Anyone else watch the debate the other day? Inslee looked so outgunned by McKenna it wasn't even funny. Inslee reminded me of the zombie-style that Romney often showed/shows. I think McKenna has a great shot at winning. How someone so seemingly competent made it this far is surprising. It also show truly how poor of a canditate Dino was.

My real only problem with McKenna is the fact he has repeatedly fallen in line with what became a radicalized Republican party, which is really just an extension of the larger core problems of money-in-politics and the 2-party system as a whole.

He is actually a fairly moderate republican. His stance on one or two issues doesn't make him a right winger. He'll be one of the few R's I'll be voting for. Most of my voting will be local, so Grays Harbor D's are primarily my choices, as they are already pretty middle of the road. (Blue dog democrats)

This state is a mess because of its citizens not a political party. SS is a perfect example. One has to wonder about a guy like McKenna and why he would want to walk into such a FUBAR situation.

KD. Glad that you saw the debate. The others have been just as clear. Inslee on a dual screen is like looking at a ten year old, when he knows he is in big trouble with dad. I agree, he seems more knowledgable than Rossi did and Rossi was right about the budget shortages.

That said, Ive seen nothing in his positions other than his NRA endorsement, that indicate he is a big social conservative. He is getting great support from children groups, women and teachers, even the SEIU, as well as police unions, newspapers, etc.

There were times that CG could not get the legislature to go along. He is obviously independent, since challenging obamacare in court was unpopular in this state. As the decision came down to the contrary, it showed what a wobbly piece of legislation that it is. I believe he said health care is an issue he will work on.

The other day, I caught the last few minutes of John Carlson and he had been talking about the whistleblower issues at the dept of revenue (3 events) which failed to create change. He was emphatic, that we must make some major changes in OLY to shine the light of day on the problems and get these people to take responsibility.

McKenna has raised equal money to Inslee, more money from small contributors, got more paper endorsements, as well as others, which is a big change from Rossi. Inslee had a big start and raise money in DC and then left his seat to raise money, while RM was not allowed to raise money during the legislative season in 2012. The tribal money has gone to the democrat again. While the pack did not endorse, Ive heard from other sport folks, McKenna will be better for sports and the fish. (He gets it) is the exact quote, from someone I know, who spoke with him. His answers were more detailed and locally focused on the here and now. In short, I think he will be responsive, rather than put US on the back burner.

Lastly, if a congressman running for office in 2010 refuses to answer the question, after the 4th time, whether he plans to run, its and indication, he cant make a decision, or he wont take position for very long. Will he show up when the chips are down?

His website if full of information on news, positions etc. Im sure he was asked the questions you have already. Ive heard him say the "will of the people" several times.

On the flip side, the issues are going to a vote. Even the legislature took the easy way out. We didnt vote on Obamacare. RK did his job, as prescribed. On party line issues, its always a 50/50 approval thing. I get the sense that he will at least negotiate towards a broad consensus. This isnt texas.

I've voted for McKenna twice before, but his scamper to the right to get donor dollars as soon as he filed his running papers for Governor disturbs me.

Fish on...

Todd

One or two actions doesn't make the man, Todd. It would be politcal suicide not to at least court all of the people in his party. That doesn't mean he has to champion every whacked out cause on their behalf, and his record shows that.

I like politicians like Brian Blake and Tim Sheldon (sorry Marsha) who keep their party guessing, both democrats, as they cross the aisle to get things done. I think McKenna will also continue his bi-partisan actions if elected.

Todd, I agree but his starboard scamper puts him just to the right of center which is where many of us actually reside.

He was just right of center before the scamper, he scampered much farther than that.

The problem is that he has either...

1. Pandered to the right wingers, whose policies are toxic, or
2. Is actually over there with them...

...and either possibility bothers me about him. I haven't ruled out voting for him again, but to say there's a question about it now would be an understatement compared to two years ago.

Fish on...

Todd

I too have multiple votes for McKenna and am tilting towards supporting him for Gov as well.

All you RWWJ's take note, your favorite "libtards" are looking seriously at the "R" candidate... I wonder if you are similarly open minded?

Do we think he will he be supportive of the progress that rec. fishing has made versus non-tribal commercials?

B

I've also voted for McKenna 2 previous times. And I'm leery of Inslee. Todd covered the key point well. Since running for gov, McKenna has pandered to some far right wing positions that I don't like. It's a real conundrum for me. I actually think McKenna would make a better gov than Inslee, but I'm as leery of his GOP and far right social baggage as I am of Inslee's apparent lesser skill set.

Flip a coin?

Guess you did not read my earlier post. "He gets it" from someone who knows. or you can roll the dice with a guy who took money from the tribes. So which candidate is likely to continue the long/short term gasoline deal? If that issue can be changed? Which candidate, will undermine the commission, since the tribes oppose selective fishing and clipping fish.
Our commission appointments are critical.

