Apparently, the editor who wrote the headline on Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly's latest piece forgot to read Joel's column. The headline reads, "Wrecked GOP must abandon extremism." Huh? If anything, Connelly warns Democrats of the perils of one-party government. In other words, look what just happened to the Republican Party after several years of having Karl Rove's "permanent majority" in power: Obamanation in the White House and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. But while "liberal overreaching could fuel a Republican recovery," Connelly says the best thing local Republicans could do to "get back into the sunlight of Main Street conservatism" would be to cut ties with its biggest backer — the Building Industry Association of Washington. Yes they can?
Now hiring: Warren Peterson at Sound Politics has a proposition for a newly re-elected Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire: If she is serious about not raising taxes, hire former Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi to head the state's Office of Financial Management. ...
Now exiting: While waves of Obama voters certainly helped Democrats capture seats nationwide, they apparently forgot to help Washington's Legislature. Joe Turner at the News Tribune reports that state Democrats actually lost two seats in Olympia, one in the House and one in the Senate. ...
For the love of Oregon: U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., offered his congratulations Thursday to Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley for successfully capturing Smith's seat in the Senate. In his concession speech, "Smith teared up as he reflected on his 12 years in the U.S. Senate and what he said were accomplishments for 'all of Oregon.'" For more on Merkley's victory, take a look at Oregonian reporter Jeff Mapes' backstory on Smith's two-year takedown. For more on Smith's tearful goodbye, take a look at this video.
For the love of Enumclaw: Writing for the P-I, guest columnist Sandra Possin reveals that Washington state is threatening to rescind a law that "would force the sale and development of much protected agricultural land and the loss of previously rural lifestyles and opportunities." Possin calls this the state's "war on horses and agriculture." It's worth a look.
Hit the road, Jack: Immigration officials in Seattle say they've broken the regional record for deportations in the past year by sending 10,000 aliens to their home countries, a 35 percent jump from last year. ...
Hit the drawing board, Ron: King County Executive Ron Sims' plan to shut down county operations for 10 days to curb next year's $93 million budget shortfall has hit a snag. The state Supreme Court says the shutdown order isn't constitutional as far as Superior Court is concerned. ...
A time for hope: Adam Wilson at The Olympian asked Alex Hays, "one of the peppiest Republicans out there," to "see where the silver lining is for the Grand Old Party in Washington." Hays offers five reasons on why state Republicans should still have hope. ...
And finally, here's your weird 2008 election fact of the day: Tim Eyman's unsuccessful "traffic congestion relief" measure, Initiative 985, failed in every county in the state except Pierce. Can anyone out there diagnose this strange phenomenon?
