Seattle P-I joins us, asks: Where's Rossi and McGavick on I-912?
A commendation to the P-I editorial board for keeping the pressure on (to be published Sunday):
When it comes to leading and governing, the state Republican Party is the party of cowardice. Key GOP candidates, afraid to offend one of two key groups of the Republican coalition, are trying to stay away from Initiative 912. That's not leadership.
We want to know: what is Dino Rossi's stance on Initiative 912? Where does Mike McGavick stand? Why isn't David Irons being more proactive in criticizing this backwards step?
This is one of the best editorials the P-I editorial board has ever produced. It's right on target. This is indeed about public safety. This is about investing in the future of Washington State. This is about accountability and responsibility.
And on this important issue, the de facto leader of Republicans in Washington State - Dino Rossi - has kept quiet entirely. McGavick should join him in speaking up.
And the Seattle P-I editorial board members should continue publishing such great editorials.
For members of the state's political class, the effort to repeal the four-year 9.5-cent gas tax increase is all about politics. Initiative 912 is variously described as a referendum on the liberal politics of Olympia or a revote of the governor's race.(emphasis mine) Strongly applauded!
To regular folks, however, the issue is mobility and safety -- 274 new highway projects, including helping to replace the crumbling Alaskan Way Viaduct.
[...]
But if politics must trump safety and economic security, let's hear from the politicians -- especially Republican politicians.
The man peddling the book "Dino Rossi: Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life" ought to show some leadership. Rossi, who voted for the previous 5-cent gas tax increase, continues to duck the I-912 issue. In the gubernatorial campaign, Rossi has said he would support no initiatives because the state needed a rest from such measures. "So I think I've told the public where I am," Rossi said then. So tell us where you are now.
King County executive candidate David Irons touts leadership but will only say he'll personally vote against I-912. Forget his secret ballot. Voters want to know what sort of leader won't take a stand on billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
Where are the Republican legislators who voted for the gas tax increase -- defending their votes or running from them?
Where does would-be U.S. senator Mike McGavick stand on gutting state funding and thus jeopardizing federal money?
With less than five weeks to Election Day, it's not too late for some Republican leadership.
When it comes to leading and governing, the state Republican Party is the party of cowardice. Key GOP candidates, afraid to offend one of two key groups of the Republican coalition, are trying to stay away from Initiative 912. That's not leadership.
We want to know: what is Dino Rossi's stance on Initiative 912? Where does Mike McGavick stand? Why isn't David Irons being more proactive in criticizing this backwards step?
This is one of the best editorials the P-I editorial board has ever produced. It's right on target. This is indeed about public safety. This is about investing in the future of Washington State. This is about accountability and responsibility.
And on this important issue, the de facto leader of Republicans in Washington State - Dino Rossi - has kept quiet entirely. McGavick should join him in speaking up.
And the Seattle P-I editorial board members should continue publishing such great editorials.
