Back from K.C. Thanks to Jim Brunner for filling in.
Lots of political news, as the Republican National Convention begins this week.
David Postman reports that as the convention opens, a group of moderate Republicans, including former Washington Gov. Dan Evans, are urging party leaders to return the party to the "mainstream."
"The effort to moderate the Republican Party and Bush's agenda shares professional help with one of the country's best financed and most active of anti-Bush committees. BacktotheMainstream.org uses the same Washington, D.C., public-relations firm and Web-development company as MoveOn.org. A news conference today by the group was organized by Fenton Communications, which does the same for MoveOn. The group's Web site was registered by AdvocacyInc.com, which lists MoveOn and a host of Democratic candidates among its clients."
The effort is looking like the Democratic Leadership Council in the 80s, formed to move the Democratic Party to the right, and backed by corporate funders.
The Times Susan Gilmore profiles Luke Esser, a Republican candidate for the 8th congressional district. Esser touts his legislative experience, as a 43-year-old Majority floor leader in the state Senate.
"Esser has raised about $205,000 so far and hopes to raise $250,000 for the primary race. He said he hadn't decided whether he would buy TV time."
He's lost 70 pounds in recent years, Gilmore reports, and he credits Atkins, even eulogizing the doctor on the floor of the state Senate when he died. He's real sporty, too.
In that race, 8th congressional, ads are getting sharp, Warren Cornwall reports.
"Republican Diane Tebelius this week mailed two ads to suburban voters targeting a Republican opponent, King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. The ad suggested Reichert is too cozy with Democrats and that his mismanagement has cost county taxpayers millions. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Alex Alben's campaign cried foul about opponent Dave Ross' new mailing that touts Ross' commitment to a clean, attack-free campaign."
The Post-Intelligencer looks at the penny sales tax increase on the ballot this year. The money would go to education.
"Part of that cash would create 25,000 additional slots for higher ed enrollment by 2008, easing -- but not eliminating -- the chronic shortage of space at state colleges and universities. Officials have offered free preschool programs to only 7,000 of the approximately 30,000 children most in need, OFM reports. Under I-884 the benefit could be extended to 10,000 more children, according to the initiative's sponsors. Teachers would not only receive cost of living increases under I-884 but would also be eligible for bonuses: $5,000 a year if they obtain certain training, and $10,000 a year if they volunteer to work in a troubled school."
Also, the PI looks at Mark Sidran, candidate for attorney general.
Here's the convention sked:
The LA Times profiles President Bush, using his relationship with his father as a foundation. Worth a read.
We'll be posting a lot this week, talking convention with reporters and delegates, so check in often.
Back to top