Despite Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna's attempt to disassociate himself from the type of union-bashing that controversial GOP standard-bearers such as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker trade in, McKenna's party went all air-traffic-controllers-mode (Google it, kids) today.

This afternoon, the Republicans sent out a press release attacking Washington Education Association President Mary Lindquist (the union is spending big on McKenna's Democratic rival, WEA-endorsed Jay Inslee) for telling the AP one thing and telling her union members another about why the WEA is all in for Inslee.



Here's what Lindquist told the AP: "I think it's pretty clear that we have a real priority in making sure that we get someone elected as governor who will put kids first."

But here's what she told her membership in a recent newsletter:

Here is my stock answer to why we endorsed Jay Inslee for Governor.

Inslee answered our questionnaire, met with our WEA-PAC board members to answer their questions and impressed everyone with his sincerity and thoughtfulness.

He has repeatedly said he will work with us. That is what he did as a member of Congress and what he has continued to do throughout his campaign. Inslee said again -- before 3,000 contributors -- that he believed in collective bargaining. He has repeatedly promised to protect our collective bargaining rights.

In a press release titled "WEA: 'Jay Inslee is the best choice for adults'," state GOP spokeswoman Meredith Kenny was happy to play the role of Scott Walker, saying: "In a newsletter that went out this past weekend to WEA members, not once ... does Lindquist tell her fellow members that the WEA chose to endorse Jay Inslee because he was the right choice for Washington’s children – only that he is the right choice for the union."

Editor's note: Although I certainly see Kenny's point---there's nothing specific about electing Inslee for kids' education in the WEA's pitch---Lindquist actually does mention students in her pitch to union members, concluding: "For me, the choice is clear. Our students, our colleagues and our schools need to elect Inslee as our next state governor."

So, today's Cola One Question goes to WEA leader Lindquist: Why the kid-focused stock answer to the press and the union-centric stock answer in the newsletter?

Here's what Lindquist told us:

Really? I see many reasons in that statement to support Jay Inslee. He answered our questions. He met with us. He has said he will work with us. And yes, he supports collective bargaining. Calling one item out is selective reading.

Let's not forget. Rob McKenna didn't bother to show up for our candidate interview, even though we rescheduled to accommodate his request. Why would we endorse any candidate who wouldn't even sit down and talk to us - classroom educators from across the state - about his views on education.

Lindquist also points out that her newsletter message linked to a WEA webpage about Inslee where the following Lindquist quote about children is prominently displayed:

He cares deeply about the children of our state. We’re very happy with what he heard from him today. We believe he’s the kind of governor the state needs.