Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire’s success in politics and law attest to her high intelligence.

That just makes it all the more baffling that she would, first, auction off dinner at the publicly owned governor’s mansion as a political fundraiser, and then react indignantly when she was criticized for it.

“You know,” she said at a press conference Monday in Olympia, “I think there is something fundamentally wrong when I can’t invite somebody into my private quarters at the mansion, buy the food and my husband and I make them dinner.”

It’s not quite as simple, or innocent, as that.

Gregoire wants fellow Democrat Darcy Burner to defeat Congressman Dave Reichert in Washington’s 8th District, and she offered dinner at the governor’s mansion in a fundraising gesture on Burner’s behalf. Two supporters reportedly tied with bids of $3,500, so the dinner date that awaits them is no routine social engagement. It’s a political transaction meant to alter a congressional district’s representation in Congress.

There is probably nothing wrong with the plan legally, but there is a ton wrong with it on principle, especially at a time when the nation is rightfully concerned about public officials’ respect for ethics. As state Republican Chairwoman Diane Tebelius has noted, the auction plan is reminiscent of President Clinton’s use of the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House as lodgings for favored campaign contributors.

The Washington Governor’s Mansion doesn’t exactly match the cachet of the Lincoln Bedroom but it probably has a little more sales appeal than the house Gregoire owns in Olympia or a fancy area restaurant – options the governor is grudgingly considering. Nevertheless, she should have been astute enough to anticipate – and avoid – the problems that have now materialized.

As blunders go, this one by Gregoire is mild next to those that have landed people like former Congressman Duke Cunningham and lobbyist Jack Abramoff in prison and have left former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay under indictment. Selling off the prestige of dining in the governor’s mansion isn’t corruption, but it is utterly bad judgment.

Americans are rightfully concerned about the smug sense of privilege that so many public officials demonstrate when faced with a chance to take advantage of public office and its perquisites.

The “private quarters” Gregoire mentioned go with the job to which Washington voters elected her. But they are, in fact, publicly owned property – built and maintained with public funds. It is wrong to use them for partisan fundraising, regardless of whether any immediate outlay of dollars is involved.

The public is looking for officials who will let them believe in the integrity of the nation’s leaders. High-visibility figures such as a governor have on opportunity, by their choices, to reinforce public cynicism or raise public hope. Gregoire chose wrong.