Republicans Go Down In Flames!
By Bob Clark | 11/05/09 | 05:23 PM EDT | 28 Comments
Is This The End of the Washington State GOP?
A wave of dread and doom descended on Washington State Republicans as election results in this off year election were finally counted. The general election result that shattered any hope of Republican resurgence in the state was the King County Executive’s race. Councilman Dow Constantine smashed blue dog, moderate Democrat Susan Hutchinson in that election contest. Republicans in King County now go down in defeat again in their attempt to elect someone other than radical, leftwing, crackpots like Constantine. Many are questioning why the King County Republican Party backed Susan and not a principled conservative in the first place!
Here in Snohomish County Republican conservative John Koster ran up some impressive numbers as he defeated Seattle crackpot Paul Brainerd’s candidate for the Snohomish County Council. There is already talk that Koster will run against a weak and vulnerable Aaron Reardon for County Executive in 2011. Elsewhere, Democrats continued their dominance in the county by re-electing a very unpopular Dave Somers over a token Republican candidate in the 5th Council District using low turn outs and outright lies combined with little or no campaign cash for Steve Dana. They also elected blue dog Democrat Joe Wilson to the Snohomish County bench, and Dave Gossett in the 4th Council District. Word reached me on election night that the Democrats can’t wait to vote in a MAJOR property tax increase before the end of November. They apparently are going to ignore record high unemployment in the county and try to completely destroy what is left of the county’s economy now that Boeing is leaving.
Out of the dust of this off year election came some positive news. A group of concerned Republicans and conservatives have decided to begin the process of purging the left of center leadership in the state GOP at the State and County level. This campaign will probably include some of last year’s Ron Paul supporters in the state, but I understand that some surprising names in the rank and file GOP leadership will be leading this effort. In order to accomplish their goal, it is going to be necessary to do away with the current leadership at the Washington State Republican Party. The first target in this purge will be to get rid of Luke Esser as State Chairman.
As a conservative from Bellevue explained it to me, “Luke has presided over major defeats in 2008 and now 2009; it’s time for a change!” The fact that Esser has continued to support Rob McKenna, the left of center Mainstream Republican for a future run for Governor, has caused some problems in Snohomish County in particular, where one major figure in the GOP told me on election night, “Rob will never carry this county for Governor; no matter how many people he sweet talks in the party.”
Both RINO lefties, Reed and McKenna, refused to support I-1033 and that move has angered the rank and file GOP Precinct Committee Officers in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, according to my sources. Also McKenna’s attempt to allow publication all the names of those who signed the R-71 petition to put homosexual marriage on the ballot has even the state’s libertarians up in arms. One of the leaders in the Reject R-71 campaign wondered out loud to me on election night why McKenna remains in the GOP, “He walks like a Democrat, talks like a Democrat; therefore he must be a Democrat. What the hell is so hard to understand about that?” It is widely known that both Reed and McKenna went out of their way to oppose the attempt to roll back “Homosexual Marriage” in Washington, at odds with the majority of the GOP rank and file.
What about 2010? Well, other parts of the nation may have an easy time knocking off Democrats in the House of Representatives, but bleak prospects face Republicans in Western Washington. Even though GOP incumbent Dave Reichert has a war chest in the 8th CG, his vote in favor of the insane Cap and Tax bill probably dooms him to defeat against an extremely well financed Democrat that has yet to announce their candidacy (according to my sources). In the 1st CG and the 2nd CG both Democrats Rick Larsen and Jay Inslee are vulnerable to a challenge, but Republicans cannot come up with candidates or the $2 million dollars per campaign that it would cost to defeat either incumbent Democrat! I expect the GOP to run the typical token and under financed congressional candidates in these races.
As for the State Legislature, ‘slim pickens’ face the GOP in Snohomish and King Counties not only because they have no candidates they also have zero money available to finance campaigns. Dan Kristiansen, the 39th GOP State House Representative and the Chair of House Republicans told me bluntly that they will have to pick and choose which candidates to support because of the lack of funding and little if any campaign contributions.
At the state level, Rob McKenna and Sam Reed continue to play the Dan Evans ‘bell curve’ game hoping to get re-elected, but they will have to do it without the support of most county GOP organizations. This next time they come up for election they will be facing not only well financed opposition from the Democrats but a major effort to throw them out of office. Washington State Democratic Chief Dwight Pelz believes the best way to deal with Rob McKenna and Sam Reed is to go after them, head on! To make matters worse, several conservative Republicans are eyeing these races with the full intention of knocking them off. So McKenna and Reed are both under fire from both political parties. Not a good situation to be in.
