Washblog

I am shocked

That Cathy McMorris didn't get her share.

"You guys are pathetic! Pathetic!"

So says Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA) in this article about yesterday's debacle ensuing from Jack Murtha's proposed amendment to begin withdrawal from Iraq. 

Murtha, a 37-year Marine veteran and considered the voice of the Pentagon brass on Capitol Hill, suggested that since our mission in Iraq has been accomplished (depose Saddam - check, start democracy - check, stop WMD production - check by default), and our troops are now nothing more than walking bullseyes and recruiting posters for insurgents, it's time to begin withdrawal from Iraq.  His amendment called for redeployment at the earliest "practicable date", establishing a quick-reaction force and Marine presence in the area, and pursuit of stability through diplomacy.  Of course, such measured approaches to withdrawal are anathema to the Republican mind, which reads all this as "cut and run".

Those Spokaloony liberals like good government, too

Spokane had some great returns Tuesday night, and a possible candidate to challenge anti-environment, Tom DeLay lackey, aka Cathy McMorris.

Looking at the numbers reveals some great news:

Mary Verner was elected to the Spokane City Council along with Al French, adding to the moderation of the Council. Both were elected quite comfortably, each garnering over 60% of the vote.

The City of Spokane Prop 1 passed. Prop 1 will raise $3.3 million a year via a property tax increase to maintain police and fire services at 2005 levels for both 2006 and 2007. The money raised will avoid laying off police and firefighters or closing fire stations. In addition, some of the money would be used to keep neighborhood libraries open five days a week.

Spokane County Prop 1 passed. This is the vote-by-mail proposition to change all of Spokane County over to an all vote-by-mail ballot. It passed easily at nearly 60% approval.

Spokane County Prop 2 passed, with nearly the same numbers as prop 1. Prop 2 raised the county sales tax 1/10th of 1 percent for mental health treatment services and therapeutic court programs.

Last, but not least, this tidbit courtesy of Joel Connelly:

McMorris is considered to have a safe seat in Eastern Washington. But Okanogan County rancher Peter Goldmark, former state agriculture director and scion of a distinguished Washington family, is exploring a run against her.

Anyone want to start a 'draft Goldmark' campaign?