I wrote a post recently essentially agreeing with the conventional wisdom that Senator Patty Murray is unbeatable given the Republicans who have announced or are considering running for her Senate seat. While I thought with a well known, well funded, experienced candidate there was a possible path to defeating her next November, it still would be an uphill battle. Then came a new cry from the cradle of the American Revolution, little known Massachusetts State Senator Scott Brown crashed his pickup through the gates of the Kennedy compound, ran over the shoe-in Democrat candidate and set in motion what may well be the greatest political reversal in American history.
Senate seats across country, once considered safe, became the "people's seats" and vulnerable. New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Illinois, Arkansas, Colorado, North Dakota, Nevada, California and now Washington are in play, perhaps others too. The unimaginable just a few days ago, Republican takeover of the Senate, has moved into the realm of possibility. Of course, Republicans would have to hold all their seats and run the table to add ten more for the magic 51 total. Karl Rove thinks Republicans have a shot at a five to eight seat gain. To reach ten, Washington would have to turn Red.
A well known talk show host speculated that if Susan Hutchison ran and was able to hold the same King County vote she got in her losing race for King County Executive, her support in the rest of the state would carry her to victory over Murray. I'm not sure she'd be interested in another down and dirty campaign so soon after the Executive race.
Among the six or so lesser known to unknown candidates, Chris Widener, has professional speaking ability and a very large potential contributor list from which he hopes to raise a significant war chest. If he catches a new wave of change rolling across the nation, he may be the Scott Brown of the West come November 2, 2010.
Good story, However I hope that Susan decides not to run. she doesn't need this she's been through enough. The State GOP leadership need to leave her alone. They don't seem to realize or don't care that this last election did a lot of damage to Susan's reputation.
As much as it pains me to say this I honestly don't think she will be able to get the percentage of votes in King County that she did previously. Those miserable excuses for human beings that ran her campaign, burned far to many bridges for her to be able overcome at this point.
If the base of the party sees her as another candidate being forced down there throats. Make no mistake about it that's what the State GOP is trying to do. This will end up being a disaster.
Guys this was not easy for me too say. Believe me know one wanted her to win this last election more than I, But it didn't happen because the people that ran her campaign repeatedly thumbed there nose at the base and a lot them know longer trust her.
For what its worth I believe in Susan and that will never change, but she doesn't need anymore of this.
Posted by: Phil Spackman on January 23, 2010 10:42 PMScott Brown was not the typical 'Republican' and he certainly wasn't the Bellevue 'Insider' Republican types that the Party has been putting out the last few years.
Brown was like Kevin Costner in "Swing Vote". He didn't spend his time smoozing with symphony trust funds or making real estate deals.
I could see a guy who is a 'real Washingtonian' sweeping the state, but not the usual types that the party regulars keep putting out there.
Posted by: Blue Swan on January 23, 2010 10:46 PMIn August of 2009 my campaign began traveling to Republican and conservative groups throughout the state making a Powerpoint presentation that showed the winning strategy was to focus on independent voters with a message of fiscal conservatism and limited government.
Scott Brown's election in MA validates our election strategy and the possibility of defeating Sen. Murray is indeed very real. However, I think it will be our campaign, with the cooperation of patriotic groups from across the state, that will do it!
Thank you for all you do for freedom.
Respectfully,
- Craig Williams
U.S. Senate Candidate 2010
www.VoteWilliams2010.com
Also, he understands the means of reaching a voter through 21st Century technology will end up being an amazing asset to his campaign. He is exactly what can ignite excitement in all voters; young, old, rich and poor.
Posted by: Keith Schipper on January 24, 2010 01:26 AMWhat I want is a candidate that holds similar views as mine. That is that the Federal Government need to return to role it was intended. Not the cradle to grave micro managing of peoples lives that it has become.
I want a candidate that is an independent thinking. Not a party puppet.
I'm more interested in reducing initial tax burden than a pittance as a tax rebate.
I want a candidate the believes Al Gore spews more hot air than my car.
Give me all that and I will be glad to send money to that candidate.
Posted by: Vince on January 24, 2010 05:46 AMNot many folks realize they have already raised their first non-voted tax on vehicles for all of unincorporated King County, $20.00 a year on registrations. They are seriously thinking of trying to get it up to $100.00 with a vote.
The Dow Foot Ferry Fiasco continues to run with a 21 million dollar a year budget and collecting 1.065 million in fares. Does this mean as Team Dow dismantles 40-40-20 they will remove redundant bus services to West Seattle? I doubt it.
The county is also looking to create a 100% cost recovery model for animal control services, which means cities could see per animal fees increase to the $200-$300 range. The new pricing level from the private providers like humane society (depending on volume) are getting to the $400 + range per animal.
