Winning an election using smear tactics and lobbyist cash does not take much competency.

k in oregon

Just goes to show that the voters in Washington aren't that smart. Murray is awful.

Yea. because Losing seats in 2002 with less seats in play is a show of her competances . ..

Well at least she DIDN'T VOTE FOR BUSH'S IRAQ WAR . . . like Washington State's OTHER SENATOR!!

Isn't Maria Cantwell up for re-election in 2012?

Alas if the economy hasn't turned around by then . . . perhaps the "Democrats can draft" Dino Rossi to run against Cantwell as an INDEPENDENT if not a Republican ;-) . . . or at least gather enough signatures to mysteriously get him on the primary ballot. It would seem the guy is so daft & egotistical that he wouldn't even realize that it wasn't his idea to run AGAIN in 2012!

But aren't Senatorial Campaign Committee CHAIRS supposed to be prolific fundraisers? Patti Murray doesn't strike one as being an especially outgoing & social person . . . more like a little gray mouse who does all the behind the scenes work & studiously avoids the spotlight?! Maybe that's why the Democrats lost control of the Senate in 2002.

Then again someone has to actually TOIL in Washington . . . even though there may be some/many who didn't fully appreciate her labors on the Healthcare Bill.

"During Thursday night's debate between Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi, the most revealing moment came when a questioner asked Murray 'How much of the 2,600-page legislation did you actually read?' -- referring to the health care bill Congress passed this year."

"Not only did I read it -- but I helped write it," Murray replied.

"What a quick-witted attack-dog opponent might have done with this opening, one could only imagine: he might have asked her, 'So, were you the one who wrote the part cutting $500 billion from Medicare spending for our seniors over the next ten years?'"

Majority Leader Harry Reid offered the DSCC to SEVERAL other Senators who all said NO before finally turning to Murray in sheer desperation . . . She may be "a kind, compassionate progressive" -- but can she keep the SENATE? One can hardly envy her new post. Yet, if the economy starts picking up more steam & President Obama's ratings rebound . . . she might have an easier task than forecast. On the flip side -- 21 Democratic seats & 2 Independents (Lieberman & Sanders) are up for grabs in 2012 while the Republicans only have 10. And as the count stands now - all the GOP has to pick up are FOUR SEATS to wrest back control of the Senate! oy

Patti Murray better start recruiting top candidates right away . . . or start praying for miracles.

I dunno though . . . I think they have more douglas fir cones out there - than pointy pines - so Cantwell's SEAT is at least probably safe.

I really don't care for Nancy either, but she has more guts or $alls than you backwoods badmouths!

Nice alliterative ad hominem chuck--a true mark of civility and class...

Yea. losing seats is what democrats think is successful. Especailly with less seats in play then will be in 2012.

Bruce-i live in the state of Washington, and it is widely known that King County-Seattle- has their own Senator. I believe it was the only county she carried. It is of course full of kool-aid drinking liberals like yourself. Your right, Rossi did lose 3 races, however the first one was stolen. On the 2ns recount, and the only time she was ahead, Gregoire was declared the winner. They basically counted them enough until she got the lead. Our state would be alot better off if that crap didn't happen, it couldn't be any worse.

What is the ratio of dems to reps in Wash. state?

mr_mike... Let's not get into any historical revisionism this soon after the election okay? The fact is Patty Murray won the following counties in addition to King: Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pacific, San Juan, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom.

If, as you say, King County has its "own Senator" then which one is that: Patty Murray or Maria Cantwell, because both of them are Democrats!

Regardless of the number of counties won by either candidate (Murray/Rossi), elections are won or lost by popular vote in this state. We don't have an electoral college, like there is for presidential elections, and Patty won 52.36% of the popular vote state-wide, per official numbers for the Secretary of State website. It's just a fact that the biggest concentration of voters live in Seattle.

KJ-..., In Washington, as I am sure mr_mike... may tell you, the voters are not split simply by Dem/Rep or Lib/Con divisions. Our state has always had a large segment of swing voters that some pundits refer to as Independents. We have elected Republican Governors and Senators in the past, and our House of Reps delegation has been lopsided for the Dems in some years and for the Reps in others.

