Hackles rise at Gregoire/Rossi debate
I am not sorry that I wasn't able to attend tonight's third debate between Governor Gregoire and "Reduce the Minimum Wage" Dino Rossi because even 300 miles away, I could feel their tension and hostility clearly. The chemistry between the two candidates could be described as a deep dog and cat dislike for one another. It has a tangible presence.
Fortunately, the two stayed on their own turf and only took swipes and growled at each other.
Rossi opened the debate by immediately launching into Gregoire, blaming her for Washington's budget deficit, education and transportation problems. For most of the evening he skirted the questions or gave vague generalities where Gregoire gave specifics about her record.
For example, the question regarding US 395, the North Spokane corridor, which is a local transportation priority, was entirely avoided by Rossi but the governor was able to give a timeline for its completion and claim action on this important project.
On the state's projected budget deficit, Rossi pointed fingers and Gregoire pointed out actions she has already taken to whittle the deficit down to $1.7 billion. While NPI would like to see the calculations behind that feat, Gregoire was able to explain to the audience how Rossi's tax plan would increase the deficit by giving back money to the rich and taking money from the general fund, which funds our schools, and putting it into highways.
According to Rossi, our state economy will fail without his transportation plan but experts have said that his plan which underestimates building costs and is likely to face entrenched opposition will probably fail instead.
The campaigns' ultra-negative ads made Gregoire's negotiations with Indian tribes an early topic. The governor got a chance to defend her position on tribal gambling contracts while smug Rossi enjoyed painting a negative picture of her. It's obvious that the two campaigns would have adopted a higher tone if Rossi didn't enjoy taking the low road so much.
Rossi offered a lame excuse for not supporting embryonic stem cell research (because it hasn't seen many results) and Gregoire reminded him why that is the case: because there is very limited federal funding for it. The governor is proud of Washington's Life Sciences Discovery fund that supports cutting-edge research in Spokane.
As the debate wore on, it became obvious that Rossi wasn't there to answer questions and educate voters on his plan and vision for our state. Instead, his main objective was to make sly jabs and swipes at the governor then engage in rambling, empty talk.
On Hanaford cleanup, blah, blah, no answer...immigrant healthcare, blah, blah, no answer...closing remarks, blah, blah, inanity.
The Rossi response that teed me off the most was the near the end of the debate when Gregoire got to ask Rossi a question. Healthcare is an important issue to the governor and she wanted to put Rossi on the spot for his irresponsible health insurance plan so she asked him exactly which government mandates would he get rid of, which would he keep and how would that impact the cost of healthcare?
Rossi explained that he wants to give us the "freedom" to choose the health insurance plan that fits our needs. The only trouble with that is, you need to know your needs before you choose your plan. For example, Rossi's and his wife's plan covers allergies and chiropracty. That is nice. They can shop for plans based on this coverage that they know they need.
If only diseases and accidents could be planned for, then we could be sure to pick a plan that covers cancer if we are planning to get cancer, or lung disease or knee surgery before they strike. If you make the mistake of contracting a disease before choosing your plan, then you may have the "freedom" to no plans at all because you would be excluded from most plans due to your pre-existing condition. Basically, Rossi would like us to plan to not get sick.
Governor Gregoire stood up well to Rossi's feline taunts tonight but I think she looks forward to taking a bite out of his furry backside in the polls. November can't come soon enough.
Fortunately, the two stayed on their own turf and only took swipes and growled at each other.
Rossi opened the debate by immediately launching into Gregoire, blaming her for Washington's budget deficit, education and transportation problems. For most of the evening he skirted the questions or gave vague generalities where Gregoire gave specifics about her record.
For example, the question regarding US 395, the North Spokane corridor, which is a local transportation priority, was entirely avoided by Rossi but the governor was able to give a timeline for its completion and claim action on this important project.
On the state's projected budget deficit, Rossi pointed fingers and Gregoire pointed out actions she has already taken to whittle the deficit down to $1.7 billion. While NPI would like to see the calculations behind that feat, Gregoire was able to explain to the audience how Rossi's tax plan would increase the deficit by giving back money to the rich and taking money from the general fund, which funds our schools, and putting it into highways.
According to Rossi, our state economy will fail without his transportation plan but experts have said that his plan which underestimates building costs and is likely to face entrenched opposition will probably fail instead.
The campaigns' ultra-negative ads made Gregoire's negotiations with Indian tribes an early topic. The governor got a chance to defend her position on tribal gambling contracts while smug Rossi enjoyed painting a negative picture of her. It's obvious that the two campaigns would have adopted a higher tone if Rossi didn't enjoy taking the low road so much.
Rossi offered a lame excuse for not supporting embryonic stem cell research (because it hasn't seen many results) and Gregoire reminded him why that is the case: because there is very limited federal funding for it. The governor is proud of Washington's Life Sciences Discovery fund that supports cutting-edge research in Spokane.
As the debate wore on, it became obvious that Rossi wasn't there to answer questions and educate voters on his plan and vision for our state. Instead, his main objective was to make sly jabs and swipes at the governor then engage in rambling, empty talk.
On Hanaford cleanup, blah, blah, no answer...immigrant healthcare, blah, blah, no answer...closing remarks, blah, blah, inanity.
The Rossi response that teed me off the most was the near the end of the debate when Gregoire got to ask Rossi a question. Healthcare is an important issue to the governor and she wanted to put Rossi on the spot for his irresponsible health insurance plan so she asked him exactly which government mandates would he get rid of, which would he keep and how would that impact the cost of healthcare?
Rossi explained that he wants to give us the "freedom" to choose the health insurance plan that fits our needs. The only trouble with that is, you need to know your needs before you choose your plan. For example, Rossi's and his wife's plan covers allergies and chiropracty. That is nice. They can shop for plans based on this coverage that they know they need.
If only diseases and accidents could be planned for, then we could be sure to pick a plan that covers cancer if we are planning to get cancer, or lung disease or knee surgery before they strike. If you make the mistake of contracting a disease before choosing your plan, then you may have the "freedom" to no plans at all because you would be excluded from most plans due to your pre-existing condition. Basically, Rossi would like us to plan to not get sick.
Governor Gregoire stood up well to Rossi's feline taunts tonight but I think she looks forward to taking a bite out of his furry backside in the polls. November can't come soon enough.
# Posted by Kathleen : 11:04 PM
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