Some setbacks today for the Washington Democratic party in its attempt

to dismiss Dino Rossi’s election contest, at least on the political

front. Secretary of State Sam Reed, a Republican who has throughout the

election controversy frustrated Republicans and been praised by

Democrats for his lack of partisanship (“he’s not like Katherine Harris”

they extol) has filed responses with the court arguing against the

Democrats’ motions to dismiss. Meanwhile as the Democrats’ lawyers are

arguing that its the role of the legislature not the courts to settle

this election contest, the Democratic speaker of the statehouse now

publicly disagree with the state party on that point.