This thread is about the Washington State Election.
This just in:
ROSSI CONCEDES!:
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_110408POB_results_govrace_JM.16fc208d1.html
Voter Guide Here:
http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/en/Pages/OnlineVoterGuideGeneral2008.aspx
In 2004... they met for the first time...
Washington State Attorney General Christine Gregoire (D)
and Former Senator from the State of Washington Dino Rossi (R)
The battle was long and bloody, but after three recounts Christine Gregoire emerged victorious by a margin of less than 150 votes. It should be noted that before the legally-mandated recount (required by law when it's this close) Dino Rossi was ahead by 261 votes. Two machine recounts later, his lead had narrowed to 47, and after the final recount, by hand, Gregoire took the prize by 133 votes.
Now, the time for the rematch is at hand.
Will Dino Rossi manage to take the crown, and become Washington State's first Republican governor since 1960? Or will Christine Gregoire preside for four more years over the Emerald City of the Pacific Northwest?
Congressional District 8
Latest Reichert/Burner Numbers:
U.S. Cong. Dist. 8
Nov 06, 2008 - 19:35:34
59% of vote counted
Dave Reichert*(R)
111,584 votes
51% of vote
Darcy Burner (D)
108,729 votes
49% of vote
With the new information that there are still over 100,000 votes coming in from Pierce County, I'm not holding my breath for Burner. Much as I wanted her to win, it looks like Reichert will enter his third term as the rep from District 8.
But at least my House rep isn't Michelle Bachmann, so I've got that going for me.
Posts
Arch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_goGR39m2k
As for these two I'm really not sure simply due to all the shit that's being flung at each other. I probably should check out if there has been or will be a debate.
That's as stupid as voting for McCain.
Yeah I said it.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Our first attack ad is the Anti-Rossi ad about him squawking or ducking the issue or whatever.
Youtube:
Attacks made:
Dino Rossi voted to raise the Gas Tax in 2003.
The bill in question, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2231.
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/politics/2008/09/25/gas_tax_rossi_voted_for_5_cent_hike_greg
Also, from: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/aud/licensing/autolicensing/registration%20fees%20taxes.htm
The bill process itself: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2231&year=2003
Interesting reading the process it went through. It also suffered a line-item veto, which is interesting to me.
From the ad:
"In 2005, when voters approved the gas tax: Dino Rossi ducked the issue!" Seattle-PI 10/9/05
Here's the actual article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/243791_dinodaved.html
Quoted portion:
Really, Governor Gregoire? Quoting an opinion piece? Come on.
From the Ad:
"Rossi supported largest cut in Transportation funding in State history."
The bill in question was SB 6865.
Some of you Washington folk may remember this bill as your first introduction to the grotesque societal cancer that is Tim Eyman. This was the bill that would replace the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax with a flat $30 fee. I-695, Eyman's original bill, was struck down as unconstitutional for being too broad-reaching (it had provisions allowing a vote to overturn tax increases and a bunch of other insane things which had little to nothing to do with each other.) The Senate then enacted parts of it because the citizens of Washington thought it was the best idea ever and nobody wants to vote against a huge tax reduction in an election year.! I was too young to vote at the time, but knew those in my family who could were voting against it because it would actually RAISE the amount we paid. Anyway, the parts of the bill that passed took about $1.1 billion out of the state's annual budget.
Yes, Rossi voted for it, but so did about 90% of the state legislature.
Overall, I rate the ad about a 6. It's not great, and the chickens and crap are annoying, but the basics are there.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Possibly, but, just like 4 years ago, Washington voted for Kerry as much as any Blue state, where as the Govenor race was litterally 50/50. I'm sure everyone who voted Rossi will vote for him again, plus, and this is just an assumption, seeing how Washington is a fairly strong Blue state, I doubt the new voter turnout here will be as strong as people assume since people don't feel like it depends on them so much.
Arch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_goGR39m2k
When you talk like that it almost makes Washington sound like a swing state.
Imagine if all the people determined to elect Rossi come out and vote McCain as well, and a lot of Democrats stay home because our state is "Safe".
I'll call it now. If Washington goes Red I'm blaming you.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
I dont want that kind of guilt.
Anyway alot of people that voted for rossi 4 years ago also voted for kerry, i see the same thing happening, just by a even bigger margin
Arch,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_goGR39m2k
More fact checking!
From the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008229116_debatetruth05m0.html
I'm just going to quote the whole bloody thing.
Also the last Gubernertorial debate is tomorrow night on King 5 after the Presidential.
Should be entertaining.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Seriously. Her ads suck.
