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Spin Control archive for Jan. 1, 2008

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008

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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Lots of speeches to come

Washington state Republicans have a whole morning of speechifying ahead of them.Their convention is set to kick off at 9:15 a.m. with the standard pomp and circumstances, then a welcome address from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.She'll be followed by Reps. Doc Hastings and Dave Reichert,…

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008

Wednesday's quickie political briefing

Today's videosToday's theme: The longer the Democratic presidential nomination fight goes on, the longer the candidates have to say things they likely wish they hadn't.Exhibit A: Barack Obama's remark that his uncle helped liberate Auschwitz in World War II draws some truth-squad attention on Tuesday.Exhibit…

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FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008

Friday's quickie political briefing

Today's videoCNN's Anderson Cooper and panelists further the running mate speculation.And that John McCain appearance on Ellen that Thuy posted yesterday? Here's a tightly wound exchange on gay marriage. IN THE HEADLINESObama says he’d pursue direct diplomacy with Cuba, Latin America Obama gains four delegates,…

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THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008

McCain is on the Ellen show, right now.

Here's what AP had on this:WASHINGTON (AP) _ Republican John McCain says same-sex couples should be allowed to enter into legal agreements for insurance and other purposes, but he opposes gay marriage and believes in "the unique status of marriage between and man and a…

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2008

'It's purely social'

McCain is planning a house party and inviting suspiciously veepish people. We say "Hmmmm." What say you? CLEVELAND (AP) - The Memorial Day weekend guest list at Sen. John McCain's Arizona retreat runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates,…

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



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