-
A Holocaust Denier Walks Into a Bar
May 10, 2013 | 219 comments
-
What’s in a Name?
May 6, 2013 | 25 comments
-
Benediction
March 20, 2013 | 12 comments
-
The Great Consolidator: Dec. 2009
February 15, 2013 | 0 comments
-
Punking the President
January 14, 2013 | 15 comments
Feature
Can Dino Do It?
If this isn’t the twice-defeated Dino Rossi’s year in Washington state, it’s because he’s running scarred.
(Page 2 of 2)
Rossi has hit Murray on everything from pork barreling to nuclear waste disposal in the Yucca Mountains to unemployment benefit extensions that weren’t deficit neutral to the financial reform bill. “Like Good Friends Do, Patty Murray and Wall Street Take Care of Each Other,” Rossi’s press release helpfully explained.
ROSSI WANTS VOTERS TO FOCUS on Murray’s failings and foibles, and that might be enough to win him the election. Murray has, of course, a very liberal voting record, along with a few other possible liabilities. She has been in D.C. since she won election as the “mom in tennis shoes” in 1992. Her image has changed from citizen legislator to self-interested insider. The normally sympathetic Seattle Times reported in August that Murray, who has a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, is the senator who has racked up the second-highest amount in contributions from lobbyists. She came behind only embattled Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid.
To beat Murray, though, Rossi may have to address some lingering questions from Republicans, or at least find ways to make them go away. Rossi points out that as chairman of the Washington State senate’s ways and means committee, he managed to close a $2.7 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. He also demonstrated a fondness for certain pork projects that benefited his suburban district east of Seattle. That might not matter except that he’d inherit a much bigger fiscal hole in D.C. than anyone in Olympia could ever comprehend. Some serious radicalism will probably be necessary if the next Congress wants to start climbing out. Republican voters are suspicious that his tendency to trim won’t help.
Speaking of radicalism, primary challenger Didier has refused to endorse Rossi unless Rossi meets three demands. The most controversial is that he must introduce the Sanctity of Life Act in the Senate, which would allow local jurisdictions to regulate abortion quite apart from any Supreme Court rulings.
Rossi, a Catholic father of four (and the youngest of seven children), understands just how volatile the question can be with the Evergreen State electorate. He is a genuine social conservative — he’s called himself pro-life in the past, supported parental consent laws, and opposed gay marriage — but he prefers not to talk about it unless absolutely necessary, and maybe not even then. When I asked him when was the last time Washington voters elected a pro-life senator, he would say only, “I’m not really sure about that. You’d have to go research that yourself.” (Answer: never.)
IF ROSSI CAN GET most Republicans on board, then he has a better-than-even shot at beating Murray in November. The anti-incumbent and anti-Democratic mood in the Washington electorate is as severe as I’ve ever seen it. In Whatcom County, in the northwest corner of the state, my friend Vincent Buys, a Republican contractor and first-time office-seeker, managed to best an eight-term incumbent and state House ways and means chairwoman in the primary vote. However, that still leaves the general election.
The sense that one gets from talking to Rossi is that he feels this is a contest he cannot afford to lose. He really thinks that he can pull it off, and that his win will have historic consequences. A recent ad for a joint campaign appearance with surprise Massachusetts senator Scott Brown simply said, “Scott Brown-41, Dino Rossi-51.” And what if that doesn’t work out?
“It’s clear that we’re at a crisis level right now,” Rossi told me. “People understand that our country has a serious problem here that needs to be dealt with: the spending and the debt. We’re about ready to leave to our children something that’s less than what our parents gave to us, and that’s unconscionable. The opportunities are dwindling, and the debt and the problems are what our children are going to inherit. That’s not acceptable.” Time to do something about it.
