Health-care lawsuit motivated by politics
Editor, The Times:
Regarding the state Attorney General Rob McKenna story [“Suit puts spotlight on AG’s politics,” page one, April 1], it is hard to find credibility in the assertion that the anti-health-care lawsuit is not motivated by politics.
Regardless of political affiliation, both ordinary and professional courtesy would seem to call for consultation with Gov. Chris Gregoire— a former AG herself — before joining the suit.
I believe McKenna is the “very good lawyer” he says he is, so it was likely not legal reasoning that prompted him to join a suit most legal experts think has little chance of success. It is disappointing; the decision seems to challenge his usual centrist demeanor.
— Michael Tronquet, Seattle
We’ve lost faith in McKenna
My wife and I are lifelong Democrats who nevertheless voted for Rob McKenna in 2004 and 2008.
We saw qualities in him that seemed to elevate him above the usual partisan squabbling. Indeed, we thought he might one day make a fine governor.
All that has changed.
We are angry that McKenna has chosen his present course of action. We will never vote for him again. I would be surprised if there isn’t a sizable number of other Democrats who feel the same way we do.
— Dave & Mary Richards, Bainbridge Island
From a conservative’s perspective: AG’s lawsuit disappointing
As a conservative, I find state Attorney General Rob McKenna’s joining of the lawsuit by Republican Attorneys General to be disappointing.
It is not just that the lawsuit is, on its face, frivolous and literally does not pass the laugh test; it is because if McKenna objects to the bill as a private citizen, he is free to oppose it any legal way he wants. However, he isn’t opposing it as a private citizen —he’s spending public money on a personal partisan agenda.
That is against the Washington state constitution and the Revised Code of Washington. There is indeed an unconstitutional power grab for political reasons at the heart of this lawsuit. It isn’t by the U.S. Congress.
— Hal O’Brien, Kent