In Olympia, Bush's war talk leaves some politicians jittery

BRAD SHANNON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Wednesday, January 30, 2002

OLYMPIA -- State political leaders and activists hailed President Bush's call Tuesday night to fight terrorism and rebuild the nation's economy.

They also liked his proposal to create a prescription drug benefit for Medicare.

But Bush's comments about potential action against such terrorism-supporting states as Iraq, Iran and North Korea left some with jitters and wanting more details.

"I applaud the president's leadership in the war against terrorism. I agree with the president that we cannot relax our guard against threats to our country," Democratic Gov. Gary Locke said through his spokesman, Pearse Edwards. "The national economic recession is taking a terrible toll on millions of families across the United States. We need an economic stimulus package that truly helps working people and not the wealthiest corporations."

Secretary of State Sam Reed praised Bush for outlining his priorities, listing the war on terrorism, domestic security and revival of the economy in clear order.

"As he talked about the war on terrorism, it was almost chilling," Reed, a Republican, said.

Reed said Bush might only have been "sending a message" to so-called rogue nations. "It's very sobering and I think he was making it clear ... it is a very dangerous world. ... So it makes you a little nervous.''

Cheers and jeers

"I thought it was real positive and upbeat. I think it's what we needed to hear now,'' said state Rep. Sandra Romero, D-Olympia. "On some of it I thought it was pretty long on form and short on content, like the Patients' Bill of Rights, pension protection, productive farm policy and cleaner environment, minority home ownership.

"What does all that mean? I support the goals; I just want to see them happen."

"I loved it. It actually reminded me quite a bit of a Reagan speech," said Dione Ludlow, a deputy prosecutor who is one of Thurston County's representatives on the state Republican Party's executive board. "I think it showed a lot of confident leadership. I think we see a real incredible leader unfolding before us.

"I don't think we knew what a gem or treasure we had when we elected him.''

"Well, it sounds like he wants us on a war footing forever, unfortunately," Dave Kempher, chair of the Thurston County Democratic Party, said of Bush. "What bothered me is he left it so open-ended and vague; there's no criteria for when the war is going to be over with."

Kempher said the second half of the speech that dealt with an ambitious domestic agenda "was more of a campaign speech than anything."

But without identifying where the money would come from, "he's doing a Reagan on us," Kempher said. "He's funding the military to the max and if there's a deficit, he's blaming the overspending on Congress.''

Brad Shannon, political editor for The Olympian, can be reached at 360-753-1688 and at shannonbrad@hotmail.com.

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