About the Author
Jeremy Lott is editor of RealClearPolicy.com, RealClearBooks.com and RealClearReligion.org and associate editor of RealClearScience.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (44) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Jeremy Lott
More Articles From Feature
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/10/08/can-dino-do-it
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
Current Issue
- Downton’s Class System — and Ours
- Nuts to Nutter
- Self-Righteous Republic
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Fubar Akbar| 10.8.10 @ 7:39AM
Can he beat a moron in tennis shoes?
Dustoff| 10.8.10 @ 10:31AM
Let's hope so
jhoger| 10.10.10 @ 6:57PM
And if he can't, what does that make him, and can then we then ignore him forever afterward?
Harry Keester| 10.8.10 @ 10:28AM
We can only hope Dino can win. Unfortunately, Murray is counting on the ignorant masses in King County with the lack of intelligence and common sense to see she is a disaster to the economy.
SeattleBruce| 10.8.10 @ 5:59PM
Hey - I live in KingCo. While it's true there are a lot of ignoramuses here, there are many thoughtful Conservatives as well. As to the entire county, which encompasses not just Seattle, but Bellevue and Redmond, et al, also - maybe we're running 40 - 60 or 45 - 55 Rs to Ds - I haven't see recent numbers.
I think Rossi wins - his internal polling has him up 6 and recent Rasmussen poll up 3. He's trending in the right direction.
MomInLatteland| 10.10.10 @ 6:55PM
I will second Bruce's comment. I also live in King County and have been praying for a Murray defeat since... 1992.
MikeN| 10.8.10 @ 10:47AM
Mike Dewine 2.0?
Ned| 10.8.10 @ 11:09AM
Fear not, ye Faint Of Heart! Our Dear Batty-Patty is well acquainted with all the notables and reliables from ACORN and SEIU. While it was a bit off-putting (but dead-on accurate) to hear the likes of Bill O'Reilly compare King County, Washington to Cook County, Illinois, the locals DO have a way of finding the necessary votes at critical times... even if it means "discovering" them in an unused voting machine two weeks after the election. And having "found" the neccesary documents (no fingerprints, either, how cool is that?) they can maintain a straight face while swearing up and down that everything is above-board.
To paraphrase O'Reilly - Rossi has to win by at least 5% to overcome the manufactured votes, the felons and the dead-people votes.
BTW - if you took out JUST the felon votes, Gregoire lost the recounts, too.
Stan Redmond| 10.8.10 @ 11:35AM
Unless Dino gets the dead, domesticated pets, illegal alien, and cartoon character votes he's not gonna win. And if he does win, the 5th recounted zombie vote will put the democrat over the finish line.
soggy| 10.10.10 @ 8:19PM
so true...why is it that whenever there is a recount only dem votes turn up in that trunk of cars or in uncounted boxes found in democratic polling stations...in the history of this county has ever there been found an uncounted republican vote...seems not...the endless recounts will put catty Murray back in office uless Dino wins by a big margin
Redstateboy| 10.8.10 @ 11:55AM
It seems to me lately that the States and Cities that have been ruled by the Libs and Dems the longest have a population more akin to Cattle.
linda| 10.8.10 @ 2:58PM
Rossi is very much a member in good standing with the establishment republican party. He's never had an outreach to the grassroots and it's going to hurt him. He's missing all the worker bees and enthusiasm that would really help him pull ahead in a meaningful way. He still may win but it could have been a blow out and now it looks to be very close.
Jeremy Lott | 10.8.10 @ 4:08PM
A reader wrote to point out an error in this piece. I said that Dan Evans was the last Republican governor of Washington state. In fact, the last GOP governor of the Evergreen State was John Spellman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Spellman
Nexialist| 10.8.10 @ 5:24PM
This one doesn't matter. Rossi is the next Republican insider, the guys we're trying to get rid of.
