Rossi makes Peninsula campaign stops
Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
Dino Rossi speaks in Port Ludlow, one of two campaign stops in East Jefferson County on Friday.
Rossi meets with supports in Port Ludlow
PORT LUDLOW -- Since declaring his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in May, Republican Dino Rossi said he has driven the equivalent of two road trips between Washington state and New York City.
But his first trip to East Jefferson County occurred on Friday when he visited two private homes to talk about his vision of responsible government and his primary election campaign against incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, D-Freeland -- and to raise campaign funds.
"If we can raise enough money to tell our story and defend ourselves we are going to win," he said in Port Ludlow, addressing about 40 supporters in the home of Robert and Barbara Phinizy.
A later event in Brinnon at the home of Ian and Glenys McFall drew about 30 people.
"We haven't spent a lot of money before the primary," which is Tuesday, "so we are going to spend a lot more for the general election," which will be Nov. 2, Rossi said in Port Ludlow.
Rossi is considered the biggest challenger to Murray in the primary. Thirteen other candidates are on the ballot.
Rossi started off his day Friday with a morning visit in Port Angeles, where he told about 66 supporters that he advocates a Constitutional amendment to require Congress to have a balanced budget -- which would include a requirement that new tax increases be approved by two-thirds of Congress rather than a simple majority -- and repeal of the Health Care Reform Act.
Rossi said told supporters in Port Ludlow that he wants to make it easy for businesses to thrive.
"There are no big employers like Microsoft or Boeing in Jefferson County," Rossi said.
"But there are a lot of small entrepreneurs with two employees who want to have four.
"That's what will make a difference here, if we give people the ability to chase their dream and create a product they think that someone else wants.
"That's how we will be able to create full employment, and allow people to make enough to feed their families."
Rossi lost the governership twice by narrow margins in 2004 and 2008 while criticizing his opponent, Christine Gregoire, because she "had never signed the front of the paycheck."
He used the same theme in speaking about Murray, saying that there is nothing wrong with people who have never worked in private enterprise, only that they lack a necessary perspective.
Edel Sokol, who is Rossi's Jefferson County campaign chair, thinks that he will make a good local showing.
"There are several districts in Port Townsend that really aren't all that liberal," she said.
"I think that Jefferson County voters have a lot of good sense and there are a lot of 'Dinocrats' who will vote in the primary and the general election. "
"There are 100,000 Democrats across the state who support me," Rossi said.
"They say 'I'm a Democrat but I'm going to vote for this guy because we need a change.'"
Rossi not only believes that he can win, but that his defeat of Murray will result in the Republicans winning the Senate.
Once elected he promises to reach across the aisle.
"You have to lead by example," Rossi said.
"There will be a lot of new blood in the next Senate, with at least 10 new people who are not a part of this petty partisanship."
Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
PORT LUDLOW -- Since declaring his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in May, Republican Dino Rossi said he has driven the equivalent of two road trips between Washington state and New York City.
But his first trip to East Jefferson County occurred on Friday when he visited two private homes to talk about his vision of responsible government and his primary election campaign against incumbent Sen. Patty Murray, D-Freeland -- and to raise campaign funds.
"If we can raise enough money to tell our story and defend ourselves we are going to win," he said in Port Ludlow, addressing about 40 supporters in the home of Robert and Barbara Phinizy.
A later event in Brinnon at the home of Ian and Glenys McFall drew about 30 people.
"We haven't spent a lot of money before the primary," which is Tuesday, "so we are going to spend a lot more for the general election," which will be Nov. 2, Rossi said in Port Ludlow.
Rossi is considered the biggest challenger to Murray in the primary. Thirteen other candidates are on the ballot.
Rossi started off his day Friday with a morning visit in Port Angeles, where he told about 66 supporters that he advocates a Constitutional amendment to require Congress to have a balanced budget -- which would include a requirement that new tax increases be approved by two-thirds of Congress rather than a simple majority -- and repeal of the Health Care Reform Act.
Rossi said told supporters in Port Ludlow that he wants to make it easy for businesses to thrive.
"There are no big employers like Microsoft or Boeing in Jefferson County," Rossi said.
