairly and if given the chance would replace her with Dino Rossi.
"The question remains is how long will this feeling last, generally the rule of thumb is that the longer a situation like this lasts, the harder it is for the candidate in Rossi’s situation to keep his supporters mobilized. So far though, the Rossi supporters are maintaining their energy."
When asked if they accepted the disputed votes in King County which gave Democrat Gregoire the election victory as being legitimate, 33% said yes; 55% said no; with 12% undecided.
When asked if they favored having another gubernatorial election as Republicans are urging, the poll results were 53% saying yes; 35% saying no; and 12% undecided.
"Voters believing that the election results do not reflect the will of the people strongly favor a revote,” said Johnson, "This shows that Gregoire even though she has been sworn in as Governor has not been able to convince voters that it is time to put the election behind and accept her as Governor. This could make her tenure as Governor very difficult.”
When asked if they believed that courts will allow a revote, 41% said yes; 55% said no; and 4% were undecided.
"With majorities believing that Gregoire did not win and favoring both Rossi and a revote, this result shows that voters do not believe that the courts will remedy the situation that will give legitimacy to the Governor,” said Johnson, "Voters view of everyone involved in the election has suffered to some degree and it appears the court system will suffer in public esteem regardless of how they rule.”
Christine Gregoire was viewed favorably by 38%; 57% viewed her unfavorably; and 5% were undecided. Republican Dino Rossi was viewed favorably by 50%; 47% viewed him unfavorably; and 3% were undecided.
"The problem for Gregoire is that regardless of who they voted for, people believe that she stole the election and her unfavorable numbers are extremely high which means voters are not willing to give her a benefit of the doubt,” said Johnson.
And Florida 2000 was the springboard for this...(thanks Al)
a51- Here's a good article on the SecState of WA siding with Rossi that probably warrants its own post (I have never done an article post and don't have the time right now to learn): http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002163149_revote28m.html
Assuming office under fraudulent circumstance should be covered here.
According to Post #20 - it will work - since the disputed ballots more than cover the amount of the dem win.
I suggest you move East - as I live in CA - and we have accomplished a recall.
And .. the number of votes in question DOES EXCEED THE MARGIN OF VICTORY - so a RECALL is legal.
You may want to look at this.
The really need to have a revote.
REVOTE!
What has happened in Washington State should SHAME the Democratic Party. In the Poll they could not even keep their registered Democrat majority! Even Dem VOTERS don't believe this was a Legit Election!!! Man, if that isn't something that should be SHOVED down Fraudouire's throat along with the DNC and John Kerry whose campaign funds made the fraud (the third and fradulent recount) even POSSIBLE, then nothing is!!!
I think the courts can nullify the election, set it aside. But they likely cannot order a 'revote', that would be for the legislature to decide.
Should the courts set aside the governor's election and should the democrat controlled legislature fail to authorize a revote, they would be risking their seats to voter anget in the next election.
But the state supreme court is mostly democrat. They will not support a set aside. The 9th district will likely turn down a hearing. The US Supreme Court may hear the case if it addresses Bush vs. Gore equal protection issues. But the USSC cannot order a revote as well, only nullify the existing vote.
Voter Anger? Next election?
Yes, I would remember something like this. Yes, I'd be plenty PO'd. Unfortunately, I don't credit my fellow man with the same gift of memory.
Four years is an eon in our society. No one will care four years from now. Once Fraudoire furor is over, this will have no impact on the next election. State legislators are pretty anonymous once they get to the Statehouse. I'd bet this issue won't cost a single seat in the next elections.
The best bet is that Fraudoire will not be able to govern effectively, which MIGHT get her tossed from office.
IIRC, the judge hearing the case has heard a similar (county?) case, ordered a revote, and was upheld by the State Supremes.
I'm sure a more-attentive WA FReeper will correct me if I got it wrong.
Yes, but didn't California's constitution say something similar about malfeasance or some such for a recall? Yet, the recall still worked here.
On the other hand...Rossi must walk a fine political line. He can't look embittered, or risk being labled a sore loser in popular opinion. Yet he must maintain his momentum with his supporters. Very difficult test of his leadership already, hopefully the populace will reward him for it.
I never said you were wrong as far as the courts of Washington go. I said you were wrong as far as the ninth circuit goes. From what i have read, the judges in Washington tend to rule for the law and not make it up or ignor it. The 9th circuit on the other hand, live in a fantasy land.
You said they would refuse to hear the case, I believe you are wrong. I believe they will hear the case and rule with the Dem's (unless the Dem's win in the lower courts, then they will refuse to hear the case - which is the same as ruling for the Dem's)
The Republicans need to start a recall petition.
Well .. if the laws don't allow it - they don't allow it. Too bad .. I hate to see the dems get away with SUCH BLATANT FRAUD.
The anger at Gregoire must be harnessed to do something effective, or it will surely dissipate. A voter-sponsored initiative will go a long way to keeping that anger simmering. If an initiative can be readied for the 2006 ballot, it would put a lot of Rats on the spot.
"The anger at Gregoire must be harnessed to do something effective, or it will surely dissipate"
You make a good point. I believe our recall had 2 effective elements - a person willing to put some money into the pot - Darrell Issa put in $1 million. We also had another person who spearheaded the organization. He also got the help of a radio station personality.
It can be done. And .. if you can change the law by 2006 - it would put the dems on notice that their FRAUD did not go unnoticed and they won't be able to get away with it again. And .. you have the general shift to the right happening in WA as well .. which could only help your cause. I wish you all well .. it's hard work - but winning that battle will be so satisfying.
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.