The problem with debates is people often come to hear what they want to hear and to reaffirm views they already have. For that reason, most debates do not have clear winners. Gov, Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi slung slogans and barbs and gave real answers to tough questions tonight but ultimately neither won with anything like a TKO moment.
The winners are probably the citiizens of Yakima who came out on a warm night and the TV audience who saw these two candidates explain their considerable differences. She is proud of her investments in education and children's health care. Rossi plans to save money by cutting the fat and bringing a different management approach to Olympia.
Both Rossi and Gregoire were on their toes on matters of water, energy, the federal financial meltdown and teacher pay.
The crowd was a little noisy and partisan. But when they quieted down, the candidates gave them much to think about. No winner, except criisp, in-your-face civic dialogue.