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It's 2013, what if this guy is our governor?

October 11, 2012 @ 11:10 pm (Updated: 11:30 am - 10/12/12 )

Listen to Imagine it's 2013, what each candidate would do in first days as governor

In their third debate, the candidates for governor were put in two "what if" scenarios that highlighted their different personalities and approaches to leading the state of Washington.

DebateImagine it's Jan. 4, 2013 and the new governor is in office. What will he do during the first 60 to 90 days on the job?

Democrat Jay Inslee will be hiring his staff to support his lean management style, while Rob McKenna will be introducing legislation to create jobs.

"I'll be recruiting, including from private enterprise, the most vigorous, dedicated people to the implementation of my lean management proposal," says Inslee. "We need to get a bigger bang for the taxpayer's buck," says Inslee.

He also says he'd "do everything possible" to implement 75 proposals to get job creation going, including supporting a business and occupation tax cut, and helping software and biotech industries protect their intellectual property.

"We have a secret sauce here and that is innovation," says Inslee.

Republican Rob McKenna took fewer swipes at Inslee in the Seattle debate, but one of them relates to the former Congressman's frequent use of the words "lean management."

"It's kind of interesting that the Congressman talks about lean management so much he's never actually used lean management, although he did run a congressional office," says McKenna. "Do you want to bring Washington D.C. style tactics and politics to a state capitol where people are actually able to get things done, or do you just want the same old D.C. gridlock and partisanship?"

As for what McKenna would do during his first few months on the job, if elected, he'd bring a "packet of bills" to the Legislature to lower the cost of creating jobs in our state, especially for small businesses. He'll also focus on funding schools adequately, saying there's a need to "reform and innovate in the delivery of our public education system."

Another scenario involves how Inslee and McKenna would respond to gun violence. Over the next four years they would be in office, several hundred people in Washington could be killed through gun violence brought on by someone who was able to obtain a gun even though he or she was mentally unstable.

If there's a mass shooting in our state, how would they respond? What would each candidate do as governor?

Inslee says he would have a "no tolerance policy for violence in all its forms, guns, knives, clubs, fists or otherwise."

"I think that's important in our society, starting with teaching our young men not to be engaged in domestic violence and respect all women," says Inslee. "I don't think we should allow terrorists to get access at gun shows as they can today because there's a loophole in our law."

McKenna noted that after a mass shooting at Virginia Tech, he ordered a review of state laws.

"We found a number of flaws," he says. Federal law was tougher, for example, someone committed for 14 days could lose handgun rights under federal laws. He also found our state data bases were not being kept up. McKenna's legislation proposed after that shooting in 2007 was "the only significant gun control legislation to pass in the past 10 years" he says.

Beyond those issues, the candidates outlined different tactics for dealing with the state's budget and funding public education without raising taxes.

Inslee says he'd like to find savings in health care growth and improve performance of state government. McKenna would take a more aggressive approach by capping spending growth in non-education parts of state budget at 6 percent per biennium.

In talking about budget issues, Inslee mentioned a couple of times that he was an economics major at the University of Washington.

"The fundamental problem with our fiscal condition is simply this, we have 300,000 people out of work, that is why I have focused like a laser beam on a job focus plan so we can build businesses in the private sector to get people back to work," says Inslee. "I do not believe fundamentally we should be doing tax increases."

"State budget has grown dramatically in the last 20 years. In fact, it's about doubled from $16 billion to $31 billion a biennium," says McKenna. "The first thing we have to do is live within our means."

The candidates are set to debate one more time.

You might also like:

MyNorthwest.com Voter's Guide: How our hosts are voting
Dave Ross: The one thing keeping our country's leaders divided

 

By LINDA THOMAS, I'm an election geek; I've enjoyed three of these debates so far and look forward to the next.

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Comments (31)


  • Add A Comment

  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    It soundslike McKenna will help Washington
    October 12, 2012 5:44 am
    live within their means....I would be interested in what decade Inslee got that UW degree in Economics, as this article points out WA states budget has doubled in the last 20 years...I believe that was all done under Democrat Patty Murray, Democrat Gary Locke and Democrat Christine Gregoir. So to me it sounds like the Democrats have done nothing but increase spending in the last 20 years. Sounds a lot like whats happened to this country on a federal level too. Democrat = mass spending. What Washingtonian FOOLS keep voting these LOSERS in?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    McKenna is for gun control
    October 12, 2012 6:27 am
    Uh oh. Now what? best just skip this election, both are liberals.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sportfisher wrote...
    McKenna was endorsed by National Rifle Association
    October 13, 2012 1:08 am
    In addition, McKenna is also endorsed by SEIU 1948 Pub School emp. Endorsed by Assoc. Wa Business WA Council of Police and Sheriffs, Seattle Police, Wa. Farm Bureau, Wa State dairy Pac, Fraternal Order of Police, King County Cops, Stand for Children, Wa St. Troopers, Seattle times, Walla Walla Union-bltn, Everett Herald. The Columbian, Tricity herald. Wa. Realtors, Wa Trucking Assoc. Building ind.Assoc. General Contractors Inland NWAG contractors, Wa Restaurants Masterbuilders CWHome builders, Kitsaphomebuilders,WaAsphalpavers,RentalhousingAssoc,
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    McKenna sounds like the kind of leadership we had back when they worked together in Olympia.
    October 12, 2012 6:27 am
    Al Rosellini would welcome him, even though more in the style of Dan Evans.

