Slog
News & ArtsThursday, October 15, 2009
Politics Governor Gregoire Endorses Mallahan
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 11:51 AM
In what can be described as a totally predicable development, Governor Christine Gregoire has endorsed mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan. After all, she helped negotiate the deal with erstwhile local elected officials for the deep-bore tunnel downtown—which Mallahan supports—but challenger Mike McGinn opposes. For Gregoire's tunnel vision to reach fruition, Mallahan would probably have to win.
“We took enormous steps in the last legislative session to invest in building a transportation system that will create thousands of new Seattle jobs, and help us emerge stronger from this recession” Gregoire said in a statement released by the Mallahan camp. “What we did was truly monumental—not just for Seattle, but for Washington’s economic future as a whole. Joe understands the importance of this investment and the need to turn those dollars into jobs now.”
2
I think this hurts Mallahan a lot more than it helps him. Gregoire is only marginally more popular than Nickels was. And it solidifies him as the status quo same-old same-old stuffed suit that he is.
3
@ 2 -
you think? you think the public will figure out that the same team that lost Boeing to Chicago and the Sonics to OKC wants to pour their decrepit status quo soul into the empty suit that is Mallahan?
maybe.
maybe not.
i'd guess, however, that Gregoire isn't planning to run for office in this state anymore. if she loses this gamble, she's exposed. if she wins, she gets to own the backlash when the cost overruns hit the tunnel project, and people figure out there are no downtown exits and expensive tolls. she might look good, in retrospect, when the $4.2 billion dollar project gets finished 6 years late and $3 billion over budget . . . but i wouldn't bet on it.
you think? you think the public will figure out that the same team that lost Boeing to Chicago and the Sonics to OKC wants to pour their decrepit status quo soul into the empty suit that is Mallahan?
maybe.
maybe not.
i'd guess, however, that Gregoire isn't planning to run for office in this state anymore. if she loses this gamble, she's exposed. if she wins, she gets to own the backlash when the cost overruns hit the tunnel project, and people figure out there are no downtown exits and expensive tolls. she might look good, in retrospect, when the $4.2 billion dollar project gets finished 6 years late and $3 billion over budget . . . but i wouldn't bet on it.
4
#2 wishful thinking. gregoire is much more popular in seattle than statewide and even statewide she is more popular than nickels was in seattle. and when you have a third of the electorate undecided because they feel neither candidate is experienced enough to be mayor, the gov's endorsement is helpful.
6
Once again, she demonstrates that she only won the last election because Dino Rossi was a fucking lunatic. That woman is a terrible governor. She's out of touch with pretty much every single issue she is, and if I could vote against her twice in the next primary, I certainly would.
7
@2. I disagree. Isn't same old more like McGinn, who is just backtracking on the tunnel issue? The Viaduct is going to CRUMBLE, people! We need leadership to bring our transportation and infrastructure into the 21st century, rather than into disrepair. Mallahan has that leadership, and has my vote.
8
Let's review, shall we: Governor Gregoire had previously fought against I-747, saying it would be disastrous and would put projects like the AWV and 520 into jeopardy, but turned around and forced a special session to reinstate it after the courts tossed it. Governor Gregoire said in January 2008 that the viaduct would be taken down in 2012, regardless of what Seattle decided and in October 2008, she laughed at Dino Rossi to his face at a debate in Blaine for suggesting a deep bore tunnel, but in January 2009 said that's exactly what we'd build. She also said that she wouldn't implement tax increases, but she is planning to do so already. She also said she'd use her position to help get King County more options for financing big projects, but she didn't. She also said she would not make cuts to social programs, but she's done so across the board.
So basically, she's Dino Rossi in a dress taking orders from Tim Eyman. And now she's getting involved in local politics to further her political agenda.
The only thing she's done of any worth lately has been signing SB5688, but it's likely she only did so to appease her liberal base.
Mallahan, on the other hand, is a single-issue candidate who accuses McGinn of being a single-issue candidate. The majority of Mallahan's campaign funding is coming from himself and neo-cons like Slade Gorton.
Love this election season!
