Today is the the "top-two" primary, and everyone expects the polls to be packed. But before casting your ballot, take a moment to remember our failed state primary formats of the past. As the editorial board at The Seattle Times writes: "Pause now for a moment of silence in remembrance of the state's defunct blanket primary, which served Washington's voters well for almost 70 years" – that is, until federal courts declared it was unconstitutional. After the blankie went bye-bye, Washington state tried the "Pick-a-party" primary, but voters didn't feel the vibe. Today, we've been blessed with the oft-litigated, much deliberated top-two primary, a format some people say is doomed to fail. But damn it, we might as well try it out. That's why I've written this hapless pledge of allegiance – because you never know when we'll get sick of this primary and send it the way of the blanket, too.
Please stand for the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Top-Two Primary." Ready, begin:
"I pledge allegiance, to the top-two primary, of the Evergreen state of Washington. And in the voting booth, to which it stands, one ballot, under law, with liberty and party preference for all."
[Play ball Crowd roars]
If you haven't decided for whom to vote, here's a rundown of local media endorsements: The Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Stranger, News Tribune, Horse's Ass, Sound Politics. ...
Meanwhile, here's some other things that caught my eye this morning.
Low expectations: Jeff Mapes at The Oregonian notices how both Washington state gubernatorial candidates are bombarding reporters with memos about how they don't expect to dazzle in today's primary. ..
High expectations: Richard Roesler at the Spokesman Review reports one in six state lawmakers are running unopposed. ...
Department of campaign finance violations: David Goldstein at Horse's Ass has the scoop on a potentially damning campaign finance complaint filed against the Washington State Republican Party. ...
Department of street campaigning: While Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels recently proposed city residents should "give the car the summer off" and walk more often, critics say the plan is full of holes. Meanwhile, City Councilman Tim Burgess has his own plan to make Seattle's streets safer. ...
Greco-Roman drinking: Three college administrators in Oregon are joining dozens of other college presidents and administrators in a unified call to lower the nation's 21-and-over drinking age. ...
Greco-Roman lusting: And finally, Eric Earling at Sound Politics notes how gazillion-time gold medal winner Michael Phelps has brought America together in unprecedented fashion. For instance, Phelps' heroics have turned the lustful eyes of gentleman's club patrons from strippers to Olympic swimmers. May God bless you, Michael Phelps. ...
[Now go vote!]
