Washington State Democratic Party Convention

Rep. Jim McIntire, candidate for state treasurer: Politicker PhotoThe Democratic Party delegates have voted overwhelmingly to make state Rep. Jim McIntire (D-Seattle) its official nominee for state treasurer. McIntire has represented the 46th Legislative District for the past ten years and holds a Ph. D in economics. He defeated Chang Mook Sohn, the state's chief economist.l

In his speech to the voting delegates, McIntire talked up his experience as an elected official.

 "This is not just a technical challenge. This is a leadership challenge," he said.

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Washington's slate of statewide candidates gave speeches this afternoon after becoming the official nominees of the party.

Peter Goldmark, Jason Osgood, and John Ladenburg all spoke on behalf of their candidacy with a few digs at their opponents. Recaps below the fold. 

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Check out more images from the convention below the jump.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels: Politicker Photo

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Wish you were here?

Fear not,  they have just announced that this afternoon's session will be live webcast on TVW. The webcast link is here.

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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.

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Governor Chris Gregoire began her night on the stage by telling a familiar stump joke about Republican puppies who turn into Democrats when their eyes open. The Democrats, she suggested, have their eyes open to the issues truly affecting Americans.

She ran off a laundry list of these issues that matter to Democrats, like universal health care, education, consumer and environmental protection. Taking full advantage of the partisan audience, Gregoire summed it up by saying that fundraising helps achieve these goals.

Her brief speech centered on values, particularly the idea that those the Democrats stand for are important, and that they are something that they all share together. In line with that idea, she reiterated the importance of electing her party-mates across the ballot.

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Senator Patty Murray entered the stage talking up Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, followed by thanking Hillary Clinton for the race she ran. The mention of both candidates received a large amount of applause.

Talking of America's need to "take our country back" Murray said it begins with taking it back for the veterans, and her statement that she voted against the war in Iraq received a standing ovation from nearly the entire room.

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Kicking off the Convention Gala Bankquet, Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz continues to hit Rossi for filing as preferring "GOP" party. He is reading off a laundry list of things that the Republican Party has done in the past eight years and asserts that Rossi is ashamed of them.

Introducing the night's first speaker, he called Sen. Patty Murray the state's "favorite" elected official, and said she was the third most powerful senator in the United States Senate.