Washington Democratic party files frivolous lawsuit over party labels

The Democratic Party has sued state election officials demanding Dino Rossi be identified as "Republican" rather than "GOP" on election materials. This is a frivolous lawsuit.

Judge Richard Eadie, who is scheduled to hear it this morning in King County Superior Court, should throw it out.

It is not possible to follow politics in America without knowing that "GOP," or Grand Old Party, means "Republican." "GOP" has been in use for the lifetimes of every voter now living. It is used in newspaper headlines. It is used on signs. People know it.

Also, under the state's new top-two election system, the political parties have no say in how candidates identify themselves.

Some 25 candidates who survived the primary used "GOP" rather than "Republican." One used "Grand Old Party." One of the Democrats used "Progressive Dem Party." Under the new rules, all these are OK.

If the Democrats wanted to file a complaint, the time to have done it was last April, when the rules came out.

As of Wednesday, all 3 million voters pamphlets had been printed. Most of the various county ballots have been printed. Some of the military ballots have been mailed out, and a few already returned.

The election is on, and it is too late for lawsuits like this one.