Whatever happens this next year, Washington State continues its downward drop into the economic abyss. I even hear that crackpot Governor Gregoire intends to push for passage of a STATE Cap and Trade global warming measure with the full intention of imposing a massive energy tax resulting in potential rationing on electrical and energy use across the board in Washington State. She will also be pushing for a state income tax to be placed on the ballot in 2010. If these two items were to pass into law, many believe that this state would suffer an economic collapse unlike anything that has ever happened before. Possibly worse than the great depression and the 1971 Supersonic Transport disaster when Boeing laid off 60,000 people.
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28 Comments | Related Topics »WASHINGTON
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Comments
"Vote with your feet!" I already know a number of friends of mine (families) that are in the process of moving to Idaho. There just aren't enough jobs and the prospects are not good.
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|Sam West hit the nail on the head. Perhaps its best if Rank and File right republicans start looking into relocating to Idaho or Texas or Wyoming.
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|Red County's own Elizabeth Scott may run for the State House and she would be an excellent candidate. To correct my story. I know that there are a few others, but VERY FEW!
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|I was really surprised by the huge defeat that Susan Hutchinson took in the chin. I kept reading polls that showed her doing better than that.
I worry about what is going on now. Very worried.
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|Great article, Bob! I can't wait to do my part to take down Rhinos Reed and McKenna. Both of them are a disgrace to Republicans everywhere. Time to move the party headquarters far away from King County as well. Something in the water down there.
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|Hahaha, yes, please, move the Republican party farther to the right. Ignore the fact that far-right Republicans lose in Washington while moderate Republicans win and move the party to as much of an extreme as possible. So long to the "big tent", and hello to all 9 Washington Congressional seats being Democratic.
Oh, and by the way,your comment about "homo marriage" is exactly the attitude which Washington voters just rejected. We've decided to move into the 21st century and recognize that discrimination based on sexual orientation is just as wrong as discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, etc. What's most offensive is your flagrent homophobia in using the term "homo" to describe gay and lesbian marriage, as homo is a derogatory term used to describe those who identify as gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, or questioning.
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|This responder ignores the facts: Mainstream or moderate Republicans are LOSING elections statewide, conservatives are winning. Good examples include Doug Sutherland, defeated State Land Commissioner who was warned repeatedly that he was too far to the left of center, and former long standing GOP Senator Dave Schmidt of the 44th LD who was smashed by a candidate that no one ever heard of. This list includes a score of Republicans in the 45th, the 41st and the 48th LD who forgot they were Republicans and lost. McKenna and Reed are next and are targeted for defeat by a very strong and very well led Democratic Party at the State and County level. As for moving to the right, that’s typical of the language of the loony far left. Any RIGHT OF CENTER candidate can expect to be elected if that person obeys the RONALD REAGAN rule of 10: “As long as a candidate comes in with 8 out of 10 of the basic conservative principles (I outline that word), then they are real Republicans worthy of support! Included in those 10 are basic items that cannot be ignored a right to life, fiscal conservatism, belief in minimal government, and a patriotic conviction about freedom in both business and personal life!” There is one other factor in play and that is campaigning and organization, all a function of leadership. During this last election, for example, the Snohomish County Democratic Party elected a large number of future candidates for high office in school board elections, fire commissioners, city councils, water districts and on and on. That’s real forward thinking leadership, unfortunately missing at the state and local level in the Republican Party. I will not comment on this idiot’s “Homo” remark. The term Homo marriage is certainly not a degrading term in my vocabulary. This person is obviously an activist.
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|Doug Southerland was a good administrator, had brought us back from the previous lands commissioner's disastrous handling of our state forests. He lost because of a natural disaster (the hill slide) and a vigorous campaign to sell the hearts and minds of the democrats in King/Pierce county. It was a well thought out and implemented effort by the Democrats to remove a Republican. The new guy is keeping a low profile and slowly bringing back the environmentalist view. Give him a couple more years and it will be as if Doug had never been there. Disagree with your assessment Bob, sorry!
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|Bob, yes I'm an activist and so are you, that's really nothing to be critical of.
The term "homo", however, is something to be very critical of, and the fact that you don't recognize that simply shows how little of an understanding you have regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender culture in the United States. Why you let that ignorace dictate your word choice is beyond me.
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|If that is an offensive term, I am editing it out.
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|Wow Bob!
What a fabulous piece of political acumen you have put on display.
You are so brilliant. Maybe we should get the paultards together and elect you the next Chairman of the WSRP. Maybe you can take Snohomish County's brilliant political successes statewide.
or, maybe you can get Tim Eyman to run for Chairman of the Party.
Tell you what Bob, it might be time to find another hobby... i just don't think this political thing is your cup of tea.
With folks like you working for the GOP, it's no wonder we're in the position we are today.
Please, for the sake of the party, go find something else to do.
Thank you.
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|"With folks like you working for the GOP, it's no wonder we're in the position we are today. Please, for the sake of the party, go find something else to do. Thank you." All I can say is this: “I’m not working for the party and as for this remark about 'the position we are in today', that falls on the leadership and that means you and the rest of the liberals who are destroying the GOP. You see I think I know who you are! This remark here in comments is the first time I have received a “shoot the messenger” refrain from anyone.
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|Over on the other side of the state, we'll be working hard to return Conservative John Ahern to the House, and hopefully run a strong candidate against Chris Marr, Matt Shea will be coming back as well as Kevin Parker (he is a bit moderate, but compared to the crap your facing he could be called ultra-right as funny as that sounds.) I wish we could take back the 3rd, but I've only seen one viable R candidate, but theres no money, so doubt we'll see much there.
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|I could see Ahern taking out John Driscoll, but I haven't seen the Conservative candidate yet who I think could outpoll Chris Marr.
Nancy McLaughlin in the 3rd is an interesting notion, but I'm worried about spending any money there being a waste.
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|Bob, in brief, this article is moronic. You tritely quote "unnamed sources." Is seems entirely possible that the sources who give you information live in your own head. That, or you have multiple personalities, and one tells the other these inane stories, which you in turn, develop into blog posts.
Do Red County a favor and quit cranking out this garbage. It demeans the serious work that other writers here are doing.
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|Even someone ill informed about psychology understands you and your post here. You are self invalidated with a low sense of self regard and you are constantly responsible for what other people think! In order to justify your anger at the world you engage in personal attack rather than confront and debate the issues. You are a left winger, programmed by hate and envy with no mind of your own. You have no real education and you believe in global warming, socialism, and nanny government. What a pity! You might consider getting therapy. Though I seriously doubt if it would help.
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|After seeing Luke Esser and his band of corrupt puppets control their McCain favored state convention last year, I will never give a penny to what should be democracy voted issues. The chasm created between the neo-cons and the constitutional free Americans is as far apart as what a Democrat used to be to a Republican. Both are now almost the same, at least their masters are the same. The state GOP gets what it deserves. For the rest of us who love our country and state, we will re-tool it from the bottom up to make the Republican party be what it should. Time is running out though with the Communists rapid take over of our country (see all democrat and most republican elected officials). The general public has no idea what or who they are voting on. The proof is in the election results. At the top of the list for Washington State should be seceding from the Democrat controlled King and Pierce County's. Put a line down the middle of the Cascade range and let them have their "left" coast, both parties. That is the only way I see to re-establish any type of regional normality.
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|OK, what I see is a resurgence of the Conservative Party. All the "left side of the GOP" head for the Democrats and all the rest dump the GOP and head for the Conservative Party! Sounds interesting. With the Democrats holding down a purported 60 percent of voters in the state and if 20 percent of the Republicans moved to that party, PRESTO that leaves another minority--Conservatives. Guaranteed one party system!
Next we refuse to support the Republican party so they have no money and Presto, no candidate can be elected. Whose idea was this? a Democrat?
Lastly we fire the State and county Leadership (Recall? You know party elections are a year away) and we replace them with? A great conservative signed up to run against Luke last year and dropped out.....hum
Dave Reichert made a mistake on ONE vote--to allow the effort to go forth for debate. I am sure he will yield to his constituents when the yes or no vote comes around! So lets abandon him to -- Darcy?
I am as right as it comes, but too old to see a Conservative Party start winning any political races. I would rather work within, starting with finding some real leaders, not ones who sit in the barracks (blogs?) and talk, but ones who will get into the trenches with some of us who are trying to get the GOP back on track.
And all these left wing worms who come into every Right wing blog and throw their liberal buzz words around. Homo bad? Better than fag or queer. I got my own buzz words about their adbnormal sex and I am sure not going to call them normal.
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|Hello. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm AG McKenna's communications director. I worked for the Senate Republicans for 10 years and for the Rossi for Governor 2004 campaign. I'm also a fan of "Red County." AG McKenna did not endorse I-1033 because he is the Attorney General. The AGO writes the ballot title and defends the law if challenged. AG McKenna does not weigh in on ballot initiatives for that reason. With regard to the office's role in the Ref-71 signature debate. I hope people will recall that the AGO defended the Defense of Marriage Act all the way to the Supreme Court under AG McKenna and the office also defended the ability of signatories to bring Ref. 71 to the ballot despite challenges by the opposition. The position of the office with regard to the release of signatures on petitions is: #1 consistent with past actions and #2 in defense of the state's public disclosure act, passed by initiative by more than 70 percent of voters in the early 1970s so avoid voter fraud, increase gov't accountability and to allow the public to shine a light on campaign finance. AG McKenna addresses his position with the utmost integrity and takes seriously his duty to uphold the laws of the state. As a Republican, that's what I want him to do. Remember, the AGO will not always been held by a Republican-- if we ask him to compromise his integrity, we allow others to do the same.
