• The Republican National Convention isn't the only partisan bonanza with a prayer room. Paul Constant reports from Charlotte, North Carolina, that those Godless Muslim Socialist Demoncraps have an equivalent space at their convention, and it's just as boring and bland as the Republican prayer room; no upside-down crosses or satanic anal beads in sight.
• John Koster, the Republican running in Washington State's new 1st Congressional District, is paying an anti-gay campaign manager. Koster has given Larry Stickney, who ran a statewide campaign to repeal domestic-partnership rights for gay couples in 2009, some $148,000 in wages and other receipts in the 2010 and 2012 campaigns, according to records from the Federal Elections Commission. Meanwhile, Stickney's family is in on the act. Among Greta, Matt, and Pollyanna Stickney, they've hauled in another $36,000 from Koster.
• On August 28, an Israeli court declared that the 2003 death of Evergreen student Rachel Corrie, while she was protesting home demolitions in the Gaza Strip, was an accident. "I believe this was a bad day not only for our family, but a bad day for human rights, for humanity, for the rule of law and also for the country of Israel," said her mother, Cindy Corrie, in a statement to CNN. The verdict is likely to be appealed.
• Some Washington State politicians spend the money left over from their campaigns on wasteful extravagances like continuing education or giving to charity. But not Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen: He spent $760 in "surplus funds" at an Olympia liquor store. Curiously, $760 in free booze is exactly what it takes to buy an SECB endorsement. Just sayin', Brad.
• At the gubernatorial debate on August 29—which no one watched—Republican Rob McKenna called for more debates against Democrat Jay Inslee. "We need more of these," McKenna said. Which is odd, because according to the Inslee campaign and other sources, McKenna has turned down three opportunities to debate before Election Day (leaving the candidates with only two more debates scheduled). McKenna did not reply to a request for comment.
• Also, Rob has finally endorsed Jay Inslee for governor. Not that Rob, though. Never-heard-of-him Democrat Rob Hill, who was defeated by Inslee (and McKenna) in the August 7 primary, recently stopped by Inslee HQ to offer his support. "Democrats are united," declared an amusingly triumphant Inslee campaign web video afterward.
• Secretary of State Sam Reed must allow Socialist Alternative candidate Kshama Sawant to state her party preference on the general election ballot, King County Superior Court judge Michael Trickey ruled on August 30. (Misinterpreting the law, Reed had said that Sawant must state no party preference.) But is Sawant's victory—being identified as a Socialist—going to help her run in the 43rd District against house Speaker Frank Chopp? "It is not clear that it will or won't cost votes," said Sawant in the courtroom. "The question comes to mind because Socialism has been maligned." 
