Eyman adversaries avoid rubbing it in

REBECCA COOK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA -- Tim Eyman's revelation that he paid himself with campaign money and lied about it might have inspired some private glee among his opponents, but most resisted the urge to kick the initiative king while he's down.

Whatever happens to Eyman, foes say, his ideas will likely still retain their power -- and that's what really concerns them.

"I hope he will tone down his inflammatory rhetoric," said Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach, who has criticized what he termed the overuse of citizen initiatives. "I guess this points out the old motto that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

Another adage came to mind for Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Seattle: "My mother always said pride goeth before a fall."

Eyman did take pride in differing from career politicians, whom he often derided. He often bragged about not making money from his activism. He has sponsored three successful tax-limiting initiatives and has at least two more in the works.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, told his caucus Monday morning to stay out of the fray and let Eyman speak for himself.

"I urged people to be thoughtful about it," he said.

Many Eyman foes said there's no point in piling on the man.

"Whether or not the public is going to change its opinion as a result of one man's indiscretion -- it's more complicated than that," said Bill Vogler, executive director for the Washington Association of Counties.

"The problem has never been Tim Eyman. The public has consistently voted for these initiatives. As for his own method of paying himself, he'll have to suffer the consequences of that."

Tim Welch, spokesman for the Washington Federation for State Employees, agreed: "He's the messenger, not the message."

Other people who believe they have suffered because of Eyman's initiatives are calling the sponsor to task.

"Sadly, this can happen when ambition and ego run out of control. Now I have to wonder if all the signatures on the petitions were valid," said Washtucna Mayor Neil Todd. The tiny Eastern Washington town, population 266, may cease to exist next year because of budget woes.

Stan Finkelstein, executive director of the Association of Washington Cities, said Eyman's confession calls his integrity into question.

"He is essentially establishing himself as a private consultant who chooses a sexy issue to entice people to give contributions," Finkelstein said.

Sound Off at TheOlympian.com: Is Mr. Eyman's political career over?

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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