DENVER - Green energy is a big deal in Washington politics, and one of its loudest cheerleaders is U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island), who even co-wrote a book on the subject, Apollo's Fire, late last year.

Inslee told PolitickerWA.com yesterday that he felt that the push for green energy, and the resulting shifts in the economy that would result from the actualization of a major shift, would help Chris Gregoire in her bid for re-election.

"Our governor, Christine Gregoire, is one of the leaders in America on this subject," Inslee said. "She has really led on global warming. She understands the economic potential on this."

He then cited a company he had just toured, Bellevue's MagnaDrive, who makes a product that helps motors save electricity, and they have recently begun selling their product in China.

"Christine Gregoire gets that this is an economic opportunity to sell to China," Inslee continued. "So she is just front and center, and I do think this is an [important] issue and Washington gets it. The name of the game is innovation and we are one of the most innovative states in the country. It's in our genes."

Asked about Republican claims that Washington's business taxes are harmful to new development, a theme that Gregoire's opponent, Dino Rossi, frequently makes on the campaign trail, Inslee demurred.

"We were just rated one of the top three states in the country to do business in," Inslee said of the recent Forbes magazine rating. "We have a thriving economy in a sea of despair across the country, okay. And that's partly because of Christine Gregoire's leadership. That dog won't hunt."

Inslee also said he planned on campaigning for Gregoire, and was just talking with her about last week. Expect the Bainbridge Island Democrat on the trail for the governor this fall.

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