We are at fire code tonight in the Semi-Ah-Moo Ballroom as we eagerly anticipate this hotly contested race. There are so many angles to ponder. How many times will Gov. Gregoire say "George Bush?" How many times will Dino say "fiscally conservative with a social conscientious?" It is all going to be one cracker of a night. Stay tuned!
6:45: T-minus 45 minutes. Governor Gregoire and Rossi are just settling into a dinner. Four years ago at the AWB debate, I really felt that Gov. Gregoire really took it to Rossi. However with the debate on last Sunday being so combative, this should be really interesting.
Also, here is the link to when the debate will be shown on TVW. The first two showing will be on Saturday, September 28th at both 6 AM and 6 PM.
7:15: T-minus 15 minutes. A few predictions: 1) Lewis Hamilton will win in Singapore this Sunday. The McLaren chassis rides the kerbs of a street track better. 2) Ferrari will win the constructors championship. 3) There will be no recount this year in the election. I really get the feeling that one way or another, there is going to be a very definitive result. ((Sorry, I am killing time reading my F1 Racing Magazine.))
I am reminded of something said earlier today in the local press panel discussing the race, stating the irony that both gubernatorial candidates have jumped on the Obama change bandwagon. How both have jumped on this populous train has been interesting. Gov. Gregoire is catching on the bandwagon with a popular presidential candidate of her party that promises change on a national scale. Meanwhile, Rossi is jumping the idea and semantics of "change" by promising a new way of government in the local arena. How this plays out is yet to be seen.
7:25: T-minus 5 minutes: Tonight is actually a little bit bitter sweet. David Postman in his final act as apart of the fourth estate will be officiating tonight’s debate. Over the years when I come to the office, he was always one of the first local writers I would read. His loss from the local media is a sad one. If anything, I hope he enjoys his new job working for Paul Allen's Vulcan Development Group. His humor and insight will be sorely missed from The Seattle Times.
7:40: AND WE... ARE.... DEBATING!
7:50: After some light sparing, they get into Growth Management, Climate Change, and Transportation. Both criticize each other of plagiarizing each others plans for tax incentives.
Before you know it, it's time for the candidates to ask each other a question. Gregoire plays the George Bush card blaiming all the nations' ills on the man and asks Rossi what is the difference between he and Bush. Rossi only indicated that he would veto a lot more spending bills and jokes it off that George Bush is not running for Governor. Rossi asks of Governor Gregore about the budget. Gregoire makes fun of Rossi for not awnsering her question. Gregoire states that her spending has been investments that are worth doing and will grow the economy.
8:00: Now a question at the heart of the matter; at least for me. What will the candidates do to about the projected budget shortfall. Dino awnser first that he will re-insitiute the Priorities of Government. Gov. Gregoire states that she will continue the "investments" she has made with her state spending that will grow the economy. She will too insitute the Priorities of Government. Also, she claims that we don't have a budget deficit, blaiming Rossi for a budget problem when she came in.
8:05: Gov. Gregoire claims that Rossi is going againist the people who voted in the taxes by opposing the gas taxes passed by and the "estate tax" by the voters. Rossi blame Gov. Gergoire for losing the court cases as AG that cost the state half a billion dollars before she became Governor.
8:10: In regards of fees. Rossi states that he will bring in new faces to Olympia to lower fees and run state agencies. Gov. Gregoire claims that Rossi raise fees when he was in the Senate on the sick and elderly.
8:15: A question about the Streamlined Sales Tax (SST). Gov. Gregoire states that we need the SST in order to protect "brick and mortar business in main street Washington." Rossi states that this tax is just another example of government taking from business's back pocket.
8:20: Now a question about the minimum wage. Rossi supports a training wage and slowing down the rate at which the wage grows. Gov. Gregoire states that no one is getting rich off the minimum wage.
8:30: Now for something completely different; Transportation. Gregoire touts that her transportation projects are on time, on budget, and moving forward. Rossi states that the Governor has no plan to move forward with. Rossi states that we can pay for a new viaduct with leasing the land and bonds.
Now heath care. Rossi wants to bring more competition in the health care. Gov. Gregoire say the populations is scared of losing their health care. She is touting her child health care plan and others. She take a swipe; "He wants to deregulate health care, ask Wall Street how that has worked in the finiancial markets."
Closing Remarks: Gov. Gregoire states that America is struggling and she is one to led Washington state forward. She states that she will continue "investments" to grow the economy and the state. She states that Rossi is out of touch with the values of Washington state. Rossi finish off by wanting to turn this into a state where businesses can grow.
Its' been a heck of a day of state politics. Thanks for reading and see you down the campaign trail.
