LANGLEY - Gov. Christine Gregoire visited Langley Monday afternoon and she had her fighting gloves on during her first official campaign stop on South Whidbey.

Her message was loud and clear: She wants to see Democratic leadership in the state Senate, the governor’s mansion and the White House.

"Are we ready for November?" Gregoire asked a crowd of roughly 150 South Enders.

The crowd enthusiastically shouted "Yes!"

"Are we ready to elect Barack Obama?"

"Are we ready to re-elect Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen?"

"I hope we are ready to re-elect Gregoire?"

The crowd emphatically shouted "Yes!" each time.

Gregoire had come to Useless Bay Coffee Company’s outdoor venue, where local Democrats held a rally for their local candidates as well as Gregoire and Haugen.

To kick things off, Gregoire held up a Bush administration "countdown clock," and announced that it was only 182 days until a Democrat would become the next president of the United States.

The gimmick found a enthusiastic audience. Langley is traditionally a Democratic stronghold on Whidbey Island.

She had no kind words for her challenger Dino Rossi, whom she narrowly beat four years ago after a messy ballot recount.

Gregoire repeatedly stressed that she sees virtually no difference between Rossi and the Bush administration, and that people should not buy into Rossi’s campaign theme of "change."

She pointed out Rossi has no real answers and that’s why he never answered any critical questions.

While her opponent has attacked her most recently for the state’s spending since she took office, Gregoire offered no apologies.

Since Gregoire was elected governor, state spending has increased $8 billion — a 31 percent increase in the state's two-year general-fund budget.

"I am proud of the investments we made," she said.

Gregoire said that the money was well- spent and was invested in what matters most: education, healthcare and public safety.

"What’s wrong with that?" she asked.

The crowd gave her a standing ovation.

Gregoire spent about two hours in Langley.

After giving her speech at the Useless Bay Coffee Company, she toured Langley’s First Street. Escorted by Langley Mayor Paul Samuelson, the governor visited with business owners, sampled desserts at Café Langley, and spoke with passersby on the city's main street.

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