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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Campaign ‘97

Compiled By Jim Camden From Staf

Together again

There have been plenty of debates between Jack Geraghty and John Talbott this fall, but a tete-a-tete Monday promises to be one of the more interesting of the campaign season. The incumbent and the challenger will trade answers over lunch with the Spokane North Rotary at the Inn at the Park. Acting as moderator will be former Councilman Joel Crosby, who has a little history with the two candidates … Talbott backed Crosby when he ran for re-election in 1991, then switched to backing Geraghty in 1993 after finishing out of the money in that year’s mayoral primary. Geraghty went on to beat Crosby four years ago. The debate starts at 12:30 p.m.

They may protest too much

The John Talbott campaign took umbrage at a half-page ad in last Sunday’s paper that thanked Spokane and “Mayor Geraghty and members of the City Council” for supporting the redevelopment of River Park Square. The ad mentions the developers kicked in more than $3,000 to four local charities, got some 300 people to help knock down the old building and generally touted the development to come … Margaret Leonard, former state legislator and councilwoman who serves as Talbott’s campaign treasurer, asked the Public Disclosure Commission last week if this wasn’t a campaign ad for Geraghty. If so, where’s the disclaimer and the documentation for how much the ad cost and who paid for it? she asked …

But Melissa Warheit, director of the PDC, says calling this a campaign ad is “stretching it.” Without language calling for the election or a defeat of a candidate, it’s just not a campaign ad, she said. “Who knows what the intent (of the sponsors) was?” Warheit said. “Despite the fact that he’s up for re-election, he’s still mayor.”

For those who look ahead

A new statewide poll shows the U.S. Senate race next year shaping up about as suspected. Incumbent Democrat Patty Murray would beat either of the two announced GOP candidates, U.S. Rep. Linda Smith or Pierce County Executive Doug Sutherland, if the election were held now. And Smith would top Sutherland in the primary. But it’s a long time, and a few hundred commercials between now and those elections … The same poll shows Murray with better than average job approval ratings, although nowhere near the strong ratings of Washington Gov. Gary Locke. If that keeps up, look for Locke to campaign with Murray if the Democrats get nervous about her keeping the seat.

Catch the candidates

Wednesday: Mayoral debate between Talbott and Geraghty, sponsored by the Citizens League of Greater Spokane, 7 p.m., Spokane City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Friday: Televised mayoral debate on “Spokane This Week,” 8:30 p.m. KSPS-TV, Channel 7.

Campaign Calendar

Tuesday: Candidates and political committees must file spending reports.

Nov. 3: Last day to get an absentee ballot.

, DataTimes MEMO: Campaign ‘97, published Sundays during election season, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. Information about debates or political forums can be mailed to P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, Wash., 99210; or faxed to (509)459-5482; or e-mailed to jimc@spokesman.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports

Campaign ‘97, published Sundays during election season, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. Information about debates or political forums can be mailed to P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, Wash., 99210; or faxed to (509)459-5482; or e-mailed to jimc@spokesman.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports