Mrs. Gregoire1 is appearing in a taxpayer-funded television commercial, ostensibly to promote Washington state produce, but really to promote her own 2008 election campaign. A video of the commercial, which features the implausibly elected officeholder, implausibly strolling through a grocery store pushing a shopping cart, is here. (I'm not sure how effective it will be. Ask yourself honestly, does the sight of Mrs. Gregoire increase or decrease your appetite?) A friend from Olympia e-mails that this isn't the first time that Mrs. Gregoire has used tax dollars for a self-promoting "public service" TV commercial --
For the second time in a matter of months, Gov. Gregoire is using taxpayer dollars to feature herself in TV/radio/print advertisements ... This is a very worthy cause, but it also has the feel of a campaign ad, especially for an elected official who has made it very clear she's pursuing Eastern Washington/farmer votes. Featuring her - rather than, say Department of Ag Director Valoria Loveland - arguably mounts to a taxpayer funded kickoff of her 2008 campaign.1: The Evergreen Freedom Foundation has just released its long-researched database of suspected crimes in the 2004 election, totalling thousands more "votes" than eligible voters. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 01, 2006 11:24 AM | Email ThisThis campaign is very reminiscent of the recent veteran's campaign [video posted here], another desirable voting block. In the 2006 session, Sen. Bill Finkbeiner sponsored a bill that would have prohibited statewide elected officials from using taxpayer dollars in this manner (SB 6705). To no one's surprise, the bill did not go anywhere.
One more item of note: I shop at the grocery store closest to the mansion and I don't believe I've ever seen Gov. Gregoire there. The thought that she runs to the grocery store on a regular basis (like the rest of us working moms) is actually quite funny.
It really doesn't matter what she does in these campaign videos because most voters will extract their retribution for 2004 by making sure that it's not even close in 2008.
Posted by: Jeff B. on June 1, 2006 11:54 AMDon't pretend that Gregoire is doing anything unusual. My Reps are all Republican, and they are just as guilty. Bitch at the system, not just Gregoire. The mail campaign loophole costs us over 10 million a year in mailing and paper costs.
Whenever I see one I get very pissed off. Since I follow what is happening in Olympia I know the info they give is completely misleading, which makes the whole thing even worse. This year I mailed them back to my reps telling them how disgusting the letters were. The worst thing of all is that they have safe seats, so they didn't even need to exploit the loophole.
Posted by: Gerald on June 1, 2006 12:28 PMAfter reading about Mrs Gregoire, followed by the EFF release, my hurl factor is approaching critical.
Posted by: ewaggin on June 1, 2006 12:54 PMDo they have a stick up his @@@ or what?? and what's up with his eyes?
Posted by: Eric on June 1, 2006 01:08 PM1. 9/11
2. An idiot like Kerry running against him.
Gregoire not only has nothing to show for her first term but also has a gas tax, estate tax, an increased budget and a budget deficit stinking around her like road kill.
I've been thinking that she has been quietly trying to avoid the headlines; anything she does that makes the headlines is bad news.
Posted by: Andy on June 1, 2006 01:13 PMNot even her handlers have been able to overcome that. Putting her on camera is not a smart decision.
Posted by: Andy on June 1, 2006 01:21 PMBut Gerald, Gregoire looks and comes off stupid, mean and resentful. That is the real story here, though I agree with your take.
Posted by: swatter on June 1, 2006 01:51 PMNo. You didn't. House and Senate mailings can be up to four pages. Max. 11x17. And they must be limited to two-colors, not four. And "glossy" is out of the question.
I'd also be curious to know who are your Reps. and Senator. Often times, if the members of the same district are of the same party, they put out joint newsletters to save costs.
Gerald, your point has merit about public funds being used, but they are used by both parties and not to the extent you exaggerated. And it's not a loophole, so quit describing it as such.
Posted by: jimg on June 1, 2006 02:08 PMInstead the Prosecutor said, “This office will NOT press criminal charges with respect to the 2004 election on the assumption that you made an honest mistake.”
There's precedent here...NOW and the Bill Clinton "One Free Grope" rule.
I see Stefan's great work has forced him into a 31 mile per gallon hybrid.
I hope they got the heavy duty suspension on the Hybrid!
The queen surely could not be seen in anything other than a Cadillac or Town Car!
Posted by: GS on June 1, 2006 05:47 PMAre you saying that was Gregoire's hubby with the ventriloquist dummy eyes in the vet ad? He appears as if he is being remotely controlled. Gregoire may just be from another planet. We're doomed.
Posted by: Organization Man on June 1, 2006 10:46 PMThat's probably impressive to some WA voters.
I'm not one of them.
Posted by: Seriously on June 4, 2006 12:07 PM