If you can grab a video of a recent debate, youll see, their is just no comparison between the two men. Its the platitude vs. the detailed plan, of McKenna. He has shown without a doubt, he has done his homework. Im a fiscal conservative and the rest of it is always driven by specifics. To assume that their are no financial issues in the capital, is an overwhelming trust of politicians. Hes good on the law. Hes good on the fish and hes got plans for government operations/budget that we need to get a handle on.

I have concluded, character is more important than promises. I dont want a candidate to promise me, what he thinks I want to hear. We survived over 20 years of pet projects and robbing peter to fund paul. I think, we can do a lot better with McKenna. There is no substance to Inslee. Its always the same talking points, about jobs, green energy, his book, etc, but no specifics and probably too much gov and more taxes. The state has no money and the way these green industries are folding, its unlikely, any private investor will stick his neck out, for any governor. Which guy do you want to do business with, if you are overseas and the gov asks you to come back. Who has those endorsements? Far too much emphasis is put on the ideology of these candidates. We have a fairly blue legislature and the last time it went red, was 94 and it lasted for about 2 years. Its pretty safe to say the unions control the legislature are the taxpayers better off ?

This state would not know a new idea, that the taxpayers didnt have to fund. There is no doubt in my mind, who has a plan and who is here for the title. Massachussetts survived Romney[4] and William Weld [8]. I dont remember anyone around here putting any former Wa governors on a pedestal for the sake of history and a template of how government should be run. Do you?

I think Rob will do what the majority of people want, providing he sees it as legal. He gained a lot of points with me when he refused to be bullied by CG when he believed the Constitution was being violated.

I'm sure everyone remembers CG's indignant blurt, "I don't know who he represents. He certainly is not representing ME!"

LOL.....no sh!t, cowgirl.

Flippin' a coin sounds like a good idea. Heads=Inslee, Tails=Inslee, and if the coin balances perfectly on its edge, McKenna gets the vote. Nah, this is too important a decision to risk that outcome. How about if the coin stays suspended in the air, the vote goes to McKenna?

Our ballots arrived in today's mail. They'll be in the ballot collection box later this evening. You know what they say, "Vote early and vote often!"

Salmo, I dont know what right wing stuff you are talking about.

Are we going to stop abortions? blue legislature. King, pierce and snohomish county?

Here was are ready to legalize gay marriage and pot. how much further left can we friggin go?

All you guys seem to make fun of the country exect, the mayor and the governor, but god help us if a republican goes to church. (which I dont know if he does)

If you really think the civil rights act will be repealed, black churches will burn and they will hunt down the witches, why flip a coin. Lets go with the empty suit. Lets just put an empty chair up there and take turns.

How many forget, when our road money went to social issues and they had to pass an initiative to change it? How many of you want to pay for gender reassignments.... again.... with state tax dollars? How many of you, want the tweakers and boat theives to keep stealing from you, with no real punishment? Every tough issue goes to the voters around here. Mckenna is not likely to change that a whole lot. If he cant find the support, then its a referendum.

FnF,

Why do you call legalizing gay marriage and pot "left" positions? Seems to me a true conservative would not want the government interfering with who gets married or who smokes pot. Why should the state regulate those?

Or do you mean the whacko right wing nutjobs who believe it's their moral imperative to impose their views on everyone else? Yeah, in that case they would be leftist positions.

No, its actually libertarian, but they in most cases are not prepaired for the fallout. Ya, Im old school, but neither I or the few people I know who go to church are going to get in your way. Its the progressives, that wont look at their decisions, they will just make more adjustments and ask everyone else to pay for it. Its like adjusting a bad golf swing that never gets the ball down range, very far.

You still didnt answer my question. Whats all the right wing stuff you are in such fear about, given the nature of this state, to live and let live.

No worries, eventually your enemies will move. They probably fear you, the same amount.

Marsha,

I don't know about all of his county dealings, but haven't had many issues with Sheldon's senate dealings. He actually helped us getting DOT to back off when they didn't want to allow us access to our property when it was deeded to the property. A call to a client who was friends with him, and an email to Tim solved a 3 month stall by DOT.

My wife is a party to one of the union lawsuits against the county, so I'm not to impressed with the whole county council's actons of a negotiated contract, signed by the commissioners, that they are supposed to pay (court ordered) yet have not done so. That is about a $10,000 hit we have taken over the past few years. Hopefully they will solve that shortly. I would say Tim shares a portion of that blame.

One in the win column and one in the loss column for Sheldon. I'll take that. My boys are pretty good at raking black rock driveways. You can borrow them.

This race will be one that causes me to wait to send in my ballot. I saw a debate in person between them and I was truly impressed with both. Inslee was deeper than I thought and McKenna was more engaging than I thought. If today was Nov. 6th, I'd vote for Inslee because of McKenna's grandstand play (IMHO) of participating in the lawsuit against Health Care. But it isn't the 6th, so I get to think some more about this one.