Today is "Top-Two" Primary's Eve, and as usual, the pundits have circled and speculated about tomorrow's big turnout. But we'll get to that in a second. First, Oregon congressional candidate Mike Erickson has a lesson for us titled What not to do when going on a "humanitarian trip" to Cuba. In 2004, Erickson said he visited a Cuban "medical center, met with doctors, and attended a presentation on the plight of the disabled." But according to a recent story in The Oregonian, the medical center Erickson said he visited does not exist. Erickson and some friends spent nearly $1,698 each for the weeklong Cuban vacation, which conveniently coincided with the Habanos Festival, an annual celebration of Cuban cigars.
Erickson insists the trip was meant for humanitarian purposes, saying "are you kidding? To make the trip and pay for my own air fare and for everything ... and donate more than $5,000 in medical supplies. If that's not a humanitarian trip, I don't know what is." But according to another person on the trip, "everyone knew it was a pleasure trip," and application papers filed for the visit were identified as "Comandante Fidel Castro's Annual Gala Cigar Dinner and Auction." Erickson is currently in his second run for Congress after being defeated in 2006. Anyone want to make a prediction for this year? ...
Cubanesque campaign gaffes aside, Washington state will hold its primary elections tomorrow, and the pundits are already saying it's not going to live up to the hype. David Goldstein at Horse's Ass says the biggest loser in the new "top-two" primary system will be the new "top-two" primary system. Both political parties continue to downplay the primary's forecasted results, while others say the new top-two format "restores broad choice" in the primary election, but comes "at the expense of the main event in November." ...
Muy bien: A recent audit of collection agencies says the state government is getting better at helping taxpayers save money. ...
Muy ridiculo: The Everett School District has spent more than $140,000 at the public's expense to investigate an underground high school newspaper and a teacher who "disobeyed orders" to support student journalists. ...
Keeping ahead: Chris Mulick at the Tri-City Herald breaks down state Democrats' substantial fiscal advantage, explaining why he believes it "isn't likely to make a difference in the vast majority of legislative races on the ballot," but could determine winners and losers in "key House races." ...
Keeping behind: Despite a hopeful year for Democrats, nearly 40 percent of the Legislative races in Idaho are going uncontested by the party. ...
Keeping mum: Jeff Mapes at The Oregonian reports U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., has some reservations about voting for off-shore drilling. ...
Keeping glum: Gov. Chris Gregoire tells KING 5 that her campaign isn't going the way she had hoped. ...
Win one for the gipper: Eli Sanders at the Stranger breaks down the presidential candidates' forum on faith yesterday in California. ...
Win one for the kippah: The Seattle Times reports Republican presidential candidate John McCain is leading Democratic candidate Barack Obama in personalized kippah sales – the Obamica and the McCippah are available for purchase at Vanitykippah.com – indicating the "Jewish vote" may be leaning Republican this election. ...