I'm proud to say that for the most part my fellow Washington state voters typically vote for the candidate and NOT for just the party affiliation, in MOST INSTANCES. In this past election it was really close, but Patty Murray won fair and square, in spite of huge amounts of money thrown at the campaign against her by deep pocket Republican non-party organizations. Dino Rossi is now a three time loser, (Close or not Gregoire beat him twice. Maybe it was like Bush beating Gore, but it was a win for Christine and loss for Dino.) so we hope the Republicans will put someone up next time who has more depth and is a better candidate than he was.

P.S. I'm no kool-aid drinking liberal. Back in the day I proudly voted twice for Ronald Reagan!

You complain about King County liberals but are more than willing to use the tax dollars we pay to fund your services. I have no problem paying a bit more to help my neighbor, I guess you would call that socialism right?

I support your right to disagree but I do not support your manipulation of the truth. Get your facts straight.

A camel could have beaten Rossi lol

But folks in 30 out of 39 Counties must have gotten hold of some bad water ; -)

Then of course Murray walloped him in the Greater Seattle Area/King County & the bedroom communities of Snohomish & Kitsap - Whatcom County home of Liberal Arts Western Washington College & the Capital in Olympia/Thurston County - & the retired California hippies up in San Juan County . . . who knows what the other 3 counties were thinking. But you could hardly blame them for NOT voting for some guy - that yall needed to pound his kneecaps just to make sure he was still alive!!

I dunno though TimothyC - looks like even King County/Seattle liberals voted AGAINST a state income tax on the rich. Guess those Microsoft millionaires & progressive yuppies don't want to part with any more of their hard earned money either . . . even to help ease the burden of their fellow Washingtonians? just sayin

Initiative Measure No. 1098 concerns establishing a state income tax and reducing other taxes.

This measure would tax "adjusted gross income" above $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers), reduce state property tax levies, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health.

Appears sometimes things aren't always what they seem.

So anyway how do yall like your new top two primary?
And gee . . . I didn't know that the GOP had anyone else BESIDES Rossi in Washington lol

historybuff... if you really think Init 1098 was a tax on the rich only, then that explains your ignorant comments on Rossi and Murray as well.

EVERYONE in Washington who knows the history of efforts to implement a state Income Tax in ADDITION to the state Sales Tax knows that had 1098 passed then in two (2) years the state legislature would have definitely extended the Income Tax to ALL taxpayers regardless of income level. That's the way the Washington state constitution works, and allows the legislature to change the intent and purpose of Initiatives in spite of the true wishes of the people.

Initiative 1098 would have been only a TEMPORARY Income Tax on the RICH, after two (2) years it would have been a PERMANENT Income Tax on us all. We who read the initiative, and know the way Olympia works realized this and voted it down. Anyone who thought Init. 1098 was a good idea was ill-informed or hopelessly naive.

As to the Murray/Rossi race, be specific, name one Camel who could have beaten Dino Rossi for the Senate if Patty Murray was not in the race? GO AHEAD, NAME ONE. In fact, forget the Camel, name one HUMAN, eligible for candidacy in Washington state, who could have beaten Rossi. Go ahead, provide a name and BACK IT UP WITH FACTS, imbecile. Ridiculous comments like Camels beating real candidates in real elections are inflamatory and just plain stupid. They add NOTHING to actual legitimate debate of the issues. Such hyperbolic comments are purely moronic.

Each of the three races Rossi lost were very close losses. VERY CLOSE!!! Had he been running against candidates any less strong and established than Senator Patty Murray or Governor Christine Gregoire (formerly Attorney General) he, Rossi, might well have won. Murray and Gregoire were and are strong Democratic political presences in Washington state politics, yet they won by the narrowest of margins. Saying that anyone could have beaten Rossi is just plain stupid, since Murray and Gregoire are perhaps the most well-known and established Democrats in the state, besides Senator Maria Cantwell who Rossi might have possibly beaten had he run against her instead.

