Campaign ‘96
Not crucial results
When the newspaper reports the results of primaries and caucuses around the nation on Tuesday, don’t look for any definitive numbers on which candidates captured the hearts of GOP faithful in Washington state. State Republican party leaders decided it’s too much trouble to provide results of the precinct caucuses … Tabulating results meant securing a toll-free number and asking local caucus leaders to phone in results. “We asked ourselves how much is this worth?” said Todd Myers, state GOP spokesman. The answer was, not much. … Myers initially promised the results by March 15, then revised it forward, to as late as March 25. Why the delay? It seems caucus leaders have a week to send their results to the counties, and county leaders have a week to send those results to the state HQ … Announcing results on March 25 could give the winner a boost the next day, which happens to be when the state holds its presidential primary. Not to worry, assured Myers. “There are going to be very few people who decide how to vote based on the results of the caucuses.”Anyone displeased with this arrangement, Myers said, should direct complaints to him at (206) 575-1690, ext. 309.
The rumor mill
Local Democrats are betting that Seattle Mayor Norm Rice will jump into the gubernatorial race this week … Don’t be too surprised if Rice makes an announcement, possibly Wednesday, at a site that involves higher education here in Spokane.
The ayes really had it
Spokane School District 81 leaders are bragging about record-setting results in the Feb. 6 levy election. Official results show almost 84 percent of voters said yes - with 66 percent of absentee voters approving the levy and a whopping 88 percent of those who cast ballots on election day. Neighboring school districts credit Spokane’s campaign coattails in part for their own levy and bond successes.
On the campaign trail
King County Councilman Chris Vance was drumming up local support for his bid for state schools superintendent last week. The 33-year-old former legislator is one of three declared candidates in a race that is far more interesting since incumbent Judith Billings announced she would not seek a third term … Although he’s a career politician, Vance is positioning himself as an outsider who can oversee the state’s education reform and make it meaningful. The school super’s office is nonpartisan, but has been held by nominal Democrats in the past. Republican Vance is trying to buck that trend, picking up the backing of Sen. Slade Gorton, Rep. George Nethercutt and other party regulars.
Web site of the week
Political sites are multiplying on the Internet, providing the cyberliterate with a wealth of information, analysis and trivia. Each week Campaign ‘96 will suggest at least one to check out … This week’s site is the CBS News Campaign ‘96 home page (funny how they used our name). Along with eye-pleasing graphics and the standard election info, it offers a state-by-state breakdown of caucus and primary schedules and candidate issues. Check out the Election 101 feature, with a handy glossary of the terms the talking-head pundits love to throw around. Find it at http://www.cbsnews.com/campaign96/home/
Campaign calendar
Today: Absentee ballots available for the presidential primary.
Tuesday: Precinct caucuses, 8 p.m.
March 11: Last day to register for primary. Must register, cast absentee ballot at county elections office.
March 13: First day to file initiatives.
March 26: Washington presidential primary, polls open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘96 is a regular feature of The Spokesman-Review, offering a mixture of information on local, state and national politics during the campaign season. Candidates can submit information about local appearances by calling Cityline at (509) 458-8800, ext. 9893, by fax at (509) 459-5482, by mail to Campaign ‘96, Box 2160, Spokane, Wash., 99210, or by e-mail to jimc@spokesman.com.