Morning Fizz: Working behind the scenes
Caffeinated news and gossip starring Deb Eddy, Ron Sims, Rob McKenna, gay marriage, and political ads.
1. Moderate Democrat Deb Eddy (D-48, Kirkland), a rambunctious independent Eastside legislator who detests partisanship (as she heads into retirement she's co-chairing Republican state Sen. Steve Litzow's reelection campaign against Democratic challenger Maureen Judge), wouldn't comment on the rumor Fizz heard: that she's working behind the scenes to line up Democrats to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.
Word is: McKenna told Eddy he wouldn't do anything as governor to undermine a woman's right to choose, if she helped score some Democratic endorsements for him.
2. The anti-gay marriage campaign will turn in their signatures this morning to put R-74 on the ballot: Voting to "Approve" will give public sign off on the gay marriage that passed the Legislature earlier this year and voting to "Oppose", as the anti-camp wants, will kill the legislation.
The anti-gay marriage campaign needs 120,000 valid signatures and are reportedly set to turn in 200,000 signatures, thanks, they say, to a last-minute push by paid signature gatherers.
3. Perhaps learning their lesson in Wisconsin where unions and Democrats were dramatically outspent ($45.6 million to $17.9 million in the most recent count) in their losing effort to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday, the big unions (and the Democratic Governor's Association) are the first to strike in Washington state's upcoming governor's race.
The Our Washington PAC, backed by the teachers' union and the Service Employees' International Union, has booked a $2.2 million anti-Rob McKenna TV buy for all of October in the runup to Election Day.
4. There are lots of campaign kickoffs and fundraiser underway this week — Seattle City Council member Mike O'Brien, for example, is hosting the kickoff for his aide Sahar Fathi who's running for state rep. But one shindig certainly stands out: Former King County Executive and Deputy Secretary of HUD Ron Sims, one of the most popular and well-respected Democrats in the state, is hosting a fundraiser for Sylvester Cann, the young Democratic hopeful who is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-46) in North Seattle.
Cann has outraised Pollet, $56,000 (with $44,000 cash on hand) to $30,000 (with about $27,000 cash on hand).
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Comments:
Posted Wed, Jun 6, 9:09 a.m. Inappropriate
Re #3: No amount of money can make 43% = 99%.
Outlaw public employee unions.
Posted Thu, Jun 7, 9:12 a.m. Inappropriate
along with outlawing all lobbyists
Posted Wed, Jun 6, 5:25 p.m. Inappropriate
#1: She ought to talk with Maria Cantwell about promises made by Republicans re: women's health issues.
Posted Thu, Jun 7, 12:22 a.m. Inappropriate
I know the Democrat line is that McKenna is a partisan, ideological extremist but are there facts that support this? Just because some Republicans are hardline pro-lifers doesn't mean McKenna has the same mindset. In fact, many of his statements place him right in line with most Americans -- not extreme on one side or the other. If you're insinuating that McKenna is a closet pro-life activist, please remember that the ACTUAL hardline pro-life organization in the state, Human Life of Washington, does not agree. They've never endorsed McKenna.
On the flipside, is there evidence that McKenna is a moderate, pragmatist, with bi-partisan leanings? Absolutely. This rumor, in and of itself, is one piece. It's telling that this is not surprising at all. McKenna has consistently sought out, and received, support from Democrats and independents.
Has Inslee ever sought support, or even common ground, with Republicans? Ever?
Posted Thu, Jun 7, 1:45 p.m. Inappropriate
As i recall, most folks thought Scott Walker was a fairly moderate bipartisan-leaning guy before he was elected Governor in Wisconsin. Then look what happened. And there's little secret that McKenna aspires to national prominence, as his conducts regarding issues like the Affordable Care Act show...
Posted Fri, Jun 8, 11:58 a.m. Inappropriate
On #4 "one shindig certainly stands out": -- just makes you wonder WHY they would be supporting someone other than who the 46th District Dems picked as their representative last year???? Could it be about loyalty to district vs. loyalty to particular political supporters . . . . . ? Mr. Pollet has proven himself during the 2012 legislative session to be true to the interests of the district he represents and collegial with the rest of the Seattle caucus. He is a skilled and independent thinker, not necessarily a candidate who 'owes' anything to the powers-that-be since he has risen on his own merit as a long time 46th District participant in local and state politics. This is nothing against Mr. Cann . . . . but interesting how the dynamics of appointments and a campaign has played out in the last 9 months. http://publicola.com/2011/12/05/county-committee-votes-to-appoint-pollet-to-state-senate/
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