Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity to win a college football game, would you capture it, or just let it slip? In honor of the Cougars' and Huskies' 1-20 record, Dino Rossi will be awarding the Governor’s Trophy following the Apple Cup.......

A lot has happened since November 4; we decided to spend $1.4 billion more than we thought we would on November 3, for one thing. State legislators learned of the new $4.6 billion estimate this morning, says the P-I. In response, Governor Gregoire has asked state agencies to look at cuts of up to 20 percent across the board. You already know what the Republicans will say about this, so we turned to the plucky......

Rossi is on TV right now conceding the governor's race to Christine Gregoire, saying "The voters have a right to hold her to [her] promise." He's bloviating about his vote margin and his level of contributions. He'll be back in the business world, will "see what business opportunities there may be." He's "very comfortable in the business world." He "doesn't need a political career." He'll "be home for dinner tonight...tomorrow night, too." And he's thanking......

"Don't forget to..." by Seattlest Flickr Contributor Lindes. Thank you all for participating in our Seattlest Vote 2008 Polls over the last week! Though the polls were informal, they still give us a fairly good reading on how the Seattlest community will be voting today. The Death With Dignity Initiative (I-1000) was defeated by a ten point margin, 135-110, with 245 of you voting. Margaret Dore wants you to know that she thinks I-1000......

The Seattle Times Blethens have endorsed Dino Rossi (R) for Washington State Governor, saying "he can best be trusted to erase the state's huge projected deficit without raising taxes." The Seattle P-I endorses Christine Gregoire (D), pointing out, "Especially for uncertain times, she's a much more proven leader than her Republican rival, former state Sen. Dino Rossi." The Seattle Times, under Blethen leadership, has laid off about 20 percent of its staff this year, so......

There are two weeks until Election Day, and two issues in our state's gubernatorial race (three if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. Rossi: Just a guess, but he probably loves that crazy freak. Gregoire: Called a special session to pass an Eyman initiative after it was struck down by the courts. Next Week: Eastern Washington.......

Gentrification Blues by Seattlest Flickr Contributor lachance Finally, a condo sign that got it right! Thanks, MyBallard, for making our morning...we literally laughed out loud.Woah, West Seattle: a gallon of gas below $3! We didn't think we'd be seeing that any time soon.The Rainier Valley Post and the Beacon Hill Blog want to let you know the city is hosting meetings in neighborhoods near light rail stations to discuss parking. If you live in the......

We just ran across the Seattle Times comparison of Gregoire's and Rossi's positions on the environment, largely cribbed from our exhaustive Seattlest coverage of the same topic. Republican Dino Rossi says maybe human activity is to blame for climate change, so operating on the theory than an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, "He...wants to spend $15 billion to expand highways and reduce traffic congestion, which he argues would reduce emissions." Seriously.......

There are three weeks until Election Day, and three issues in our state's gubernatorial race (four if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. We missed a week, and we’re sorry. The Times agreed to fill in while we were away, and now we know that a white guy from the Eastside enjoys a good steak. Education: Gregoire: No spending cuts, yes to WASL,......

"Gas Cap" by Seattlest Flickr Photographer Jeanine Anderson West Seattle Blog has what could at least be construed as good news for your wallet--the cost of gas is down $1 from its peak prices this summer.You've savored her crepes at local farmer's markets, and now you can support Anita and her delicious crepes at her brand-new Ballard restaurant. The Big Blog wonders why the Seattle P-I's website is blocked in Thailand.Hillku has written one of......

WORDY SHIPMATES: Sarah Vowell's finally here to read from her book about the thought-life of Puritans such as John Winthrop, Anne Hutchinson, and Roger Williams. She's "not interested in the whole person," says Vowell in a recent interview with Seattlest Editor MvB. Take Roger Williams: "I'm mostly interested in what he thought about religion, government, community, Indians and how much Roger Williams was getting on his nerves. I don't really give a hoot what he......

Though we know you're just finishing up reading the transcripts from yesterday's Reichert vs. Burner debate, it's already time for another Washington State debate. Tonight, Governor Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi will meet in Spokane for the fourth debate in the hotly contested gubernatorial race. It's the second to last meeting for the candidates before the general election on November 4th. The final debate will be held between Gregoire and Rossi next Wednesday in Seattle.......

Governor Christine Gregoire has admitted Washington is facing a budget deficit for 2009-11 (currently the state has a surplus), after third-party "GOP" candidate (He's what now? A Republican?) Dino Rossi staked out the issue. Now that she's announced cutbacks and a raid on the state's rainy day fund to cut the projected $3.2 billion deficit by half, Rossi can't find anything good to say about that, either. It is thrilling to hear a Republican deride......

Yesterday, Faith Ireland and Robert Utter, two former state Supremes, officially filed suit against the BIAW and said they intend to sue Dino Rossi. They claim Rossi was too hands-on in 2007 with what's supposed to be an independent BIAW PAC. If he, as a candidate, coordinated with the PAC in any way, the PAC would be limited to spending $2,800 on a race they've spent $2 million on in 2008. Rossi says: "If what......

There are five weeks until Election Day, and five issues in our state's gubernatorial race (six if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. We are a week behind, so it’s time for a double-shot-rock-block-Friday. Transportation Gregoire: I’ll get to it, geez, what’s the rush? Rossi: I’m gonna build roads, roads, nothing but roads. Healthcare: Gregoire: Rossi wants each patient to choose between a......

