Is Tim Eyman becoming a surrogate for Dino Rossi's campaign?

We ask, because it sure sounds like it. From Richard Roesler's Eye on Olympia:

Noting that "we'll be back here soon," I-960 author Tim Eyman stood before the state Supreme Court chambers today and said he can't believe that Gov. Chris Gregoire didn't know about the court challenge beforehand:

"It is an absolute crock to think that the head of the Democratic Party is somehow an innocent bystander in this entire effort. The entire legislative session is coordinated and being decided and making policy decisions purely based on what Gregoire wants and what is going to help her running for re-election."

Tim, when are you going to get a clue? Governor Gregoire isn't in public office because she enjoys power or the media spotlight like you do. She ran for office because she wanted to make a difference, advance the common good, and improve the lives of her fellow citizens.

The real crock is your stupid accusation that "the entire legislative session is being coordinated and being decided" by Gregoire just so that she can lay the groundwork for a successful reelection bid. Anyone who truly knows Gregoire understands that's not her style. Sure, she's in politics, and she has a competitive spirit, but her focus is on making our state a better place.

To argue that Gregoire is solely responsible for shaping the legislative session is silly. Not only does Gregoire work collaboratively with House and Senate Democrats to set an agenda, but she's comfortable reaching across the aisle as well.

Just ask Richard DeBolt, who was interviewed by Governing Magazine for its cover story last year profiling Gregoire:

"I've been in leadership roles under other governors," says House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, "and they were very formal and process-oriented. She'll come in and talk to you one on one."

[...]

Since Republicans had the most to say at the beginning of her tenure, there's no reason not to give them the last word now. "We're not always ideologically aligned," says DeBolt. "But I think she's a good manager and that she's doing a good job of running the state."

Ironically, Gregoire's weakness isn't her record, it's the lack of appreciation for her many tremendous accomplishments - notwithstanding last November's unnecessary special session.

Gregoire has been such a diligent chief executive throughout her first term that she has spent little time concerning herself with the public's perception of her job performance. Fortunately, she's made changes recently to address that problem, including the formation of a capable communications team last autumn.

Eyman is correct that Gregoire is no fan of his unconstitutional initiative. And why should she be? Because a narrow majority of voters approved it? Its fate at the ballot box is irrelevant. It was and remains a libertarian scheme to paralyze government. More importantly, it's in conflict with the supreme law of our land.

If writing unconstitutional laws is okay, then perhaps I should submit an initiative to the people of Washington State proposing that Tim Eyman be exiled to a Caribbean tax haven permanently. If I convince people to vote yes, then their decision should be respected regardless of what that pesky Constitution allows. All I need to do is get the voters to approve my initiative. Then Tim Eyman can be forcibly removed from Washington State whether he likes it or not.

(We don't have to worry about his rights, you see. The Constitution doesn't matter, so he doesn't have any rights).

That is Eyman's argument - Olympia should abide by my initiative, period.

The Constitution is meaningless unless it is enforced. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown - not Governor Gregoire - is asking the state Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the provision of Initiative 960 that requires two thirds votes of the House and Senate to raise revenue. Eyman claims there's nothing wrong with the provision but still sounds worried that it will be overturned.

(Gee, wonder why that is? He must know that he's wrong).

Eyman's claim that Gregoire is really behind the lawsuit is a lie. It was Brown's idea. If Eyman has been paying any attention he would know that Brown is the Democratic leader who has expressed the most annoyance and disgust for his unconstitutional initiative.

It should come as no surprise that she's the one who is filing the lawsuit.

Even reporters know that Eyman is lying. From Joe Turner at the Tacoma News Tribune:

Tim Eyman seemingly will do anything to rile up his supporters, including what the Nixon-era press secretary called being “at variance with the truth.”

(That means “lying.”)

Here’s what Eyman e-mailed to his fans (and reporters) Sunday night:

Gregoire plans to sue the voters, disrespecting the voters’ approval of I-960. Gregoire is sticking her finger in the eye of the voters. She plans to sue the voters, disrespecting the voters’ approval of I-960.

Well, that’s just not true.

I asked Eyman today why he told his supporters that Gov. Chris Gregoire is suing over Initiative 960 when the lawsuit is being filed by Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and he said, "She’s (Gregoire) the head of the Democratic Party. And she could stop it if she wanted."

Well, that’s not true, either. Gregoire may very well be in sympathy with what Brown is doing, but Eyman is framing the issue as if it’s all Gregoire’s fault.

Eyman also proceeded to say a few more things in the interview that were flat-out wrong and I told him I wasn’t obliged to report things he said if I know they are wrong. He told me he was just exercising his right of free speech.

Emphasis mine. As Will says, "The newspapers Tim Eyman lies to are the same ones who run his guest columns, the same ones who quote him, and the same ones who, more often than not, play stenographer" for him.

NPI and Permanent Defense have repeatedly urged the Evergreen State press corps to stop giving Eyman a free ride. Unfortunately, there are few in the traditional media willing to consistently scrutinize and cynically parse his lie-ridden propaganda.