I hate Dino Rossi for the following reasons:
1. She's the sitting governor of the state you live in and represented for many years. She's standing five feet from you. SAY HER GODDAMNED NAME! Calling her"The Incumbent" repeatedly just makes me want to punch you in the teeth.
2. Passion is an important thing. You sound like everything you're saying is on a teleprompter in front of you. Emotion is not a negative for a gubernertorial candidate.
3. You have no understanding of Economics or tax law.
4. You repeat yourself and avoid the question worse than Sarah Palin does.
I hate Christine Gregoire for the following reasons:
1. He was a senator from Washington for many years and is standing five feet away. You aren't as bad as Rossi about this, but calling him "the opponent" is just as annoying as all the times he calls you "The incumbent".
2. Go on the attack, damnit! He's lying through his teeth.
Being an informed voter sucks, because I can watch this and know exactly where they're both lying (he's worse than she is) yet know that the average person watching will believe them.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
It should help that McKenna is fucking awesome. I was listening to both AG candidates on the radio this morning and McKenna knows his shit and is not a douchebag*
*This is an important point for me in elections.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Thanks for showing me this was here, I wanted to discuss local, but keep up my prediction for McCain victory.
Yeah I hate how the dem challenger to Mckenna is basically saying "DEM DEM DEM DEM Vote" where as Mckenna hardly mentions his party, because Attorney General shouldn't be a fucking partiasn position. Like the District Attorney for Seattle.
pleasepaypreacher.net
Christine Gregoire has a lead of about 150,000 votes, but there have been NO RETURNS from Pierce County at this time. Pierce County is Rossi country, so let's see what happens.
At last count, Darcy Burner leads Dave Reichert with 57% of the vote.
I-985 fails.
I-1000 passes.
I-1029 passes overwhelmingly.
Any other races we're watching?
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Currently looks like it's passing. More info here.
http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200811/results.aspx
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Now 53% to 47% favoring Burner. 87% of the total vote left to count, according to King-5
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Darcy Burner: 50% - 46,068
Dave Reichert: 50% - 45,347
Christine Gregoire: 54% - 803,405
Dino Rossi: 46% - 697,342
Rossi's been picking up ground at a terrifying pace since Pierce County started coming in. We've got ourselves another barn-burner here folks.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
A difference of 900 votes with Reichert ahead and 55% of the precincts in.
Reichert - 69,627
Burner - 68,746
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Well, our course is clear. Taramoor, you have to become the new Green River Killer and let Darcy catch you to further her political career. It's the only way!
Way ahead of you, Houn.
...
...
Wait, what?
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Google maps says that 56% of Precincts are reporting, and those are the votes that currently stand.
King5.com, however, has those same results and says 37% of the vote has been counted.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26781381@N02/
Bellevue Gregoire Office vs. Bellevue Rossi Office, both taken at around the same time one week before the election:
11/2 Seattle Rally with Gregoire, Dean, Cantwell, and Murray:
11/3, the last day before the election. Reichert's office was much busier than Burner's office, although keep in mind that he shares his HQ with McCain. I also attended a Rossi event where the first thing they did was inspect my bag for any video equipment, because apparently you weren't allowed to tape. Seeing as how I was press and how this was a public event, that struck me as an incredibly douchey thing to do. The blonde girl in the last picture apparently recognized me from HS, which was strange, because the two of us never hung out together, and I dressed completely different back then.
11/4: Sign wavers in bellevue at the corner of 8th and 116th (Gregoire's office was down the street). This was an annoying street to photograph, because of how rarely the crosswalks would change. I like the shot of the first guy, because the way he holds up the sign reminds me of John Cusack from "Say Anything." At one point, some girls decided to take a huge Gregoire sign across the street to take on the Rossi people head on. Apparently, the Rossi people were evangeliticals shouting things like "Pro-life, not pro-murder!", and there was a priest trying to convince everyone that Obama was trying to kill babies. One of the Gregoire people I spoke to said, "It's amazing how the stereotype pretty much comes to life here." BTW, you notice that Obama cartoon on the back of the pro-Rossi sign at the bottom? I wish I had noticed that yesterday and had gotten a close up. Because it doesn't look like it'd be a good message.
