Christine Gregoire's latest TV ad is on a topic about as far away in politics as one can find from the other issues on the table in the Governor's race:
Ah yes, embryonic stem cell research, that burning topic in the state budget, transportation, education, and public safety. You know, crazy ideas that might actually be at the top of voters minds - just like the gas prices and economic challenges you never hear about in Gregoire's ads.
Contrast that with how Rossi's latest two TV spots, in which the state's looming budget deficit are front and center (as it is in his most prominent, current radio ad). Mixed in to all of that is explicit recognition of voter angst.
While Rossi is talking about issues the next Governor will actually have to deal with, Gregoire is playing the "divisive social issues" gambit that Democrats usually bemoan when it works against them. How subtle.
Never mind that embryonic stem cell research isn't even close to being a major issue in state government. Never mind that recent scientific advances may negate the need for that ethically controversial research. Never mind the Christine Gregoire herself famously campaigned on the topic in 2004 then promptly dropped it when she took office.
Christine Gregoire's campaign doesn't have a message right now. Not on the budget. Not on transportation. Not on education. That's the lesson her latest ad. If it were otherwise, one would think she might want to start talking about the issues facing whoever sits in the Governor's office in January 2009.
Posted by Eric Earling at September 17, 2008 07:25 PM | Email ThisRepublicans, for years, said we should work to find a way to do stem cell research WITHOUT needlessly killing embryos. Liberals said that was not possible. Then it turns out, in a breakthrough, it IS possible. That was a huge scientific development that changed the whole outlook for this science and, more importantly, neutralized the highly emotional, political nature of the disagreement.
Are Democrats like Christine Gregoire just going to ignore this development? Stoke unnecessary divisions for politics?
Posted by: AD on September 17, 2008 07:29 PMBut gee, Gov. Gregoire could run an ad telling us how she has shepherded in a great comprehensive plan for roads, etc. and how she has balanced the state budget without raising taxes and....
Oh. Never mind....she hasn't actually accomplished those things yet. We're....still waiting on that one....
Posted by: Michele on September 17, 2008 07:47 PMAs for stem cell research... First, there is no need for embryonic stem cell research. Scientists in Japan already figured out how to create stem cells out of any human cell. Second, the debate on funding has been horribly mischaracterized. The federal ban is only on federal funding not actual research. So rich liberals could still donate to research if they want and research can still happen. But, I guess the same rich liberals that gave $66 million to Obama in August are too greedy to spend money on stuff they believe in. That's pretty said. $66 million could have bought a lot of science, but it went into the pockets of the Obama propaganda machine.
Posted by: Thomas B. on September 17, 2008 07:58 PMLeave it to Democrats to use tired, bogus controversies to attack Republicans - again. While huge advancements in non-embryonic stem cell research is in the news weekly, the old liberal con continues with abortion rights wrapped in tumor-plagued embryonic stem cell research; all but abandoned by genuine medical science. Not abandoned because of politicians or politics, but because it was a dead end with better alternatives (no pun intended).
Listened tonight to Sean Hannity trying to talk with another Democrat propagandist congresswomen with a hearing problem from Colorado. What a laugh. Then Colmes couldn't get beyond 59 registered lobbyists, out of the thousands raising money for McCain, while totally ignoring Obama surrounding himself with economic and campaign advisers; all responsible players in the financial crisis hitting Wall Street. Then Obama with a straight face blames Republicans, with the media watching his back, while the protectors of the corruption at Fannie May, Chris Dodd (D) and Barney "can you say prostitution ring run out of my office" Frank (D), both top benefactors of Fannie and Freddie campaign contributions along with Obama, roadblocked attempts years ago to reform the government backed institutions that led the lending industry down the path of irresponsible, and even illegal lending practices. Taxpayers on the hook for $200 Billion to bail out Freddie and Fannie, likely on the hook inevitably for the $85 to bail out AIG, and Boeing tanking since AIG owns the international leasing company that buys so many Boeing jets.
Where are the ropes and pitchforks going after the corrupt scoundrels in and out of the Wall Street crowd now? I guess people can't get outraged if the media hides the truth. How does Barney Frank have the gall to go public and blame the Bush administration for the failures in the financial industry? Just covering his own rear end? Does he really not believe that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have stood on the floor of Congress and prevented anything from being reformed, whether in control or not of Congress? Are Democrats really correct that Americans are so dumb that they don't understand the Cloture Rule and the grip the minority in the Senate has with just 41 votes, preventing the majority from getting anything done? I guess with a media that has problems even identifying party affiliation of corrupt Democrats in the news, we shouldn't be surprised that they've done their part dumbing down and misinforming the electorate to the state it's in today.