Richelle | 10.8.10 @ 7:40PM
I think maybe the "Not Dino" group is helping him gain the edge he needs on Murray. I found this ad to be brilliant and have shared it wherever I can. Don't let the name of the group fool you, definitley pro-Rossi. See the ad at www.notdino.com
JR| 10.8.10 @ 7:47PM
He's wishy-washy, a good RINO that might go to D.C. As previously mentioned, he caters to the monied crowd, not to the roots. Didier, if he could have gotten the R Senatorial Committee's endorsement, would have generated a whole lot more interest in the race. But, as usual, they are more interested in "team" - read RINO - players that will continue the status quo.
Ed| 10.11.10 @ 12:56AM
To all the Didier supporters: Clint is no longer in the race. You only have a choice between Murray and Rossi: Murray, a left wing extremist who is running our country into the ground, and Rossi, a solid conservative who is at least 90% of what you want. You hurt your own interests by trashing Rossi and sitting this election out. Rossi is far from a RINO; his avoidance of strident talking points is not a sign of wishy-washiness, it is simply a necessity for electability in Washington. Please, we need the support of all Republicans and libertarians to retire Murray. She is the enemy, not Rossi.
altster76| 10.11.10 @ 1:44AM
Thanks Ed. How right you are!!
fromoverhere| 10.11.10 @ 2:38AM
Other conservatives like alster76 and "Ed" who agree that Dino is our only choice right now, simply say "I agree." I'll start.
I agree!
hisgal| 10.11.10 @ 2:39AM
I agree!
Irene Flick| 10.11.10 @ 5:13AM
I have already sent in my absentee ballot for Rossi. Murray is an embarrassment to our state the way she would run ahead of Dingy Harry and his buddies to shuffle papers for them at the podium. I debated whether or not to email her of my vote, but who needs an audit by a lame duck?
Shauna | 10.12.10 @ 12:08AM
I have just moved back to WA and I registered to vote when I got my Driver's license but I haven't seen a ballot yet! Have they been sent? How does it work.... I'm terrified I won't be able to vote Murray out and Rossi in!
When I left here twenty years ago Gordon was in... What has happened? You can't fish or do anything fun anymore without Big Brother making up all kinds of rules! My poor poor native state that has the bad fortune of Democrats in power for so long...
Yosemeti Sam| 10.9.10 @ 1:19AM
" ... She has been in D.C. since she won election as the "mom in tennis shoes" in 1992...."
Yo, Dino, grab a pair of sneakers - and you'll be a shoo-in!
LOL.
Jo0hn Taylor | 10.9.10 @ 10:38AM
I can't believe the people of Washington are so economically and Real Estate illiterates, to castigate Rossi for real estate work with foreclosed properties, its all the foreclosures on the market that are depressing real estate values, not the investors! Its all the excess inventory.
If this is the tide that Republican/ conservatives have to row against our country is surely doomed.
Tim| 10.10.10 @ 5:38PM
No Joke! It just illustrates how economically-ignorant the Democrat masses are that Patty Murray uses that "invested-in-foreclosed-properties" canard against Rossi. Were it not for speculators like him, most of the foreclosed properties would be covered in blackberry vines by now. I guess Murray and her kind would like King County to look like Detroit.
jhoger| 10.10.10 @ 7:00PM
If you want to go into politics, maybe you shouldn't be the type of investor typically described as a "bottom feeder." Seems obvious to me. If that's not obvious to Rossi, it says something about him.
Tard| 10.9.10 @ 12:50PM
I've lived in WA for 28 years in Snohomish County and NOBODY believes the democrat power machine will allow him to win: legally or no.
IndependentVoter| 10.10.10 @ 5:12PM
I'm in living in Whatcom County, also an independent voter, Rossi will get my vote. I'm sick and tired of Patty Murray, she's now a rubberstamp for Obama. This is the first time I'd vote for Republican candidates. I guess, there's always a first time for everything.
A vote for Patty Murray is a vote for Obama.
Gabe| 10.10.10 @ 6:05PM
I am curious did you vote for Obama in 2008? The reason why I ask is because if so it shows the cross-over appeal Rossi has in this blue state.
