A promising early matchup
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, June 28, 2011
We realize that Rob McKenna and Jay Inslee might not be the only major candidates who run for governor in 2012. But given that each is the early favorite for his party’s nomination, we can’t help looking forward to the invigorating, ideas-oriented campaign a McKenna-Inslee matchup could provide.
At such a pivotal time in our state’s history, with real questions about the future availability of good jobs and whether our children will have the skills they need to get them, we’re glad to have at least two public-policy heavyweights in the race.
Inslee, a Democrat who has served south Snohomish County as the 1st District’s congressman for more than a decade, entered the race Monday — two weeks after Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire said she won’t seek a third term. McKenna, the two-term Republican state attorney general, announced his candidacy earlier this month.
Inslee and McKenna are seasoned, savvy, highly intelligent politicians. Both have led on important issues, Inslee as a top congressional voice for clean energy development, McKenna as a tough AG fighting for consumer protection and against child pornography.
Both hold appeal for their political bases, but both know that the winner will have to appeal to independent voters. Thus, each will try to sell himself as a moderate, while their allies work to paint the other guy as an extremist.
Above such noise, a serious, honest debate must emerge about the future of our state and its government.
Inslee struck an economic development theme Monday, saying he’d work to encourage clean-technology companies to plant themselves and grow here. In his announcement, McKenna said he’d focus on restoring more of the existing revenue pie to education.
Next are the details. From McKenna, voters need to know where new education dollars will come from, and how they’d be used. From Inslee, particulars on the kinds of incentives he’d offer businesses to set up shop here are needed.
Beyond education and economic development, voters need to hear where each stands on the future of the state’s transportation infrastructure (how much for roads, ferries and transit, and how we’ll pay for it all), and the mission and size of state government, including the appropriate role and scope of the social safety net.
We hope McKenna and Inslee — and any other major candidates who jump in — engage in a debate that’s civil but frank, and a campaign that respects voters by focusing on issues that matter, not cheap shots and other distractions.
In other words, a debate worthy of the job they seek.
