George Bush brought us eight years of failed policies that have hurt our nation and communities. He slashed healthcare for children, opposed safeguards for our air and water, denied the existence of global warming, opposed comprehensive stem cell research and put special interests ahead of our interests.
With a record like that, it’s not surprising that times are tough and a message of "change" is resonating with voters. It’s also not surprising that Republicans all over the nation and up and down the ticket are co-opting this message.
Take my Republican opponent, Dino Rossi. He opposes comprehensive stem cell research, a woman’s right to choose, safeguards for our air and water, and puts special interests ahead of our interests. As chair of the state Senate’s budget committee, he slashed healthcare for children. (Sound familiar?)
Fact is he can say "change" all he wants, but my Republican opponent can’t change his record and core beliefs, and what they mean for our state. He’ll definitely bring change to our state – but is it the change we need?
Lately, he’s been talking about (future president) Barack Obama – who he doesn’t even support – more than Senator John McCain. He ran ads during Barack Obama’s convention speech and touts the "Obama/Rossi" supporters in his campaign.
The differences between Barack Obama and my Republican opponent are vast. One wants to end the failed policies of George Bush – the other wants to bring those very policies to our state.
Over the next two months, voters are going to hear about the records and the plans of Republicans and Democrats from the presidential race on down. It’s up to all of us to decide who to support.
Barack Obama sees the possibilities of the future and knows how to break down the barriers of the past. He understands that all states need a partner in Washington, D.C. Sen. Barack Obama will bring the right kind of change to our country – the kind of change we’ve made in Washington State.
Voters will hear about how we’ve created more than 225,000 new jobs, expanded healthcare for 84,000 kids and started to build a green economy.
Voters in my state will also hear about my Republican opponent’s vision for the future, in which fewer kids have access to healthcare, special interests run the show and environmental science is denied and ignored. He will bring the failed policies of George Bush to our state and reverse our progress, even as the rest of the nation moves forward.
The failed policies of George Bush have taken a toll, times are tough in communities all over the nation. In times like these, we need leaders who share our values and understand what kind of change we need.
Thanks,
Chris Gregoire
P.S. It was great to meet some of you in the Big Tent at the Democratic National Convention.