The Everett Herald reports Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire has canceled a forum with Republican Dino Rossi that was to be held in Everett tomorrow. One wonders if Gregoire got some good polling in the last week that gave her reason to avoid appearing with Rossi.
They're scheduled to debate Thursday at 7:30 in Semiahmoo.
Also, some reader response to last week's question: Does the military service record of George Bush and John Kerry matter to you?
Thomas Hagadone, of Shoreline:
As a Vietnam Veteran (1966-70)in the USN, I say absolutely not. If John Kerry hadn't returned to American and told the US Congress that we were all committing atrocities, etc. my answer could possibly be different. On the other hand, President Bush has proven he knows how to deal with terrorists.
Dustin Asby, of Federal Way:
How a candidate acted during war is a ridiculous thing to base everything on. We do not elect a Shogun, we elect a President. However, military record is one of many things someone could look at to see if a candidate did his or her duty. If one is going to inspect this though, I should think that one would look at the candidates employment record as well.
Lance Bowman of Burien:
Yes it does. I am a Vietnam era veteran. After drawing 52 or 53
in the draft lottery I volunteered for the US Army, unwillingly. This choice
allowed me to pick a job and a duty station for one year. I picked Ft.
Lewis. As it turned out I was fortunate that Nixon called the retreat
while I was still in advanced training. I think the question of the
candidates military service accurately portrays each man's basic character.
Kerry volunteered and went to Vietnam, as we've all heard, even though he
had the family connections to avoid that dangerous choice. Bush, on the
other hand, used all the leverage his family connections offered him to
avoid dangerous service. He leaned on these connections further to avoid
full participation in his alternate form of duty. The difference is between
a selfish lazy advantaged frat boy, or a selfless honorable advantaged hero. Seems pretty clear to me.
Rebecca Ferrell of Kirkland:
Whether President Bush served in the National Guard or Senator
Kerry served in and then protested our involvement in Vietnam is irrelevant
to me as a voter. It is not unpatriotic to protest a war nor is it
uncommon for the son of a congressman to get certain favors. What really
bothers me about both candidates or at least those groups who support them
are the smear campaigns being launched, which further skirt the REAL "here
and now" issues most Americans are dealing with: low paying or lack of
jobs, no medical insurance, rising poverty levels, etc....
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