In some states, the Governor and Lt. Governor runs as a ticket, but not in Washington. Democrats Gov. Christine Gregoire and Sir Brad Owen run their own campaigns. But I got a piece of campaign literature in the mail this weekend that suggests Gregorie does indeed have a running mate.
His name: Barack Obama. In an elaborate four-color, eight-panel campaign mailer in advance of this week's "top two" primary election, Obama and Gregoire appear as if they're running for P and VP — smiling, hands waving, joined at the hip like Siamese twins Chang and Eng.
By my count the piece features six photographs of Obama — as many as Gregoire. The text is all Obama quotes and touts Gregoire as a fighter for jobs, children's health care, and developing "green economy" jobs. To help you get the picture about "green" jobs, there's even a photo of Gregoire shaking hands with workers in green hard hats and green coats. Apparently, every day is St. Patrick's Day down at the recycling center.
Gregoire wants a strong turnout of Obama maniacs to help put to rest any polling nonsense that might suggest a tight race with arch nemesis Dino Rossi (he who prefers the Grand Old Party party). Obama polls better than Gregoire in Washington, so it's smart to lash herself to his coattails, and as I reported last winter, she's never looked or sounded better than when sharing the stump with the Illinois senator in KeyArena.
The primary doesn't mean much for either candidate but will provide a snapshot for November. Vote percentages and totals can make fall fundraising easier or harder depending on a candidate's showing. It'll be interesting to see if Gregoire's mate makes a difference.
