Yesterday, Michelle Obama joined me in Seattle for a luncheon attended by over 1,600 supporters. It was an amazing day, and I am very grateful for the support that both Barack and Michelle Obama have shown for Washington and my campaign.
Four years ago, my election came down to 133 votes. This year my opponent, Republican Dino Rossi, is back, and his friends have already spent over $1.3 million on attack ads.
Why are they attacking me so early? Because they know there is something happening in our country – people are hungry for a new direction, away from the Bush Administration.
They are so aware of this fact that my opponent filed as a member of the "GOP Party," hiding the fact that he is a Republican. And what is on my opponent’s website? The word "Change" in the largest font you have ever seen.
We all know that voters are desperate for change in our nation, ready to turn around the failed policies of the Bush Administration. But voters are smart. They know the kind of change they are looking for.
Republican Dino Rossi can spend millions on attacks, pretend he isn’t a Republican and even give lip service to change, but he can’t hide his George Bush record.
As our future First Lady said, "Change isn’t about change for its own sake. ... You guys have it pretty good. My motto is, 'Don't change it if it ain't broken.' [Governor Gregoire] has not just been a phenomenal leader in this state, but in this nation."
We started with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation – and then created more than 200,000 new jobs. My Republican opponent wanted to slash healthcare for 46,000 kids – we expanded healthcare to 84,000 more kids. Four years ago, we joined other states in the fight against climate change – today, we lead them.
As Michelle Obama said, "That's change we can believe in."
In February, I spent a day with Barack Obama and 20,000 Washingtonians ready to take our nation in a new direction.
A few days later, I took the plunge and posted my first diary on Daily Kos -- Yes Washington Can -- the day after the Washington State Caucuses. That diary began:
"Something remarkable is happening. It’s happening all over the country, from Idaho to South Carolina, from Alabama to Iowa, and yesterday, I saw it happen here, first hand in my home state of Washington. Democrats showed up in record numbers to participate in the primary political system."
Judging by the comments I get on my site and through reading Daily Kos, it's no exaggeration to say that Democrats are still fired up. I can see why.
Right now, in races big and small across the country, there are politicians determined to continue the failed policies of the Bush Administration. They will divide and distort; they will say and spend whatever it takes to win.
It’s up us to stop them this November.
It's time for One Washington to be in partnership with One America again.
Chris Gregoire
Facebook