If Rossi wins in WA state, which has benfitted from having major corps such as Boeing and Microsoft based in the state, and not been hit uper duper hard by the recession it shows the depth of the reach the GOP has in this election.
jhoger| 10.10.10 @ 7:01PM
Better than a rubber stamp for corporatist Republican policies.
waldo| 10.10.10 @ 5:56PM
Here's something else for the Democrats to worry about. With these black conservatevs positioned to win it will be hard to sell the race card. Oh that's right they will call them Uncle Toms
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new.....-race.html
Steve| 10.10.10 @ 6:15PM
Corection: In 1977 Dan Evans (R) turned over Washington State to Dixie Lee Ray (D) who in turn handed the keys to John Spellman (R) from 1981-1985. Spellman was our last Republican governor to date.
Jeremy Lott | 10.10.10 @ 8:42PM
Yes, I posted that correction about 14 comments ago.
valwayne| 10.10.10 @ 7:13PM
The people of WA surely know that a vote for Sen Murray, and any Democrat this year, is a vote for 9.6% UNEMPLOYMENT, and trillions upon trillions in corrupt spending and debt. Sen Murray voted for the Cornhusker Kickback, the Louisana Purchase, the Florida Gatoraide, and the corrupt Obamacare bill that is proving to be even worse than the corrupt stimulous bill! Worse a vote for Sen Murray is equal to a vote to keep Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in power. If she goes back to Washinton Obama will be able to continue his arroant radical left wing agenda that has so damaged our nation.
garyg| 10.10.10 @ 7:28PM
What I really hope the people of Washington State remember is that the D has had purse-string control of the gov since Jan '07, and they've managed the trash the nation. GWB never stood up to them as he should have. If the good folks of Washington keep Murray, they keep Obama-Reid-Pelosi in power....and that takes the nation down. I don't know about the rest of youse guys, but I kinda figure if the Nation goes, so goes Washington State. Please get rid of Murray. I'm just sorry we here in Oregon don't seem to have a chance at getting rid of our own problem child.
garyg| 10.10.10 @ 7:34PM
And maybe you need to get yourself out of denial re the cause of the bust in the first place. Clinton, Fannie, Freddie, gov. regulations that made sub-prime loans not just feasible but Required. All Democratic regulatory Bravo Sierra.
cpu| 10.10.10 @ 9:56PM
Patty Murray was endorsed by the Seattle Times today. There's a shocker.
Clint Didier needs to man-up and endorse Rossi.
Rino Dossi's chancess are limited by the fact that the Democrats count the votes.
cpu
g| 10.11.10 @ 12:30AM
A quick correction: It's nonsensical to say that there are more registered independents than registrants of other parties. Washington doesn't have voter registration by party.
JDMx| 10.11.10 @ 2:36AM
"Washington ... (r)egistered Independents far outpace Ds and Rs, which has made elections here unusually volatile." Good point g... WA hasn't had registration by party since before I started voting in the late 80s. If Jeremy ever really voted in Washington, he ought to know that... Washington State voters tend to know what (and who) they like and aren't swayed by party labels -- that's what makes us "volatile" in the eyes of both parties.
Jeremy Lott | 10.11.10 @ 11:31AM
Washington's current "top two" anybody-can-vote primary is mentioned in the second graph. Self-identified independents outnumber Democrats (and Republicans), which makes the state volatile.
St Reformed| 10.11.10 @ 1:58PM
When Patti Murray starts holding campaign rallies in cemeteries, remember that she's only "getting in touch with her base."
Steve| 10.12.10 @ 1:09AM
Actually, John Spellman was the last Republican Governor in the Washington. He was elected in 2000 and defeated in 2004.
Jeremy Lott | 10.12.10 @ 2:09PM
Might want to check those dates.
Bobby| 10.12.10 @ 1:55PM
Patty Murray is an ugly dog in every respect. Dino Rossi is so boring.