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Judge rules in election challengeJudge John Bridges upheld the November election that sent Democrat Christine Gregoire to the governor's mansion. What's your take on the ruling? Good? Bad? Otherwise? Share your thoughts. Posted at June 6, 2005 09:50 AMComments
To paraphrase the Republicans, circa November 2005: She one. Get over it. Posted by: Gregory Gadow at June 6, 2005 09:58 AM Oh, how I wish this were over. But the GOP has to waste more time and taxpayers' money to appeal to the Supreme Court. Get over yourselves already. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. We'll give you a re-do on this election the same way you let us have a fair recount in Florida in 2000. Posted by: Chris G. at June 6, 2005 09:59 AM Oh, thank goodness. I truly hope hope this is the end of it. The endless whining by the state Republicans has taken too much time and too many resources away from many truly important important matters. Now they can cry themselves to sleep and let the rest of us get on with business. Posted by: Joshua Okrent at June 6, 2005 09:59 AM @ Gregory Gadow: Yup, it's time to move on people, there was no fraud here and certainly nothing worth throwing the election out over. Posted by: Will at June 6, 2005 10:00 AM I'm pretty sure this is how most of us thought this would come down. Despite the close margins, the election laws favor the elected in a post election contest, and I think that makes sense. Whether you're for either candidate, I think the judge's ruling was pretty well reasoned. Now on the the court of Appeals. Posted by: Steve at June 6, 2005 10:01 AM No surprises, here. This has always been about delegitimizing Gregoire and the Republican party's desire to further the urban/suburban/rural divide. All hat, no cattle. Posted by: Matt at June 6, 2005 10:04 AM Finally, justice has been served. After spending $4 million, the Rossi camp has LOST 4 more votes! Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 10:04 AM Putting aside this election, this seems like an open invitation to stealing elections. The incentives for illegally voting for a candidate, and for election officials to ignore such shenanigans just became very high indeed. Posted by: John Lederer at June 6, 2005 10:04 AM Stupidity has never been an excuse in court, until today. The actions of King county election workers was fraudulent, even if they didn't know it. In any other aspenct of law, not knowing is not an excuse. But this is King county, and they make there own rules. My vote is to break up king county and the state. Posted by: Matt at June 6, 2005 10:06 AM This is just typical of the current culture of politics in this country today, especially from the right. They will never stop until they have turned this nation into a pseudo-fascist theocracy, from the President, Senate and courts on down to our local governments. If the Washington state republicans and Dino Rossi actually cared anything about the citizens of this state, they would give up this fight and start working with our new governor to solve the countless problems our state faces. Posted by: Jeff at June 6, 2005 10:06 AM The new face of organized crime in Seattle has won. 1 point for evil, 0 for good. The war is not over. Posted by: Jim Carnahan at June 6, 2005 10:08 AM Why Judge Bridges was right to throw out proportional analysis of the votes, quoted from a concise Stanford paper on ecological fallacy (www.stanford.edu/class/ed260/freedman549.pdf): "The ecological fallacy consists in thinking that relationships observed for groups necessarily Posted by: Paul at June 6, 2005 10:09 AM What a farce. I watched the decision, and over and over again, we heard that fraud has to be proven. What? Fraud is not the point. The point is that as a citizen I have ample reason to believe we deserve a new election with a definitve, absolute decision. It makes no matter who a voter's preference is, it's the integrity of the election process which has been erased. The current resident may be your Govenor, but I refuse to acknowledge that she is mine. Posted by: Jon Allen at June 6, 2005 10:09 AM The Judge in a county that was thought to be "favorable" to the Republicans, ruled according to the rule of law. I wish this was the end of this embarrassment for Washington state but that is wishful thinking. The money could be better spent on trying to make sure this doesnt happen again. Posted by: Battlemoose at June 6, 2005 10:09 AM "start working with our new governor to solve the countless problems our state faces." The countless problems you talk about all came under 20 years of D rule. But that's the way your want it. Solve your own effin' problems. You created them. Posted by: jimg at June 6, 2005 10:10 AM Honesty, Integrity, Trustworthiness. Virtues that made this country great no longer matter. Cheating, loose rules, unaccountability. Whatever it takes to win. What a sad day this is. Honest elections in Iraq, but not in Washington State. Even if you don't want to admit it, this election was the worst run ever. Posted by: Kirk at June 6, 2005 10:10 AM I hope this prompts counties & our Leg to make vote counting tighter, more accurate Posted by: anders at June 6, 2005 10:11 AM The state Republican's cynical mistrust of the voters and institutions of our state, their poisoning of the polity with unfounded accustations of fraud and malfeasance, have today yielded not the election they hoped to steal, but the comeuppance they that is so manifestly their due. Posted by: Ben Tansey at June 6, 2005 10:11 AM Hey Matt, The judge is from Chelan county and he didn't "make" any rules -- he simply followed the law. 1700 problem ballots, at least half of them from outside King Co, out of nearly 3 million ballots cast. That's a miniscule error rate. And there was ZERO evidence of fraud (look up the word "evidence"). If you are waiting for any state, or county to hold a perfect election with a rate of error less than .01% you are going to be waiting a long time -- as in never. Time for the GOP to get over it -- Rossi lost. Posted by: RJ at June 6, 2005 10:12 AM I think there is a clear message for both parties in 2008 - find better candidates. Posted by: KS at June 6, 2005 10:17 AM Kirk, you must be joking, right? "Honest elections in Iraq, but not in WA state?" Hooo boy, that's a good one!! So, your claim is that the Iraq "election" had a less than .01% error rate? You can prove that, right? No? Well then you're just another republican making statements you can't back up with any evidence, much like the GOP lawyers in this case. And of course you are forgetting the fact that the judge just pointed out that there were nearly as many errors (of those 1700 errors) in Rossi leaning precincts. How do you just ignore that fact? Is that just the GOP way? Posted by: RJ at June 6, 2005 10:17 AM The Republicans never liked an election they couldn't steal. Posted by: Matt at June 6, 2005 10:18 AM This may work if we lived in the State of King County, but we do not. Voters pass laws and our elected officials ignore them (i.e., classroom sizes and teacher's salaries). Now, we cannot even elect a Governor fairly. Regardless of your party, you should hope the GOP will go to the court of appeals and that a re-vote is ordered. That is the only way to guarantee (if you can fix King County that is) that we the people are still in charge of our State's destiny. To do less will one day bite Democrats in the arse as well. Either way, the voter loses every time! King County has a governor but the rest of Washington would like our governor legally and ethically. Posted by: Tamara at June 6, 2005 10:18 AM uh huh, wait till Delay hears this...Judge Barnes be prepared to blackballed and shot...the GOP thinks they can change laws to suit them...Bush's political capital needs serious refinancing - who loses - the people im out Posted by: JB at June 6, 2005 10:20 AM Everything was presented and the judgement was correct. It is so appalling how republicans doublespeak their way through any controversy. We have seen it at the national level and the state level. Hopefully in the next few elections we can finally get rid of these liars who do nothing but feed the fires of evil and hypocrisy. Truth to them is not an option. It is their enemy. Posted by: Chancy at June 6, 2005 10:20 AM "Honesty, Integrity, Trustworthiness. Virtues that made this country great no longer matter. Cheating, loose rules, unaccountability. Whatever it takes to win. What a sad day this is. Honest elections in Iraq, but not in Washington State. Even if you don't want to admit it, this election was the worst run ever." No, I'd still give that honor to the Presidential election of 2000. Posted by: Knuckles at June 6, 2005 10:25 AM It amazes me that some people simply still cannot accept a loss. If the GOP really wanted a more accurate election, they would have allowed an earlier primary, but GOP in the state legislature chose not to do that. While there were errors (which is what they probably were), this was a close election and nothing more. I never thought that there was fraud. Accusations of fraud were simply the "low blow M.O." of the GOP, it's as simple as that. So, Chris Vance, let's continue to waste more money venting anger and trying to build voter distrust... it's the Republican way. GOP = sore losers. Posted by: Chris at June 6, 2005 10:25 AM
Yet this was Mr. Rossi's explicit wish for the citizens of Washington State. Add to this the great irony that Mr. Rossi and his party were suing the very State and citizenry they sought to serve--and it becomes clear enough to anyone how fortunate we are that he has lost. Geoff
