Wireless exec won't run for governor --- blow to the Washington state Republican Party

Seattle Times ^ | 07/16/03 | Sharon Pian Chan

[MinuteGal]

I don't blame Stanton. Who wants to take on an unmanageable deficit? People would want an instant miracle from him, but NOBODY can handle the Cali problems which will take years to fix and will render ANY governor unpopular.

I say, let the Dems have the seat till the whole state falls completely apart and the unruly citizens of California BEG for a Republican.

(only half-kidding).

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Sorry, got my states mixed up. Well, my post probably fit both socialist heavens.

Leni

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Finkbeiner was originally elected as a Democrat (when he was in the House), but later came back and ran as a Republican. He was in the Legislature when I last worked there (the '94 session). At that time he was just a young, self-aggrandizing punk! I have no idea what he's like today...but usually legislators elected young do NOT mature in office.

[nwconservative]

A quote from Chris Vance: "The party doesn't make policy, if you want to make policy run for office." Duh Chris, do you remember the platform? This is the whole trouble no one holding our elected officials feet to the fire. When we do, The state party no longer take our telephone calls >>>> calling us troublemakers!

[rockfish59]

Would nuking Olympia be too drastic?

[Princeliberty]

Yes it will, after another term with Locke
boy will everybody hate him.

[Princeliberty]

you got that right!

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Vance is a waste of time. Or worse, he may be even worse than Locke, Gregoire and all their minions. Because he's in a place where he could actually do something about it -- but he acts like a bureaucratic functionary, not a party head. He actually helps them get away with the crap they pull, because he won't call them on it.

[ppaul]

The reason these guys won't run, is because they are smart.
If they weren't smart, they would not be successful in their respective careers.
And, because they are smart, they know that a Republican cannot win in Washington state.
(certainly not a conservative Republican - and do you really want the "Dan Evans" or "Mainstream Republican" variety?)
Washington state is controlled by the King County leftist socialist/communist voting block.
Until that changes, Republicans should not waste money on the governorship.
The money is better spent to undermine the entrenched democRAT machine on the local level.

[Publius]

Your analysis is right on the money. Washington needs to be viewed as two states.

Western Washington has 78% of the population. It is a rain forest, predominantly suburban with some large cities, environmentally green, socially liberal and highly secular.

Eastern Washington has 22% of the population. It is a desert, predominantly rural with no large cities, environmentally anti-green, socially conservative and highly religious.

To Republicans, Washington is two states unhappily married at the Cascades.

In Western Washington, Republicans are fiscally conservative, environmentally green, socially liberal and secular. Rather than vote for an Eastern Washington-style Republican – the kind that would excite FReepers – they will vote Democratic.

In Eastern Washington, Republicans are fiscally conservative, environmentally anti-green, socially conservative and religious. Rather than vote for a Western Washington-style Republican – the kind that FReepers would call a “RINO” – they will stay home.

To Democrats, Washington is one state. The only Democratic strength in Eastern Washington is in the poorer areas of Spokane, Yakima and Tri-Cities. Thus, in Washington, Democrats can speak with one voice.

For statewide office, there are certain combinations that produce certain results, and you can almost bank on them.

• If you run a Hard Right Republican against a Centrist Democrat, the Democrat wins. (Locke over Craswell, 1996)
• If you run a Hard Right Republican against a Hard Left Democrat, the Democrat wins. (Lowry over Eikenberry, 1992; Murray over Smith, 1998)
• If you run a Centrist Republican against a Centrist Democrat, the Democrat usually wins, but it will be close. (Cantwell over Gorton, 2000)
• If you run a Centrist Republican against a Hard Left Democrat, the Republican wins. (Spellman over McDermott, 1980)

There are three solutions to this problem.

• Western Washington Republicans can swallow hard and vote for people whose environmental, religious and social views they find repugnant.
• Eastern Washington Republicans can swallow hard and vote for people whose environmental, religious and social views they find repugnant.
• Eastern Washington can secede from Olympia, strike a deal with Idaho and Congress, and merge into Idaho.

Until then, we will have an intractable problem, and Washington will continue to be a socialist entity.

[ppaul]

If you run a Centrist Republican against a Hard Left Democrat, the Republican wins. (Spellman over McDermott, 1980)

That may have been true in 1980 - but not now.
Bagdad Jim is flush with cash - entrenched and unbeatable.
He is the darling of the Seattle leftist socialist/communist "hate America first" voting block.

Lenin statue in Seattle

[fieldmarshaldj]

WA state politics *ping*

[Impy]

Cantwell is "centrist"?????

Eastern WA should become it's own state not merge with Idaho. 2 more senators right there.

[Impy]

Indeed. What's their problem? Now is the time to run. Bush may not win WA but he'll do well. Locke has a very high disaproval rating. If Locke quits or loses the primary it's an open seat.