Attacks on both sides just plain silly

Call it a case of guilt by asso- ciation. Or maybe by disassociation.

Or maybe it’s just a case of unusual juxtaposition. But last week when Democrats demanded that George Nethercutt renounce comments by the head of a group that supports him, Spin Control passed on reporting this as a milestone in the campaign, even though the statement by Grover Norquist was pretty strange.

In a newspaper interview with El Mundo, a paper in Madrid, Spain, the head of Americans for Tax Reform reportedly said that the generation that lived through the Depression and fought in World War II “has defended anti-American policies. … They are the Democratic electoral base. And they are dying.”

Dems were righteously incensed that Norquist would “insult our bravest Americans” and called on Nethercutt to do something to at least scold him.

Since actions speak louder than words, and Nethercutt traverses the state handing out medals to members of the Greatest Gen who landed in Normandy 60 years ago, we initially took a pass on this.

Then Norquist provided something equally outrageous, faxing out a press release that Don Barbieri, the Democrat seeking Nethercutt’s vacated seat, “threatens middle-class taxpayers” with a plan to raise taxes.

His proof was not that Barbieri had called for such an increase in a speech or a position paper. It was that Barbieri “had refused to distance himself from” a Kerry-Edwards tax plan to repeal tax cuts to families who make more than $147,000.

Maybe the reason Barbieri hasn’t distanced himself from that is, it isn’t Kerry’s plan. Both Kerry and Barbieri are calling for a repeal of tax cuts to the next bracket up, for those making $200,000 and more.

We couldn’t figure out whose position was sillier, so it seemed reasonable to let readers decide.

The clock is ticking

Washington residents who aren’t registered to vote – but want to be – have until Saturday to sign up if they want to cast ballots at their neighborhood polling station.

Registering is as simple as filling out a form and mailing it in. Forms are available at many government offices, schools, libraries, political party or candidate headquarters, and fire stations. They can also be printed from the Washington Secretary of State’s Web site, at www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/ register.aspx, filled out and mailed in to the address provided.

After Saturday, it’s still possible to register to vote in Washington, but only for those who are willing to go to the county elections office to fill out the form. The final deadline for registration is Oct. 18.

Catch the candidates

For the remainder of the campaign season, Spin Control wants to give readers as many chances as possible to see, hear and talk to candidates.

Here are some chances that we know about, in the coming week:

Thursday: Presidential debate at 6 p.m., on most broadcast and cable news channels.

Thursday: County commissioner candidates forum sponsored by the Spokane Mountaineers Club, at 6:30 p.m.; REI building.

Friday: Party and fund-raiser for Republican candidates for 6th District legislative seats, county commissioner District 1, at 6 p.m.; Ramada Inn, call 448-2088 for information.

Oct. 5: Vice presidential debate at 6 p.m., on most broadcast and cable news channels.

Oct. 5: State initiatives debate sponsored by the League of Women voters, 6:30 p.m.; Spokane City Council Chambers.

Oct. 6: Debates for county commission, 3rd and 6th District legislative candidates, sponsored by the League of Women voters, 6:30 p.m.; Spokane City Council Chambers.

Got information about another event? Contact us at one of the ways listed below.