Governor candidates try to define each other

You might think you know Gov. Chris Gregoire and her rival, Republican Dino Rossi, but both sides of the simmering governor's race want to take this time to tell you a few new things — bad things.

In what promises to be a rough-and-tumble contest, they have taken up the work of what's known politely in politics as "defining the candidate."

That is, convincing the public early that the opposition is the wrong person for the job.

Rossi's launched a rematch against Gregoire — who has yet to officially declare her re-election campaign — after losing to the Democrat by 133 votes in 2004.

The ultra-close win in a year of big wins for Washington Democrats shows Gregoire didn't do enough to hit Rossi where it counts, say many party insiders, such as attorney Jenny Durkan, who defended Gregoire's win in court, and veteran state Sen. Sid Snyder, who has a street in Olympia named for him.

"It's clear in comments that have been made since the last election that they do plan on going after Dino Rossi. That's their strategy for winning," said Rossi spokeswoman Jill Strait.

She says the attacks will get worse now that the legislative session is over, and she mentioned a Friday news article in which a Democratic Party spokesman is quoted calling the Republican a "sleazy politician."

Rossi and the Republican Party have been throwing a few punches of their own.

Gregoire notes she has not personally attacked Rossi and points out remarks Rossi made in February, calling her "Benedict Gregoire."

The name refers to Benedict Arnold, a traitor during the Revolutionary War, and Rossi said Gregoire betrayed Hillary Clinton by supporting Barack Obama for president this year.

"That's not what I would call a very kind name," Gregoire said. "I guess the message for him is 'Don't throw stones.' "

There are subtleties and context to such exchanges, but the stones are flying.

"The key is to identify what voters already think about a candidate in many respects and to use that in a negative attack or response," said Washington State University professor Bruce Pinkleton, who studies campaigns.