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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Politics Overheard in the Heartland

Posted by Dominic Holden on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 3:24 PM

Earlier today, Savage and I were sitting in the Pullman Holiday Inn Express lobby, amidst wafts of perfume and bacon. The crowd was, uh, conservative—and the choices for news were USA Today, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, and the blaring Today Show. Not exactly a bastion of progressive thinking on state ballot measures. But then, over and over on commercial breaks: ads to "vote no on I-1033." As of yesterday, all the filings are in following the deadline to accept donations over $5,000, and the No On 1033 campaign now reports a whopping $3.4 million in contributions, according to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. Roughly half of the campaign's cash so far has been spent, mostly on TV ads, and hopefully the dough will keep flowing around the state, to places like deepest, darkest, straightest Pullman.

In case you're wondering: We're here to talk to the college kids about why they should vote to approve Referendum 71. Last night we were at WSU, a state school, and tonight we head to Whitworth University, which has a mission to equip "its graduates to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity." God help us.

Comments (24) RSS

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You should stop at Gonzaga too, their student body is usually a bit more liberal than Whitworth's. The administration however, is another story.

Posted by wingalingDragon on October 21, 2009 at 3:29 PM

I am a grad of Whitworth. I came out at Whitworth College (at the time in 1994) and had several death threats that the school kinda shrugged off.

Enjoy, enjoy. But Kathy Storm should be friendly if she is still there.

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on October 21, 2009 at 3:33 PM

Wow, good luck tonight.

Posted by Hernandez

on October 21, 2009 at 3:33 PM

I don't understand why Whitworth is so conservative. Although the Presbyterians are conservative, they're not fire-breathers.

Posted by kk in seattle on October 21, 2009 at 3:38 PM

That's really cool.

I think gay rights would benefit from more of this sort of outreach. As Ref-71 proves, there is only so much a US politician can do without the support of voters.

Posted by seandr on October 21, 2009 at 3:42 PM

The local paper, USA Today, and the Today Show. What else would you expect as you enjoy your continental breakfast in ANY Holiday Inn Express?

Posted by raindrop on October 21, 2009 at 3:43 PM

Seriously, guys. We're not Kansas. And you're doing a particularly effective job alienating half the state which, yes, will be voting on 71 as well.

Posted by From the boonies on October 21, 2009 at 3:46 PM

@4, a huge portion of the students go to those non-affiliated churches similar to Hutch's church and such. That and the donors of the school are very hard right conservatives.

Also, in the early 1980's there was a push to make Whitworth primarily a seminary school which never came to be but it made a huge impact on the college.

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on October 21, 2009 at 3:49 PM

6
Why,
The ButtFucker Gazzette,
Rachael (Whatza) Madder's Looney LeftWing Lezbo Report delivered with a Smug ShitEating Smirk
and
the paper version of JoeMyGawd.
of course...
what else?

Posted by Hip to the Max on October 21, 2009 at 3:52 PM

agree on Gonzaga

Posted by Will in Seattle

on October 21, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Dom,
keep an eye on Savage-
don't let him chip an incisor on a doorknob...

Posted by DoorKnob Danny strikes again on October 21, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Pullman is now considered the heartland? Have you ever been to the heartland? Pullman is a college town, not the heartland.

Posted by joykiller on October 21, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Good luck. Seek justice and compassion while speaking the truth. I believe in you both.

Posted by kim in portland

on October 21, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Best wishes at Whitworth. Like Cato, I too, am an alum.

Posted by topher on October 21, 2009 at 4:40 PM

@12
Good point. Much of the real heartland - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois - is much more progressive than eastern WA.

Posted by seandr on October 21, 2009 at 4:44 PM

@12 - If the Palouse isn't "heartland" then I don't want to know what is.

Posted by Soupytwist

on October 21, 2009 at 4:47 PM

It depends on WHERE in the Heartland you are.

Basically, the closer to certain cities and college towns, the better. But not always.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on October 21, 2009 at 4:48 PM

Remember that Pullman, for all its faults (and there are MANY), is a college town. Most of the students are from Western Washington, Oregon and California. It's a much more moderate environment than what you'll find in Lewiston or Colfax.

Posted by Etherite on October 21, 2009 at 4:52 PM

In and of itself, a University where "its graduates to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity," should not rule out extending domestic partner benefits to same sex partners. It is sad that such a mission in some eyes should include bigotry.

Posted by Reg on October 21, 2009 at 5:15 PM

Right on @18.

Dom's being dramatic. I grew up in Pullman. It really is not THAT conservative. I mean, it's no Seattle, but the college students and faculty make up more than 4/5ths the population of the town, so overall, it can be a pretty balanced place.

That said, it's great you guys are there.

Yes on Ref 71!

Posted by S.E. on October 21, 2009 at 5:50 PM

Whitman County is a pretty reliably blue bastion in E WA. It went for Gore in 2000, as well as against little Timmy Eymans first initiative. The growers around the Palouse are smart enough to know that state and federal largesse gets their product out to the world, not to mention improved by the tons of ag research going on.

Posted by laterite on October 21, 2009 at 6:01 PM

Grow up. Is it any wonder people take your opinion in these matters with a volcano of salt.

Posted by ootah on October 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM

Whitman County is at least purple, if not a bit to the blue side. Garfield, Asotin, Franklin, Adams, and Lincoln, Ferry, Stevens, Pond O'Reille, and even Spokane (outside of the 3rd and 6th LDs), the initiative will fail big.

Posted by TheRain on October 21, 2009 at 9:11 PM