The Next Governor?

Attorney General Rob McKenna          Washington governor Christine Gregoire hasn’t ruled out a third term, but she isn’t running very hard either.  The Seattle Times reports that she has only $44,000 in her campaign fund.  At this time in the 2008 election cycle, she had over a million dollars in the bank.  If she doesn’t seek reelection in 2012, who would run for the office? 

          At the moment, the two most likely contenders are Democratic Representative Jay Inslee and Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna.  Serving in the House of Representatives, Inselee has had to take public stands on most current issues.  His record is that of a liberal on both social and economic issues.  Basically what you would expect from a Seattle area Democrat.  So let’s look at McKenna.

          Although he has twice been elected attorney general, McKenna has at least one advantage over Inselee going into the race.  Serving as the state’s chief legal officer he has not had to take a public stand as many current issues.  This allows McKenna to shape his image in a way that Inselee cannot.  One exception came in April of 2010, when McKenna joined the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare.  At that time, I called him a rising star in the Washington Republican party.    

          McKenna states he has three priorities as attorney general.  First, he talks about making communities safer by fighting drugs, predators and domestic violence.  Another priority is protecting consumers and business from fraud.  Finally, advocating for integrity in government, he has promoted several open government measures.  Everyone is in favor of safe communities and protecting people from fraud.  The emphasis on open government gives me the best insight into how McKenna might act as governor.

          Last year at a Snohomish County Republican Women’s Club McKenna declared, “The grassroots movement reflected in the Tea Party is exactly what this country is about.”  He went on to add, “Fewer regulations, fewer burdens upon our employers is what the Tea Party's about. It's an economic movement, a fiscal movement. We get that. The lefties don't get that.”  That sounds good, but what exactly does it mean as far as policy decisions and budget matters? 

          Often it is the statement that receives little notice that is the most insightful.  In a recent article McKenna is quoted as saying, “Collective bargaining is a right.”  As a lawyer he should know better.  Collective bargaining is a legislated privilege granted to certain groups.  Federal civilian employees have only limited collective bargaining.  Military personnel have none.  If it were a right we would all have it equally.  So, when he made that statement, McKenna was apparently saying to Washington public employee unions, “If I’m elected governor, I won’t restrict collective bargaining like Scott Walker did in Wisconsin.”  I’d like to know how he plans on balancing the state budget without reigning in personnel costs.              

          It appears that Rob McKenna has begun his campaign for governor by making the Dino Rossi mistake of running to the left politically.  This may get him a few more votes in the Seattle area, but his more conservative base will yawn and stay home on Election Day.