Posted by: Geoff at June 6, 2005 10:25 AM So a hand-picked, litmus-tested Republican judge in a Republican county ruled thoroughly and completely against Rossi -- "with prejudice" and penalizing him 4 more votes. Rossi camp: Here's your sign. Posted by: sdragon at June 6, 2005 10:26 AM Judicially correct, politically insane. Posted by: Bonnie at June 6, 2005 10:26 AM Judicially correct, politically insane. Posted by: Bonnie at June 6, 2005 10:26 AM The Republicans' actions in going to court to try to get this election overturned has revealed them for what they are: Dino Sore Losers. Posted by: Elliot at June 6, 2005 10:27 AM I think the judge did a great job. He read the process and how he came to his conclusions. Fraud was never a part of the court case. Illegal votes were. The "Rossi" side did not prove to the court that the votes went to Gregoire. The "Gregoire" side proved that 4 illegal votes went to Rossi and 1 to Bennett. Having a new election using the same rules as last time would be a waste of money. King County is not the root of all evil in the state. The law states that if it cannot be determined who the illegal votes were for then they much be divided equally. Funny thing about the law, when it goes for you your happy when it goes against you, you want to change it and damn the consiquences. Lets move on to more important stuff. Posted by: Chris Treichel at June 6, 2005 10:29 AM "Governor of King County"??? Puh-lease. So what the whining Republican losers are saying is that land should vote. Number of counties is irrelevant, idiots. It's about people, not land. Land doesn't vote. Get it? Of course you don't. Sheesh. No wonder Republicans constantly make fun of intellectuals. Their ignorance is exceeded only by their arrogance. Reality to Rossi: SHUT UP!!!!! Posted by: Bill at June 6, 2005 10:29 AM This is all about pushing Dino's name. Even these republican crackpots have to know that this case has no merit. They're just stirring up the doo doo, and wasting our time & money. This isn't TEXAS - (thank GOD!) Posted by: Dean at June 6, 2005 10:29 AM Tamara: the chances of our State Supreme Court overturning Judge Bridges ruling are slim to none. Sorry. By the way, GOVERNOR Gregoire funded the teacher pay raises and classroom size reduction initiatives this year that YOU probably voted for (at a cost of several hundred million dollars a year) without any money to pay for them. Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 10:30 AM king county cheated and got away with. we must overturn the gas tax, support those who want to break up king county and urge dino to run and defeat cantwell in '06. Posted by: d. t. at June 6, 2005 10:30 AM Isn't it amazing that one day when election fraud in Florida cost the presidency (and look at the huge price we are paying for that) the GOP went on and on about how the "people have spoken" and "the election is over" and "let's stop bickering and start taking care of business". Well, Gore was stupid enough (and in some ways cool enough) to bow out in order to not bog the country down in such controversy and legal proceedings. On retrospect, it appears the Gore team had a much better chance of proving election fraud in Florida than the Rossi team will ever be able to do in Washington state. The most humorous aspect of this situation is that the GOP completely flip-flops not only from the Florida thing in 2000, but just a few months ago when Rossi "won" the initial machine count. The Rossi party swore that if the shoe was on the other foot and Gregiore won by that slim margin, they would happily step down and let the state get on with business. But now with it the other way around, the Rossi team and the morons who can't see anything because their heads are up where the sun never shines say that it's all wrong, there's fraud, furry green aliens voted and Rossi spilled his milk and is crying about it. Get over it. It's over. If you guys waste more money on this, more resources, more BS, all you're doing is throwing a tantrum because you lost. Yes, by the most slim of margins, but you lost and that's that. In the long run you'll probably win anyway; this country is now being run by the Moron Majority and unfortunately it's not governments that cause the problems, it's the people that put them in. People like you. Posted by: Scot at June 6, 2005 10:31 AM I'm a Republican and I wanted Rossi to win because I shouldn't have to pay for anything. I hate taxes. Everything should be free. Roads, police, fire, society owes me these things! Now that we have Democrats here, I'll have to PAY for things I use!!! WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH~~~~~ Dino...*sniff*...PLEASE...*sniff*...stop making pay for things. I want it for free!!!!!! Posted by: Steve at June 6, 2005 10:32 AM This case was over the minute I saw the judge's earing. Should you ever find yourself before a judge who holds your fate in his hands - pray you get a male judge with an earing. It means you're going to get off and go home. Though not defendants in the truest sense - the Democrats were never in any danger of having this ruling go against them. Posted by: Trey at June 6, 2005 10:33 AM Sound ruling. If fact its shows how irresponsible the Repubs were in even bring the suit. What a bunch of hypocrites. The Republician party should now be required to repay the state and the Democrats for their frivilous lawsuit. If course we now won't hear the end of it. Look it up: Sore Losers = Republicians Posted by: Steve Allen at June 6, 2005 10:33 AM Why should I have to pay for anything???? Taxes are sooooooooo unfair!!!!!!! I want the government to take care of me and not have to pay any taxes ever because it's not fair that I should have to pay!!!! Posted by: Steve at June 6, 2005 10:35 AM There will be people who are dissatisfied with this vote. There will likely be an appeal which will likely be unsuccesful. Those upset with the events of 2004 need to focus on ensuring that they are not repeated in 2008. If Gregoire truly is as incompetent as Republican citizens believe than they have 3 years to let her dig her own political grave. Take some solace in that because dwelling on the past will accomplish nothing. Posted by: Ian at June 6, 2005 10:35 AM "Cheating, loose rules, unaccountability. Whatever it takes to win." What a great day this is! It's just amazing that the GOP would put forth a case like this before the court, waste $4 million dollars all to vent anger. If you really want to talk voter fraud, let's talk about the Presidential election in Ohio. This was not fraud, this case that the GOP brought before the court to build voter dissent was the real fraud. Shame on you Chris Vance. Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 10:36 AM She's not my governor and never will be, but now we're all stuck with ever-expanding bureaucracy, swelling and unsustainable budgets, tolls on roads that were once free and already paid for, $14 billion per year worth of stupid kids, an idiot that couldn't run her own office (let alone a state) and a political system that allows such outrages to happen to the entire state because of the (D) next to her name on the ballot in Seattle and King County. Posted by: Paul Rogers at June 6, 2005 10:36 AM Hey, Republicans: GET OVER IT AND SHUT YER YAPS!!!!! What a bunch of children conservatives are. Posted by: Bill at June 6, 2005 10:38 AM As a Washington state voter who has voted in every general election since reaching legal voting age,( I am now 75 ),I am completly dumbfounded by the events of the last election. It is is bad enough to know that anyone who lives in this state wastes their vote for President as the race is always decided before the polls close in this state, but now I have completly lost confidence in the voting procedures in this state on a local level Why bother to vote when there are no assurances that your vote will even be counted. Unless things change, I shall vote no more. Posted by: Neil S at June 6, 2005 10:39 AM Yes, there were problems with this election, but the biggest difference between this and other elections is that this one was closer. If voters want bank-like accuracy in an election, support electoral reform and ante-up with more money (yes, higher taxes) for permanent and better-trained staff. Dino, get over it! It's time to concede. Posted by: Kathryn Kelly at June 6, 2005 10:40 AM I won't bother voting in any state elections in Washington until Olympia cleans up this mess. Posted by: Lee at June 6, 2005 10:43 AM Mr. Rogers, Well, he's not my President, either. Nyah nyah nyah! I love watching Republicans cry like little girls when they don't get there way. Posted by: Chris Fox at June 6, 2005 10:43 AM Mr. Rogers, Well, he's not my President, either. Nyah nyah nyah! I love watching Republicans cry like little girls when they don't get their way. Posted by: Chris Fox at June 6, 2005 10:44 AM I lived in Washington all my life until 10 years ago but I still have family there and read your papers daily. I cannot believe what is happening to such a wonderful state. You are loosing your property, you are taxed to death and now you have lost your voice. No wonder I see so many Washington license plates here in New Mexico. Posted by: sandra lemon at June 6, 2005 10:44 AM We are losing our property and being taxed to death? Huh? I still have all my property, and my taxation rate is just fine (although I'm a little cheesed off about the "sin" tax package that just went through). That's a silly criticism. Washington has taxation problems, but the problem isn't that we're being taxed to death. Posted by: Knuckles at June 6, 2005 10:46 AM Jim: "she's not my governor and never will be." Funny, I seem to recall sitting in my living room in December 2000 saying the same thing about the president. The Republicans responded by giving me a big, fat middle finger and telling me to get over it. Well, this is me waving at you now. Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 10:47 AM Paul, you wrote: "now we're all stuck with ever-expanding bureaucracy, swelling and unsustainable budgets" Hey Paul, we've been "stuck" with that since Bush got into office. And that kind of thing, from a factual perspective, is more GOP than D. Republicans are the party of "tax cut and spend" running up HUGE deficets wherever they go. Washington voters are smart enough not to let an (R) run the state, lest the Bush problem be repeated here. Posted by: RJ at June 6, 2005 10:49 AM Now taking bets on this happening again when Dino runs for Senate next year (what? He said he wouldn't? We've seen how he keeps his word.) Posted by: sdragon at June 6, 2005 10:50 AM Like the old song by Ratt many years ago, "Round and round what comes around goes around"! You lose Rossi now go home! Posted by: GoHomeDino at June 6, 2005 10:51 AM Taxes are a fair way for people to pay for the services they want. King County provides alot more money to the state via taxes then it receives. Taxes have nothing to do with the fact that the "Rossi" side did not provide a number of provable illegal votes for Gregoire. Not voting anymore is the best way to show that you really aren't about what is lawful just what you want. Go ahead don't vote just more of a gap when you lose again. Posted by: chris at June 6, 2005 10:52 AM My republican friends, it's time to move on. Rossi has lost. You've had great legal counsel. They failed to prove their case before an astute judge in a conservative district. Does anyone remember the spokesman for Rossi after the first recount getting on the news and charging that Gregoire was going to sue her way into the governor's office? Hey Dino: are you listening to yourself?! Posted by: Jeff at June 6, 2005 10:52 AM Lee: If sagebrush and dirt are giving the right to vote in this state, maybe there'll be a different outcome next time. Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 10:53 AM When the GOP steals elections (Floriday 2000, Ohio 2004), there are no re-dos or recounts. When the GOP thinks that the Dems might have put one over on them, all hell breaks loose. It's about time the courts put them in their place. Posted by: John Hogan at June 6, 2005 10:53 AM *Unless things change, I shall vote no more.* Well, then, apparently you WANT the Democrats to win. You are worse than the people who waste taxpayer's money to challenge an election. Why don't you get involved and try to get the system reformed instead of whining about how it's not worth voting anymore? You're pathetic. "My candidate didn't win, so I'm never going to vote again. Wah!" You're acting like spoiled two-year-olds. Grow up. Then again, maybe it's better that immature republicans like you don't vote. Posted by: LibertarianGirl at June 6, 2005 10:53 AM Lee, you're right. I live in King County (where all the people live) and I agree, the rest of the state can go to hell for all I care. The PEOPLE elect our leaders and the PEOPLE live in populated places like King Co. At least it's not as bad as the red state versus blue state issue. Each state gets 2 senators, regardless of population. The result is that repugs have the majority in the senate even though, collectively, they represent almost 12 million less people than the democrats do. Minority rules in the US, but not in WA state. Get over it. Posted by: RJ at June 6, 2005 10:54 AM "Seems funny that 90 percent of this state,... was in favor of Rossi" Their votes should count as much as actual peoples' votes just because you don't like where the people live? Posted by: philip at June 6, 2005 10:55 AM Good for the court. The mean-spriited Republicans need their noses rubbed into this decision. Wish they would stop. Posted by: Leslie Cox at June 6, 2005 10:55 AM Here's my thoughts: Mistakes are made in EVERY election. Many are never investigated because the results are usually never this close. I'd suspect that if you examined many of the past races, that you'd discover the same egregious errors made in this one. So, what does this ruling mean? It acknowledges the status quo, that mistakes are made and are a common part of the process. The election rules were played by, and therefore the winner declared by those rules IS the winner. Just because your canidate lost because of the rules is no reason to ask for the rules to be changed. So, I believe this ruling was correct and fair. However, if I'm a Republican, I'd be pushing as hard as possible for election reform. Rossi lost because of bad luck, not because many more people wanted Gregoire. I'd be upset about the election, too, but that energy should be turned to constructive actions. Posted by: C Ward at June 6, 2005 10:59 AM Just an observer from out of state. It was nice to hear after all this time that there was inaccurate vote counts all over the state instead of just the one county. Glad to hear that you can't just cherrypick results from one place and ignore inaccurate votes that favor yourself. Now if they can only recount those votes in Florida... Posted by: John r at June 6, 2005 11:01 AM Here's the real bottom line: Neither Republican or Democrat has a mandate. If people in government really want to serve the perople, they need to realize that there are a lot of people in the state who do not belive as you do and they need to be represented also. BTW: I'm from Seattle and us folks on the Wetside buy and eat the products you Drysiders grow and pay for the roads that they are delivered on. Here in King County, we get $0.80 of services back for every dollar of tax paid. Over on the Dryside, you get $1.30 of services back for each dollar- check with the state revenue office! Face it- we need each other! Posted by: raoul at June 6, 2005 11:04 AM The Republicans latest effort to erode democracy has ended. Posted by: Trevor at June 6, 2005 11:04 AM Well, I'd like to hear from the Democrats who voted for Rossi, and there sure were lots of them. If Washington is, say 60% democrat and 40% Republican (which most polls support), then why'd the Grinch, 'scuse me, Ms. Gregoire, "win" by only a few votes? Apparently even many Dems can't stand her, and they got hosed in this election, too. Posted by: Paul at June 6, 2005 11:05 AM It's still stunning that this thing went on as long as it did. Hopefully, Dino will walk off with what's left of his dignity and go sell some real estate. Posted by: Trevor at June 6, 2005 11:06 AM From a past resident of Seattle. Posted by: AJ at June 6, 2005 11:07 AM Paul: I'm not sure it's fair to say that Democrats can't stand Gregoire. I do think it's fair to assume that there were many Democrats who wanted nothing to do with a continuation of the Locke legacy of ineffectual governance. Agree or disagree with what Gregoire has done since she took office, she's demonstrated more gubernatorial courage in five months than Locke did in eight years. Posted by: Knuckles at June 6, 2005 11:08 AM The real bottom line is that neither candidate would have been able to serve as Gov. without the shadow of doubt and illegitimacy hanging over them. The shadow is on Christina. Let's just hope she does as balanced a job of governing as the judge did in ruling. Posted by: Abe at June 6, 2005 11:10 AM It is certainly good to see that "good old party politics" still work just fine. Posted by: Gary at June 6, 2005 11:12 AM I'm glad it's over,Now the republicans will want every vote counted for every election held from now on,The Florida 2000 mess brothers me more because there is some talk of Fraud,This election was more about Lost and uncounted votes,I'm sure We haven't heard the last from Chris fancy pants vance. Posted by: Jeff at June 6, 2005 11:14 AM Well, there was no fraud, but it was still a very tight election, in which careless errors were made. I hope this prompts the state, and King County, to take a long, hard look at the election process and find ways to ensure that really close elections are air-tight. Maybe now the state Republicans can stop posturing and complaining. If I were Dino Rossi, I'd find another party. Posted by: Ann at June 6, 2005 11:16 AM This is yet another example of how the rule of law is no longer popular in America. "It doesn't matter that the law is against a new election, all that matters is that we WANT a new election, and we can yell louder and than our opponents." Law, science and reason are out of vogue; faith, opinion and "belief" are the new fad. Posted by: Jon at June 6, 2005 11:18 AM JUDGE BRIDGES STRIKES A BLOW FOR VOTER APATHY! I am neither Democrat nor Republican, but both the ruling and the way the Republicans fought stinks. The only fair ruling would be to have a new election, but the Republicans weren't asking for that. Still, King County was allowed to pad their vote totals until they got the outcome they wanted. As a matter of fact, I think spending my time praying for a good outcome will be more effective than voting. (That is not hyperbole, just a statement of my faith.) Posted by: Bill Kalles at June 6, 2005 11:20 AM "An election can be thrown, bought, stolen, coerced. Ballot boxes can be stuffed, lost, mis-counted, and reappear when convienent. Gary, did you listen to or read Judge Bridges ruling? No evidence of elections fraud was found. This judge held the admiration and respect of both sides, and has been roundly regarded as fair and balanced.. Posted by: Kevin at June 6, 2005 11:21 AM Act like a sore winner or listen