Gregoire talks issues, hits Rossi on record

SPOKANE -

Governor Chris Gregoire led a parade of supporters onto the stage this morning to kick off day three at the Washington State Democratic Convention. From there she underscored the importance of 2008, buoyed by an introduction from her daughter (and campaign staffer) Michelle and highlighted by meeting what she said were two people who have "significantly impacted her life," the Dalai Lama and Barack Obama.

Here in Washington state she suggested the significance of the times were relevant with regard to electing Democrats statewide. Following up on last night's speech touting party values, today Gregoire focused more on issues, and took it to her opponent Dino Rossi.

"He pretends he is an outsider who has never seen Olympia, Washington," Gregoire said. "But I have not, and I am sure you, too, have not, forgotten his days as a Washington state senator."

She continued on making claims about Rossi's record as a state senator, including the $2 billion deficit-ridden budget he wrote, an issue that has been a major component of the race so far. Gregoire continually cites a deficit in the budget Rossi touts as a state senator, while Rossi points to an even larger projected deficit based on the expensive legislative programs Gregoire has championed.

Gregoire said Rossi put a "bed tax" on senior citizens, cut teacher pay and money to reduce class sizes. She even took it to Rossi on issues he tries to run on, crime and business. One of Rossi's key campaign slogans is to "make Washington the best place to have a business and the worst place to be a criminal" in America.  The governor criticized Rossi's votes relating to sexual predators, and hyped Washington's economic success of the past four years relative to the rest of the country.

"Let's have a debate and talk about a record," she challenged.

Gregoire continued to hit Rossi on climate change, his association with the BIAW, and his opposition to stem cell research and abortion rights.

"What is the difference between my opponent and George W. Bush?" she asked. "Nothing, absolutely nothing.

 "You are the story tellers," she told the delegates and guests in the audience. "If you can get the word out about what we've done, we win in November."