As for our "Top Two" primary, what's your issue with it? We have it thanks to the manipulation of the two political parties to try to further rig the election process in this state, which is why the court had to step in and order the last process changed to what we have now. If it doesn't work, and enough of us don't like it, we will change it. We can do that in Washington state you know!

One final thing about your last comment historybuff...

And gee . . . I didn't know that the GOP had anyone else BESIDES Rossi in Washington lol

There's obviously a lot of stuff YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT!

Bruce-1628250

geez lay off the Four Loko dude ;-)

Take off the partisan glasses and try REREADING my comment OBJECTIVELY . . .

in re to Tim's comment:

Timothy C-2601920
You complain about King County liberals but are more than willing to use the tax dollars we pay to fund your services. I have no problem paying a bit more to help my neighbor, I guess you would call that socialism right?
I support your right to disagree but I do not support your manipulation of the truth. Get your facts straight.

So BRUCE did the DEMOCRATS NOT SUPPORT INT. 1098??
You might want to double check before you unleash the tirades bro.
Wasn't that your Governor Gregoire who did an interview with one of the network anchors? I'm pretty certain she was moaning about the opposition to Initiative 1098? Sure sounded like SHE SUPPORTED IT! Is she not a DEMOCRAT?
Anyone who thought Init. 1098 was a good idea was ill-informed or hopelessly naive. I'll look for the link for yall in regards to your apparently ill-informed & hopelessly naive Governor!

And it certainly sounds awfully similar to "the Bush tax cuts" (which everyone refers to as) FOR THE WEALTHY?!
So pardon my mistaking it for being close to the same thing - except for the Federal lower limit of $250,000 for joint-filers.

Initiative Measure No. 1098 concerns establishing a state income tax and reducing other taxes.
This measure would tax "adjusted gross income" above $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers).

So do the POOR in Washington state make THAT much money ;-)

Is this not also your quote?!

Who is the "biggest incompetent lamoid dimwit" in our state? That exalted title would have to go to the very deserving Republican LOSER Dino Rossi. CONGRATULATIONS DINO!!! (And shared by all the fellow lamoid dimwits who supported and voted for him.)

Did someone hack your screen name & post the above comment #9 under false pretenses while you were snoozing??
If NOT then why suddenly the uptight rant about a Camel beating Rossi? There used to be an old saying that folks would vote for "A YELLOW DOG" if it were a Democrat!! So sorry I don't know any "Democratic Camels" (nor Yellow Dogs) in Washington - perhaps they're all Republican Camels over there on the dry side of your state. And other than Rossi - why don't YOU NAME ANOTHER GOP who might run against your Maria Cantwell? OR DON'T YALL WANNA BET THAT PERENNIAL DINO ROSSI IS ALREADY PLOTTING "YET ANOTHER RUN in 2012" . . . hence the tongue in check "DOES the GOP have anyone BESIDES Rossi in Washington?" lol wink wink wink

Sheesh please don't take yourself so seriously all the time . . . you're going to pop a cork, sweetie. YES politics is serious. However - IS ROSSI NOT A JOKE? Kinda rivals poor ole Martha Coakley for POLITICAL LOSER OF THE YEAR (okay which is debatable as the 2010 elections nationwide seemed to have more than their share of pistachios!!) But then again Martha LOST the Kennedy Seat!! Perhaps Rossi should be given the title POLITICAL LOSER OF THE DECADE . . . the "others" were just plain nuts.

Anyhow you are somewhat right David - politics per se really isn't my forte. I'm way more interested in how they relate to HISTORY as a whole. So again my bad - BUT at least you answered my question about your Top Two Primary. So would I be wrong in presuming - YOU DON'T LIKE IT?

peace bro . . . (and I'd add Happy Holidays . . . but alas that may not be pc)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2013139448_gregoire_supports_income_tax_i.html

Well no one is perfect right?

On Tuesday, Gregoire said: "I'm asking the voters to consider it. What's the alternative? More cuts to education that we simply cannot afford."

