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Local News 
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Koster for Congress? He’s still undecided Will John Koster run for Congress in 2010 or won’t he?Everyone’s waiting to find out. “I’m thinking about it. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten,” Koster, a Snohomish County councilman, said this week. Koster, fresh from victory for a third and final term on the council, appears to be the biggest Republican name floating around as a potential challenger to Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. GOP faithful are urging him into the race by phone, e-mail and, for 271 people, through an online petition that concludes, “John Koster: Can you hear us?” This wouldn’t be the first time Koster and Larsen have faced off. Nine years ago, the two competed for the same congressional seat, which was vacant and very much desired by the national Democratic and Republican parties. Koster won the September 2000 primary by 4,000 votes. In the eight weeks that followed, the national parties put up gobs of money and sent in campaign workers for the battle. Larsen finished with 50.01 percent of the vote to Koster’s 45.93 percent in the general election. Two other candidates, one a Republican and the other a Natural Law Party member, completed the roster. Larsen has won four times since then, the last two by very wide margins. A prodigious fundraiser, Larsen had $439,000 bankrolled for the campaign as of Sept. 30. Koster knows the challenge and recognizes time is a luxury he cannot afford to waste. When will he decide? “Fairly soon. I need to make the decision fairly soon,” he said. Four years ago, the Oil Spill Advisory Council was born, and Mike Cooper was appointed its leader. Five months ago, the board’s budget was neutered, leaving Cooper with his title but no money, no staff and nothing to do. Four days ago, the council appeared on the latest batch of government commissions Gov. Chris Gregoire wants legislatively euthanized. The council is one of 78 panels she has asked the Legislature to wipe from the books next year. Gregoire axed 17 others with an executive order this week. Among them was the Marysville Community Citizens Violation Board, a panel created in 1996 to assist the Department of Corrections. It has finished its work and has been dormant for several years. While no one will be mourning its loss, Cooper, a Snohomish County Councilman, will miss the Oil Spill Advisory Council. Created in the wake of a spill at Point Wells in Snohomish County in 2003 and another near Vashon Island in 2004, its 19 unsalaried appointees aided by a professional staff put out reports on the state’s oil spill prevention programs. Early this year, it produced what appears to be its final document, a nearly 400-page, research-rich analysis on the state’s strengths and weaknesses in dealing with large oil spills in the Puget Sound. Cooper understands the governor and Legislature are looking for coinage in every cupboard of government to deal with a state budget deficit. The council costs nothing today, but if it’s left on the books, it could be reborn in the future. “I still feel strongly that when the economy rebounds, the state is better served if an independent third party like the council is looking at these issues,” he said. Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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Chantel, please enlighten us one position of Koster's that is "filthy." Or "no-values." Or "anti-woman." Or "anti-health care." Or "pro-war," or "pro-greed." Just one ... and it can't be "abortion," because obviously, if "pro-life" means "anti-woman," than about half of women are "anti-woman," which makes no sense.
I don't know offhand if Koster supported Iraq or Afghanistan, but Larsen has with near-perfect consistency voted for both, and like Obama, continues to support both.
Of course, your accusation that he is "pro-greed" is meaningless rhetoric, and your claim that he is "anti-health care" is just plain old lying.
"a miniscule part of the great 2nd congressional district"
Shrug. Keep thinking that.
pudge | Dec 7, 2009 6:35 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I totally think Koster should run. Be a great chance for Larsen to kick Johnny's tail again! Let there be no doubt that the filthy, no-values, anti-woman, anti-health care, anti-pretty much everything except war and greed right is but a miniscule part of the great 2nd congressional district. Larsen in a romp, righties. Deal with it.
Chantel Robertson | Dec 7, 2009 2:11 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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So the people who don't want Koster to run, as evidenced here, are extremist liberal Democrats. This is a great reason for Koster to run, because their kind are a small minority in this district.
I mean, look at these comments. One of them is so extreme left they think Larsen, a diehard liberal himself, is a Republican.
Another thinks that being fair for everyone means you "only care about the rich" (and is deluded into thinking a majority of Americans want the Dems' health care reform, when it's clear they don't: every single independent poll has more people opposed to the plan, than for it).
Another thinks that having principles he disagrees with is "so 1956." It's hard to know where to begin with that, because it's so nonsensical there's really no way to respond to it.
Crazy stuff, but it's what they really believe. Such people will never vote for any Republican or conservative, anyone who believes in and follows the Constitution, anyone who would refuse to sacrifice our country for what might "feel" good at the time. Such people are irrelevant: they will always either vote for the Dem candidate, or someone even further left, or not at all.
But again, they are a minority, thankfully. Most of the people in the Second CD want fiscal sanity, personal liberty, honesty, independence, and so on. The stuff John Koster stands for, and Rick Larsen stands against.
pudge | Dec 6, 2009 2:10 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Just what we need - another global-warming denying/preventing abortion is more important than health care reform/development is fine at any cost Republican.
Republicans are so 1956.
Doug Vavrick | Dec 6, 2009 1:48 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Rick Larson... prodigious fundraiser translates to "Sold out to the corporate special interests by taking big bucks that are called legal by the other congressional thieves, but if you or I were to take that money it would be called bribery.
Little Ricky's sole goal is to get re-elected at whatever cost so he can continue to live high on the hog. Ever notice how he is always under the radar on major issues but is out in front on issues that are supported by a vocal minority, both among the population in general and corporate special interests? It's because the vocal minority are the ones that vote.
the-anachronistic-curmudgeon.blogspot.com
Dick Thorsen | Dec 6, 2009 9:59 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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he is an embarrassment. vote democrat. the gop only care about the rich. Health care reform MUST pass. I expect Larson to vote in favor of it because the majority of us want it.
john smith | Dec 6, 2009 7:01 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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It all depends on the health care bill and how Larsen votes on it. If he votes for the present bill or anything close to it, then his opponent gets my vote even if his opponent is a yellow dog. I'll become a Yellow Dog Voter (modeled after the Yellow Dog Democrats of East Texas).
Michael DS | Dec 6, 2009 6:24 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Hey Mr. Koster:
N O !!!!!!!
cynthia worthen | Dec 6, 2009 5:57 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Please! We already have a Republican Congressman, his name is Rick Larsen. Koster represents the fringe of the fringe...the kooks...I can just see him inviting Sarah Palin and her ilk to the county to boost his standing...what a libertine...(look it up knuckle-draggers).
Anthony Vicari | Dec 6, 2009 1:21 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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