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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, April 20, 2008 Campaign for governor still feels familiar By Jerry Cornfield Herald Columnist A lot can change in four years, especially in politics. But apparently not in Washington when it comes to this year's contest for governor. A steady ration of polls show the 2008 rematch between Gov. Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi could wind up as close as 2004 because many voters' minds are made up. Nearly every survey, regardless of the method and motive of the pollster, found strikingly few people who say they are undecided about their choice. Considering it is only April and neither candidate has got their groove on, the voters appear ready to decide. Maybe we should avoid enduring months of rhetorical warfare and get it done. If three recounts and a court case are required, the results should be known by January when the winner will get sworn in. With an early election unlikely (do you think?) the decisive battlegrounds of 2004 like Snohomish County will again be crucial if not conclusive. Not surprisingly, Gregoire and Rossi already are popping in. She came to Everett twice in the last two weeks to kick off her campaign and to kick it with the true blue of the county Democratic Party. He came to Sultan on Tuesday to sketch his blueprint for transportation. In their visits, it seemed while Gregoire and Rossi are the same people who competed in 2004, they're not quite the same candidates in 2008. They've mutated slightly in ways intended to preserve and enlarge their support base. Gregoire's strength proved a weakness the first go-round. She is a walking think tank with a lawyerly demeanor who many voters struggled to connect with on a visceral level. While warm and fuzzy aren't needed to balance the state budget, they are requisites for some voters to let you try. Changing from Christine to Chris didn't do it for her. At the kickoff in the Labor Temple, she's looked to be less handled by her handlers and enjoying it a lot more. She stayed after her speech to chat with folks and pose for photos. She surprised them by not rushing out the door. Hanging out might be a good change. Rossi is a schmoozer, an affable character that voters found likeable on the very level that they didn't with Gregoire. It was a key to his success. What he is not is a wonk. It's not his political suit. Nonetheless, Rossi tried it on in Bellevue this week in a 40-minute PowerPoint presentation on transportation. Throughout he looked uncomfortable and didn't sell it with his usual spark. By comparison, in Sultan he kept it short, focused on U.S. 2 and sounded like his old self. Details are her turf and trying to move onto it probably won't get him within 129 votes. Then sometimes it's better not to change too much. That's what voters are saying. Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. He can be heard at 8 a.m. Mondays on "The Morning Show" on KSER (90.7 FM). Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfieldheraldnet.com.

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