to more complaining! It's important to let the republicans know that the past 6 months have not been appreciated, and don't do it again. Rossi should concede! Posted by: Centrist at June 6, 2005 11:21 AM Judge Should Take His Own Advice... In admonishing King County election officials Judge John Bridges about the culture within King County's elections office (which I agree with), he said led to many of the problems with the election, stated - "It's inertia, it's selfishness, it's taking our paycheck but not doing the work." Well, Judge Bridges, by ruling against the petitioners by strict adherence to the case law precedence and Washington State RCW codes – and yet at the same time the openly stating on record that some 1678 illegal votes were cast I submit you have just done the same thing. Judge John Bridges selfishly and repeatedly stated throughout the trial that he didn’t want to do anything that would send this case back to his court, that he didn’t want to see any of the lawyers/witnesses again” and several other inappropriate comments of this type. Common sense alone dictates that with a discrepancy of only 129 votes that the 1678 illegal votes had to have had some effect on the outcome of the election – one way or another. The fact that our voter’s rights allow us to have privacy about who we voted for means you can’t force people to testify about whom they voted for so how could it become part of the record of proof – which you claimed the petitioners failed to enter into record? Given that alone there is no way to know for sure who one the race based on the evidence of 1678 illegal votes alone. The court must use case law and precedence in coming to a ruling but it also has the prerogative and right to set precedence. Admittance of the 1678 illegal votes alone into record should have been enough to warrant drastic relief for the petitioners setting a new precedence – something Judge Bridges was unwilling to do and repeatedly stated that on record. Judge John Bridges - Is that really doing your job? Posted by: Dan Thompson at June 6, 2005 11:22 AM dino won the 1st count! dino won the 2nt count. dino lost the 3rd hand recount from king county finding the right amount of votes for the dems to win. Posted by: jim fulcher at June 6, 2005 11:24 AM Mr Dino Rossi, Posted by: Pat DeBurgh at June 6, 2005 11:25 AM Exactly Dan. He did use case law which stated that you have to prove whom the illegal vote was cast for. Rossi's side didn't do that. Posted by: Chris at June 6, 2005 11:25 AM Republican hypocrisy is nothing short of breath-taking. They based their argument on the EXACT SAME rationale that they argued AGAINST at the trial court level in Bush v. Gore, which held that it was not proper to re-evaluate election results base upon a statisical analysis. There were two other differences, however. First, the Florida court heard evidence that Republican operatives had deliberately tampered with the absentee voter records. The Republicans admitted to illegal tampering to avoid charges of perjury. Nevertheless, the trial court held that there was no remedy because it was not possible to statistically challenge the election results. Coincidently, that's the same conclusion in the Gregoire case. Second, Gregoire really did win the election. Posted by: Frank at June 6, 2005 11:29 AM Its funny to here a judge say, what the people voted for is what the people voted, when judges have over-turned the teacher's pay raise, tabs, property tax, and gas tax. I guess this is only applicable when...applicable. Posted by: Matthew at June 6, 2005 11:31 AM Republicans wasting taxpayer time & money with a baseless court challenge - $4,000,000. A bunch of bitter republicans postings on this site littered with misspellings & grammatical bush-speak – PRICELESS!!! Posted by: dean at June 6, 2005 11:34 AM Chris - Thanks for proving my point - how can the court say you have to provide the proof of each vote when our voter rights laws prevents just that? So in the event of conflicting laws on the books - the Judge should have set precedence not followed the strictest reading of the law - which BTW IMHO should be changed so that if the margin of victory is exceeded by the amount of "recorded" illegal votes that the election is null and void. Posted by: Dan Thompson at June 6, 2005 11:34 AM Lyle Lovett said "that's right, your not from Texas, that's right your not from Texas, that's right your not from Texas, But Texas wants you anyway... Soooooooo, If you are a whiney red state wannabe, I will kindly buy you a map so you can get on with your lives! Besides, Tom Delay needs all the support he can get! Y'all don't come back now Y'heah! Posted by: Laughing at June 6, 2005 11:36 AM "Still, King County was allowed to pad their vote totals until they got the outcome they wanted." Looks like the AM radio, Neo-Con windbags still hold more influence over some than the logic and reason of a well respected judge. The Republican spin on events still pervades the collective memory of these poor pawns. Posted by: Kevin at June 6, 2005 11:36 AM To develop into an educated person requires effort. Therefore the truly educated, those people able to make an educated decision, will always be a minority. That being the case, it is only by happenstance that a majority is able to choose the person that is best able to represent their interests in a political office. It is more likely that the majority will be comprised of the uneducated and/or ignorant, as there are more of them, and that they are those people that will make the poorest, most emotional, peer pressured, and/or arbitrary decision. I'm not qualified to do the analysis, but I'm going to feel free to assume that is the case here. Posted by: Trevor Green at June 6, 2005 11:38 AM The judges' rulings in this case were clear and cogent. The law governing Washington State elections provided the grounds for his decision. The Rossi camp could only have won this case by presenting statistical analysis of illegal votes that was acceptable and provable in favor of Rossi based on the whole state and without the "ecological fallacy". Since they didn't and never will(because they can't), the State Supreme court will rule the same way -- because they have to: this is the rule of law. Time to move on... Posted by: Frank at June 6, 2005 11:40 AM It's a shame. This entire election has been nothing but a very costly nightmare. Every person counting those absentee votes should be fired!!! Someone has to be held accountable for this sham of an election. Posted by: Christopher at June 6, 2005 11:40 AM Chris stated in an earlier post: "Taxes are a fair way for people to pay for the services they want." Funny, people say this over and over again, but nobody ever asked me if I want more government services! I want less government and that includes their 'services'. I am an artist. As an example, I think King County's 1% tax on new building projects as 'funding for the Arts' is the biggest load of baloney. If you are an artist and can't successfully market your art in the open economy, try another medium or profession. Asking me to take money out of my pocket to give it to 'grant recipients' is insulting. Regarding the election, no one should be surprised by the judge's ruling or the Republicans appeal. Remember 51% of the voters in this state didn't vote for Gregoire and 51% didn't vote for Rossi. Posted by: Biko at June 6, 2005 11:42 AM Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Rossi camp specifically choose Chelan County Superior Court and hope their case would be assigned to Judge Bridges because they felt they would have the best chance of overturning the election with him on the bench? It's really time to get over it and stop wasting taxpayer money. For the good of the state, it's time to move on. The longer this drags on, the worse the Republicans (and specifically Dino Rossi) look. Posted by: Wes Clark 2008 at June 6, 2005 11:43 AM Judge Bridges ruled that there were 1,678 illegal votes then ordered them to be subtracted from the official total number of votes in the state. So if you add Bennett, Rossi, and Gregoire's total official votes they add up to more then the total votes cast. Posted by: Joe O at June 6, 2005 11:45 AM Just imagine what the 4+ million dollars spent on this could have done for the poor, our roads, schools, etc. Posted by: TJ at June 6, 2005 11:47 AM Yea Sure, only if your a member of the know nothing partys. Like Black's Law dictionary. Posted by: Wayne at June 6, 2005 11:48 AM As an eastern Wa republican, I feel that the judge ruled fairly, and kept my faith in the judicial system. This judment thus brings forth: Gregoire is our gov. till 2008, and yes, it should NOT be appealed to the SCOW by my fellow repubs. All efforts to avoid another mess by changing legislation should be made, if it is not, the D's will shoulder that burden in the next election. This does not preclude the R's from using King counties horrible elections department as fodder for the next election cycle. They are truly bumblers (no matter what Ken Sims says), and the judge said so. In support of the judicial system, it should now be obvious to D's in this state that GWB was fairly elected nationwide in 2000, and AS thus R's should work to the future here in WA, so should D's in the country as a whole. It will be nice to actually have in the future a government that has "Washington" sessions, instead of the "Seattle" sesion of spring 05, as stated by a Seattle D rep. Looking forward to 06 and 08, and especially to a similiar version of Oregons #37 passing in the future. Nermal Posted by: Nermal at June 6, 2005 11:48 AM "Enough is enough..." ENOUGH SAID!
Posted by: Bill Jenkins at June 6, 2005 11:49 AM For those Republicans who really still believe that the election was stolen from them, they can at least find some solace in the fact that the Governor of Washington does not have the power start illegal and wars in other countries,and generally embarrass the country on the world stage like the tough pill of a candidate the rest of us had to swallow in 2000. You weren't able to undermine Washington State's best interests with Rossi, but you;ve done a stellar job undermining America with Bush. Look at the big picture, and you seem to be doing just fine. Congrats on the success of your larger goals. Posted by: Erik at June 6, 2005 11:49 AM Seems obvious from many of the comments that a lot of the folks did not watch/listen to Judge Bridge's full explanation of his decision. He followed the law to the letter. I just hope that Rossi will now conceed and drop the matter, would be in his best interest if he is considering running for public office again. Posted by: Larry Rankin at June 6, 2005 11:50 AM For Republicans who truly feel that the Washington gubernatorial election process was fraudulently subverted, and who now feel that the governor "is not their governor," are finally able to fully appreciate the feelings expressed by Democrats after the 2000 presidential election. Questionable voters? Disenfranchised voters? A judicial court deciding the winner? Amazing the coincidences. Funny though, I don't recall the Republicans extending all that much ire towards the 2000 presidential election outcome? Maybe governor races are somehow more important? Must be that "states rights" issue we keep hearing about. Posted by: Jon Organ at June 6, 2005 11:51 AM Rossi please try to find a life after this loss. Sniveling is starting to be all we can see you capible of doing. Posted by: Bob W at June 6, 2005 11:51 AM The Builders' Industry Association of Washington has been dealt a stunning blow today. This is the closest they've gotten to getting one of their puppets in the Governor's mansion, and the timing is critical. They're about to lose their gravy train, and they know it. The BIAW gets 100% of their money from the state - basically, if workers' comp claim amounts are less than premiums, the state refunds the difference to the builders. The BIAW skims 20% of what is refunded to their builder members as their fee, which amounted to $5 million in 2004 (btw, other, similar organizations take 2-5% as their customary fee). They then turn around and spend that money - $1 million in the last election - money which is supposed to be promoting workplace safety - on political advertising for Republican candidates. They paid for some really grisly mudslinging ads like the awful, libelous ones they put out late in Geoff Simpson's campaign, essentially trying to claim he was a friend to child molesters. They're basically a Republican front organization. Governor Locke tried to reduce their fees from 20% to a maximum of 10% by executive fiat, but the courts overturned him, telling him that he didn't have the authority to set those fees, that was the legislature's prerogative. In February, two bills were introduced - House Bill 1875 and Senate Bill 5842 - to restrict how the workers' comp refunds could be spent. The list includes safety education, risk management and legal expenses — but not politics. To enforce the restrictions, the legislation would require the state Department of Labor and Industries to periodically audit association records. The BIAW would still be free to conduct political activities under the auspices of their PAC, to which members contribute voluntarily, but it's very likely they'd have a lot less money to use in their ugly mudslinging campaigning. Well, guess who's in control of both branches of the legislature now? Democrats now hold both the state House and Senate. The BIAW doesn't have a friendly Governor sitting in Olympia to veto the bill that's going to take their lucrative kickbacks away from them. They are in real danger of losing their gravy train. They want to gut all building restrictions, environmental protections, worker protections. They know a Democratic legislature is never going to permit that, but they had hopes that a Republican Governor would at least veto legislation unfavorable to them (particularly Rossi, who's one of their special pets). They've funded this entire BS campaign to try to get their puppet in office. All the digging for cherrypicked "illegal" votes was paid for by the BIAW. They've known for some time they weren't going to win in the courts, so they've been trying to win in the court of public opinion with innuendo and outright lies. They'll get their revote - in November of 2008, as the state Constitution allows. Posted by: Geni H. at June 6, 2005 11:53 AM Judge Bridges followed a precise, on-point line of reasoning in announcing his decision. Those who disagree with his ruling will have a difficult time overturning it on its internal merits. Perhaps the key element of his decision was something of an aside that he mentioned near the end: his statement to the effect that for him to throw out the decision of Washington's voters would be an egregious act of judicial activism, something which neither side in the case advocates. This debate, which surely is far from over, is but one more example of the prevailing law of American politics: Selective application of judicial discretion works when it supports a cause you believe in, but doesn't work when it supports a cause you oppose. Few elections in our nation's history have been subjected to the sort of close scrutiny the 2004 governor's race in Washington state has endured. If anything, we should be surprised that more mistakes and anomalies weren't found. Imagine what juicy details would have been unearthed had the 2000 presidential vote in Florida and the 2004 presidential vote in Ohio been put under the same microscope as the Rossi/Gregoire outcome and given the same time to be openly and freely debated on the public stage. The margin of victory that gave Bush the Younger the presidency in 2000 was statistically far smaller than the margin of what now appears to be Gregoire's victory in 2004. Yet the Florida results were never allowed to be closely scrutinized, despite the vast import of the outcome. As someone has already noted on this blog, "Live by the sword, die by the sword." Al Rossi has enjoyed a far greater open airing of his case than what Al Gore received for his. Still, that's not enough for Rossi and his supporters--because he/they lost. We're plagued in this age with a "win at all cost" mentality in public life, in private life, in business. It's difficult for me to detect which side uses (and abuses) the judicial system and the tools of expediency more--Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, corporations or individuals, tree-huggers or extractive industries--the list of pairings could go on. The ideal of comity seems largely lost in the heat of battle. If one wins--or at least is not caught--one is right. Whatever means it takes to win is justified by the end, by emerging victorious, by being able to declare oneself "Number One." Such attitudes have always been around, through good times and bad, through war and peace, through economic depressions and prosperous boom times. Still, today, their strength seems greater than ever, at least in the span of my years (almost 60 and counting!). The Rossi/Gregoire contest and its final resolution have the potential of becoming a watershed event in our state politics and, perhaps by extension, in our state's social progress and, beyond that, in our nation's political evolution (Oops, I used the "e" word. Sorry!). Gregoire's greatest challenge (in this writer's opinion) is to provide healing leadership that is inclusive, setting a new tone and direction for public policy and community direction. How she can bring back into the public fold the souls and minds of those who voted against her is one major element of her challenge. How many of those people will want to be reconciled with the final result? How many will carry this outcome as a cross? Their ultimate goal, if they want to change things, ought to be to insist that their legislators and public officials locally and statewide take steps to mend the problems in the process and machinery of our elections--problems which this case has helped to lay bare. If they succeed in doing that, then not all will have been lost and all citizens, regardless of political stripe, will have benefited as a result. One can only hope that other states and communities across the country will follow suit. Now there's a Quixotic, pollyanna notion. Back in the early days of the New Deal, I think it was Jim Farley, FDR's Postmaster General and then Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who referred to Washington State as "The Soviet of Washington." It looked to Farley and many others back east at that time like a bunch of kooks and lunatics and social misfits were running the show out here. In truth, the upper left-hand corner of the Lower 48 states has always been somewhat rebellious in its political makeup--a rule that applies across state borders to Oregon and Idaho and even Montana. In the long run, we should revel at the debate our recent gubernatorial election has spawned. It's all a part of our rich political and cultural heritage. Let's hope that many good things result from it. Let's come together. Let's also see what our state Supreme Court decides. They will no doubt have a chance to rule on this case, and they have it in their power to interpret or reinterpret our state's election laws as they deem necessary. And, if the combatants don't like what they hear from our judicial muses in Olympia (all of whom hold their seats by popular vote of the state's electorate) they can always carry their case to the Supreme Court in Washington, DC (all of whose members hold their seats as political appointees). [I think Rossi and Gregoire have the option of carrying their case further; correct me if I'm wrong.] In the event that that ultimate step is taken, and should the U.S. Supreme Court accept the case and issue a ruling, it would be instructive to see just how they decide and compare the particulars of their decision with their ruling on Florida 2000. Will history repeat itself? Stay tuned! Posted by: Jim O. at June 6, 2005 11:57 AM What kind of less government Bilko? Do you want less police, fire, education, health care, roads (ok even that one needs some work)money for arts that alot of people complain about? Which will it be? Yeah I don't like paying taxes but if it can help provide a hot breakfast to a kid whose family has troubles so he/she can get a better education, a fire service so grandma smith down the road can have medics there to save grandpa when a stroke occurs I'm for it, even if it means giving to an artist the makes art I find offensive, not directed at anyone inparticular. It's whats called being part of society. Posted by: Chris at June 6, 2005 12:06 PM Interestingly enough, the Rossi camp has assured everyone that by throwing out the votes from the fellons, they would have won the election. Careful what you throw out: I'm sure many of those "fellons" voted for Rossi. After all. Why in the world would they vote for a woman who put them behind bars in the first place? Posted by: Earl at June 6, 2005 12:06 PM "nobody ever asked me if I want more government services!" You are asked, on countless initiatives, the problem for you seems to be that you don't live in your own one person little dictatorship. Just because *you* don't want more government services doesn't mean that the majority doesn't, you see. As a socially progressive, economically libertarian individual, there are many, many, many, programs and senseless laws that I didn't have to live with, but the majority has spoken, and I move on, I cry over spilled milk. I can either live with the results of the majority, or move. "I always thought 2 out of 3, wins, but of course this ia also such a confusing matter." In what world have you been living in? I've never seen an election in the US that is a best out of three. I've seen two-thirds, in certain cases (super majority), but never, never, never have I head of an election run on American soil that is "best 2 out of 3", so please elaborate on why you "always thought" this. (were you perhaps thinking of the college world series?) Posted by: philip at June 6, 2005 12:07 PM Just goes to show you that a cacophony of republicans screaming fraud does not make it so. What I want to know is how much of their other recent rhetoric is false? Newsweek? Swift Vets? Posted by: Angry Winner at June 6, 2005 12:07 PM I doubt that this will make it past the State SC. The US SC made it quite clear that the 2000 election was a one time deal. It had implications all throughout the land, this is a state issue because it is for govenor not president. Posted by: chris at June 6, 2005 12:09 PM I know I'm seriously outnumbered since this is a Seattle paper and Seattle is practically the only place that voted in favor of Gregoire. Check your statistics. If you eliminated Seattle in the vote count then Rossi won the election by an enormous landslide. Of course the land of the liberals will never stand for the majority of the state controlling things. Why are you so afraid of a revote? I don't think Rossi should be handed the election but I certainly don't think Gregoire is a legitimate governor just because King County managed to change their vote totals. Posted by: Lee at June 6, 2005 12:10 PM The way the dems did not follow the laws of the state and certified results that they knew were false should have been enough by itself to invalidate this travesty of an election. Guess that the dems can do anything they want in Washington and get away with it. Kinda makes me think that Maria Cantwell probably lost the election before on the same basis. If the results don't fit, then create some more ballots. Posted by: dick at June 6, 2005 12:12 PM The thing for me is that after the first count (to rossi) he was saying that G would sue and cost the state money. Which is exactly what he did when he lost. The cost of this trial has to come from somewhere, and even if he did win because of it, the state is that much poorer. and in these tough times, that is not good. I remember seeing a big flashy sign on I-5 that said "Gregoire, for the good of the State, give it up..." Well, now I say to you Mr. Rossi and your Republican handlers... For the good of the state (yes, the WHOLE state), please give it up. And while you're at it, can you pay the court costs you rung up? The state could use it. King County can't pay for All of the states services you know. Maybe you havn't heard, but the so called president has rung up huge national debts, and the economy is tanking. Where's the money going to come from? Posted by: badger at June 6, 2005 12:14 PM The fact that Rossi and the Republicans lost their case as a direct result of the precedent set by Bush's victory in Bush v. Gore is a source of endless amusement to me. What goes around comes around, I guess. As for me, I voted for Rossi. I didn't, however, vote for him to go and turn the WA Republican party into a bunch of whiny teenage nilwits. Whatever credibility the WA Republicans might have built in this state by finally coming up with a half-decent candidate has been obliterated (and then some) by this absurd pile of political horsecrap. You wonder why the Democrats have controlled the state for the past 20 years and counting? It's because as bad as the Dem governors have been, the Republican challengers have been even worse. Whatever happened to the REAL Republicans? The ones that gave us freedom of government, freedom of speech, and freedom of life? The Bush posse spends more and advocates an even bigger government - WAY bigger - than even the Clinton administration did. I'd hope that the people who voted for Eisenhower, Reagan, et al, weren't the same people who voted for the current crop of "Republicans". Alas, they are indeed many of the same people, which makes me think that so long as that little (R) appears next to a candidate's name on the ballot, they'll mark it without even considering the consequences. "What? He's a serial rapist and leader of the local chapter of the KKK? Aw shucks, that's okay ... he says he's Republican!" (To be sure, an equal number of people do the same thing with the little (D). That's just as bad, in my opinion.) I think that it'd be wise to think a little before leveling insults at people belonging to the opposing party - we should all stop to consider just how superior our own positions really are, and whether that which we are defending even exists anymore. Posted by: Hank McWhiterson IV at June 6, 2005 12:15 PM Lee wrote: "I know I'm seriously outnumbered since this is a Seattle paper and Seattle is practically the only place that voted in favor of Gregoire. Check your statistics." I did check the statistics. They say that just over half of the people who voted, voted for Gregoire. See? That wasn't a difficult concept to grasp. Posted by: Gregg at June 6, 2005 12:17 PM ... the election was a mess, period. Yes, I voted for Gregoire... no use for Rossi whatsoever. That said, it was the election itself that needs work. A system that makes it so neither party whines for "do-overs" is what's needed. The fact that both parties now want to invalidate a primary system voted in BY THE PEOPLE is reprehensible- time to de-power these gluttons. This whole deal was a waste of our taxes to soothe egos. Pfui. Justice Bridges and Sam Reed are the real heroes here; these are real Republicans- which once upon a time wasn't a bad thing... these days the Neo-con Rpubs are just venal greedy thugs-- a pox on'em I sez... Posted by: Seamus at June 6, 2005 12:18 PM Although I don't agree with the ruling, it seems the judge was fair. Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 12:19 PM Hey Gregg, Posted by: Lee at June 6, 2005 12:21 PM Hooray! Now, on to the future and some more Republican dumping in the next election! Let's kick em all out! Posted by: Michael Wingfield at June 6, 2005 12:23 PM As a result of this we can now look forward to more 12% increases in state spending. Over paid and incompetent King County employees. Lies by our Governer about no new taxes and then huge increases. When will it end? Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 12:25 PM >>I'm sure many of those "fellons" voted You sure about that, Earl? Where's your evidence of how any of these felons voted? The Dems. themslves, who ID'd four of five felon voters who claim they voted for Rossi, admitted they ONLY canvassed felons from Republican districts. And you're taking the word of a CONVICTED FELON? That seems a dangerous prospect to me to begin with. You don't think the fact that it's the DEMOCRATIC party that wants to restore voting rights to ALL convicted felons might not be a motivating factor for them to vote for Gregoire? Huh? Personally, I don't think ANY convicted felon should have their voting rights restored...EVER. I always thought that WAS the law, until this case opened my eyes. And I think you're giving these felons much more credit then they deserve anyway, that is in assuming they even KNEW Gregoire was the D.A. at the time of their prosecution. But at any rate, the judge made his decision, and I, for a sole Republican, will live by that decision. I can now say (though somewhat regretably), congratulations Gov. Gregoire. Posted by: Jimkr at June 6, 2005 12:25 PM Dick - this is the thing.. THE DEMS DID FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE STATE.. This is why the GOP lost their case...Please educate yourself. Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 12:27 PM King County/state has bought a gov. The bitch is not mine. Posted by: Don at June 6, 2005 12:27 PM I don't know about anyone else reading these comments, but what truly shines through to me is that neither the Democrats nor the Rebuplicans in the state of Washington have any interest in what's best for the people of our state. They are only interested in "winning" and in rubbing their "enemies'" noses in the dung heap of defeat. Personally, I voted for Gregoire, even though I am traditionally more conservative-leaning, because I felt she was the best choice for Governor. I was extremely displeased, however, with the incredible foolishness of allowing newly-discovered votes to be added to the tally in the final, hand recount, which gave Gregoire the Governor's office. The only votes allowed in any recount (that's RE-count, not "new" count) ought to be those that are included in the original tabulations. No newly discovered ballots, or "Wait, that's my ballot! Why wasn't it counted!" ballots from King County council members should ever have been tabulated. Doing so, even under the auspices of the State Supreme Court, violated the integrity of the recount process. In any event, what's done is done. The law has been followed, as interpreted by human beings, and human and machine error have been tested and found wanting as a valid cause for overturning the election. Rossi should have the personal integrity and honor to do what Gore did in 2000 and Nixon did in 1960, and stop fighting, for the good of the people of the land he wished to serve. The fact that the Democrats, including a King County council member, already did what the Republicans' Chris Vance couldn't do (get the courts to pollute the election process) should also be gotten over. Let's move on. Let's start trying to get our bridges and schools built, our schools staffed, our state government trimmed down and working more efficiently, and maybe even look at trying to clean up our ridiculously unfair and regressive tax structure, before we have to go through all this spiteful foolishness again in 2008! Posted by: Disgusted at June 6, 2005 12:27 PM Yes, I absolutely DO want less of the public money laundering schemes that education, health care, sports and public transportation has become. Far, far less. Posted by: Paul at June 6, 2005 12:28 PM Geni H. - Yes I echo your sentiments.. The BIAW, misusing taxpayer dollars to uncover what they called fellon votes.. NOW THAT'S FRAUD! Posted by: Chris at June 6, 2005 12:30 PM Dear Disgusted, [insert virtual handshake] Posted by: Jimkr at June 6, 2005 12:31 PM I'm dumbfounded by the comments some people make. It's not the city of Seattle that put Gregoire in office...it's the voters. Just because a person lives in the Seattle city limits doesn't mean he/she automatically votes Democrat. The last I heard, we are all still able to make up our own minds on whom we wish to elect. And, yes, it's true that metropolitan areas tend to lean towards the liberal, and rural areas lean towards the conservative. In the cities, people are exposed to many different lifestyles that force them to examine their personal beliefs, and realize that they are not inexplicably right. Rural areas foster the conservative aspect because there is nothing to challenge you to think differently. Rossi lost based on the number of voters...not on the district lines drawn around urban/rural areas. Even if by the slimmest of margins, the majority voted against him. Why did the Republicans go into "probable statistics"? There were something like 1300 felon votes tallied. How long would it have taken to just look at them, and deduct them from each canidadate's tally based on whom the vote was for? The reason Republicans didn't want to do this is for the simple fact that 75% of felons are men, and most men vote Republican. They would have lost by a larger margin had the votes been counted correctly- and they knew this. Posted by: Keith at June 6, 2005 12:34 PM Who cares who won. The real question is, "Why do Dean Logan and Bill Bill Heunnekens still have jobs???" Posted by: Kristian at June 6, 2005 12:34 PM Damn activist judges. My plan for total Republican domination is far from over. Just you wait, Bridges. Just you wait. I shall refocus my energy here in the Presidential lair in my high mountain fortress and forge ahead with my plan of changing the federal government into a Bush family oligarchy. Jeb next, then Jenna, then Barbara. Then I shall have to start creating clones with slight genetic alterations and different names so that they, too, can become Bush presidents. But that is another matter. Don't worry Washington, once I have shifted the federal government into a de facto bloodline monarchy, I will declare each state a feudal state under my unquestioned total authority. Each feudal state will have it's own feudal lord, of course - to run day-to-day operations and whatnot - I can't be everywhere - sheesh - I'm omnipotent, not omnipresent, jeez. Anyway, once I have established the feudal state of Washington, I will make Dino Rossi your feudal lord. Of course, all those who question my decision will be immediately boiled in oil or thrown from a cliff or something otherwise painful. But that goes without saying. Best, Your President P.S. - Watch for my new "Republo-Laser" which turns left-leaning democrats into right-minded Republicans immediately upon shooting them. Why did you think I want to send men back to the moon? I need a place to mount my laser, obviously. Mwaah Ha Ha Ha. Posted by: GW Bush at June 6, 2005 12:38 PM It's a beautiful thing: whining right wingers. I'm wondering what color magnetic ribbon they'll be slapping on the back of their SUV's in honor of this one? They are truly pathetic Posted by: Marshall at June 6, 2005 12:39 PM The best part about all of this is that the people on the left who are gloating now and those on the right who are 'refusing to accept this outcome' were probably the same people saying the EXACT OPPOSITE thing this past November. Funny how everything seems to come full circle. Posted by: bill at June 6, 2005 12:39 PM It's a beautiful thing: whining right wingers. I'm wondering what color magnetic ribbon they'll be slapping on the back of their SUV's in honor of this one? They are truly pathetic. Posted by: Marshall at June 6, 2005 12:39 PM LOL - Fantastic - realistically put, Mr. President.. Posted by: Dine at June 6, 2005 12:40 PM Gregg, Posted by: Bill Kalles at June 6, 2005 12:40 PM I see the most childish posts are from those here who wish to revile the Republicans. Typical. It came up in the court case that dead people and felons voted. Doesn't that bother you at all? There was absolute disregard for state election laws and you are smug because a judge let justice take a back seat and you are happy about it? You liberals fancy yourselves to be intellectuals but, you are only fooling yourselves. Pay back is a mother. Posted by: J.R. at June 6, 2005 12:40 PM Best post of the day goes to GW Bush!!!! Posted by: Wow at June 6, 2005 12:40 PM > EXACTLY! You just proved the Democrats' case and validated the judge's ruling. There is no way, but, if you are using "Republi-logic" as illustrated in their lackluster case, you could also equally apply "common-sense" logic. I think it's pretty fair to say that convicted fellons don't care for Christine in any way shape or form, and hence, would not vote for them. I mean, really...think about it. Posted by: Earl at June 6, 2005 12:41 PM Keith wrote: Rural areas foster the conservative aspect because there is nothing to challenge you to think differently. Hey Keith, is that your way of calling rural Washington voters stupid? Or possibly you were just referring to me? LMAO! Posted by: Lee at June 6, 2005 12:41 PM Don: "King County/state has bought a gov. The bitch is not mine." Spoken like a true Neanderthal. Go back to the cave you crawled out of you stupid idiot. Posted by: Jim at June 6, 2005 12:42 PM J.R. Wake up and smell the reality coffee. "Fellon" voters are what got G.W. Bush in to the presidency in Ohio and Floria. The Repuglicans don't care about honest or what is fair - they care about power, greed, money and their SUV's. The reality is (again take another sip) is that this was a close election (look at the numbers) and these are errors. I agree that we should do everything possible to correct them because that's what is right. But please, let's be reasonable and realistic. Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 12:43 PM It seems the only people who want a revote are Republicans. I don't remember the Republicans calling for a revote for the fraudulant vote in Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004. If Bush can steal the election in 2000 and 2004, than Gregoire has every right to steal the Washington gubernatorial election as well. Only that Gregoire didn't steal anything. She won the election fair and square and Washington state Republicans need to quit whining and get over it already. Posted by: Andrew at June 6, 2005 12:45 PM What was it republicans said back in 2000? Get over it! You lost! Move on! I believe it was... What's wrong? Can't live by your own words? Typical. Posted by: Earl at June 6, 2005 12:49 PM Washington state Republicans have no right to lecture anybody about voting integrity when it was Florida Republicans in 2000 and Ohio Republicans in 2004 that committed vote fraud, allowing Duhbya to steal the election. Posted by: Andrew at June 6, 2005 12:50 PM Don: "King County/state has bought a gov. The bitch is not mine." What a great little Republican you are. Your true colors must be showing and they are not pretty. Posted by: Lisa at June 6, 2005 12:51 PM That's right, Andrew. Furthermore, Democrats have no right to ever bitch about voter fraud either, having given us Chicago Boss Daley. Yup. No one has the right to complain, so just bend over and smile while you are being violated. Posted by: Bill Kalles at June 6, 2005 12:54 PM The Socialist Republic of Washington continues it's downward spiral. Posted by: K.B at June 6, 2005 12:54 PM "I see the most childish posts are from those here who wish to revile the Republicans. Typical. It came up in the court case that dead people and felons voted. Doesn't that bother you at all? There was absolute disregard for state election laws and you are smug because a judge let justice take a back seat and you are happy about it? You liberals fancy yourselves to be intellectuals but, you are only fooling yourselves. Pay back is a mother." Odd you should bring that up. What you find discouraging, I find encouraging. The judge absolutely upheld state election law. He apparently didn't uphold it in the way you feel he should. The ruling, in essence reads as such: The act of felons voting in the election isn't sufficient to overturn the results. Unless you can prove (which the GOP did not) that these votes went for Gregoire thereby handing her the election(which is why that completely ludicrous formula for propotional deduction was created), then he will have to let the results stand. I'd expect the same ruling if the election had gone the other way. He upheld the existing law and statute. It appears that you wanted him to overturn it. It's not really for a Superior Court judge to set precedent. That's why we have the state Supreme Court. And I find great irony in your statement "Payback is a mother." Posted by: Knuckles at June 6, 2005 12:55 PM Hey hey hey! Let's not bring up my masterpiece in Florida in 2000. That was on an entirely different plane than what we have going on here. Here, a Democrat - A DEMOCRAT - won. That is something