Ideological disguise won’t do
The Cato Institute’s biennial grading of state governors regarding proposed or enacted tax and spending increases awarded Gov. Chris Gregoire an F. As Senate majority whip, Chris Marr gave the guv and the Democrats free rein in taxing and spending. Without needing his vote to pass controversial proposals they allowed him to cast sham “no” votes. Crafting a profile as a fiscal moderate makes sense in the 6th District. It’s the same thinking behind leaving out any ID as a Democrat in his TV ad. An “oversight”? You decide.
Consider, Marr’s personal car sported one of the first Obama bumper stickers I saw in Spokane a year before the 2008 election, and for 18 months afterward. Reading the “tea” leaves last spring, Marr correctly divined the mood of the electorate. Anything Obama meant political death in the fall midterms. I noticed that the Obama bumper sticker magically disappeared. Ah, the wisdom of foresight.
The tea party has emerged as a legitimate voice in domestic politics, ready to elect “newcomer” Michael Baumgartner, instead of chameleon Chris Marr.
John Weisenburger
Spokane