Van De Wege & Tharinger Q&A: Day 1

Steve Tharinger with Lynn Kessler & Senator Maria Cantwell

We'll have Tuesday's news update tomorrow, but first, let's get to our first question submitted to the blog for the Democratic state representative candidates of the 24th District:

 From TomPAFisher:

"Do you think the extreme right-wing rhetoric of the Tea Party base of the Republican party will affect Republican legislators ability to make compromises and actually govern?"

Steve Tharinger: Governing requires compromise, and extreme rhetoric on either side affects the ability of the legislative process to find workable solutions. Although there is legitimate frustration and anxiety among the populace, the angry and ideologically extreme Tea Partiers seem to be drowning out the much-needed voices of civility that Lynn Kessler has said are so important to finding solutions in our legislative process. Lynn embodied civility, moderation, and civic cooperation in Olympia --  not divisiveness and ideological intolerance --and I plan to live up to Lynn's legacy as her successor in Olympia.

Kevin Van De Wege: I agree with Steve that this sort of extreme, immature rhetoric can damage the legislative process in Olympia, but only if a large number of extremist Tea Party candidates are actually elected. Though this movement has made a lot of noise, it has not actually won any major two-party elections in Washington state. We'll see in November if Washington's populace feels that if any of the more intemperate members of the Tea Party reflect their views on how public servants should conduct themselves.

If it is the will of the electorate, then I will look forward to working with Tea Party candidates in the same way I look forward to working with mainstream Republicans and Democrats. I sought public office so I would have the opportunity to craft effective legislation that meets the needs of our struggling local communities -- not to fight pointless partisan political battles. I hope that whoever is elected in November views their job as an opportunity to work with their fellow legislators, regardless of party, to achieve a brighter future for Washington.


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Look forward to Day 2 of the online Q&A tomorrow evening. We're still taking questions in the comments of the blog, on Facebook, and via e-mail, so please send some more in!

The 24th District Eagle