June 11, 2007 by Alpha.

If current trends are maintained, you can expect to see more Democrats in cowboy hats in the future, a new Center for Rural Studies report indicates.

Key findings:
No significant ideological shift: 50% of respondents still call themselves conservatives.
Significant drop in Bush’s approval: he’s polling at 44%, down 10 since his reelection and down 22 since 2002.
Rural voters are currently favoring Democrats in both Presidential and Congressional races, but these leads are within the margin of error.
Finally, almost 60% of respondents know someone serving in Iraq, though a plurality still support “staying the course.”

What does this mean? While the numbers aren’t convincing us that a whole lot has changed, it’s starting to look like the resurgance of Democratic performance in rural areas last cycle wasn’t just a fluke. We might also hope to see a return to the near-parity that President Clinton’s campaigns scored, and as soon as 2008.

The most pointed question is this: Which, if any, Democratic candidates can deliver the rural vote?

That’s a question I’m honestly not prepared to answer some 18 months out. I’ll be thinking on it, I assure you, and I’ll be sharing my thoughts.

Posted in Rural, National, Campaigns | 1 Comment »

June 11, 2007 by Bravo.

I’m not saying that Walla Walla County is ready to vote Democratic—yet. And maybe it won’t ever—Bill Grant excepted. But the county is experiencing changes that bear watching and political reassessment.

The Walla Walla Valley has seen the number of wineries go from a handful a decade ago to more than 100 today. The region has been reviewed favorably in national and regional publications. Those changes are bringing more tourists, upscale restaurants, and jobs to town.

In addition, the valley has turned into something of an early retirement mecca as scores of Westsiders and Californians have been cashing out the accrued values in their homes and settling here. Property values and new housing starts continue to climb at a breathtaking pace.

And the migrant population that used to move through the region with the fruit crops seems to be, at least to some extent, taking root in a number of Southeastern Washington communities. Their kids are completing school, and they’re building businesses. Latinos represent the largest minority in the state, and they are becoming more politically active.

Walla Walla County is no longer just the reserve of the wheat farmer and the penitentiary guard. Perhaps the time is right for a political realignment here in Eastern Washington.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

June 11, 2007 by Stuck In Spokane.

As some who follow this blog may know, there has been some controversy regarding my coverage of Ms. Verner’s mayoral race. Yesterday I was notified that there was a police investigation under Washington’s new anti-cyber-stalking laws. It was started due to the harassing emails that had been sent to the Verner campaign and to Mary personally. I immediately responded by contacting Ms. Verner personally and speaking with her. I was not the person sending the emails regarding her, and involving her children. I do not condone that behavior and think it is despicable, yet unfortunately part of politics at times.

At the time I was speaking with her I also got the opportunity to ask her about the laptop. The information that wasn’t available at the time was that the campaign had actually paid for part of the laptop, and was allowing the former staffer to keep the laptop without repaying the amount theVerner campaign paid. The staffer was also allowed to take the laptop for several hours prior to the campaign taking the computer to have it wiped. So there was ample opportunity for said staffer to back information up. While I think that communication could have been better regarding what was going to happen, there were wrongs that occurred on both sides, and neither party is entirely to blame.

And to Old Hide, I would encourage you to speak to the police regarding this situation before they have to track you down… (and trust me it’s not terribly difficult)

I’ve received quite a few comments regarding what I have covered and why I am not covering “the issues,” in my view I am. I don’t want a one sided monologue (which is why, while anonymously, offered theVerner campaign an opportunity to respond) but I view issues such as the computer to be dirty laundry, and how a candidate handles issues such as staff is integral to how they will run their office if elected. I will report on anything I consider to be valid to the course of a campaign, and do so without remorse. I do like MaryVerner’s ideas, and I would like to see them expanded upon and an opportunity for her to address policy issues directly, as well as allow the other campaigns to do so.

Like I have told Mary, and also Mayor Hession’s campaign manager, I will be sending them a questionnaire this week to fill out that does directly approach the policy issues facing the city. I will be posting their responses as I receive them.

-Stuck in Spokane-

P.S. As to my anonymity it may or may not come out in the coming days/weeks who I am, and it is my prerogative to remain anonymous, I will tell you though it is not out of fear that I do so but as Jim Camden quoted me as saying, I find it quite entertaining the guessing game people are playing.

Posted in Letters, Spokane, Mayor | 2 Comments »

June 11, 2007 by Alpha.

The Senate will today vote on a non-binding resolution expressing a lack of confidence in Alberto Gonzalez’s ability to execute his duties as Attorney General. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the resolution’s sponsor, has expressed doubts that the vote will reach the 60 votes needed to pass.

I’ve seen a lot of chatter suggesting that we should just ITMFA (Impeach The M* F* Already). While I’m totally on board with any meaningful attempts to get rid of Gonzo, I think that this resolution plays an interesting part in the fight to do so. If this resolution does pass, it proves we’ve got the votes in the Senate to impeach. Even if it fails, it puts everyone on record–it gives us a signed, sealed list of Senators who are on the bubble, a target list. If we know who we have to turn, that is what G.I. Joe used to call “half the battle.”

As an aside, Tony Snow spent some time on Fox’s awful Sunday Morning show describing in detail just how much Bush isn’t paying attention. While Bush may well plan on standing by his man, I see it as yet another of the previously discussed stalling tactics. Here’s our rallying cry: “Remember Rummy!”

Let’s give the thing the best chance we can. Call your senators this morning and let them know where you stand. 

Maria Cantwell (D-WA): 202-224-3441
Patty Murray (D-WA): 202-224-2621
Larry Craig (R-ID): 202-224-2752
Mike Crapo (R-ID): 202-224-6142
Gordon Smith (R-OR): 202-224-3753
Ron Wyden (D-OR):202-224-5244

Outside the northwest, you can get quick contact info here.

Posted in National | No Comments »