Gregoire To Take Office Tomorrow

With Christine Gregoire set to be inaugurated as governor tomorrow, something she does not deserve, I believe it is as important now as ever that the rightful winner, Dino Rossi, and the state GOP do the right thing. Instead of pushing the issue further in court, Mr. Rossi should honorably concede the election, saying that though he believes this election was unfairly taken, it is in the best interest of the state that we move on, preparing to fight another day. Mr. Rossi would be wise to heed these words from the Wall Street Journal:

Then too, there is that democratic virtue known as losing gracefully: that Ms. Gregoire failed to show it at the first and second ballots does not mean Mr. Rossi should fail to show it on the third.

Acting gracefully and with dignity and honor at a time when the opposition hasn't will go a long ways towards elevating the Republican Party to it's rightful place above the Democrats in the eyes of many Washington voters. As a recent poll shows, a majority of Washingtonians believe that Mr. Rossi is the rightful winner, and these same Washingtonians will remember how Rossi and Republicans act four years from now, with Mrs. Gregoire and Democrats having to answer for their actions.

Republicans will also be held accountable for their actions, and if we take the proper course now we will be rewarded in the long run, just as long as we always look out for what is best for the state and not our own partisan interests.