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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Election We're Saying It: Inslee Wins

Posted by Stranger Election Control Board on Tue, Nov 6, 2012 at 10:40 PM

Matt Barreto of the Washington Poll is making projections in the "too close to call" state races based on the returns from all Washington State counties so far. Using the methodology discussed on Slog the other day, Barreto now projects that R-74 will be approved, 52.2 to 47.8, and Inslee will prevail over McKenna by a four percent margin.

The minute King County dropped its election results was the minute Republican Rob McKenna's gubernatorial ambitions came to an end. McKenna needed at least 40 percent of the vote in Washington's most populous county to win statewide. He got 37 percent. Statewide he trails by about three points.

Like dozens of Republican statewide candidates before him, King County would be McKenna's Waterloo.

McKenna's "secret sauce" (to steal a phrase from Democrat Jay Inslee) had always been his electoral track record in King County, where he won more than half the vote during his last run for attorney general. McKenna's strategy was to convince enough Seattle and suburban voters that he was a pro-choice/pro-education "different kind of" Republican.

Not enough King County voters bought it.

Nobody is likely to call this election for days, but everybody knows it's really over, from the jubilant crowd of Democrats at Seattle's Westin Hotel to the once-again-disappointed Republicans milling about the Bellevue Hilton. A year ago, anybody who knew anything about state politics knew that this was McKenna's race to lose. And lose he did.

And with self-entitled pretty boy Reagan Dunn losing his race for attorney general, Republican prospects look bleaker than ever. McKenna and Dunn were the Republican bench—all of it. If they couldn't pass the critical 40 percent threshold in King County, what Republican could?

Until Republicans jettison their vile anti-woman, anti-immigrant, anti-gay, anti-government platform, probably none.

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Well said.

Posted by MyDogBen on November 6, 2012 at 10:54 PM

12 cents?

Posted by murray chatauqua on November 6, 2012 at 11:20 PM

Maybe he's going to contest the results and do the litigating himself.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Later dude. Don't forget not to invite Goldy to the press conference when you open your Papa John's franchise.

Posted by capicola on November 6, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Such great news. Thank you.

Posted by gloomy gus on November 6, 2012 at 11:23 PM

@3: hysterical! Good one.

Posted by gnossos on November 6, 2012 at 11:39 PM

This is a great relief.

Any hope in the remaining King Co ballots for those of us opposed to the charter schools initiative?

Posted by cracked on November 6, 2012 at 11:45 PM

Mr. McKenna, WADR... Get a job!

Posted by Some Old Nobodaddy Logged In on November 6, 2012 at 11:56 PM

I'll be happy not to see images of him - and my grandma's glasses - on my screen again. Bye-bye, McKenna!

Hope the charter schools initiative goes down. Recent research continues to prove that they do nothing more than line the pockets of private corporations (and Turkish religious groups), meanwhile draining money from public schools and dumping special ed and ELL students as fast as they can... The ones in Utah are now becoming the elite white Mormon schools (registration papers can be found at your local wardhouse!), while the public schools - at least in Salt Lake County - have actual diversity. (at least as diverse as Utah can get, which makes North Seattle look more like L.A.)

Posted by StuckInUtah on November 7, 2012 at 12:09 AM

Ha, so how is the Times scorecard doing?

Posted by seatackled on November 7, 2012 at 12:28 AM

Amazing news! I was home sick last night and hit the sack after Obama was called the winner.

Now if you will excuse me...I'm going to light up a fat one and hang out in front of Mars Hill Church in Ballard with a couple cop friends and enjoy!!

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on November 7, 2012 at 3:26 AM

I don't read the Seattle Times this year. Were there any candidates it reported as having 'won handily' who may lose their leads this week as more polls come in, like what happened last year?

Posted by Lynne Varner lives in la-la land on November 7, 2012 at 6:09 AM

So where do you find his projections? Link please.

Posted by brokejumper on November 7, 2012 at 7:08 AM

Rob McKenna thought if he could plop himself in the non-threatening position of Attorney General long enough, he could make Washingtonians forget what he actually stood for. Thankfully, Washingtonians didn't forget his history, which includes a history of doing everything he could politically and legally to prevent light rail from being built. (Because you know, nothing says freedom like being stuck in traffic for hours on end and being completely dependent on your car to get anywhere.)

Posted by cressona on November 7, 2012 at 7:12 AM

My mother keeps nattering in my ear: "Ury, Ury, be umble and make terms!"

Fuck that shit.

Now, come! I have got some of you under the harrow. Think twice, before it goes over you.

Posted by Uriah Heep

on November 7, 2012 at 7:47 AM

@10 Confused. Is Mars Hill the right-wing stoner church, or are you just trolling for some schadenfreude as the Teahadist bitches console themselves with fantasies about the return to conservative values that Jeebus is planning in 2016...2020...2024?

Posted by ScrawnyKayaker on November 7, 2012 at 8:36 AM

"Until Republicans jettison their vile anti-woman, anti-immigrant, anti-gay, anti-government platform, probably none."

Which is what ended up disqualifying Finkbeiner for me. I thought he was a better choice than Owen, but just could not help put someone with that platform after there name in office.

Posted by Can't Be Independent When Only One Party Is Sane on November 7, 2012 at 9:13 AM

Man what a relief.. Good job holding back the hoards people..

Posted by Demetrio on November 7, 2012 at 12:41 PM