For all those INDEPENDENTS in Washington State here is a site you might find interesting: IT'S NONPARTISAN (or at least it claims to be?!)

http://www.washingtonstatewire.com/home/5624-out_with_it_at_last_–_governor_calls_for_income_tax.htm

"I'm voting yes, candidly, because I don't know what we do. We can't afford to lose our investment in the education of our children. I respect some of those CEOs that are saying no to it, but I say to them, how are we going to give you the skilled workforce of tomorrow? You are united in telling me you need a skilled workforce. Well, how do I get it to you?

"So it may not be the best vehicle, but I don't have another vehicle. My hat goes off to Bill Gates, Sr., for his belief that you ought to leave those behind you in as good a shape or better shape than you found yourself, for his commitment to education, particularly early childhood education. He is a passionate individual about education.
"He has brought a good idea forward and he has asked the voters to consider it. And I am asking voters to consider what is the alternative. More cuts to education that we simply cannot afford?"

AND YET THE LIBERALS IN KING COUNTY/Greater Seattle area voted NO?! So back to TimothyC's comment:

Timothy C-2601920
You complain about King County liberals but are more than willing to use the tax dollars we pay to fund your services. I have no problem paying a bit more to help my neighbor, I guess you would call that socialism right?
I support your right to disagree but I do not support your manipulation of the truth. Get your facts straight.
#9.4 - Tue Nov 30, 2010

So Bruce-1628250 what part didn't YOU get?
Try following/reading OTHER sites for your sources of info besides only the political blogs or nauseous talking bobble-heads (from BOTH sides) . . . which are mostly merely toxic sensationalism attempting to pass for journalistic integrity :p

historybuff... I did reread all your messages above in the #9 series, and I did so as objectively as possible, but still recognized your biases. For instance, throughout your most recent comments you accuse me of being partisan and a Democrat. Well, YOU need to reread my messages objectively. In particular this comment from #9.3

P.S. I'm no kool-aid drinking liberal. Back in the day I proudly voted twice for Ronald Reagan!

I think I was very clear that I was not a supporter of Init. 1098, thus not in agreement with the Washington Democratic Party or Governor Gregoire, and thus I am not a fall-in-line Democrat. Furthermore, I was not in agreement with Mr. Billl Gates Sr., a well known Republican in this state, who was the primary spokesman for Init. 1098, and thus I am not a Republican.

Plus, I clearly pointed out that I am proud that many of my fellow Washingtonians vote for the candidate and not the party. Thus, we are Independent. And, being Independent, there is no Independent Party, organization or website, that speaks for us as a group, we are individuals. So the link you provided was not worth clicking on.

I didn't vote against Rossi simply because he was a Republican. I voted against him because between Patty Murray and him, I felt Senator Murray was the better choice. I have voted against Rossi in all three state-wide elections he has been in, because he has shown me nothing that indicates he would be good for our state. Yet, for the Republicans he has been a strong candidate, but happily for me not strong enough to be a winner.

My comment, YES MY COMMENT, about "incompetent lamoid dimwits", was primarily aimed at Rossi followers who used those names directed at Senator Murray. It was my intention to give them back some of their own, so they could feel what it's like to be called stupid names. It was a reflective comment if you will.

Your comments from #9.8 above:

"...you're going to pop a cork, sweetie." and "Anyhow you are somewhat right David - politics per se really isn't my forte."

"sweetie"? Are you a woman, or are you a Gay man? Not that it matters, but I was just wondering because of the language you used. And, who is "David"? It doesn't really matter who David is, but if you cut and paste messages together you should remember to correct the names.

Well, I am not going to waste any more time on this. Just to say that if you consider yourself some kind of history buff, you really need to do more research to get your facts right, and you should really work on your reading comprehension skills to be able to more clearly comprehend what people are really conveying in their comments. I was very very clear in all my posts.

