Gregoire launches campaign with a 5-city swing | Seattle P-I

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Thursday, July 31, 2003

Gregoire launches campaign with a 5-city swing

By DAVID AMMONS
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Christine Gregoire began her bid for the governor's mansion yesterday, vowing to be a straight-talking "tough fighter" for Washington families.

The state attorney general's own family endured a scary moment at one stop on a five-city tour. In Vancouver, several angry protesters drowned out her speech with cries of "Racist! Elitist! You hate poor people!" One man started toward the podium, and Gregoire's 18-year-old daughter, fearing her mother might be in danger, dissolved into tears.

The crowd shouted down the protesters and Gregoire tried to restart her speech. "Hello, Vancouver! I'm here to be your governor and to represent every family," she yelled.

Noticing that her daughter, Michelle, was shaking and crying, she left the podium in midsentence, went to comfort her and, assured that she was OK, a composed Gregoire went back and resumed her speech.

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