entirely different and...and...I'm looking for the right amount of vitriol and outrage...utterly...ummm...outrageous! Simply horrible and unspeakable. I can't understand how Washington Rebulicans couldn't find a loophole, find a way to move polling stations to different places, use confusing ballots, or simply scare the bejesus out of minority voters and stop them from voting. It's not that hard, Washington Republicans - haven't you learned anything from the past two Presidential elections? I would shed a tear for you, but then my makeup would run down my face like I had been chewing on a Sharpie. So instead, I simply give you a thumbs down. No, no. I give you TWO thumbs down. Katherine Harris Posted by: Katherine Harris at June 6, 2005 12:56 PM Jeff: Looking at your post: If the Washington state republicans and Dino Rossi actually cared anything about the citizens of this state, they would give up this fight and start working with our new governor to solve the countless problems our state faces. Our state has had how many Democratic Governors in the last 20+ Years.... Yeah good call idiot, lets put another one in ther to help screw it up some more. Posted by: Hawkfan11 at June 6, 2005 12:57 PM Yes K.B... it's called a democracy... spelled D-E-M_O-C-R-A-C-Y. We used to have this system of goverment in the United States, before a facist faction called the Republicans invaded this nation...This species called the Republicans were noted to be arrogant, self centered, normally white race, male and angry. They also were a pround species noted for having to win at any cost (ethical or unethical) and driving large SUV's. Oh and they usually cheat on their taxes as well so they could continue their mantra of "it's all about me". Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 12:59 PM Kevin: Posted by: gary at June 6, 2005 01:00 PM Bill Kalles - and the republicans gave us JIM WEST. At least Chicago has a real mayor... Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 01:03 PM In my opinion someone committed the perfect crime against the people of Wash.State.Rossi wins once then twice then the third time lost.No more 601, give ourselves a raise.Gas tax,sin tax.Enjoy!!!!!!!!! Posted by: Robert at June 6, 2005 01:06 PM Dina, you are so right. I am so glad to be a Libertarian and not have to accept any of the stigma of being a Republican or a Democrat. A pox on both their houses. Posted by: Bill Kalles at June 6, 2005 01:07 PM Yes Robert, I enjoy living in a state where we can pay teachers a living wage, repair our infrastructure and have an educational system that is good for all and not good for some if they can afford it. Robert, we pay no state income tax, so stop being the typical greedy neo-con that you are. Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 01:08 PM Stop paying state taxes. For starters, I encourage all Washington citizens along the boarders to travel to Oregon or Idaho if it is feasable to get your gas. That's one way I am going to give the finger to Gregeuire and the Demo's ten cent gax tax hike, which didn't take her any time to force that one through. Cheat on your state taxes. Businesses hide more than you take in. Find ways. Private parties try to go across the boarders to our neighboring low or no sales tax neighbors to make your purchases. Get you smokes and booze while you are there too! Let's bring back the bootlegging, moon shine days of old again! If you think she stuck it to the tax payers as the AG, just watch what kind of damage will come upon us now. Posted by: TC at June 6, 2005 01:12 PM I too enjoy living in this state, where felons and dead people can vote. By the way Dina, what do you feed a living wage? Posted by: Bill Kalles at June 6, 2005 01:13 PM Bill Kales - If you're so much a Libertarian, why bother commenting? Oh that's right, your party doesn't believe in paying their fair share either. Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 01:14 PM Hey has anyone checked that fax machine lately? I think votes for Gregoire are still coming in. While you're there look under it, I think there's a stack of ballots underneath it that we forgot to count too. Make every vote count! Posted by: imgoinmad at June 6, 2005 01:14 PM I classify myself as an Independent, belonging to none of the conventional political parties, but I voted for Governor Gregoire as I considered her to be the best candidate for the job. I'm happy to see that her election has FINALLY been vindicated! The people have spoken, former candidate Rossi, and so have the courts: you are not who Washington residents want leading them. Stop wasting everyone's time and the Republican party's money (and, one assumes, your own money as well) and get on with your life. Everyone else would certainly like to! Posted by: Kara at June 6, 2005 01:15 PM I think this is so disgusting! So the legal voters in King county, who voted (and one might I add) for Dino Rossi, their votes get trashed by the Demicrats, who whined, cheated, and lied to to "win" and the illegal votes-those that the Demicrats "found," they are treated as actually valid?!? It's very typical of the Demicrats to say, "get over it, she one...Republicans need to stop wasting tax payers money, etc." However, they fail to see, or are just using typical Demicrat blindness, that Chris lied and used tax payers money for her "win." Posted by: Karrie Lyn Burrell at June 6, 2005 01:15 PM Bill - oh palease... you are so clearly becoming a Republi-troll here... Felons and Dead Voters who mostly voted Republican.. Whaaaaaaaa, sniff, sniff. I never knew Libertarians where whiners either. Posted by: Dina at June 6, 2005 01:16 PM We have gone to hell in a hand-basket and just don't know it.....yet. Continued bikkering between parties is surely the answer....LR
No concept lies more firmly embedded in our national character than the notion that the USA is "No. 1," "the greatest." Our broadcast media are, in essence, continuous advertisements for the brand name "America Is No.1." Any office seeker saying otherwise would be committing political suicide. In fact, anyone saying otherwise will be labeled "un-American." We're
Well...this is the country you really live in: * The United States is 49th in the world in literacy (the New York Times, Dec. 12, 2004). Our workers are so ignorant and lack so many basic skills that American businesses spend $30 billion a year on remedial training (NYT, Dec. 12, 2004). No wonder they relocate elsewhere!.
"The European Union leads the U.S. in the number of science and engineering graduates; public research and development (R&D) expenditures; and new capital raised" (The European Dream, p.70). "Europe surpassed the United States in the mid-1990s as the largest producer of scientific literature" (The European Dream, p.70). Nevertheless, Congress cut funds to the National Science Foundation. The agency will issue 1,000 fewer research grants this year (NYT, Dec. 21, 2004). Foreign applications to U.S. grad schools declined 28 percent last year. Foreign student enrollment on all levels fell for the first time in three decades, but increased greatly in Europe and China. Last year Chinese grad-school graduates in the U.S. dropped 56 percent, Indians 51 percent, South Koreans 28 percent (NYT, Dec. 21, 2004). We're not the place The World Health Organization "ranked the countries of the world in terms of overall health performance, and the U.S. [was]...37th." In the fairness of health care, we're 54th. "The irony is that the United States spends more per capita for health care than any other nation in the world" (The European Dream, pp.79-80). Pay more, get lots, lots less. "The U.S.! and South Africa are the only two developed countries in the world that do not provide health care for all their citizens" (The European Dream, p.80). Excuse me, but since when is South Africa a "developed" country? Anyway, that's the company we're keeping. Lack of health insurance coverage causes 18,000 unnecessary American deaths a year. (That's six times the number of people killed on 9/11.) (NYT, Jan. 12, 2005.) "U.S. childhood poverty now ranks 22nd, or second to last, among the developed nations. Only Mexico scores lower" (The European Dream, p.81). Been to Mexico lately? Does it look "developed" to you? Yet it's the only "developed" country to score lower in childhood poverty. Twelve million American families--more than 10 percent of all U.S. households--"continue to struggle, and not always successfully, to feed themselves." Families that "had members who actually went hungry at some point last year" numbered 3.9 million (NYT, Nov. 22, 2004). The United States is 41st in the world in infant mortality. Cuba scores higher (NYT, Jan. 12, 2005). Women are 70 percent more likely to die in childbirth in America than in Europe (NYT, Jan. 12, 2005). The leading cause of death of pregnant women in this country is murder (CNN, Dec. 14, 2004). "Of the 20 most developed countries in the world, the U.S. was dead last in the growth rate of total compensation to its workforce in the 1980s.... In the 1990s, the U.S. average compensation growth rate grew only slightly, at an annual rate of about 0.1 percent" (The European Dream, p.39). Yet Americans work longer hours per! year than any other industrialized country, and get less vacation time. "Sixty-one of the 140 biggest companies on the Global Fortune 500 rankings are European, while only 50 are U.S. companies" (The European Dream, p.66).
"Fourteen of the 20 largest commercial banks in the world today are European.... In the chemical industry, the European company BASF is the world's leader, and three of the top six players are European. In engineering and construction, three of the top five companies are In food and consumer products, Nestli and Unilever, two European giants, rank first and second, respectively, in the world. In the food and drugstore retail trade, two European companies...are first and second, and European companies make up five of the top ten. Only four U.S. companies are on the list" (The European Dream, p.68). The United States has lost 1.3 million jobs to China in the last decade (CNN, Jan. 12, 2005). U.S. employers eliminated 1 million jobs in 2004 (The Week, Jan.14, 2005). Three million six hundred thousand Americans ran out of unemployment insurance last year; 1.8 million--one in five--unemployed workers are jobless for more than six months (NYT, Jan. 9, 2005). Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea hold 40 percent of our go |