My comment, YES MY COMMENT, about "incompetent lamoid dimwits", was primarily aimed at Rossi followers who used those names directed at Senator Murray. It was my intention to give them back some of their own, so they could feel what it's like to be called stupid names. It was a reflective comment if you will.

ahhhh - so your 1st comment to myself was also "reflective"/reflexive since I was responding to TimothyCs post about the DEMOCRATS supporting INT. 1098 - YET the KING Co. LIBERALS whom he was touting - voted it down . . . right along with EVERYONE Else whom the liberal Democrats love to rant about!! not that the GOP doesn't do their fair share of frothing at the mouth, too. And I wasn't comparing Patti Murray to a Yellow Dog as she seems okay - perhaps just becoming too ingrained in the Washington DC climate? But from everything I've read about Rossi & being a THREE time loser (as even YOU reflectively pointed out) it would certainly seem that he really isn't a very good candidate for the GOP to KEEP running to begin with . . . regardless of WHOM he is opposing. Hence - in the spirit of the season;-) . . . perhaps I SHOULD have said that even a majestic camel has way MORE PERSONALITY no?!

And gee who knew that Bill Gates Sr. is a Republican . . . given that his son is such a well known DEMOCRAT. But even more interesting because he is a GOP who SUPPORTS a Washington State income tax? (isn't Bill Gates, Jr a Dem?)

So sorry I mistook YOU for a Democrat . . . as opposed to a Independent - who seems to list a bit to the left at least as far as Dino Rossi goes anyway. But how anyone could have voted for Reagan TWICE is beyond my "poor comprehension' . . . kinda like for those who voted for BUSH twice!! auck

As to the link - I NEVER post toxic nor blatantly partisan sites - I don't watch viral videos much less click on youTube links!!
Anyway it LOOKS like a site which someone who really enjoys politics might find interesting. Personally I'd like to see an INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY in America which ISN'T rabid nor a fringe group of any party. The Coffee Party sounded promising until it turned out to be merely another liberal front group against the Tea Party. While I'm certainly no Tea Partier - there surely is a lot of anger out there . . . and downright HOSTILITY. ignorant stupid moronic imbecile lol - good thing Tyler or Sally didn't catch you!! (probably just a warning - but maybe even a 24hr time out in the corner for calling names)

But I have no idea who David is either lol . . . I was probably watching Good Morning America while I was posting. But do you have anything against gays?! And I have to admit that for some unfathomable reason I keep thinking you're a lady - even though you're plainly Bruce-1628250 and ever since Senator Obama referred to Senator Clinton as "sweetie" it just kind of sticks in my mind when I'm giving someone a little poke to "lighten up bro". So perhaps I should have said "don't get your knickers in a knot". (as opposed to your bloomers in a bunch)

Nope don't c/p much when it comes to personal observations nor do I do a lot of spamming the same comment over & over again like some non-thinking bloggers. And even history is NOT unbiased as it is almost always written from a NONobjective perspective! FACTS on the other hand are commonly & consistently confused with suppositions, OPINIONS, & theories. You have to admit that you gave out some mixed signals about being truly a nonpartisan Independent? Although you seem to think that you were very very clear . . . yet still reflective. So please forgive my erroneous "assumptions" -- sometimes the anonymity of the internet imho is not always a good thing. (then again I took a little peek at your Newsvine & right now it appears you are really really tilting to the left. or it could just be that the GOP doesn't have anyone like Reagan & Lincoln right now that you can support?)

http://www.washingtonstatewire.com/about

Washington State Wire is an independent nonpartisan news gathering
organization focusing on Washington state government and the policies that
affect Washington residents' daily lives. We're a hybrid of original content
and news links aggregated from other sources -- sort of a sifting of the
most important stories we see here in the state's capital city. We're not
just a blog -- we like to think of ourselves as part of the next wave of
journalism, sort of an evolutionary step in the news business.We invite you
to read what you see on our "front page", and follow some of the links we've
posted -- and judge for yourself.

Having a more open mind might make for a happier individual. just sayin

You know something historybuff...? I have read your latest response a few times now, and I am beginning to believe that you and I have more in common than we have in disagreement.

I am seeing you now as a centrist, middle of the road Independent who may tilt a little to the right, just as you see me tilting to the left. Could that be possible in your view?

