A capitalized message topped the Saturday meeting invite by initiative promoter and candidate for governor Tim Eyman; "LET'S STICK OUR FINGER IN THE EYE OF JAY INSLEE."

Eyman was inviting 251 "patriots" to a meet-and-greet in Oak Harbor, to exceed and violate the limit of 250 at public gatherings set by the governor he seeks to unseat. "I'm bringing a six pack of Corona," Eyman promised.

Eyman was putting together the informal gathering because the Island County Republican Party had just canceled their Saturday night Lincoln Day dinner and auction "due to the coronavirus outbreak." Four Republican candidates for Governor, including Eyman, had been scheduled to speak at the annual event.

The response to the COVID-19 outbreak has -- finally -- taken on a bipartisan flavor. A majority of Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted for a sweeping testing and sick leave package endorsed earlier in the evening by President Donald Trump. (Sixty Republican voted against.) Such political rivals as Inslee and Vice President Mike Pence have conferred almost daily.

A broad coalition of state business groups, in a letter Friday, described Inslee's ban on large social gatherings, in Washington's three most populous counties, as "a wise and pragmatic approach to stem the spread of the virus."

In an email to SeattlePI.com, however, Eyman resorted to a quote from Benjamin Franklin that he frequently uses: "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

How does this 18th Century nugget of wisdom relate to a 21st Century global pandemic? Here is Eyman's response:

"The 1st Amendment guarantees the citizenry the right to peaceably assemble. I am very concerned that during situations like this or 9/11 or other fear-intensive events, that the government infringes on basic constitutional rights without sufficient questioning, and when that happens, I've seen the media is often silent or even complicit."

"Jay Inslee did not 'suggest' the suspension of the 1st Amendment. He ordered it. That is deeply disturbing to me. Nothing wrong with the government saying -- we strongly urge citizens to do the following -- that's fine. But using the full weight and authority and power of the government to order the end of political discourse, the suspension of worship. These are basic rights that do not need and and should not be sacrificed."

The candidate's words contrast markedly with proactive actions by the conservative Republican who governs a populous state hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, Ohio's Gov. Mike DeWine.

Dewine has order all schools in the Buckeye State to suspend operations for three weeks. He has banned gatherings of more than 100 persons. At the start of this weekend, DwWine went a step further and ordered the closing of all bars and restaurants in Ohio at 9 p.m., with an exception made for takeout orders.

Why? "We know it will continue to spread but slowing it down will enable health care providers, our hopsitals, our doctors will be able to stay up with the medical problems of this virus," DeWine told CNN. "We do not want to be in a situation where our medical providers are making life and death decisions on who lives and who dies."

Italy has scared the governor of Ohio.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused political problems for Eyman and other gubernatorial challengers.

Washington has been ground zero in the pandemic. Inslee has acted forcefully, making announcements while flanked by public health and medical professionals. He has been dealing with Pence. He has been back on the networks' cable TV programs, such as the "Rachel MAddow Show" where Inslee ended his short-lived campaign for President.

Initiative battles have faded. Candidates against Inslee face what might be called public attention deficit disorder. Few paid attention when Eyman boasted of a great meeting out in Forks. He has complained to TV reporters about lack of coverage.

The result: While a hyperbole-prone Jay Inslee has responded to COVID-19 in sober, measured tones, a spotlight-seeking Eyman has grown even more provocative.

He didn't top Inslee's gathering limit.

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