The wrap-up of the 2016 legislative session means that there is no longer a “fundraising freeze” for elected officials — and Jay Inslee is taking full advantage of that fact. In fact, given his latest fundraising emails, it’s safe to say that our green governor has reached a new level of desperation.
Ever the hyper-partisan hack, one email to supporters reads:
“Unfortunately, Republicans have fought us on making progress on our vision for Washington state. They viciously opposed measures to raise the minimum wage and provide paid sick leave for every worker. That’s why it’s so important that I keep fighting for you as governor. And that means we need to raise $3,486 more before our end of month deadline at midnight tonight.”
Another reads:
“We’ve lost 109 days of fundraising time, and the situation is dire. The Republican Governors Association has made it clear this is going to be a brutal campaign. If we show any sign of weakness at this point, the Republican super PACs and the Koch Brothers are going to put us further up on their targets list.”
And, another reads:
“Washington state Republicans would like nothing more than to bring Donald Trump style politics to our state. They would like nothing more than to tear us and the progress we’ve made down. We need to show that we’re ready for that fight, right now…”
It’s interesting that Inslee is complaining that Republicans are attacking him “viciously” using “vile politics.” It’s also interesting that that Inslee is warning against outside big money (the Koch Brothers) influencing state politics. And, of course, it’s interesting that Inslee wants his supporters to believe it’s exclusively Republicans who have prevented him from achieving his agenda.
You see, these claims are either hypocritical or false (or both).
First, the fact that Inslee is complaining of “vile politics” is the height of hypocrisy. If there are any “vicious” attacks occurring, it is our green governor who has set the hyper-partisan tone. During the 2016 legislative session, Inslee went so far as to publicly attack individual Republican lawmakers during a press conference. Our “green” governor reverted to the attack-dog ways he honed in his 15-year congressional career, launching into a hyper-partisan diatribe and attacking GOP lawmakers as individuals.
He followed up his attack by canceling meetings with Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler (something he was later forced to backtrack on). By doing so, Inslee injected his hyper-partisan, D.C.-style politics into an already tense political environment.
Second, if Inslee is worried about outside influence in Washington State politics, he would start by preventing his friend California billionaire and extreme “green” hypocrite Tom Steyer from doing exactly that. In 2014, Steyer attempted to influence Washington State politics by buying the state Senate for Inslee. Groups funded by Steyer, like the Washington Conservation Voters (WCV), pumped millions into the attempt to unseat State Senators like Steve O’Ban, Andy Hill and Doug Erickson. Unfortunately for Steyer – but fortunately for Washington taxpayers – voters rejected these slimy attacks and Steyer failed to win a single seat he went after.
As Shift reported, the extreme “green” billionaire will try again in 2016. Steyer has already pledged to, once again, involve himself (and his money) in state-level elections. Certainly, Inslee is counting on Steyer to come to his aid as a fellow extreme “green” activist.
Finally, the fact that Inslee is resorting to — once again — making the false claim that it’s only Republicans that are preventing him from achieving his far-Left agenda reveals just how desperate he is to explain his record of ineffective so-called leadership. As Shift has pointed out time and time again, Inslee has failed to garner enough support for many of his policies among members of his own party to pass the Democrat-controlled state House. It’s not just Republicans who have blocked Inslee (although, thankfully, they’ve been instrumental). Rather, it’s Inslee’s complete inability to lead that is, ironically, standing in his own way.
It’s time Inslee retired his hyper-partisan attack/blame game tactic, it’s getting rather old.
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