Let me guess...

Is it because "Dino Rossi" sounds like an Italian name and a common prejudice is to link Italians to the Italian Mafia while "Christine Gregoire" does not sound like an Italian name? Be sure to let us know the answer. Thanks.

Maybe because Gregoire is not italian, and being in the mafia is not a stereotype of Irish-Americans from Auburb??!?

Hmmm. Probably for similar reasons to why the Willie Horton ad was deemed acceptable to run against Dukakis but probably wouldn't wash if it were run against Obama. Using a negative stereotype in an attack on an actual member of the group being stereotyped makes the racism explicit and crosses the threshold of what's considered acceptable.

Ergo, a candidate named "Dino Rossi" may be in a unique position to toss around mafia stereotypes with impunity.

In either case, "Italian" isn't a race, it's an ethnicity.

Maybe it is because only the oppressed group we shall call "white men" can use the race card?

Because IOKIYAR.

#3 - who "deemed" the Willie Horton ad as acceptable?

Also...let's keep this straight...Gregoire didn't run this ad; the Washington State Democrats did.

(Independent expenditures are the bain of campaigns).

#6: The Americans who responded by voting for the candidate who ran the ad did. They also virtually guaranteed that the strategy would be repeated.

Why?

Because Rossi is a racist America-hating neocon, whereas Governor Gregoire isn't.

Geesh, ask a silly question ...

OOhh! OOOH! I know! I know this one Erica! *Deep breath*

It's because Dino and the media and everyone else are misogynistic anti-female sexist pigs who are doing everything they can to keep the woman down and prevent her from getting elected to a second term as gov because she's breaking too many glass ceilings in the wa political circus and the man's club that is wa politics hates her and the misogynist Hillary-hating sexist liberals are making all this up and being mean to gregoire because she's a WOMAN.

Amirite? What do I win? Do I get my cake?

*kisses*,

-your #1 fan when you post this stupid-ass stuff

erica, using- well what about this- is not a good point, its basically saying we did something messed up, but they did it too.

look, dino is a scumbag, he will use dirty tactics and is in bed with all these corrupt bastards. make that point, but dont use imagery that offends the guineas. the state dems didnt do gregoire any favors. unless you never seen the sopranos-not likely- than italians are going to be offended. democrat and moderate republicans who are prolly gregoire supporters included.

also, it wasnt gregoire who ran the ad so is not on her to apologize. its not that big of a deal, but u cant say is not offensive to AYtalians.

...Or that they still run those Pizza Hut ads.

Oh my God. Are we (and by "we" I'm even including the politically gullible among us - of which there are many) now expected to keep a straight face and appear to seriously consider that there might be such a thing as discrimination against the Italians? ESPECIALLY when they - as a group - tend to love their Soprano-esque persona?

What next? Should we bemoan the injustice of people suggesting that the Irish drink a lot?

Jeez, Republicans are idiots.

Thats a cause you are a cunto, friendo ECB...

Because one comment does not equal an ad designed to be shown over and over?

because one comment could be off the cuff while an ad is scripted, discussed and planned, by a group, and nothing in an ad is accidental?

because the Democrats make a very big deal out of being so commited to diversity and this violates what they emphasize in what they stand for?

cut the "they do it too" excuse it was a racist ad. since when does the GOP set standards for the Democrats???????

Sexism. Now with bluing for extra whiteness!

@ 13 - I don't think there is anymore, but this is not the first time an Italian-American has denounced the Sopranos or the Godfather or what-have-you has promoting negative stereotypes. Pretty sure Mario Cuomo made similar claims when the show first came out.

Both arguments are equally stupid.

Politics is ugly. Politics has ALWAYS been ugly. If women are going to participate in the political process, (and of course, they should), then certain morons cannot constantly pull the misogny card every fucking time someone says anything remotely negative about a female candidate.

I think y'all missing the point:

The WAGOP attacked the ad for the choice of music in order to create a false sense of victimization in the minds of their core voters, and because they were unable to refute any of the actual statements made in it.

It's like a burglar complaining that you've violated his rights by shooting him when he breaks into your house.

waaaaaryinteresterhausish.