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|Thanks Janelle. It is good to see some common sense posting on this blog.
This is comment to our Blog Master, Bob Clark: You are falling into the trap of the extreme right (maybe the cliff edge right--no names at this time) who would like to destroy the Republican Party, not clean it of the RINO's, but to kill it and replace it with their own party. If we stick to Republican written, posted principles and not drop off the edge, we can come back, just as Republicans are doing on the east coast.
I believe people have finally had it with our Socialist government after yesterdays "health care" vote. I look for 2010 to be a roll back across the country and if we can come up with candidates who will support our principles, we will win races in Washington State.
Are we up to it, or do we first have to destroy the Republican party and drift into 20 years of socialism first?
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|Mr. Howard I have no idea what you are writing about, DO YOU? And you are addressing this nonsense to me? Please, just go away! As for this refrain about purges, the drumbeat is on and we've heard it before in 1976, 1986 and 1990. If you are a Mainstream Republican you need to find another political party. You are not welcome here in the right of center Washington State GOP. And just as a footnote, you liberal Republicans can stop calling yourselves conservatives. It is laughable for us, but reflects badly on your perceived intelligence or lack thereof. I am writing a blog about all of this for this coming week, time permitting. Please stay with our Red County, now the ONLY right of center local political blog in the State of Washington. Thanks for the enormous outpouring of support from so many in the Statewide Republican Leadership and the surprising number of CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS for my writings. It is heartening. Thanks to all for the hits on our website, that’s how we can afford to bring you the LOCAL POLITICAL TRUTH that you will not read anywhere else. Bob Clark
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|Ken, to answer your question no, homo is no better than fag or queer, and neither of those are appropriate either.
The fact that you're so afriad of what is different that you can't stop your hateful ways, even as you accept they are hatefull, is a disgrace. I would hope that someday you come around and realize that what people want is equality, and that it is people like you the are behind such drives. When you making comments like "abdnormal sex", you prove that there is still discrimination in this country, and that there are still people who are not treated equally. Rest assured though, I have no doubt that history will look on you just as it looks on racists and segregationist, as anti-American.
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|Hey Bob, why don't you answer Guthrie's post instead of taking on Ken Howard? She had some good arguments and I'd like to hear your response.
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|Rob McKenna addresses the Mainstream Republicans:
ADDRESS
I think that answers the question.
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|Ok Bob, I am gone. I only came because I was told you were the solution, but I see you are not even trying to solve the problem.
I just watched Rob make his speech and it had a good comment:"You know you are in trouble when they start cannibalizing your own".
Run the people off who donate the big bucks to the candidates. Make no compromise, keep the Right fictionalized and without campaign funds the Dems get another 40 years in Washington State.
Hope this is clear enough to understand (I still think my post was clear) and please you can relax the anger you have generated against this conservative Republican. And no, I wouldn't vote for a democrat if you paid me! I hope you can find some Right leaning candidates who will win--I will vote for them!
Oh, sorry I offended the girlie boy. He is the one who needs to return to his liberal friends and get off the Right wing blogs.
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|"You know you are in trouble when they start cannibalizing your own" and “anger you have generated against this conservative Republican”.
I know of no conservative who considers any liberal Republican one of “our own”. On top of that Rob McKenna and Sam Reed are by no stretch of the imagination conservatives. The only anger I see here is from YOU.
I broke out in laughter when I read: “Run off the people who donate the big bucks..”
Go to the website of the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission and add up the contributions of the entire list of the Board Roster of the Mainstream Republicans of Washington and give me the total. It is embarrassing for these RINO’s.
As for the Right of Center of the Republican Party it is the majority, the vast majority. Fact not FICTION and that’s something someone like you may not FICTIONALIZE.
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|Bob, that doesn't really answer everything. You should actually respond to Guthrie's rebuttal.
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|I finally figured out what post you were asking me to respond to. I see no reason to respond to this legalize! If anyone ever had any doubts about the weakness of Rob McKenna to be a leader or even a statewide candidate for governor, they now understand the problem. In addition to his inability to support conservative causes, he is also a GLOBAL WARMER along with his leftwing companion in Olympia, Sam Reed.
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