I see us both and being, possibly, more wordy than we really need to be, but I think it's because we may both appreciate the nuances of really using the language to fully describe our views, which perhaps we may push too far at times. Basically, we use more words than we need to, and that can cause confusion. Right?

I think I may have misinterpreted some of your earlier remarks, as right-leaning, as you may have mine as left-leaning. But, I have to say, I was not expecting such a well reasoned and civil response as you have just posted. I was surprised by what you have written, and I have to say, somewhat impressed.

So, let me just apologize to you for anything I wrote that may have seemed like a personal dig or overly snarky. Sorry about that chief!

BTW, I voted for Reagan twice given the choices of Carter in 1980 and Mondale 1984. Not really good Dem choices. Besides, in 1979 I had just left the Army and come home from serving my final 3 years at The Pentagon, where I saw firsthand how Carter was weakening our military. I was terribly disgusted with the DEMs in those days. Not so much anymore.

I vote for the candidate, never the party, and sometimes the choices we have aren't that great, so you have to choose from the menu in front of you and that's the way it goes.

You have a great day historybuff...! Hope we have a chance to chat again. Take care!

All right I have a confession to make -- yes I'm a centrist who probably leans even more to the left on certain social issues than perhaps even you do . . . BUT I'm also fiscally conservative! (my pop grew up during the Great Depression & taught his kids "don't buy anything that you can't afford in the 1st place" which has always served our family well).

Which I suppose might make me more of a BLUE DOG . . . but I really dislike being defined by labels . . . and I'd rather even write-in a candidate of my own choosing IF NEITHER party offers a GOOD OPTION!! Sometimes a body gets so weary of voting for the lesser of two evils. (I'm sure I wouldn't have voted for Rossi either!! And Murray appears to stand up for vets - so she would no doubt deserve another term.) Hence my pining for a Moderate Independent Party . . . which were at least SANE ;-) if not always cool, calm, & collected.

One of my greatest concerns is that BOTH parties seem bent on voting out their moderates to the point where BOTH parties are becoming more & more controlled by their outer margins - to the detriment of those who still prefer the center. It's like being a ping pong ball played by both sides for their own agendas! Alas does it NEVER occur to EITHER party that they aren't necessarily being given "a mandate" to gleefully polish off their wish lists every election?

As pointed out - the anonymity of the internet does make it hard to figure OUT where some bloggers truly stand. And lol I'm as guilty of snarky as the next poster. In fact - when the blogs get REALLY obnoxious or absurd or ahem stuffy - and I start considering screaming aloud - I resort to snarky HUMOR. So I'm glad I didn't totally put you off! wordy?! heheheh (you might have caught my exchange with mgo on a past topic?) I have a big hunch that there are way more centrists on here - who just don't realize it.

And it doesn't ruffle my feathers when I'm mistaken for a Republican or a Democrat. I find it amusing actually. But it truly makes me wish that every blogger would put a bit more effort into reaching beyond the standard knee jerk response AND as you (& hopefully mgo) have come to realize that more often than not WE ALL have more in agreement than disagreement . . . and when it comes to America - that WE ALL want nothing but the best for our Nation. The Democrats & the GOP just need to figure out how to arrive at the same destination without continually running over each other - not to mention those of us STILL in the middle. afraid that is but a pipe dream

. . . unless SOMEONE out there who has the skills & enough clout can get a Centrist/Moderate Independent Party up & running by 2012? with honest to goodness VIABLE candidates - rather than looney & kooky ;-) I'd even settle for b.o.r.i.n.g if the candidate/party at least presented a DECENT PLATFORM WITH CREATIVE IDEAS & INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. As both parties keep saying - "we can't keep doing the same things over & over again & expect different results" . . . AND yet NEITHER Party honestly GETS IT!! just more spin & spin

This is AMERICA . . . and it's supposed to be the 21st CENTURY. ay yi yi

okay climbing down off my soapbox now -- hope to see you around the Vine too :-)

• historybuff, just a quick note to let you know I've read your latest post above. Thanks for the reply, and I do hope we see eachother on the vines again and have more chances to share ideas and opinions on other topics.
• BTW, we have yet another commonality, in that my folks too lived through the Great Depression. Our family once owned a lot of land in Wisconsin, but that was all wiped out because of the Depression.
• Anyway, this vine is just about done. I think you and I may the last posters. So, I'll see you around elsewhere. Take care!

