And They Wonder Why People Hate the Democratic Party

Being a near* straight-ticket Democratic voter myself, I'm well aware of the common criticisms of liberal politicians--they prefer study rather than action, consensus to risk, they don't know how to lead, etc., etc., etc...this is why we end up with Republican presidents, because Democratic voters nominate people like Michael Dukakis and Walter Mondale. Wise men both, but hardly bold leaders.

So here we have Steve Ballmer and a cadre of rich people wanting to give--GIVE--the city $150 million to refurbish Key Arena, if--IF--they can buy an NBA team. All the legislature needs to do is authorize a tax that King County would still have to vote on.

But Governor Christine Gregoire and the Democratic leadership in the state legislature refuse. Their solution [pdf]: a study group. OF COURSE.

God, it would be funny for being so utterly predictable if it weren't depressing for being so utterly predictable.

Steve Ballmer and his rich people group have said [pdf] that if the tax isn't passed by April 10, the offer is off the table (the NBA Board of Governors meets April 17-18 to vote on the proposed move, they want a week to present their case).

With Gregoire opposed, the tax won't get passed by then.

And with this, Gregoire has handed her Republican November election opponent, Dino Rossi, a political gift--Rossi's been pushing a "culture of failure" message, which didn't make much sense...until now.

The state has been the biggest obstacle to keeping the Sonics in town. Gregoire runs the state. If the Sonics leave (which seems pretty likely if this last-ditch effort doesn't go through) it will be seen (rightly) as Gregoire's fault, and Rossi's "culture of failure" message will have a very, very potent example.

Rossi has come out in favor of the proposal.

And so has the P-I's Art Thiel, who's generally opposed to public funding for pro sports. He assesses the offer thusly: "The offer...is not only generous, it is philanthropic to the point that any governor or legislator inhibiting this gift is committing a miscarriage of official responsibility as well as common sense." DING! Dino Rossi, you just got yourself a campaign ad blurb.

If the NBA votes to let the Sonics move--let's face it, the Sonics are moving. At that point, we may as well just throw in the towel, let them out of the lease, and start trying to get Sinbad to come to Key Arena instead of the Emerald Queen.

Maybe Gregoire just really likes Sinbad.

*Republicans I've voted for: Dino Rossi, Michael Bloomberg, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki.