Winners and losers

Elections give us winners and losers. Here are some, in addition to the candidates and issues.

Winners: The American public. The election of Barack Obama was not a surprise, but the outpouring of people celebrating from Chicago’s Grant Park to downtown Seattle testified that this a watershed moment in our country.

Losers: Republicans in Bellevue and much of the Eastside. The Eastside as a bastion of Republicans has been waning for several years. Tuesday’s election only confirmed the fact, as legislative districts in this area turned “blue” and blended in with those in Seattle and South King County.

Winner: Republican - and Bellevue resident - Rob McKenna who easily was re-elected Attorney General. With Dino Rossi’s loss - now twice - to Chris Gregoire, McKenna becomes the statewide leader of the party - and a likely bet to look next at the governor’s office or the U.S. Senate.

Loser: Tim Eyman. His initiative, I-985 involving transportation issues, failed by a 59-41 percent margin. Eyman says that his goal always is to give voters a choice, and he did. But could he continue to put forth his seemingly endless initiatives without the backing of a few deep-pocket donors?

Winners: Obama’s children. Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, have been asking their dad for a dog. The president-elect told his daughters, “I love you so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

Winner: Light rail. Sound Transit is going to be able to expand light rail to what should become an actual system some day. A light-rail line now will come to Bellevue and on to the Overlake area and Microsoft. Get ready for some difficult neighborhood decisions.

Winner: Non-partisanship. Voters want elected offices in county government to be non-partisan. That’s the way the system was proposed years ago, but councilmembers back then balked and as a result Democrats and Republicans have spared over the positions. But, really, is a sewer project really a Democrat or Republican issue?

Contact Bellevue Reporter Editor, Staff Craig Groshart at editor@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4233.

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