Actually my husband, who used to be a Republican and I both voted for Patty Murray and Chris Gregoire in both of their elections.

We are not sheep but look up records of all people we vote for.

Dino Rossi is a scumbag, backed by big business and outside money.

Patty Murray has done a fabulous job for our service men and women and if all you outsiders could just keep your opinions to yourselves and worry about your representatives, we would be better off

What does Idaho have to do with us and those crazy people in eastern Washington that elected a "birther" should wake up.

And yes thank god for King County - where good educations and intelligence rule.

Barbara-it is nice to know that the smartest person in the world has spoke about us crazy people over here in Eastern Washington. Why don't you keep your latte sipping, liberal loving rear end in King County and leave Eastern Washington alone. So hows that vote for Gregoire working out? Shes done a fine job of messing up everything. Wait, according to the left play book, it is George Bushs fault right? You can't even blame the previous governor for this mess.

King County, that place where 70% of the state's population resides, and the bulk of the tax base that pays for the roads to bring supplies to and from the other parts of the state? Yeah, that King County. I love the eastern part of the state--the place and the people. But I sure get sick of hearing folks bash the place that, if it went under, would sink the economy of the entire state.

When are you crazy repubs going to learn that the Republican party is not for America they are for themselves and big business. Can't name 1 good republican President except for Ike and Lincoln the others were terrible including Regan. The repubs won't be happy until this country is turned into a 3 world type country and believe me its well on its way to becoming that.

usmc28

nice opposite talk! FACT: obama has been the biggest corporatist POTUS by far. he has taken and given more money from big corp/big pharm/big insurance/big oil/big bank/ and wallstreet that alone corrupt union. SO, that negate your "for themselves and big biz" LIE.

and, as far as your myth, "3 world type country". obama has done more to move us in that direction than ALL presidents combined. massive spending, massive debt, massive un-employment, QE2, ect, ect, ect.

so usmc28, when would you like to join us in reality land?

yeah david and Reagan, Bush 1 & 2 had nothing to do with it. The state of the economy all happened in the last 18 months. That's the problem with republicans, they have the memory capacity of a flea. If that's your reality, keep it.

Bob! Mickey Mouse DID run, but under the name Dino Rossi, and as a Republican, but he LOST!!!

Clever response however, you miss the point. I'm not republican or Dem. I am a independent. I distrust both sides equally. WA state is one of the highest taxed states in the union. Unemployemnt is rising and we are in the process of being further taxed on everything short of the air we breath. (proposed tax on grocery bags, tax on so called luxery foods, $25.00 licensing fees/$75.00 licensing processing fee etc. ) We also have a huge debt.

If one team isn't getting the job done i bounce to the other team. If we continue to vote the same people in, we let those in power know that we are happy with the job they are doing. I don't believe one party is evil and the other is good. One party is briliant and the other dumb. I believe they are both self serving leaches that need to be held accountable by the vote. Thats why I'm a independent and voted for the Republican this cycle. I would do the same and vote Dems if they were in charge right now.

Bob-...,

Please see my response below to your post #19. Just bouncing back and forth between parties when you vote is not really going to do much good. You really need to evaluate each of the candidates and vote for the PERSON NOT THE PARTY if you want to be a TRUE INDEPENDENT.

I am an Independent also, and I am frustrated with the choices we are given to vote on in these elections, BUT that's what we get, so we have to make the best use of our vote and voting a straight Party Ticket is never a good choice even if you flip flop from party to party by election to election. VOTE FOR THE BEST PERSON! Seriously!

Take care!

joe

nice backwards thinking! it's dangerously dumb! it has always been known that republicans by far support troops and veterans more than democrats. you need not look any further than how great and respectively GW treated troops as they returned (he and barb still meet them upon return, you may not be aware-he doesn't make it a photo-op like obama). GW also did and continues to "drop in" on troops at the VAs or bases. obama only sees troops when it amounts to a photo-op and misses veterans day memorials for campaigning.

