Read a Pacific Northwest, liberal perspective on world, national, and local politics. From majestic Redmond, Washington - the Northwest Progressive Institute Advocate.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Gregoire receives two enthusiastic endorsements

Every time I see the governor she wows me. When she makes a speech she is poised and confident and when she responds to questions she provides intelligent, thoughtful answers.

The lady's got class. (Wish I could say that about another female governor lately in the news.)

I am not the only one who holds Gregoire in high regard. Two Washington newspapers are throwing their unequivocal support behind her: The Columbian of Clark County and The Seattle P-I.

The Columbian endorsed "Reduce the Minimum Wage" Rossi in 2004, and Clark County was practically a break-even area for the governor that year, giving Rossi a slim 1,000 vote lead over the governor. But during the past four years Gregoire has proved to The Columbian editors that she is a friend of the county and deserves to continue to lead. Maybe Gregoire's strong local record will give her an edge in Clark county this year.

From The Columbian:
...That record reveals Gregoire to be a tough, no-nonsense, hard-working advocate, especially in the areas of public education and health care...

Rossi and other critics assail Gregoire most often in an area — the economy — where she actually shows strength and versatility. She helped turn an inherited $2.2 billion deficit into a balanced budget. And as the national economy erodes, Gregoire has hunkered down in the face of the state’s projected $3.2 billion deficit. In June, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, she halted a three-building project at the capital after costs increased from $260 million to $370 million. A new data center, space for the Department of Information Services and State Patrol offices will have to wait.
The Seattle metro area with its large, Democratic population propelled Gregoire into office, so the Seattle P-I's endorsement comes as no surprise. The difference is that now she has "proven performance" to recommend her. They tout her "improvements and smart choices" in education, health care, the environment and state finance.

From the P-I:

In Chris Gregoire, Washington has a governor who has served the state well during relatively good times. She is a good bet for a future likely to be less rosy economically.

Washington voters should re-elect Gregoire based on proven performance, capability and drive. Especially for uncertain times, she's a much more proven leader than her Republican rival, former state Sen. Dino Rossi...

At the end of the day, we believe she is cable of tightening [the budget] while retaining a solid, moral, well-grounded vision of wider opportunities, better health and improved transportation.

I have had the good fortune to have seen Governor Gregoire speak at least five times in the last couple of years without even trying, but that is not too surprising considering that she is constantly engaged with the public whether it's a campaign year or not.

Considering the state of the country right now, I feel more confident about what the future will bring knowing that Gregoire is looking out for me in Olympia. Her record proves it.

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