The Seattle Times--almost coming right out and saying something without regard for nuance and subtlety--has decided to set the facts straight about that Washington state deficit the Dino-Rossi-for-Gov ads are whacking Gov Gregoire over the head with. "The ads assert the state has a deficit. [...] The ad is inaccurate for this reason: The state is facing a projected $3.2 billion budget hole next year, but it does not have a deficit today." In fact,......

Though the political news of the day is most certainly McCain's ploy to "suspend" his campaign and delay the first presidential debate as well as the VP debate in order to concentrate on the economic crisis, there's other news out today about the plight of Republican candidates this year. According to the New York Times, Washington State Democrats are suing to force Republican candidate for governor Dino Rossi to list his party affiliation on the......

For those of you still bummed you missed out on a political announcement via text message, you have a second chance. GOP gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi and his campaign have launched a text message network to update Rossi supporters. If you text the word DINO (in charming all-caps) to 99222, you too can get updates on the Rossi campaign and the candidate's whereabouts. Be the first on your block to know when Dino Rossi is......

Georgetown by Seattlest Flickr photog smohundro The Belltowner is the bearer of wonderful and awful news. The very, very good? H&M opens in downtown Seattle on Thursday...as in tomorrow! The not at all good news? A policeman on bike was attacked with a surgical instrument in Belltown this Saturday. A West Seattle "Thriller" dance team is practicing to participate in a dance-off to beat the world "Thriller" record.Blogging Georgetown wonders if there's a real estate......

Howard Dean's visit to Renton this weekend was really only the beginning of what is sure to be a lively seven weeks until the election. The first celebrity deathmatch pitting Obama versus McCain on national TV is still 11 days away. But if you want to wet your chops with a little political debate action this week, you're in luck. Our own homestate smackdown will be broadcast on KOMO-4 this Saturday, Sept. 20, at 9......

According to a King5-commissioned poll, Barack Obama's lead in Washington is diminishing. Obama's lead has dropped from double digits in June to only four percentage points in the most recent poll. If the election was held today, 49% of Washingtonians would vote for Barack Obama and 45% would cast their vote for John McCain. Despite all the tabloid rumors (and truths) about McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for Vice President, the announcement increased voter......

According to an email we got from the Washington State Democrats today, the state's Attorney General, Rob McKenna, laid out a plan for Dino Rossi to beat Christine Gregoire in November for state delegates at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota. In short, according to McKenna, McCain-Palin needs to carry Washington by 10-12 points. "If he fails to carry it by ten or twelve points, Dino doesn't win." Maybe it's scary thoughts like that which......

There are 10 weeks until Election Day, and 10 issues in our state's gubernatorial race (11 if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. We are about to take off on vacation, and, well, we wanna get out of here. So this is going to happen lightning-round style. Abortion: Rossi: Anti. Gregoire: Pro. Taxes: Gregoire: For the rich only. Rossi: None at all, ever.......

Ali versus Frasier, Coke vs. Pepsi, Good vs. Evil, Gregoire vs. Rossi: the opposing sides in the great battles of our time. The latter, Gregoire vs. Rossi, is all geared up for an ugly rematch set to unfold this November. The candidates have announced that a duel err, debate will be taking place on October 1st in Yakima. The sure to be scintilatting, or at least mud-slinging, discussion will be shown statewide on PBS stations.......

There are 11 weeks until Election Day, and 11 issues in our state's gubernatorial race (12 if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. Washington residents pay the highest gas tax in all the land. Wait, what?!?! We demand to know who is at fault for this! Rossi: She is, because she signed the 2005 bill that increased the gas tax 9.5 cents for......

Well, that was fun! Absentee ballots are still pouring in, but yesterday's (rather predictable) primary results have been announced. Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire are neck and neck and by far the top two gubernatorial candidates, so settle in for a truly American-style bloody campaign this fall as they race to the finish line. Check out Slog's exhaustive coverage, starting here with the percentage results. And KIRO 7 has post-election interviews with both Gregoire (with......

There are 12 weeks until Election Day, and 12 issues in our state's gubernatorial race (13 if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. Rossi: His detractors claim that he's a Bush model global warming denier. Well Mr. Rossi, if there's no such thing as climate change, how do you explain the crap weather we've been getting the last few years? He's probably......

There are 13 weeks until Election Day, and 13 issues in our state's gubernatorial race (14 if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an award-winning look at where the candidates stand. This Week: Small Business. Gregoire: She will continue to help business owners. Gregoire Website: “[Washington is the] Fourth best state for starting a business.” Rossi: He will do more to help small businesses owners. Rossi Website: “Washington has one of......

There are 14 weeks until Election Day, which is great because there are only 14 issues in our state's gubernatorial race (15 if you count Eastern Washington's concerns). Each week we'll be taking an in-depth, and we predict award-winning, look at where Governor Christine Gregoire and Just Dino Rossi stand. This Week: The Alaskan Way Viaduct. Rossi—That waterfront tunnel no one liked. Gregoire—She will decide by December 2006, the voters will decide, an elevated replacement,......

Not that kind of bathhouse. Our sources tell us that Governor Gregoire will be doing a boat tour of Puget Sound tomorrow and Friday in her quest to remind people she's a better option than Dino Rossi. Her Seattle stop will be at the Golden Gardens Bath House at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon. Not really the greatest time for a high-yield political rally, considering it's Way Out There, and people work and all. But it's a......