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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Today’s fun video: Debate in 120 seconds

Today’s fun video: Debate in 120 seconds

Fact-checking the presidential debate

Fact-checking the presidential debate

Romney, Obama come out swinging

DENVER – In a showdown at close quarters, an aggressive Mitt Romney sparred with President Barack Obama in their first campaign debate Wednesday night over taxes, deficits and strong steps needed to create jobs in a sputtering national economy. “The status quo is not going to cut it,” declared the Republican challenger. Democrat Obama in turn accused his rival of seeking to “double down” on economic policies that actually led to the devastating national downturn four years ago – and of evasiveness when it came to prescriptions for tax changes, health care, Wall Street regulation and more.

No zingers as debate dealt with big issues

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was more passionate in Wednesday night’s debate than some Republicans expected. President Barack Obama was more reserved than some Democrats expected. Neither produced a signature phrase or zinger that will make the first presidential debate of the 2012 campaign memorable, members of both parties said.

U.S. Senate hopeful Baumgartner endorses marijuana initiative

The Republican challenger for a Washington U.S. Senate seat endorsed a ballot measure Wednesday that would legalize marijuana for personal use in the state. State Sen. Mike Baumgartner, R-Spokane, said it was time for a new approach to the nation’s drug policy, and called Initiative 502 a “thoughtful step forward.” Time spent as an adviser to a counternarcotics team in Afghanistan convinced him that drug cartels are gaining from the United States’ approach to criminalizing marijuana for adults, he added.

Incumbent Republican faces same-party opponent

State Rep. Joel Kretz isn’t a Republican you would expect to see challenged for his seat by another Republican. He’s ranked highly by state business groups that generally lean Republican and he’s the party’s deputy minority leader in the House.

Debate claims a bit sketchy

WASHINGTON – As President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney rhetorically sparred in Wednesday night’s televised debate, both candidates exhibited a propensity toward misstatements, falsehoods and exaggerations. From the economy to immigration, health care to military spending, both Romney and Obama sometimes played fast and loose with the facts. Here’s a look at some of what was said:

Baumgartner endorses marijuana initiative

Baumgartner endorses marijuana initiative

Debate watching, in a group

Debate watching, in a group

Today’s fun video: Stewart preps audience for tonight’s debate

Today’s fun video: Stewart preps audience for tonight’s debate

Immigration surfaces in McKenna, Inslee debate

Rob McKenna began his opening statement in Spanish. Jay Inslee talked of “bucking hay” and working to pass a levy to build a local high school. And while Washington’s two gubernatorial candidates mostly continued long-running arguments over jobs, health care and school funding, Tuesday night’s debate in Yakima at least gave them a chance to air new disagreements over immigration and driver’s licenses.

McKenna v. Inslee, round 3, in Yakima

McKenna v. Inslee, round 3, in Yakima

Inslee v. McKenna, tonight at 7

Inslee v. McKenna, tonight at 7

Today’s fun video: Anti-Pelosi Zombie ad

Today’s fun video: Anti-Pelosi Zombie ad

GOP group to emphasize ‘differences’

GOP group to emphasize ‘differences’

Veep candidate makes local stops

Veep candidate makes local stops

GOP comes to McLaughlin’s aid after campaign misstep

GOP comes to McLaughlin’s aid after campaign misstep

Doug Clark: Stunt Shea pulled far from clean campaigning

Matt Shea – the Road Rage Republican running for re-election in Spokane Valley – has his knickers in a knot over his opponent’s supposedly dirty campaign tactics. Or in other words …

Obama on Letterman, Romney in USA Today

Obama on Letterman, Romney in USA Today

Read the police reports that led to Shea’s gun charge

Read the police reports that led to Shea’s gun charge