Rossi fundraiser gets in the way of gubernatorial debate

We reported last week that negotiations had broken down over scheduling a Clark County gubernatorial debate on Oct. 13 because the candidates were 30 minutes apart on the start time.

Gov. Chris Gregoire agreed to debate from 11 a.m. to noon; Republican Dino Rossi first agreed to the time slot, then said a campaign event would require him to finish no later than 11:30.

Now comes the rest of the story: Rossi has scheduled an 11:30 a.m. “photo opportunity” for donors prior to his noon fundraising lunch at the Red Lion Inn at the Quay.

Cost of the lunch: $125 per person. Cost of having your picture taken with Rossi: $500.

—Kathie Durbin

No surprise here: The county Realtors group is officially backing Republican Marc Boldt and Democrat Pam Brokaw in their respective county commissioner races. They cite Boldt’s “long and distinguished career” and Brokaw’s understanding of “the importance of affordable housing” based on her work directing a Vancouver affordable-housing nonprofit.

Two months ago, the Realtors’ government affairs director, Jim Keithley, said his group is put off by Tom Mielke’s anti-tax, anti-spending attitude, which he thought could hold down quality of life. It was a reminder that the agenda of home-sellers (selling lots of nice houses) isn’t always the same as that of homebuilders (selling lots of new houses).

The Realtors’ backing comes with big money — $8,000 for Boldt, $3,200 for Brokaw.

Fun fact: All three sitting commissioners — Boldt, Steve Stuart and Betty Sue Morris — were Realtor-backed in their last race.

— Michael Andersen

The Association of Washington Business released its endorsements in statewide and legislative races Tuesday. For Clark County voters, most interesting was who did not get the powerful business lobby’s nod.

The AWB endorsed Republican 17th District Sen. Don Benton for re-election but took a pass in both 17th District House races. It declined to back Republican Joseph James, the owner of a dog day care business, who’s up against Democrat Tim Probst for Rep. Jim Dunn’s open seat, or Micheline Doan, who’s challenging Democratic incumbent Deb Wallace.

James didn’t come up entirely empty-handed Tuesday. The National Federation of Independent Business, which had earlier endorsed Dunn, threw its support to him.

In the 18th District, all three Republican incumbents — Sen. Joe Zarelli and Reps. Ed Orcutt and Jaime Herrera — all met the association’s test of supporting a healthy business climate.

But in the 49th, the AWB chose not to endorse either Republican write-in candidate Tom Langston, who is running against incumbent Democratic Sen. Craig Pridemore or Debbie Peterson, who is running against Jim Jacks for an open seat. It did, however, back Independent Mike Bomar, lobbyist for the Building Industry Association of Clark County, in his race against Democrat Jim Moeller.

Twelve Democrats got the AWB stamp of approval, including Rep. Dean Takko of Longview.

— Kathy Durbin

John McCain loves dice. Barack Obama prefers cards.

And one of them could decide if the Cowlitz Indian Tribe gets to bring Las Vegas-style gambling to Clark County.

With fewer than four months left in the Bush presidency, it’s increasing likely a new administration will approve or reject the tribe’s request to establish a 152-acre reservation west of La Center.

Obama and McCain offer a study in gambling contrasts. In early July, Time magazine reported that Obama thrives on competition but plays poker cautiously, carefully studying cards and making calculated wagers. But McCain is a natural risk taker who throws dice at the craps table with the swagger and confidence of a former Navy fighter pilot.

For Obama, poker night was a doorway to the inner workings of the Illinois Legislature, where he served for eight years. McCain has much longer ties to gambling, as The New York Times chronicled in a lengthy piece last weekend.

For many tribal leaders, either man would be a welcome change from what they believe has been the most anti-Indian administration in past half century.

Cowlitz Chairman Bill Iyall told The Columbian in July that he shares that assessment, but he also argued there is no reason for the Bush administration to wait.

“All the pieces are there with the conclusion of the current process, so they should be able to make their decision,” he said. “We think the current administration has the means to do that. And maybe even the desire.”

— Jeffrey Mize