Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, October 16, 2008

Rossi, Gregoire testy in debate

By Rachel La Corte
Associated Press

 SEATTLE -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and her Republican opponent, Dino Rossi, attacked each other Wednesday night over negative ads that are flooding the airwaves in the weeks leading up to their hotly contested Nov. 4 rematch.

In their fifth and final debate, the candidates were asked about the latest ads, and whether they thought they were honest.

Rossi and Gregoire, a Democrat, have raised almost $20 million combined in the most expensive election in Washington history. That amount doesn't include the millions spent by third party groups on TV ads and mailers.

"I'm not going to impugn Mr. Rossi by saying he's dishonest. But I will say, his ads are not truthful," Gregoire said.

She pointed specifically to current TV ads critical of Gregoire for the state's release of homeless sex offenders.

She said they are "putting fear in the hearts of our families and putting fear in the hearts of our kids, that is shameful. They are fearmongering, they are wrong."

Rossi said Gregoire has "attacked everything from my Italian heritage to my kids' dog."

"Honesty and integrity is the only way you can survive in Olympia," he said.

There were other testy exchanges during the one-hour debate. At one point, after Gregoire said that Rossi would lower the minimum wage, Rossi turned to Gregoire and said that she was leveling false attacks that were "not only demeaning to you but they're also demeaning to the office that we both seek."

Rossi has said he's open to cutting the minimum wage for entry-level teens, not adults.

The state minimum wage, currently $8.07 an hour, jumps to $8.55 Jan. 1.

Gregoire and Rossi started off with pleasantries, with Gregoire wishing Rossi a happy birthday.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere but with you tonight," said Rossi, who turned 48 on Wednesday.

They quickly moved on to talking about the economy and how they'll help get the state back on track.

"People are worried about their jobs, they're worried about their investments, they're worried by their children's futures," Rossi said.

He said that Democrats' control of the governor's office for decades is part of the problem.

"You can't keep electing the same people over and over again and expect a different result."

Gregoire said that no state has escaped "the failed policies of Wall Street and Washington, D.C."

Last month, the state's revenue forecast dropped by $530 million, pushing a projected deficit in the next budget cycle to about $3.2 billion.

Last week, Gregoire announced immediate budget savings of about $240 million, including a 1 percent across-the-board cut at state agencies.

Gregoire's plan, which could lead to government layoffs, is expected to boost the state's surplus to more than $400 million and deliver ongoing savings in the next state budget.

Add money from the state's new "rainy day" fund, and Gregoire says she's got a blueprint for cutting the next state budget's deficit nearly in half, from $3.2 billion to about $1.7 billion.

Gregoire beat Rossi four years ago by just 133 votes, after three vote counts and an unsuccessful Republican court challenge.

The primary and polls show it's likely to be another tight race.

Asked who would be on their list for appointments to the state Supreme Court and whether there would be a "litmus test," such as positions on abortion rights and gay marriage, neither identified any possible appointees.

"Here is the litmus test," Rossi said. "I want people that I appoint as judges and justices to the Supreme Court to just rule based upon the law as it is, not as they wish it was."

Gregoire replied that she had made one appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Debra Stephens.

"She was unopposed in her election. I think that speaks highly of the caliber of the people I've appointed," Gregoire said, adding, "I will not use a litmus test, I never have."

Wednesday night's debate was sponsored by KING-TV, The Seattle Times and public radio's Northwest News Network.

The candidates tackled questions ranging from education to transportation to whether more could have been done to keep the Seattle SuperSonics from moving to Oklahoma.

Rossi said that the Sonics were a part of the fabric of the community, and "a piece of that fabric is missing."

Wednesday's debate came while Rossi fights an effort to compel his testimony about allegations that he illegally coordinated fundraising with a major supporter, the Building Industry Association of Washington. A King County Superior Court judge was initially scheduled to hear arguments in the case today, but Rossi spokeswoman Jill Strait said Wednesday night that the hearing was postponed until next week.

In court filings, Rossi's lawyers said forcing his testimony before next month's election "is a politically motivated effort to guarantee Mr. Rossi's unavailability to his campaign, to improperly employ the court system for political gain, and to unfairly sway voter sentiment in favor of Governor Gregoire."

The lawsuit was filed by two former state Supreme Court justices, Faith Ireland and Robert Utter, who have donated money to Gregoire's re-election campaign.

Election Day is Nov. 4, and absentee ballots in Washington's mostly vote-by-mail election must be sent to voters by Friday.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA