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Spin Control archive for May 2008

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008

The convention's a wrap, here's a wrapup

A well-organized group of supporters for Sen. John McCain got just about everything they wanted Saturday at the Washington State Republican Convention, except maybe a meeting that ended on time.The 1,500-plus delegates elected the slates of national convention representatives and electors to the Electoral College…

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Resolution on War Declarations passes

A resolution requiring the House of Representatives to vote for a Declaration of War for any military action passes to the cheers of the Ron Paul delegates.A motion to extend the convention until "all business is concluded" will be voted on, and supporters of John…

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Killing time

The quorum count continues at the Spokane Convention Center, and the delegates are restless.They do "the wave" through the convention floor, but quickly tire of it.They sing "God Bless America," then "The Star Spangled Banner," which prompts the delegates to stand and put their hands…

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Mass exodus

So many delegates are leaving the hall that convention chairman Kirby Wilbur says the group may not have a quorum.When alternates in the back of the room suggested he seat alternates with a "One man, one vote," chant, Wilbur exploded with "Shut Up! How thick…

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On to resolutions

The Washington STate Republican Convention passed a packet of resolutions on points which include:* an opposition to Initiative 1000, which would allow terminally ill persons to opt for suicide.* making English the official of the United States.* increasing the use of nuclear power.* close the…

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No to state income tax

Convention delegates overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the platform calling for "a re-examination of the federal income tax, and opposition to the imposition of a state income tax."No one speaks against it.

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Calling some things uncalled for

Some scurrilous things are circulating at the convention, chairman Kirby Wilbur says, and delegates should be aware that they don't come from the party.Spelling John McCain's name with a hammer and sickle for the C is uncalled for, Wilbur says.Suggesting Ron Paul is a racist…

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Afternoon session to start (relatively) soon

The Washington State Republican Convention should resume in a few minutes.It was scheduled to reconvene at 1 p.m. (which everyone knew wouldn't quite happen). But delegates are filing in to the Spokane Convention Center and Convention Chair Kirby Wilbur has asked them to please take…

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Section on Family up for debate

GOP delegates agree to debate the platform section on Family issues. Among the points that may come up is the possibility of adding a "Human Life" amendment to the U.S. Constitution.It's also a point on which John McCain and Ron Paul are generally in agreement.

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A round of applause for Tom Jefferson

Convention Chairman Kirby Wilbur is reading the preamble to the platform as copies are being handed out.He gets a big hand when reading the lines from the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed…

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Unity slate maneuver

Ron Paul forces are asking to suspend the rules to elect a different slate of delegates to the national convention.It's being described as a "Unity Slate" and has well-known names such as former Sen. Slade Gorton and Rep. Cathy McMorris.It will take a two-thirds vote…

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What to watch for at today's GOP convention

The early part of the morning at the Washington State Republican Convention will involve some things that have little or no mystery to them.Republicans have to elect 10 at-large delegates to the national convention. Seven are being awarded to John McCain and three to Mike…

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FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008

Paul forces pick up 4 delegates

Arizona Sen. John McCain may have the GOP nomination sewn up, but supporters of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul picked up four national convention delegates and four alternates Friday at the Washington state convention.McCain picked up the other 14 delegates and 14 alternates elected Friday. He'll…

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Talk among yourselves

The Washington Republican State Convention broke up into congressional district caucuses after lunch.Delegates in each of the nine districts will select national convention delegates that are awarded through the precinct caucus process. They may also hear from candidates who want to run for the U.S.…

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Otter to be a no show

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is in the program as the keynote speaker for tonight's banquet at the Washington GOP convention.But the keynote speaker is going to look a lot like convention star Dino Rossi......because it will be Rossi. Otter has cancelled.State GOP officials mentioned the…

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McCain forces win floor fight

A move to unseat the Skagit County delegation,which allegedly was stacked with McCain delegates, lost.The convention voted to seat them, and turned back an effort to hear a debate of the entire case on the floor of the convention.Points of order continue to slow the…

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Still more talking

After Dino Rossi brought the crowd to its feet, three GOP officials who actually are incumbents got their chance at the podium.Attorney General Rob McKenna said the state has been successful at closing down meth labs and convincing teens to stay away from meth. It…

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A shouting match started by Reichert

It's not clear if U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert was trying to test the levels of support for John McCain and Ron Paul, but that's what he did when he said "Today we support John McCain as our nominee."The McCain supporters stood up and cheered, with…

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A welcome from McMorris Rodgers

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers sounded a bit like the Chamber of Commerce in welcoming delegates to the convention. Get out and enjoy Riverfront Park, the shops, the new restaurants, she said at the start of her kickoff speech.She also made the obligatory dig at…

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The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.



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