Republican Reed faces GOP wrath over recount decisions (Wash St.)

[Diane R]

Republican Reed faces GOP wrath over recount decisions

By David Postman
Seattle Times chief political reporter

STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed believes members of his party are angry with him because they think he hasn't been Republican enough.


OLYMPIA — On Christmas Eve, Secretary of State Sam Reed took a little of what has been precious free time during the gubernatorial recount to e-mail about 25 close advisers he calls his "kitchen cabinet."

Reed told them that his role overseeing the recount — a role that meant the Republican would soon certify the Democrat the victor in the race — had created "some very raw nerves and emotions."

"While I anticipate emotions calming down as time goes by, there are certainly people very angry with me now — including some very good friends and supporters," Reed wrote. He closed by saying any advice would be appreciated.

It wasn't exactly advice he got back a few hours later from his friend of 30 years, John Giese, a Republican political consultant and close adviser to Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002138732_reed03m.html

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Perhaps he should choose his "allies" more wisely then?

There is no doubt that the repubs will turn on anyone who doesn't toe the party line.

[coloradodem2005]

2. Break out the popcorn people.

Time to watch them eat their own. This ought to be entertaining.

[papau]

3. I like how the GOP defines what to expect when you elect a Democrati

"Every time taxes are increased, new regulations passed, new rules written by state agencies without underlying statutory authority and economic opportunity is stifled, this election will be remembered"

[AmerDem]

4. repukes are just a vile party

These fuckers have to be stopped.

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. What in the world was Reed doing?

Oh yeah, his job. Imagine that.

[Pirate Smile]

8. Geez, how dare he forget his loyalty is to his Party and not to his

Country, State and the people of Washington State.

[Tempest]

6. Reed has nothing to worry about

By following the law and doing his job, he just received thousands of cross-over votes if he decides to run again.

[Verve]

10. He sounds like an honest guy! If only he could have a word with Blackwell

[Jo March]

15. I'd like to have a word with blackwell

Yes, indeedy.

[Tempest]

16. I have two words for Blackwell

Louisville Slugger.

(just kidding. kinda. sorta.)

[Jo March]

17. I thought you were going to say, "Fuck you!"

LOL. So many words, so little time.

You are going down, little man. DU has put a hex on thee!!!

[Diane R]

18. Absolutely true

I am a staunch Washington State Democrat. But, depending on who runs against him, I am much more likely to consider voting for Reed in the future. And, I have always voted against him in the past.

[Verve]

20. You should let him know that. It sounds to me like he needs some friends.

Going against the dark side is pretty lonely!

[Jo March]

7. Ah, time to write Reed a letter of thanks

for doing his freaking job and staying nonpartisan on a nonpartisan issue.

[oldtime dfl_er]

9. good idea

Maybe he'll cross the "aisle".

[Jo March]

14. :) It is so much nicer over here in progressive land

don't you think? ;)

[SlowDownFast]

23. I sent him a nice thank you email..n/t

[glitch]

11. Reed had to do this - any further light on the machine counts would risk

exposure of the skim fraud. He may be unpopular in WA state now, but I bet DC is fully supportive.

[Patsy Stone]

12. Soon come the "Not Republican Enough" camps... n/t

[KT2000]

13. Reed showed integrity!

I was expecting him to pull a "Harris" but he stuck to the law. Very impressive in these times of criminal partisanship.
Yes - a note to him would be in order.

[Nothing Without Hope]

19. One of the things this suggests to me is that...

...we need to remind ourselves to be open to the possibility that Republicans of integrity are still out there. We should not be caught in the trap of assuming all Republicans, elected or civilian, must be wrong-headed and devoid of integrity. That kind of simplistic division does a lot of damage to our credibility as progressives -- people who want us ALL to move forward into a better world. Yes, the Rethugs who are abusing this SOS are revealing all too clearly what their priorities are. But the fact is, this Republican official could have been like Blackwell, licking the jackboots, but he stood up for what he saw as the rule of law.

We need to be open to Repubicans of integrity. Their party used to be associated with "getting Big Government out of our lives" and "fiscal responsibility" and "non-intervention," sometimes to an extreme. Not exactly what the current GOP stands for! There are honest Republicans out there who would be as horrified by what happened in this fraudulent election as we are, if they were shown all the evidence. We need to reach out to them when we can.

[Old and In the Way]

22. Very true.

Our whole election system is becoming way too politicized. Not sure what the answer is but somehow, we need to get a more objective and unbiased management to put nuetrality back in the process.

More and more elections seem to be split down the middle. The political party in power, particularly the SOS office, is becoming a major factor that can influence the results. I'm afraid that this country is in for even greater devisiveness unless we can find a solution that assures everyone that the process is nuetral and valid to everyone's satisfaction.

[SaveAmerica]

21. "Hasn't been Republican enough" = didn't steal election n/t