Politics & Government

Bellevue Republicans Focus on Beating President Obama

Though some said that they chose their preferred candidate for ideological reasons, some said that "electability" was the number one reason behind their choice.

Record numbers of Republicans were expected to turn out for the 2012 Washington state caucus, and in Bellevue was no exception.

"This is exciting," said caucus chairwoman Mary Rae Cowles at Highland Middle School, where 22 precincts in the 48th Congressional District gathered to caucus. "When was the last time you were in a room with so many Republicans?"

Cowles gave the crowd instructions, and said that despite whichever candidate they preferred -- Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul or Newt Gingrich --  they still were united in one goal.

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"Our main objective here is to beat Barack Obama," she said, to applause.

The excitement in Bellevue was echoed throughout the Puget Sound, .

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Several prominent Eastside Republicans were on hand. 

King County Councilwoman Jane Hague, who came to her caucus, came to support Romney.

"He's got my values and he's the winning candidate," Hague said.

State Attorney General Rob McKenna, who lives in a different area of Bellevue, dropped by to thank the Republicans at Highland Middle School for coming to caucus day. He was greeted with a standing ovation by many at the caucus, and was greeted warmly by many of the caucus-goers.

McKenna, who is running for governor, stayed neutral in the GOP presidential caucus.

"When you're running for office, you don't want to divide your own followers," he said, who said his supporters are divided over the GOP presidential nomination.

McKenna, who was dropping by the Bellevue caucuses, said that the turnout was strong all over the city.

"This has been good overall," he said.

At Highland Middle School electability was on top of some people's minds.

"Based on what I've seen in the past few weeks... I've seen a lot more presence in the Romney campaign events," said Michael Nassiria, who was an early Romney supporter. "I feel like Mitt Romney has a better chance to go against Obama."

"For me, it does not matter if you're Republican, or Democrat, or Green, or yellow or whatever, if the idea is right, then I'm in favor of it, I've been doing that for the past 27 years I've been in the U.S.," Nassiria said. "I believe the Republicans have a proven record in the White House. And in the past three years, the Democrats have been hitting my pocket."

Kathy Tegreene said that Romney's electability was the "number one factor" in her mind. Her husband Casey Tegreene disagreed.

"I'm a little more undecided," he said, before the caucus.

Margaret Allison, one of the Tegreenes' neighbors, said that she had supported Herman Cain.

"I was so mad when he dropped out!" she said, while Tegreene laughed and agreed.

However, Allison decided to support Romney after considering the other remaining candidates.

"I'd rather go with the lesser candidate who will win than the perfect candidate who wasn't going to win," Allison said.

However, others said that ideology was still an important part of their choice.

Electability "wasn't the primary factor," said Ron Paul supporter Doug Rodgers, one of Michael Nassiria's neighbors. "We agree with the Libertarian perspective."

His wife, Kathy Donigan, agreed that electability wasn't her primary motive when she started supporting Ron Paul, but she was inspired by the young people who have joined Paul's campaign.

"I'm impressed by the enthusiasm and the thoughtfulness" of Paul's younger supporters, she said.

Nathaniel Tucker, who supported Paul in 2008 and came out to caucus for him on Saturday, said that he felt that embracing the support for Paul was key to the future of the Republican party.

"You really have to have a candidate who is going to drive the passion and expand the base and I honestly think that Ron Paul is the only person who can do that," Tucker said. "I fear for the party if we nominate someone else. I think Obama, even though he has terrible approval ratings, just based on what he's done, it's really looking kind of stark if you can't energize people."

"Ron Paul gets out the youth vote, and that's traditionally a vote that goes to Democrats. So if you pull those people over, you can have a party that's really powerful," Tucker said.

To replay coverage from the caucuses around the Puget Sound area from this morning,  and click "replay" to scroll through our updates and photos. The caucus did not officially count straw poll votes at the event.


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