The world is turned on its head, with lies and distortion from the left blaming everyone but themselves for their wrongs. Now Obama promises checks to those already paying little or nothing for their vote, at the expense of the folks that make this country run, and private emails of the veep candidate are all the media can talk about.
Anyone else completely sick to their stomach at what the left has done to this world? A socialist is poised on the verge of becoming president. A guy who voted to kill living babies from failed abortions. The most liberal member of the US Senate, and product of the corrupt Chicago Democrat machine. That, along with a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate would give Democrats absolute control over this country. And if that happens, we won't recognize this nation after 2 years.
Posted by: Reality on September 17, 2008 08:44 PMPlease never use Barney Frank and the word "top" in the same sentence....otherwise, we'll have the entire HA bathhouse crowd in here before you can snap a towel.
Posted by: Rick D. on September 17, 2008 09:24 PMSeeing as I have already mentioned one lie of the left, I'd like to mention one more: Roe vs Wade. The left wants young girls to believe that if RvW is overturned that abortion will be nonexistent nation-wide, never mentioning that if RvW goes away it will only mean that federally subsidized abortions will go away. Abortions will be still be available in states that allow it. Like John McCain says "Abortion is a states rights issue."
But we all here know that the left must continually lie because if they told the truth nobody would vote for them except the screwballs over at HA or the commies at moveon.org and ACORN . . . boy, that's some constituency.
Posted by: G Jiggy on September 17, 2008 09:33 PMGreat points all, but one correction:
A filibuster proof majority is not needed. The filibuster is a rule of the Senate, and can be overturned on a simple majority vote. You can bet your last dollar that if Obama gets into the White House, and the Slavery Party retains control of the House and Senate, the filibuster will be thrown out immediately.
A Slaver in the Presidency, and Slavery Party control of the Congress - simple majorities - are all that are needed to complete the destruction of the US. Economic and societal destruction, and personal liberty and freedom will be a thing of the past...
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 17, 2008 09:33 PMProbably for good reason. From what I've read, ADULT stem cells have yielded much better results than embryos ever have.
And the things that yield results generally get private funding. Government funding is generally necessary for really long shots.
Posted by: RBW on September 17, 2008 09:46 PMHer next commercial will be:
Dino Rossi hates puppies and once kicked a fluffy kitten. He also put gum in his sister's hair.
Posted by: Andy on September 17, 2008 10:07 PMBetween Obama's enthusiastic endorsement of infanticide and Gregoires push for embryonic stem cell research, I'd say these two would have made a great team back in Auschwitz circa 1938 under the careful tutelage of Dr. Eduard Wirths.
Posted by: Rick D. on September 17, 2008 10:09 PMYou wonder why Calif is broke. "fools"
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on September 18, 2008 06:26 AMPromise: Invest in a Life Science Discovery Fund that will help create thousands of jobs and start the Washington Institute of Stem Cell Research.Reality: One of the centerpieces of Gregoire's 2004 campaign, Gregoire dumped the idea of a Washington Institute of Stem Cell Research after a month in office.
Since then, the University of Washington established the Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) thanks to private funding. In fact, Governor Gregoire sent the message that the state wasn't going to lead any efforts to provide funding.
and what about job creation due to the Life Science Discovery Fund? Minimal, if any. To date, the Life Science Discovery Fund has given six grants which were all fully funded through private donations.
It appears the Governor is very good at making campaign promises, but like her record in general, she's a failure at being able to actually follow through on them.
I mean, Dino cannot have his own campaign, it must be Gregoire's and he is just a follower. You cannot have your own house because you must pay taxes on it, but they can dodge taxes. You cannot have your own income, it belongs to the State - unless of course you are a sitting Slavery Party leader and then you can refuse to even disclose income without issue.
And remember, it's not a child until the collective DECIDES it's a child. It's above their pay grade, and thus it's perfectly fine to kill newborn babies. No one has to take responsibility because it's above all of our pay grades.
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 18, 2008 07:54 AMI wish politicians would stick to the truth (yes some Rs misrepresent their opponents also, although the Ds have turned it into an art form) and quit using someone's personal tragedy for political gain. In 2006 there was an ad regarding a Puyallup firefighter and some insurance issue. It was shown that the family member in that ad misrepresented the facts. The democrats are taking this 'art form' to new lows. Gregoire's approval of these ads prove that she is lower than whale dung.
Posted by: Silkworm on September 18, 2008 08:03 AM