booth gardner - Washington Secretary of State

out. McDonald and Locke were worried about what would happen when the bills came
due.
* * *
Chang Mook Sohn’s revenue forecasts were hotly debated from January to June of
1991. Some called him “Dr. Doom.” Others maintained he was Dr. Feelgood, succumbing
to political pressure to gin up more optimistic numbers so everyone could declare victory
after two tedious special sessions and head home. Bristling at that suggestion, the chief
economist nevertheless found another $73 million and Gardner’s staff announced a $55
million windfall in federal Medicaid assistance.
In September, when the Forecast Council next met, Sohn had bad news: Consumer
confidence was tanking. The national recession had caught up with Washington. Boeing
was selling fewer planes, Weyerhaeuser a lot less lumber. The demand for services –
welfare, jobless benefits, smaller class sizes – was escalating as revenues declined. The
bottom line, Sohn said, was that by New Year’s Day there could be a $200 million deficit.
President Bush, riding high in March after smashing Saddam, was now watching his poll
numbers plummet like a Scud missile. In Little Rock, James Carville was telling Governor Bill
Clinton he could be president of the United States. It was as easy as 1, 2, 3, the campaign
strategist said. He hung a sign on the wall. It said:
1. Change vs. more of the same.
2. The economy, stupid.
3. Don’t forget health care.
Despite the malaise, Booth’s poll numbers in the fall of 1991 were as good as ever. In
a Newsweek-Gallup poll, his peers ranked him among the nation’s top three governors.
Clinton was No. 1; Roy Romer of Colorado No. 2.
Gardner was about to make a stunning announcement.
147