"But there are a lot of small entrepreneurs with two employees who want to have four.
"That's what will make a difference here, if we give people the ability to chase their dream and create a product they think that someone else wants.
"That's how we will be able to create full employment, and allow people to make enough to feed their families."
Rossi lost the governership twice by narrow margins in 2004 and 2008 while criticizing his opponent, Christine Gregoire, because she "had never signed the front of the paycheck."
He used the same theme in speaking about Murray, saying that there is nothing wrong with people who have never worked in private enterprise, only that they lack a necessary perspective.
Edel Sokol, who is Rossi's Jefferson County campaign chair, thinks that he will make a good local showing.
"There are several districts in Port Townsend that really aren't all that liberal," she said.
"I think that Jefferson County voters have a lot of good sense and there are a lot of 'Dinocrats' who will vote in the primary and the general election. "
"There are 100,000 Democrats across the state who support me," Rossi said.
"They say 'I'm a Democrat but I'm going to vote for this guy because we need a change.'"
Rossi not only believes that he can win, but that his defeat of Murray will result in the Republicans winning the Senate.
Once elected he promises to reach across the aisle.
"You have to lead by example," Rossi said.
"There will be a lot of new blood in the next Senate, with at least 10 new people who are not a part of this petty partisanship."
Charlie Bermant/Peninsula Daily News
By Tom Callis
Peninsula Daily News
Print This |
Email This
Recent Headlines
State parks panel today to consider transferring Fort Worden to Port Townsend control -- 2/8/12 -06:07 PM
Waterfront walkway in Port Angeles slated to be built this summer -- 2/8/12 -06:02 PM
Port Angeles council pair fails to persuade colleagues to rethink lawsuit fight against FEMA -- 2/8/12 -06:02 PM
Same-sex marriage bill goes to governor; likely law next week -- 2/8/12 -05:57 PM
Olympic National Park chief to retire next month; interim designated -- 2/8/12 -06:17 PM
Such a move, aimed at reducing the national debt, would prevent the federal government's expenses from exceeding its revenue, he told those who gathered at the Red Lion Hotel on Friday morning.
Rossi, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Freeland in Tuesday's primary election, made the national debt, which he said is bankrupting future generations, the focus of his speech at the Port Angeles campaign event.
Rossi also visited two private homes in East Jefferson County on Friday, talking with about 40 supporters at the home of Robert and Barbara Phinizy in Port Ludlow and about 30 at the Brinnon home of Ian and Glenys McFall.
"It's morally reprehensible what we are doing to our children and our grandchildren," he said at the Port Angeles event.
Rossi also said that a Constitutional amendment mandating a balanced budget should include a requirement that any new tax increases would have to be approved by two-thirds of Congress rather than a simple majority.
Washington state has the same two-thirds requirement for new taxes through I-960, although the state Legislature suspended the initiative earlier this year.
Rossi, a former state senator, didn't mention the initiative.
While focusing much of his criticism at Congress in general, including both Republicans and Democrats, he pointed specifically at Murray when he talked about irresponsible spending and unnecessary "pet projects."
"I'm sure someone wanted it; I'm sure they are going to vote for it," Rossi said, after listing some of Murray's earmarks.
"But what Republicans and Democrats are both doing is bankrupting America," he said, adding, "Washington, D.C., needs some adult supervision."
Rossi also called for the repeal of the Health Care Reform Act, which he referred to as a "tax and spend bill with a little bit of health care sprinkled on top."
He said the federal government should find other solutions to expanding health care coverage, such as encouraging small groups of people to band together under insurance plans to lower costs.
To balance the budget without raising new taxes, Rossi said Congress should focus more on hiring and pay freezes for federal employees.
He said that would help limit cuts to social services.
As the chairman of the state Senate's budget writing committee in 2003, Rossi said he proved that one can be "fiscally conservative and socially responsible."
Rossi, a two-time GOP candidate for governor, is considered the biggest challenger to Murray.
Thirteen other candidates are on the ballot.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: August 15. 2010 1:39AM
Peninsuladailynews.com comments are subject to the Peninsuladailynews.com User Policy.