Updated Nov 4, 2009 - 1:40 pm
Michael Medved: A conservative's take on Washington's election
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By PETE GAMMELL
MyNorthwest.com
Unlike some high profile elections around the country, conservatives in Washington were left with little to cheer about on Tuesday night.
In King County a promising conservative voice in former KIRO TV anchor Susan Hutchison fell to County Councilman Dow Constantine in the race for Executive. Tim Eyman's Initiative 1033 which proposed a growth cap on revenue flowing into the main checking accounts of city, county and state government was soundly defeated. And Referendum 71 which sought to overturn Washington's "everything but marriage" is, as of this writing, still passing by a narrow margin.
Among the disappointed is Eastside resident Michael Medved, whose nationally syndicated conservative talk show is based in Seattle. "I was surprised at all of the results last night," Medved tells MyNorthwest.com, "I honestly am not at all sure what the voters had in mind."
In particular, Medved is surprised at how badly I-1033 fared owing to the fact that people will generally vote for lower property tax rates in a time of recession. Medved considers the loss of I-1033 part of a larger issue for the GOP in Washington state: "The republican party has a horrible death wish in the state of Washington, because they endorsed 1033, the Republican party had formally endorsed it." Medved believes the reason 1033 lost is the same reason that many conservatives he knows voted against it: because it undermines localism.
"If you're a real conservative, you believe that the town that you live in, or the city that you live in should have the right to order its own affairs." Medved said. But, he doesn't believe a taxpayer revolt in Washington is over, especially, he says, if Governor Christine Gregoire decides at some time to institute a statewide income tax.
Meanwhile, in King County, Medved was "stunned" by the results of the race for County Executive.
"It seemed to me that Susan Hutchison was exactly the kind of candidate that those of us, and I certainly include myself in this, who are tired of the totally monochromatic, ultra-liberal, democratic governance here locally, (Hutchison would be) exactly the kind of candidate that you would want."
Medved cited Hutchison's acceptance of domestic partnership as examples of her bipartisanship, and called her an impressive and likable person. He believes negative advertising from her opponent Dow Constantine did her in, calling the race one of the few examples in the country of effective negative campaigning.
Medved says republicans have some promising leaders in Washington state, namely Attorney General Rob McKenna, but overall he isn't pleased with the party's place in Washington right now, "I just think that the conservative side of things, the GOP in Washington state is, in fact, confused and demoralized."
- Mike McGinn claims victory in Seattle mayor's race
- Gay partnership measure approved by voters
- Washington senator declares victory in R-71 campaign
- Approve Referendum 71 campaign maintains lead
- McGinn widens lead in Seattle's mayoral race
- Michael Medved: A conservative's take on Washington's election
- Mayors races in Tacoma, Vancouver, Bremerton
- Eyman admits defeat on I-1033
- Carr concedes race for Seattle City Attorney
- Councilman Constantine wins King Co Executive race
