David Goldstein at Horse's Ass says everyone has missed the boat about the latest mess surrounding the "top-two" primary. The Seattle Times blamed the parties. The parties blamed the state. Others blamed the lawyers. Goldstein, however, says the person to blame for what could be the "most monumental legal fuck up in state history — one which puts the legitimacy of our entire 2008 election in jeopardy" — is state Attorney General Rob McKenna.
McKenna, meanwhile, still seems to be garnering support for re-election. ...
Local pundits are also buzzing about Gov. Chris Gregoire's decision to release her tax returns yesterday, while GOP challenger Dino Rossi continues to refuse disclosure. Democrats wonder what Rossi's hiding, while Republicans ask why Gregoire attacks Rossi rather than run on her own record. ...
No country for old man: The AFL-CIO is sending its military veterans to battle Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain. Hmm. I wonder if McCain not showing up to vote for the latest GI bill had something to do with it. ...
No country for old land: A federal judge in Seattle stops plans made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to turn land currently protected under the federal Conservation Reserve Program into grazing ground for cattle. ...
No country for gay pride? Republican members of the Pierce County Council blocked the board's support for a gay pride event in Tacoma. ...
No country for poor teachers: The chief of Seattle Public Schools now makes more money than Mayor Greg Nickels and Gov. Chris Gregoire, thanks to a recent raise from the Seattle School Board. Meanwhile, the state's teachers aren't making jack.
Department of urban sprawl: News Tribune columnist Peter Callaghan says despite paying $100 per gas tank, it's not going to stop gas-guzzling suburbanites from commuting. Washington's cities, meanwhile, are growing rapidly. ...
Department of drug busts: Marijuana may soon be legal in Oregon, but it's sure-as-hell not legal in Washington, as these pot farmers found out. ...
Department of dangerous and ugly objects: There's a new petition in town to save the Alaska Way Viaduct from the clutches of the big bad government. ...
Department of Health regulation: The number of Salmonella cases is rising nationwide. ...
Department of ignorance: NW Republican reports Oregon's Secretary of State may be ignoring state law to stop a Republican-backed initiative from reaching the ballot. ...
Department of resentment: Eastern Washington supporters of Rossi continue to erect signs saying Seattle stole the '04 election — prompting some to wonder if eastern resentment will backfire with western voters. ...
Police department: Portland can't find enough people who want to be cops. ...
Air Force None: The Tacoma News Tribune says no one trusts the Air Force after its botched tanker deal, while The Seattle Times reports Boeing might not win the contract anyways. ...
Light-rail job: Portland Mayor-elect Sam Adams says the city's new Interstate 5 bridge must include mass public transit or it's no deal. ...
Light-railroad job: While Sound Transit still hasn't decided if it will put the light-rail measure on the ballot, opponents are already lined up to say no. ...
It's the economy, stupid: Idaho Statesman columnist Kevin Richert says money is the key issue in the Spud state. ...
It's the telecoms, stupid: Democrats are irate about yesterday's passage of the FISA bill, which grants immunity to telecom companies who cooperated with federal wiretapping and surveillance after 9/11. Here's how Oregon and Washington state senators voted.
It's the abortions, stupid: New ads from Gov. Gregoire hammer Rossi for his undeclared stance on abortion, while the GOP challenger's new ad gets defensive. ...
And finally, it's the poop, stupid: Seattle Times columnist Jerry Large wants to know how he's supposed to pick up his dog's poop after the city instates the proposed plastic bag tax. ...
