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Dangerous Dino
August 19, 2004
The likely Republican nominee for Governor of Washington, Dino Rossi, is actually a slick huckster whose carefully-manicured image as a likeable suburban moderate - and experienced state legislator - masks an extremist conservative soul. At least, so writes Sandeep Kaushik in Seattle's funky alternative weekly, The Stranger. A lot of things about Rossi give Kaushik indigestion. Here are several. Hold on tight, and have the Maalox handy. *Rossi doesn't believe it's government's job to "curb the social dislocations caused by the hard realities of capitalism." (Damn, he's not a socialist. Yep, that could sure cost him votes aplenty in the fertile suburban crescent). *Rossi stands for traditional values. (Another killer. Um, at least in the GOP stronghold of Seattle). *Rossi's for law and order (when in fact, lawless disorder is so much better; a la WTO '99, and our '01 Mardi Gras riots). *He believes in "black and white delineations of right and wrong." (There goes the deconstructionist vote). *He's opposed to abortion, with just a few exceptions. (Like some Democrats, are too. This is a deeply personal issue, and the politically savvy Rossi - if he does manage to get elected - might sign a parental notification law affecting minors seeking an abortion, in the unlikely event GOP legislators were actually cut loose to vote their consciences on this one. But he'd not go much further. Besides, Roe v. Wade is a federal matter). *He's against "affirmative action." (Unlike more sophisticated "progressive" liberal white Democrats, who understand that blacks can't compete in school or the workplace without preferential treatment). *He admitted, in front of what had up to that point been a positively-disposed bunch of UW law professors, to actually reading Ann Coulter's "Treason." This dismayed them greatly. (There goes the UW law professor vote). He doesn't believe in government as a jobs creator. (Hasn't he heard about "the social dislocations caused by the hard realities of capitalism?"). This is the best the Washington state Democratic spin machine can come up with. No wonder liberal Seattle-Post Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly writes: Democratic strategists claim confidently they will blow Rossi out of the water. They've yet to lay a glove on the guy. Kaushik sounds the alarm well enough for worried liberals, writing that Rossi has "John Edwards star power," a "1,000 watt smile," and "is for real." And there's this: Rossi outpolled both Democrats in a recent, independent poll by Elway Research, and was within six points of their combined total. Posted by Matt Rosenberg at August 19, 2004 03:42 PM Trackback Pings TrackBack URL for this entry: Comments:
I guess Dino wouldn't qualify as Seattle's best conservative in this publication as well. They do seem rather afraid. Are the stars aligning for Dino Rossi this year? The competition for the governor's chair is weak and they carry lots of baggage. The Republicians are putting forth a candidate who many have credited with a no new taxes budget in the face of spending deficits. Dino left a much bigger footprint on Washington than the governor during the last budget dustup. Or put another way, are the stars aligning for the State of Washington this year? Posted by: Gary B at August 19, 2004 05:55 PMAnd, what with Rossi's proudly-claimed Native American and Italian heritages, 'ah shucks' manner, and 'that certain something' capability to activate supporters - this may be celestial alignment time. My point with folks is that Dino (notice, we are all on a first name basis with him) has barely begun the 'getting to know you' phase of the campaign - and barely begun to spend on closing the deal with voters yet either. He is waiting first to see which Dem lays dead on the primary floor. Then wait and see, there is going to be some sweet wooing going on with his ads. Dino and Terry Rossi were jointly awarded King County Republican Volunteers of the Year at the Lincoln Day Dinner back in, oh, about 1988 (if memory serves, certainly no more than a year off either way). They have made a lot of strong relationships with Republicans throughout the state. And those folks are going to work hard for Dino. A united conservative-moderate Republican coalition combined with Dino's ability to connect with swing voters, particularly Soccer Moms (while talking a good game with the NASCAR Dads - something neither presumptive Demo candidate would even attempt), means Dino has more than an even chance at this. I got to know Dino in the late 80's, when he helped run the Young Men's Republican Club downtown, when he did a whole bunch of work to put the guest speakers onto public access cable. He could not resist the humor in 'sending one over the bow' of the freaks on public access. Years later the Libertarians tried copying Dino's moves in that and other outreach, but to little effect. It takes the ability to connect with folks, and Dino has it. Dino does more than tolerate, he relishes actually, a broad spectrum of viewpoints within the Republican Party. He is not doctrinaire - this is the guy who reached out to Helen Sommers, after all, and crafted a compromise state budget last year. Which led to Helen drawing strong primary opposition for the first time ever. If Dino can woo Helen Sommers, who can't he reach? Posted by: P Scott Cummins at August 19, 2004 09:05 PMHmm. I think Rossi is alright, but the comments in this thread sound like awful press releases. If you want him to win, don't pass that around. Posted by: Pete at August 20, 2004 09:19 AMThanks for the feedback. But somebody has got their 'smarm-0-meter' set kinda high maybe? That's what you get for blogging at work. Note to self: must strive for smug, Connelly-esque uber-wonk comments always... Posted by: P Scott Cummins at August 21, 2004 03:42 PMPost a comment
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