11/4: Last minute campaign office shots. Both the Bellevue Gregoire office and the Burner office had dwindled down. The Bellevue Gregoire Office told me that they had already completed their phone banking list, so no they were calling again to double check and canvassing. At the Burner Office, apparently the food is labeled for allergies and moral convictions and people in the back room track the news. Lots of home made food and lots of carbs. Reichert's Office, again, was really busy, and one of the staffers was giving minute-by-minute electoral college updates according to FOX News "Because they're more decisive and willing to call things earlier." The Rossi Office already cleared out for the election party by the time I arrived at 6pm, despite the fact that the party didn't start until 8pm. There was literally only one guy there when I showed up, and I didn't even ask if I could take a photo because it seemed to embarassing. I also visited Gregoire's main office in Seattle for the first time before attending the Seattle party:
11/4 Seattle Obama/Gregoire Party. I don't know the exact numbers in attendance, but it was pretty huge. I attended from 8-10pm. I had to ask random tall people in the audience to hold up my camera for me in order to get some decent perspective of the crowds.
11/4 Here is the Rossi/Reichert party in Bellevue. I attended 10-12. Not nearly as crowded, partly due to my late arrival, but mainly due to a much, much smaller room. If this were a college classroom, then it might seat a hundred or so students. I spoke to a democrat I knew from college who told me he left the Gregoire party for this due to the free booze -- and then I pointed out that it's much easier to provide free booze when you're only dealing with a few hundred people. By the time I arrived, Reichert was leaving, and the only speaker left was McKenna. There's a shot there where some people applaud Rossi for refusing to concede. I spent about 30 minutes talking to a young republican who wanted to know what republicans needed to do to appeal to the young Asian vote.
11/5: I arrive to the Burner party at midnight, as everything winds down. Some final shots before I go home, exhausted:
http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_110408POB_results_govrace_JM.16fc208d1.html
New numbers in Reichert/Burner with 38% of the vote counted.
Reichert - 51% - 70,935
Burner - 49% - 69,489
From King 5: http://www.king5.com/election/results.html?federal
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
U.S. Cong. Dist. 8
Nov 05, 2008 - 14:54:10
45% of vote counted
Dave Reichert*(R)
83,271 votes
50% of vote
Darcy Burner (D)
82,657 votes
50% of vote
Difference: 614 votes.
A brief reminder. The total vote turnout in '06 was 250,000 votes (rounded) so we've got another 90,000 votes coming in AT MINIMUM.
According to vote.wa.gov so far not a single ballot cast has not voted on this race or written in a different candidate.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
I can't really attribute it to an Obama bump, because otherwise, Burner would have taken it as well.
The numbers stand at:
Dave Reichert*(R)
83,271 votes
50% of vote
Darcy Burner (D)
82,657 votes
50% of vote
Pierce County, a Republican stronghold for the last hojillion years, has now finished processing its votes.
King County, which very slightly so far has been favoring Burner, has a predicted 357,679 votes left to count.
If current trends continue the predicted outcome puts Reichert and Burner separated by less than a fifty votes.
The rest of King County's votes (All 350,000 of them) should be processed by 11:30 tonight PST.
We'll either have a victor or a recount at that point.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
The 8th District is sorta famous for being Pub-leaning; it's never elected a Dem Rep since it's formation in '80. I have no idea why. I blame HENRYs in Bellevue and Redmond adding to the rural social conservatives.
Reichert: 85,852
Burner: 83,985
Reichert's pulling away. Now up by 2000.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
With 51% of the vote counter (according to King-5)
Reichert still leads by about 2,000 votes.
Current stats:
Reichert: 95,221
Burner: 93,368
A couple of stats of interest.
Total registered voters in King County: 1,108,128
Total registered voters in Pierce County: 411,103
Total votes counted in this race so far: 188,589
So, it's far from over, but Reichert's lead holds for at least another day.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
Nov 06, 2008 - 14:48:07
58% of vote counted
Dave Reichert*(R)
108,373 votes
50% of vote
Darcy Burner (D)
106,408 votes
50% of vote
Still a 2000 vote split with 58% counted.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
It might actually make a last minute difference.
I'm hoping it comes down to one vote after all the recounts are finished, and Burner wins.
Then I can legitimately say I won someone an election.
Every other race in Washington is basically over with voters overwhelmingly picking one option over the other.
Exceptions to this are the Ranked Executive race in Pierce County and the Term Limit Repeal in Tacoma, neither of which anyone cares about.
twitch.tv/Taramoor
@TaramoorPlays
Taramoor on Youtube
I'm wondering if there's a way to change your signature on the rolls, because for some reason, I can't sign the way that I did when I was 18.
As for the 8th, I still think that this election was won on the ground campaigns, and Reichert had a really, really strong ground campaign. Not sure what Burner will do if she loses. When I saw her, I said, "Congratulations, so far," because I didn't want to jinx it.