Posted by: Smokie on January 24, 2010 09:30 AMNot many folks realize they have already raised their first non-voted tax on vehicles for all of unincorporated King County, $20.00 a year on registrations. They are seriously thinking of trying to get it up to $100.00 with a vote.
The Dow Foot Ferry Fiasco continues to run with a 21 million dollar a year budget and collecting 1.065 million in fares. Does this mean as Team Dow dismantles 40-40-20 they will remove redundant bus services to West Seattle? I doubt it.
The county is also looking to create a 100% cost recovery model for animal control services, which means cities could see per animal fees increase to the $200-$300 range. The new pricing level from the private providers like humane society (depending on volume) are getting to the $400 + range per animal.
She needs to show she was serious about KC, before moving on to U.S. Senate.
Posted by: Smokie on January 24, 2010 09:32 AMTrick is, we have no way of knowing exactly what that level of support around the state would be.
Posted by: Ryan on January 24, 2010 11:06 AMThe difference is that in Mass- the mainstream got to see what a failed government health care program does to the middle class, in KC, they are still under the delusion that government is the solution and not the problem.
The patient needs to hit rock bottom before they can commit to a recovery.
Posted by: Andy on January 24, 2010 12:55 PMTake a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4aQCiRjvZY
Posted by: Patriot on January 24, 2010 01:20 PMStatewide is a much better forum for her and the mood is much better now.
Posted by: AD on January 24, 2010 01:53 PMI thik it's the Hitler one... search for Hitler Scott Brown
Posted by: Mike H on January 24, 2010 05:43 PMHitler Finds Out Scott Brown Won Massachusetts Senate Seat
Posted by: Patriot on January 24, 2010 06:23 PMWe have to face the facts. There isn't any GOP (let alone conservative) "bench" in the "great" northwest. I think we're stuck being represented by the dumbest member of the Senate for another six years.
We have to face the facts. There isn't any GOP (let alone conservative) "bench" in the "great" northwest. I think we're stuck being represented by the dumbest member of the Senate for another six years.
Posted by: jwpegler on January 25, 2010 11:45 AMHard to believe someone like Murray is safe when even Bayh trails. O Seattle, why you gotta be like that?
Posted by: T.J. on January 25, 2010 02:31 PMHard to believe someone like Murray is safe when even Bayh trails. O Seattle, why you gotta be like that?
Posted by: T.J. on January 25, 2010 02:32 PMGonna be a bloodbath.
Sean Salazar registered on October of 2008 for he knew it would take time to build relationships in the inner city. He has been all over the state at over 330 events and has give nearly 200 speeches. He has over 200 lead volunteer placed throughout the state. His team is organized, social media savy and represents the diversity of our inner cities.
Salazar is the candidate who can win back the conservative votes that were lost years ago and needed to WIN!
Posted by: Debra pelletier on January 25, 2010 09:40 PMSean Salazar registered on October of 2008 for he knew it would take time to build relationships in the inner city. He has been all over the state at over 330 events and has give nearly 200 speeches. He has over 200 lead volunteer placed throughout the state. His team is organized, social media savy and represents the diversity of our inner cities.
Salazar is the candidate who can win back the conservative votes that were lost years ago and needed to WIN!
Posted by: roma on January 25, 2010 09:47 PM"I think that this gets into a big mush. So, let's just clarify: I didn't make a bunch of deals. There is a legislative process that is taking place in Congress and I am happy to own up to the fact that I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked. So, that's point number one. Number two is that, I think, it is important to know that the promises we made about increased transparency we've executed here in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
HAHAHA! Yeah, he didn't make any deals, it was all Congress' fault!
The guy who "couldn't win?"
They call him "commissioner" now.
Williams knows as much about politics as he does brain surgery.
Posted by: Hinton on January 26, 2010 09:23 PMPatty Murray is well-liked and well-respected by members of the Democratic Party here in Washington state, polls well with independents, and works hard on behalf of and in cooperation with folks from both sides of the aisle and both sides of our state.
The only chance for a Republican is someone who is well-respected and well-qualified, and you don't have many of them around who are known and liked statewide.
Maybe Reichert, who doesn't seem to want to risk losing his seat just yet, or McKenna, who has his sights set on the Governor's Mansion, could pull it off.
Who else is there? Hutchison damaged herself pretty bad with that well-publicized mess of a campaign here in King County... but maybe she has a shot if she can solidly pull together support from around the state outside of mostly left of center Puget Sound counties.
Posted by: Mickymse on January 28, 2010 03:03 PM