Lee Rousso for Governor

January 18, 2008
For today's blog entry, I would like to invite my readers to do a little math exercise.

During the three years of the Gregoire administration, government spending has been increasing by 7% per year, inflation has averaged about 2.4% and population growth around 1.7% per year. In other words, at these rates government spending will double in ten years, prices will double in thirty years, and population will double in about 40 years.

If these trends continue, by around 2060-2070, the tax rate in the State of Washington will hit 100%! Every penny made by every man, woman and child will go to the state!

Of course, the tax rate will never hit 100%. But if Chris Gregoire had her way.....

January 15, 2008
Governor Gregoire gave her "State of the State" address last night. Somehow failed to mention her support for throwing poker players in prison.

Anyhow, I was not impressed. While the economy has done well, it would have done just as well with Dino Rossi in the office. In fact, it probably would have done just as well if the post had been vacant these last three years. Most of the prosperity is related to issues over which the governor has no control, such as the housing boom.

Gregoire has, of course, been a transportation disaster. When she promised to tear down the Viaduct in 2012, she sounded childish, petulant, and slightly off her meds; a mix of Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with a little Vladimir Putin thrown in for good measure. She didn't even bother to say that she would tear it down if she was still governor. I'm worried that if Dino Rossi or I knock her off, she'll come back and dynamite the darn thing.

With respect to 520, her pattern of failure could not be more obvious. I think the public will reject "pre-tolling," paying tolls for 9 or 10 years before the bridge is actually completed. Tolling 520 as part of a comprehensive congestion pricing scheme is a different story, but that is not what she was proposing last Thursday. Really, after three full years in office, that's the best she can come up with?

Of course, my plan to sell the lottery to pay for the bridge is perfect. There would probably be enough money left over to buy a new ferry fleet as well. By the way, our ferry system is imploding. When the Keystone-Port Townsend ferries were pulled from service, I was stunned at how quickly the governor moved to stifle debate. We simply must not discuss whether it makes sense to throw $100,000,000 at a run that services 3% of the ferry traffic. We're not getting scammed, are we?

This might be a good time to mention that I think I'm a distant relative to poker superstar and ultra-babe Vanessa Rousso. Unfortunately, she got all the poker talent in the family.

January 14, 2008
I officially launched my campaign on the Dori Monson show today. Dori is a long time veteran of Seattle talk radio and one of my favorite on air personalities. I think Dori is also a poker player, though I'm not sure. I do know he hates SB 6613 as much as I do.

I chose today, January 14, because this is opening day of the legislative session. There is a chance, maybe only a small one, that the legislators will realize what a horrible law they passed in 2006. There is also a chance, once again perhaps only a small one, that they will recognize their mistake and correct the law. That would make my life a lot easier!!

I took about a half a dozen calls. One was from a lunatic who thought I was out to dismantle the government. The others were from strong supporters. I expect that to be the case because this law actually has no public support whatsoever. Still, the positive feedback was great.

Dori was understandably skeptical about my chances of winning. However, like every politician, I think my strategy makes perfect sense: peel off a few Democrats, grab some independents, and incite a stampede of Republican crossover voters. Why not?

January 7, 2008
Today I have officially registered as a candidate for governor!

PPA State Director Lee Rousso Running for Governor (January 14, 2008 - Poker News, CardPlayer.com)

Washington State Online Poker Legal Update - State is Trying to Keep Lawsuit Out of Courts (November 26, 2007 - Card Player Magazine)

Lawyer Raises Stakes Against State's Internet Poker Ban (July 6, 2007 - Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

From Ponies to Poker: The Lee Rousso Story (July 13, 2005 - The San Diego Union Tribune)

Friends, here’s what I intend to do during my first term as Governor:

• Restore sanity to Washington’s gambling laws by incorporating the principle of player immunity. This will make Washington’s law consistent with federal law. NO PRISON FOR POKER!

• Sell the state lottery (50 year lease) and use the proceeds to pay for a new 520 bridge without raising taxes!

• Commit the state to the “surface option” for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

• Expand the use of market-based solutions to traffic congestion.

• Limit the growth of the state payroll to .75% per year, half the rate of growth under Christine Gregoire.

• Eliminate bogus “emergency” designations on bills passed by the legislature. These “emergency” designations are designed to bypass the referendum process and rob the citizens of access to democracy.

• Ask the legislature to repeal the Baby Bonding Bill and send the issue to the voters.

• Investigate abusive behavior by the Washington State Gambling Commission.

• Promote trade and tourism with Japan, Taiwan, China and other Asian nations.

Hadley-Green-Rousso, Attorneys at Law

The Poker Player's Alliance

Lee Rousso for Governor

903 S. 3rd St., Renton, WA 98057

phone: (425) 264-0424 • fax: (425) 271-1925

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dear Friends,

It is with heavy heart and great reluctance that I announce that I am withdrawing my candidacy for the office of governor.

My decision to withdraw is based on last Tuesday's decision by the United States Supreme Court that resulted in a change in Washington's primary election rules. In particular, my campaign was predicated on Washington's pick-a-party primary system, which created (in theory at least) the opportunity to mount a campaign aimed almost exclusively at crossover voters. My pitch to Dino Rossi supporters was, "If you had two chances to vote against Christine Gregoire, you would be crazy not to." Unfortunately, the August primary will now be held as a top-two primary, which means the crossover appeal is not logically viable.

While my campaign has been short--too short--it has been gratifying. Over these last few months I have heard from hundreds of citizens who are outraged by the the way SB 6613 was rushed through the Legislature and signed by the Governor. I continue to maintain that popular support for the law is approximately zero.

I also watched the legislative session with some interest and it basically confirmed my worst fears: the government of this state is completely out of control. Much of the blame for that must fall squarely on the shoulders of Christine Gregoire. Her lack of leadership has been frightening.

I think history will show that Governor Gregoire was lucky to preside over a real estate boom that was not of her making. If she makes a second term, she will find that the punch bowl has been taken away and the party is over. Only then will the bill for her profligate ways come due.

In politics, one has to not only be right, but be right at the right time. In my case, the former is true but the latter is not.

Even though I am dropping out of the political arena, I will continue to work to change the laws so that internet poker players can enjoy the Great American Game from the privacy of their own home. My constitutional challenge to the law is set for a hearing on April 25, 2008. Assuming I get my day in court (something the State is desperate to avoid), I think I have a good chance at winning.

Meanwhile, I encourage all my supporters to continue to fight the good fight. We are going to win this battle. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday soon.

I appreciate your support.

Lee Rousso