SO, nice try but everyone KNOWS BETTER!

hmmm. WWII (FDR) DEM, Vietnam (Kennedy/Johnson (DEM), Korean War (Harry S. Truman (Dem) ), Somalia (Black Hawk Down) Clinton (Dem), Invasion of Cuba (Kennidy (Dem)

I think you are a little mis-informed if you think Republicans are the only ones who start wars. I wish people would be a little less partisan-leming and more free-thinking and honest.

• Bob-...

• World War II - Started by Adolf Hitler (Nazi Party). U.S. troop involvement required after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was a Democrat, but FDR did NOT start that war.

• Vietnam - First U.S. troops committed to Vietnam were sent to create MAAG-V (Military Assistance & Advisory Group-Vietnam) by executive order of President Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican). Various historians believe that President Kennedy would have withdrawn American troops and involvement in Vietnam had he not been assassinated.

• Korean War - North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War. The United Nations, particularly the United States, came to the aid of the South Koreans. So you would have to give some credit to President Harry S. Truman (Democrat), but it's shared with The U.N.

• Somalia - First of all, this was NOT a war by any stretch of the imagination or historical revision. But, most importantly, Operation Provide Relief began in August 1992, when the President George H.W. Bush (Republican) announced that U.S. military transports would support the multinational UN relief effort in Somalia.

• Invasion of Cuba - a.k.a. The Bat of Pigs, was a CIA adventure that was in the planning stages during the President Dwight Eisenhower (Republican) Administration. President Kennedy did take responsibility for it, publicly, when it failed.

• I WISH, when you people would quote history, YOU WOULD QUOTE HISTORY ACCURATELY AND HONESTLY!!!



Sorry for the "Bat of Pigs" typo, obviously s/b Bay of Pigs. (Spellcheck can't catch'em all!) Still a CIA adventure during a Republican Administration.

The Democrats may find that the newly installed gun totin Senator Manchin from WV is a bit more than they bargained for - that guy is downright scary ;-)

However it's rather doubtful that the American voter's didn't "trust the GOP" any less than they liked the Democrats in several Senate races . . . it's probably more like they just couldn't bring themselves to vote for "a witch, 2 wackos, or a wingnut" not to mention "a sleep walking zombie" lol

Miss Murray better start recruiting top candidates asap though -- in 2012 the Democrats are going to have to defend 21 SENATE SEATS & 2 Independents (Lieberman & Sanders) vs the GOP only 10. As it stands now the incoming count is Democrats (inc. Independents) 53 vs 47 Republicans . . . and alas back in 2002, as DSCChair Murray lost the majority!! Well at least the lady doesn't lack persistence.

Doogal, and don't forget us Independents in Pierce who voted FOR Senator Murray as well! I don't know where all the Rossi supporters came from in this county, but I wish they'd all go back to Bellevue where they belong.

hmmm...how do you like all the bogus taxes you have to pay...you must be so rich it doesnt matter. The rest of us dont liek paying taxes on plastic grocery bags, so called luxery food taxes, paying $100.00 for a $25.00 licencen renewal and many more in teh democrate pipline. Deep debt and unemployment.

I'm a independent and voted for the republicans becasue I disagree with how the dems seem to be thanking their voters for there votes. I would vote for the Dems if the Republican were in power right now...stop being such a partisan leming.

Bob-...

As a U.S. Senator, Patty Murray has practically NOTHING to do with Washington state taxes.

We voted down the Income Tax proposal, Init 1098.

We also voted to repeal the very stupid Candy & Beverage Tax that Olympia stuck us with for a short while.

We also voted to require a 2/3rds majority vote of the legislature or approval vote of the people for future tax increases.

What's your PROBLEM MAN?!

I am an Independent and voted for all that and Patty Murray too, and I believe I made ALL the right choices.

p.s. Also, PLEASE check out my post above in response to your inaccurate statements about who started the wars. Let's try to be HONEST and ACCURATE in the future, okay?