Posted on 01/12/2005 1:55:19 PM PST by vox_freedom
Gregoire sworn in as Washington governor
By David Ammons The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Christine Gregoire, winner of the closest governor's race in Washington history, was inaugurated today, but faces an immediate court challenge that could make it a short-lived honor.
"Change is here and more is coming," she said in her first official speech.
Democrat Gregoire, 57, a scrappy three-term attorney general who took on the tobacco industry and polluters, took the oath of office before a joint session of the state Legislature. Minority Republicans had battled unsuccessfully to delay her inauguration for two weeks.
Republicans in the House Chamber rose along with cheering Democrats to greet her swearing-in, but did not join in the applause.
Backers of her Republican rival, former state Senate budget Chairman Dino Rossi, continue to agitate for a statewide revote.
Gregoire, in a prepared inaugural address, acknowledged her tiny election margin, and urged partisans not to let their differences paralyze the state.
"This is not an easy time to lead," she conceded. "Much has been written about red states and blue states and the great political divide — not to mention the razor-thin governor's race here.
"Many have asked how I can govern without a clear mandate from the voters. I believe the voters have given all of us a mandate — a mandate to overcome our differences and to solve problems."
Gregoire said the state is more unified than might be apparent from the election flap. Voters everywhere want good-paying jobs, affordable health care, effective and efficient government, good schools and colleges and a clean environment, she said.
She announced creation of a select commission on election reform, to be headed by Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and the former Senate Democratic floor leader, Betti Sheldon of Bremerton.
"Clearly the election recount ordeal of the last two months has challenged us, and among our challenges this session is election reform," she said. "We want every vote to count — and to be counted right the first time."
Although the state is dependably Democratic, Gregoire narrowly lost the first two vote counts. But when Democrats ordered one final hand recount, she pulled ahead for the first time, by a minuscule 129 votes out of 2.9 million ballots cast.
Republicans say widespread irregularities, including votes cast by felons and dead people, spoiled the election to the point where it's impossible to truly know who won.
Invoking a rarely used law that allows an election "contest," Republicans have asked the courts to set aside the election and order a redo. Chelan County Superior Court Judge T.W. Small was hearing a motion today on the Democrats' attempt to intervene in the Republicans' lawsuit, and has scheduled more proceedings on Friday.
The case is expected to end up in the state Supreme Court, which has already ruled twice in election-related matters.
She sounds just like Hitlery, but as I explained to an out-of-state friend, she "isn't as pretty." LOL.
Right now, the GOP is following state law and contesting the election in the courts. The first hearing starts Friday in Wenatchee.
If Gregoire survives the trial of the election -- and that is just what this court action is -- she will govern with a Democratic legislature and Democratic state supreme court. Short of using the initiative process to challenge laws, there's truly nothing the GOP can do.
If they had any guts, they would have given her a big, fat razzberry, or maybe dropped trou. At the very least, they should have gotten up and walked out as soon as Fraudoire started running her sewer.
... and urged partisans not to let their differences paralyze the state.
Typical 'Rat chutzpah. Here is someone who is nothing if not totally partisan asking others not to be. I say the 'Pubs should do everything in their power to paralyze anything proposed by an illegitimate governor.
She announced creation of a select commission on election reform, to be headed by Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and the former Senate Democratic floor leader, Betti Sheldon of Bremerton.
I'm getting the impression that Sam Reed is basically a rubber stamp for the 'Rats, or, worse, a collaborator. If he had any guts and sense of loyalty to his friends and the party who put him in power, he'd tell Fraudoire just where to stick her sham of a "commission". I'd tell her I wasn't interested in serving as her Commissar.
Gregoire was certified because all applicable state laws were followed by state officers who honored their respective oaths of office, even when the act was distasteful.
The local press abdicated its duty to hold public officials accountable because the editors, publishers and most reporters are in bed with the Democratic Party. It's the bloggers who are expending shoe leather tracking these things down.
The legislature could have taken note of all the latest developments when it completed the certification process yesterday, but the Democratic majority decided to execute a power play and certify Gregoire anyway.
As to someone going to jail, I expect our new Republican AG, Rob McKenna, to begin poking into the goings-on in King County as soon as he cleans house in his own shop.
I don't know if this is a cause of action in the Republicans' contest of the election. However, I do know that the FBI has been nosing around the King County elections office, and the military ballot issue is one of the things they're investigating.
Old Joe Stalin had it right about the "Vote Counters" winning any election.
I wonder how many County Election Officals in the State of Washington are democrats. ??
I mean besides the Logan guy in King County.
Old Joe Stalin had it right about the "Vote Counters" winning any election.
I wonder how many County Election Officals in the State of Washington are democrats. ??
I mean besides the Logan guy in King County.
State law permits a state court to overturn an election on the basis of incompetence or fraud, and it doesn't matter if one side has already taken the oath of office. In overturning the election, the court would simply rule that the governorship is vacant and put Lt. Gov. Owen in charge until a revote was complete.
Recall in Washington is far different from California. In California, you can recall an official for anything. In Washington, you have to have a cause for recall, and that cause has to be some kind of malfeasance in office, which must be stated in the recall petition.
After this latest election, there are 7 Democrats and 2 Republicans on the court. (One of the Republicans is more of a Libertarian.) The Democrats have shown a willingness to perform necessary services for their party.
I loved how she included in her speech today ''I suffered from a bout of cancer this year''. Is that supposed to make me feel sorry for her and forget how she stole this election? I don't think so!
She also including the introductions of her Roman Catholic pastor and her "church group" and said she prayed regularly. Evidently, one of her prayer intentions is abortion "rights."
"The GOP and Rossi campaign is in front of a Superior Court judge this coming Friday in Chelan County to CONTEST the election. Depending on that initial outcome, it could go directly to the State Supreme Court (a positive remedy there is doubtful, but hope springs eternal) and then, it could go to the Federal Courts. There is precedence to have the sitting governor removed by the election being ruled invalid. More is to come."
(Sorry I don't know how to italicize the quote above)
I sincerely hope so. This is a sad day for WA State and the rest of the country to see the stolen, fraudulent election of Gregoirevych being conferred an aura of legitimacy by certification earlier from spineless Sec of State Sam Reed (or better known as Commissar Sam Reed), and now today's hollow inauguration proceedings by fellow DemoRAT hucksters in the WA legislature and judiciary, as well as some RinoRATS who attended this charade. I am from out of state (MN) but have written numerous blistering emails to Commissar Sam Reed to protest this. I was curious as to when this would go to court, and I see your comment that addresses this.... Thanks!
I don't know if it would have been possible, but I wish that Rossi & the WA repubs had filed for an injunction to prevent the inauguration from even taking place till this is settled. In any case I hope & pray & STRONGLY URGE the WA Repubs to fight and vigorously contest this fraudulent election all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary. Voter fraud & election fraud is a crime and the RAT B@$stards cannot be allowed to get away with this!!!
This is what happens when lawyers have the first and final say.The only hope is the US Supreme Court and they will not intervene. Watch!
I believe the state GOP is gambling that by the time the case hits the State Supreme Court, there will be enough evidence of malfeasance or fraud on the table to force the court to uphold the ruling for a revote.
Judges are elected in this state.
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