So basically, she's Dino Rossi in a dress taking orders from Tim Eyman. And now she's getting involved in local politics to further her political agenda.
The only thing she's done of any worth lately has been signing SB5688, but it's likely she only did so to appease her liberal base.
Mallahan, on the other hand, is a single-issue candidate who accuses McGinn of being a single-issue candidate. The majority of Mallahan's campaign funding is coming from himself and neo-cons like Slade Gorton.
Love this election season!
9
So she went with the clueless idiot over the hapless moron. Or do I have them mixed up? How did we end up with these losers?
11
@7 -
the 21st century was supposed to be jet packs. not more cars.
building a car tunnel right now would be like building a gold plated public stable right after the model T hit the market. what kind of moron would build roads, when what we need are more stables . . .
the 21st century was supposed to be jet packs. not more cars.
building a car tunnel right now would be like building a gold plated public stable right after the model T hit the market. what kind of moron would build roads, when what we need are more stables . . .
12
Also, for all you folks living near 520 -
if you like how the state is ramming the tunnel down your throat after it was voted down and rejected by the shareholders group, you'll LOVE what they do to you on 520!
if you like how the state is ramming the tunnel down your throat after it was voted down and rejected by the shareholders group, you'll LOVE what they do to you on 520!
13
Hee hee! The clueless idiot should pen a thank-you to the hapless moron for handing him the governor on a silver platter.
If Mickey had politicked with the gov and farflung restive legislators to show his tunnel thing is based in good faith and not what they assume is more "Seattle First" NIMBYism, maybe he could've at least kept the gov neutral. But noooooo...
If Mickey had politicked with the gov and farflung restive legislators to show his tunnel thing is based in good faith and not what they assume is more "Seattle First" NIMBYism, maybe he could've at least kept the gov neutral. But noooooo...
14
I for one will be thinking about this imposition on our city by the greedheads in Olympia who want us to pay for everything and get nothing in return, except for toys for Billionaires and Millionaires.
McGinn for the win!
McGinn for the win!
16
BIG plus for Joe.
Gregoire will appeal to women, her mark says Oly. likes Joe better and in the who the hell should I vote for mayors race - any excuse will do.
Gregoire angst is interesting when she doesn't do what the Slog mob wants.
God, you all are a lot like hysterical right wingers - what has happened to American political discourse?
" Gregoire no better than Rossi" - shit, how stupid can you be. Shit.
Gregoire will appeal to women, her mark says Oly. likes Joe better and in the who the hell should I vote for mayors race - any excuse will do.
Gregoire angst is interesting when she doesn't do what the Slog mob wants.
God, you all are a lot like hysterical right wingers - what has happened to American political discourse?
" Gregoire no better than Rossi" - shit, how stupid can you be. Shit.
20
How gracious of Gregoire to support Mallahan after he didn't vote for her in the 2004 and 2008 primaries. Oh, wait, that's right... he didn't vote for anyone.
22
Dominic or Eli Sanders or anybody, I'm curious now, when was the last time a governor of Washington made an endorsement in a Seattle mayor's race? This endorsement strikes me as highly unusual, but maybe I just don't recall.
24
Whew, the Gov should stay out of this one. Progressives are leaning toward McGinn, but no ones winning here....
There’s a lot at stake in the this year’s general election. That’s why Fuse Washington and numerous other leading progressive organizations have teamed up once again to publish the online Progressive Voters Guide – a one-stop resource on who and what to vote for if you want to see real progress, rather than devastating regression on issues like fairness, equality (Ref. 71) and the economy (I-1033), in Washington. Get the guide and vote for progress!
www.ProgressiveVotersGuide.org; it is available via email by request at info@fusewashington.org.
There’s a lot at stake in the this year’s general election. That’s why Fuse Washington and numerous other leading progressive organizations have teamed up once again to publish the online Progressive Voters Guide – a one-stop resource on who and what to vote for if you want to see real progress, rather than devastating regression on issues like fairness, equality (Ref. 71) and the economy (I-1033), in Washington. Get the guide and vote for progress!
www.ProgressiveVotersGuide.org; it is available via email by request at info@fusewashington.org.
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