    The only thing that makes this race close is the "R" behind his name. Give him a "D" and he'd be in forever.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Unfortunately for McKenna that is his biggest Obstacle
    October 12, 2012 7:36 am
    is only one thing, His R by his name. Its a shame.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Anaco1 wrote...
    Party Line Voters
    October 12, 2012 7:53 am
    I like both Inslee and McKenna. Inslee used to be my congressman. However, I think McKenna is more qualified to be governor and I will be voting for him. We need balance in our state government, not one-party control. Also, McKenna is a moderate Republican and has a proven track record of working across the aisle with Democrats. I am very sad and depressed that McKenna has little chance to be elected due to his party affiliation (R). Too many Democrats in Western WA vote the party line without considering who will be best for the State. (To be fair, I think that R's in eastern WA probably do the same). I predict that, like Chris G., Mr. Inslee will be the "Governor of King County."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GloScot wrote...
    What's the point of these WA debates?
    October 12, 2012 8:25 am
    A friend asked me last night after the VP debate if I was going to watch the governor debate. I asked him what's the point. McKenna would be a good governor but people in this state will not look past one's party affiliation, especially here on the west side. McKenna has been a decent atty gen and has stood up for citizens by challenging federal law. Calpete, I don't see McKenna for more gun control, just enforcing what we have on the books, which has been the conservative argument all along. I'm sorry, I don't believe Inslee when he states he is not looking for tax increases. Our current governor peddled that in the last election and then cried about not having enough revenues. You must shrink the size of government, period.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    @ Anaco
    October 12, 2012 8:39 am
    I doubt I could have said it better myself.

    It's a shame that there are so many "knee jerk" voters (that vote along party lines no matter what).

    I'm pretty liberal when it comes to social issues, but more conservative when it comes to government and government spending. As a result, I often vote democrat... but have no problem voting republican if I feel the candidate will do well.

    I feel that McKenna will do better tha Inslee, and I'll be voting for him for that reason. Ironically, I'll likely be voting for Obama over Romney.

    I often joke that you could put Mikey Mouse up for elected office in Western Washington and he'd win provided he had a "D" next to his name. It's humorous... but also a sad commentary.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • GloScot wrote...
    Stevebo...
    October 12, 2012 8:48 am
    I'm not arguing with you or descending into attacking, but I do have a question: You write that you are more conservative when it comes to government and government spending, yet you write that you are going to vote for Obama, who promotes big government and lots of government spending. Why? Ironic, indeed. You are so correct about Mickey, though. True. After last week's pres debate, if Big Bird was running for president, die-hard liberals would have ushered him (it?) into the oval office.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    Debt is going to ruin this state...
    October 12, 2012 9:15 am
    and this country, if it hasn't already, and neither of the presidential or governor's races should be close AT ALL. But the blind (majority of) voters of this state and this country will apparently -- and unbelievably -- ignore this and go with the guy who will grow government even more, dig the hole even deeper, and secure our doom. How anyone can ignore this -- for the sake of any number of other pretty minor issues, comparatively -- is absolutely beyond me. We're ALREADY in a rapidly sinking boat, folks, but all many of us want to talk about is how will our luggage be saved or how the shuffleboard contest will have to be canceled.....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    And let me just say that...
    October 12, 2012 9:17 am
    as a whole, we deserve what we elect and what we get.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Bleeding heart redneck bluebloods..
    October 12, 2012 9:32 am
    THe biggest fear during any election season, especially a four year biggie like we have now, is that you have those LAZY no thinking couch potato voters who vote "straight ticket" just cuz. Or, cast a vote for a candidate because they throw out one line in a speech like, "I'll create more jobs and cut taxes". The Free Beer platform. There are people in the less educated class that actually BELIEVE that a guv or president can pull things like that off all by him/herself without any muss or fuss, and quickly. These are voters that have no real fundamentals on government process and look at campaign season like a Seahawk playoff game. Voter blind allegence is dangerous. A danger created by those citizens who dont know what "blind allegence" is exactly.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stevebo wrote...
    @ Gloscot
    October 12, 2012 9:43 am
    I did not take it as attacking - and thank you for trying to phrase it in a way that didn't try to make it seem that way.

    For me, I see politicians as having policies I agree with and some that I don't agree with.

    While I'm against Obama's policies on some of his government spending, I find myself in agreement much of his social policy and even much of his foreign policy. For me, those are bigger issues at this time than the discussion of the economy or jobs. I tend to believe that sitting U.S. presidents affect the economy less than what the politica pundits say they do.

    With McKenna, for example, I can respect that he has stated that he will fully support R74 if it passes. I think that he has a better plan for Washington's economy than Inslee does. I feel that McKenna is moderate enough that he isn't going to force an ultra conservative social policy.

    On the flip side, I am more concerned with what Romney's social policies would be.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kato1967 wrote...
    "I am more concerned with what Romney's social policies would be"
    October 12, 2012 10:04 am
    That's great...we are on the verge of economic collapse and Romney's social policy is your main concern. With so many people thinking like this it's no wonder we are in such trouble.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    CH has yet to point out why he is so scared if Rs get in
    October 12, 2012 10:32 am
    He's scared he'll lose all that he hasn't worked for...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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