Gregoire Could Have Been On Supreme Court List
Politics by Evan on May 18th, 2010 with No Comments so far.At least that’s what she tells hotshot Olympia political reporter Austin Jenkins at Crosscut.com:
“I know I was considered for the Supreme Court,” said the Democratic governor. “And I said I did not want to be vetted because I had my hands full being governor of the state of Washington.”
Jenkins also spotted a little evolution, as we did earlier in the week, in Gregoire’s latest statement about taking a job in the Obama Administration.
… Here’s what Gregoire told me last week:
“You know I’m not one who will say never, I don’t think that’s right. But I have been very clear since the president was elected that now is not the time for me, that I’ve got to stick to my job.”
And here’s what Gregoire is saying this week:
“I’ve got a job and I think the state really needs continuity right now, but you know I’ve never thought what it would be like to have the president of the United States ask you to serve. So, I can’t say never but I am also not looking for a job.”
Yesterday, the Seattle Times editorialized that Washington’s Governor “has what it takes to be Solicitor General.”
The more liberal SeattlePI.com might not disagree, but thinks Gregoire should tell the President she’s not interested.
Gregoire Now Says She’s Open to Obama Job
Politics by Nansen on May 15th, 2010 with No Comments so far.Whether you believe it’s all parlor tricks, or a real world scenario, Gov. Gregoire is at least now publicly stating a willingness to consider a presidential appointment in the Obama Administration — and that’s a radical departure from all previous reports (i.e. Secy. of Commerce or Interior).
In fact, Gov. Gregoire says she’s now “humbled” to even be mentioned as a potential pick to replace Solicitor General Elena Kagan.
Who Benefits Most from Gregoire Speculation?
Politics by Evan on May 12th, 2010 with 1 Comment so far.In the speculation about whether Gov. Chris Gregoire may be headed to Washington, D.C. at some point in the near future (to replace Elena Kagan as Solicitor General, so the rumor goes), it’s useful to analyze who benefits from such speculation.
As the GOP’s former party chairman Chris Vance alludes, the woman who most benefits from all this is not Gregoire, it’s Patty Murray.
Cheat Sheet: Jay Inslee’s Lobbyist Problem
Politics by Andrew on May 10th, 2010 with No Comments so far.A National Journal article claims that Washington Congressman Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island) is circulating a letter to colleagues that was ghost-written by a lobbying group that wants the FCC to regulate the internet. The conservative blog, RedState.com, points out the irony of the Inslee letter originating from a Congressman so close to Microsoft being caught in a scandal by their technology.
Speaking of Inlee’s relations with lobbyists, it’s instructive to revisit a dust-up that hasn’t gotten much attention. After the state’s Republican AG joined a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health care reform bill, all eyes were on Inslee (as he’s widely thought to be a candidate for Governor, ahem, should the incumbent leave early).
At the time, Inslee wrote in a press release:
“We fought over 2,000 insurance industry lobbyists in Washington DC to protect Washingtonians health care, we shouldn’t have to fight our own Attorney General too.”
You see, Inslee isn’t any lobbyist’s stooge. Unless, you know, you’re talking about a group wanting to regulate the internet, or the drug companies wanting to maintain their ability to charge exorbitant fees for life-saving drugs (h/t Firedoglake).
State Caught Using Illegal Body Gripping Traps
News by Nansen on February 2nd, 2010 with No Comments so far.
Kretz wondered what was under the black plastic pots scattered around the Capitol grounds. Turns out there were no fewer than 10 ‘body gripping traps’ placed at the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol grounds. These traps were outlawed in 2000 with Initiative 713 and became law under emergency rules a few months later.
Kretz immediately informed WDFW of these illegal traps. The General Administration claimed ignorance. They didn’t know the traps were illegal and have been using them for years.
“I can’t use that excuse if I broke the law!” Kretz exclaimed. “I find it hard to believe they didn’t know about the law. This is a big issue! Every year, for the past 9 years we have had lengthy floor debates about these traps.” Indeed, in 2002, then Attorney General Christine Gregoire wrote an opinion about the use of such traps.
While farmers struggle with less effective substitutes for controlling dangerous coyotes attacking livestock, our Governor has a mole problem so it is just fine to place these traps in heavily trafficked areas of the Capitol campus. Imagine if a visiting child (or angry Senator) accidently stepped off the curb and became trapped?
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Unless of course you are the Governor.
Update: King 5 News visited Olympia and the traps have been removed. Story at 5:30pm.
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