Gregoire, Rossi trade barbs in Spokane debate

SPOKANE — Gov. Christine Gregoire said Republican challenger Dino Rossi seems like a good husband and father. Rossi said he and the Democratic governor have worked well together in the past and he had no personal animosity toward her.

But both said during their fourth debate today that they have fundamental differences on policy, and they spent most of the hourlong session battering each other with familiar attacks.

"The incumbent has spent most of her time taking credit or assigning blame, but has not taken responsibility for the problems in our state," Rossi said during the debate taped at Spokane public television station KSPS for broadcast later today.

"Jabs and one-liners. Mr. Rossi is really quite good at that," Gregoire said at one point.

Both candidates appeared to say little new in the debate, instead relying on the content of their attack ads.

But they were asked at one point to describe something they liked about their opponent, leading to the exchange of pleasantries.

Then it was back to business in the hotly contested campaign.

Rossi said Gregoire had spent her career in state government and had an "Olympia-centric" view of the world that would not lead to solving problems like traffic congestion and budget deficits.

"I'm going to solve the budget deficit without raising taxes," Rossi said.

Both candidates said they favor the North Spokane Freeway, a project that has been kicked around for five decades but is only now in the beginning stages of construction.

Rossi said his budget plan includes money to finish the highway, and other traffic choke points around the state.

Gregoire said it was a fantasy to think huge highway projects can be funded without raising taxes, as Rossi has promised.

A question submitted by a viewer asked Gregoire about Rossi's allegations that she had received big campaign contributions from Indian tribes after negotiating compacts that expanded tribal gambling.

Gregoire said she negotiated with tribes because federal law allows them to operate casinos, but she has not received large contributions from them.

"The idea that I have taken money from casinos is an out and out lie," Gregoire said.

Rossi replied that Gregoire's negotiations led to the greatest gambling expansion in state history.

Gregoire beat Rossi by just 133 votes in the 2004 election, which was decided after three counts and a court challenge. Primary results and polls indicate they're in another tight race.

Their fifth and final debate will be next Wednesday in Seattle.