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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control archive for Jan. 1, 2008

MONDAY, AUG. 18, 2008

Monday's quickie political briefing

Reminder: Tuesday is Primary Election Day in Washington State. That means your ballots must be dropped off or mailed and postmarked by Tuesday evening.Wondering where to drop them off in Spokane County? Click here.Lost your ballot? The dog ate it or the baby threw up…

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THURSDAY, AUG. 14, 2008

WA Gov Race still close, SurveyUSA says

The latest poll in Washington's gubernatorial grudge match shows the two main candidates virtually tied, with very few voters undecided.SurveyUSA has the race at 50 percent for Chris Gregoire, 48 percent for Dino Rossi, 1 percent for other candidates and 1 percent undecided. Margin of…

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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13, 2008

Not from around here?

The McCain Campaign announced its Washington "Grassroots Leadership Team", which has some familiar Republican names.Former Secretary of State Ralph Munro. State Attorney General Rob McKenna. Former Spokane County Commissioner and FEMA exec Grant Peterson.And one -- "Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gordon" -- that might be…

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Numbers gaming

Dino Rossi's gubernatorial campaign seems to be trying to downplay expectations for the Aug. 19 primary.Rossi obviously expects to make it through next Tuesday's election to face Democrat Chris Gregoire in November. But a press release sent out by the campaign seems to be an…

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MONDAY, AUG. 11, 2008

Lots of choices for president

Washington voters will have eight options for president to pick from on their November ballot.The Secretary of State's office announced on Monday afternoon the minor party candidates who managed to supply the required 1,000 valid signatures by the Aug. 1 deadline to qualify for the…

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FRIDAY, AUG. 8, 2008

That was the week that was

It was a week that saw Paris Hilton weigh in on the presidential campaign.The presidential candidates weigh-in on the efficacy of tire gages.John McCain started the week at the biker rally in Sturgis, S.D. Barack Obama ended the week by going on vacation.Washington voters began…

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THURSDAY, AUG. 7, 2008

The next thing in military technology?

Bonus video: Some of the latest in military technology -- especiallly the stuff that flies really, really fast and loud -- is on display at Fairchild Air Force Base this weekend. But here's a tongue-in-cheek look at where technology might take the Pentagon in its…

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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6, 2008

Ballots coming in

With ballots for Washington state’s top two primary streaming in to county elections offices, state officials are unveiling a new Web site to give voters even more help with their ballot and registration.Secretary of State Sam Reed said voters seem to prefer the new voting…

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Wednesday's quickie political briefing

Today's video: What happens when you start mixing politics with celebrities. Paris for prez?(Warning: Some people might find language in this objectionable.)See Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad and more funny videos on FunnyOrDie.comSee more funny videos at Funny or DieHere are the headlines in…

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TUESDAY, AUG. 5, 2008

Tuesday's quickie political briefing

Today's fun video: The best skewering of the "race card" over analyzing so far. (Warning: some folks may find this offensive in parts.)Here are today's headlines in the presidential race, from The Associated Press: New McCain ad emphasizes independent streak to counter Obama charge he’s…

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SUNDAY, AUG. 3, 2008

That was the week that was

Brittany Spears made an appearance in campaign commercials.The presidential candidates "town halled" individually -- and somewhat relentlessly -- but apparently won't town hall together.Meanwhile, each presidential campaign accused the other of playing the race card.Gov. Chris Gregoire got carded at a bar. Challenger Dino Rossi…

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THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2008

Thursday's quickie political briefing

Today's videos: Britney is showing up in campaign commercials. Really. (We can't make this up, it's too bizarre.)She has a quick cameo in the latest McCain ad:And, very quickly, there's a counter ad that hits back.Maybe it's time for a third video, a new version…

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 30, 2008

Wednesday's quickie political briefing

Latest poll: In Washington state, it's Obama 48 percent, McCain 37 percent; Gregoire 47 percent, Rossi 45 percent, in the latest Strategic Vision survey. More on that survey later today.Here are the headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated PressMcCain tries balancing act: brags…

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TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008

Tuesday quickie political briefing

Today's video: What does Sen. Larry Craig have to do with the military's Don't Ask/Don't Tell policy? The Center for Military Readiness's Elaine Donnelly explains, with a little help from The Daily Show.Here are today's headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated Press:Economic and…

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FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2008

THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2008

Thursday's quickie political briefing

Today's videos: Two takes on Obama's international tourHere's an MSNBC clip on his Berlin stopHere's the Daily Show's take on his Middle East swing. (We're guessing this will get more hits.)Here are today's headlines in the presidential race from the Associated PressObama tells enormous Berlin…

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008

Wednesday's quickie political briefing

Today's video: The McCain campaign vid saying the media's in the tank for ObamaWaddya think? Are they right, or are they whining? Click here to comment.Here are today's headlines in the presidential campaign from The Associated PressObama praises US ties with Israel, promises to push…

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TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008

On the attack: The latest prez ads

Some of the hardest hitting and most innovative ads in the presidential campaign are being run by outsiders right now.Here's one from the Service Employees union that tries to take on McCain by taking advantage of the debut of "Mama Mia" (which, probably to their…

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MONDAY, JULY 21, 2008

League forums on TV

The League of Women Voters held a series of forums recently for congressional, judicial and legislative candidates, and they plan on showing them on cable television.Over and over.So if you miss them one day, chances are you'll have another shot at seeing them before the…

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SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2008

Help a reader out: Is anyone worth your vote?

A concerned (or maybe angry? perplexed? disgusted?) reader writes:Can you give any good reason to vote for any of our present congressmen(women). They, not the president have failed the country. just what have they done in congress to solve the problem. After all they make…

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FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008

Clothes maketh the event?

Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke showed up at two different press conferences this week in very different attire.On Wednesday, he was present when the U.S. attorney, federal and local law enforcement agencies announced a big bust of drugs and guns, the result of an 18-month…

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THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2008

Some yapping in the gov campaign

Everyone knows that the governor's race is getting heated. The two main protagonists don't much like each other, and their staffs shouldn't be allowed in the same room without a pass through the metal detector and armed guards to separate them.But now the campaign may…

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More on Michelle Obama in Seattle

Michelle Obama and Chris Gregoire, and about 1,600 of their supporters, raised an estimated $320,000 at the WaMu Theater at Safeco Field, the Associated Press reports.As would be expected, Michelle Obama complimented Gregoire, who complimented Barack Obama, so everyone was pretty much in sync.Shortly afterwards,…

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Counterprogramming Michelle Obama

Washington State Republicans our trying to smack Michelle Obama around online as she makes a campaign stop today in Seattle.They decided to take out after her "really proud of this country" comment from a few months ago -- yes, that is a way back in…

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2008

Warning: Deadline approaching

The deadline for registering to vote in Washington the easy way -- that is, filling out a form you get at a government office or off the Internet, and mailing it in -- is fast approaching.Those registration forms must be postmarked by Saturday to be…

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



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