<div class="bi"> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> Not Giving Up</p> </div> <div> <span style="font-style: italic">Nov 13</span> - Despite the negative vibe surrounding the Sonics' chances of remaining in Seattle in recent weeks, Gov. Chris Gregoire expressed hope Monday that solutions remain to keep the franchise here.</p> </p> Speaking at a Microsoft event in Redmond, Gregoire issued her first public response concerning NBA commissioner David Stern's criticism about the region's lack of political will to keep the team.</p> </p> "With all due respect to David Stern, I haven't given up," Gregoire said. "I don't think anybody in Seattle has given up.</p> </p> "I don't want, a couple of years from now, to look back with regret that we didn't do everything we could to keep the Sonics and the Storm. So I'm continuing to work and have private conversations with a good number of folks. I still remain optimistic, and I think David Stern should keep his powder dry." -- <font color="#000000">Seattle Post-Intelligencer</font></p></div></div>
