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April 17, 2012
Some Narcissists Are More Equal Than Others
by Jim Miller, 06:29 AM, 13 Comments
That's how I explain Dwight Pelz's objection to a possible Dennis Kucinich run here in Washington state. The possibility of a Kucinich run here "horrified" state Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz, who has repeatedly discouraged the idea. "Dennis Kucinich has... [read more]
April 15, 2012
Think about tax increases this week
by Ron Hebron, 09:33 PM, 36 Comments
Getting your tax return ready for April 17? Waiting for your refund? Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell are following Senator Harry Reid. They refuse to write a budget - for the third year in a row - in violation of... [read more]
March 29, 2012
President Obama Is A Republican
by Jim Miller, 07:50 AM, 36 Comments
According to Democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner, anyway. In a series of tweets last year, Darcy Burner, one of the Democratic candidates in the crowded field going for Jay Inslee's open seat in the 1st Congressional District, lambasted President Obama.... [read more]
March 22, 2012
Run, Dennis, Run!
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:46 PM, 11 Comments
Former Democratic Presidential candidate cum redistricted-out Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Outer Space) has long been testing the waters to re-run for Congress from greater Seattle. The effervescent erstwhile boy mayor is apparently inching closer to a run, with a scheduled... [read more]
February 28, 2012
Client #9 Will Be Hosting A Fund Raiser
by Jim Miller, 09:32 AM, 48 Comments
For Congressman Jay Inslee: The Love Gov is climbing back into bed — with lawmakers. For the first time since a tawdry hooker scandal trashed his political career, Eliot Spitzer is holding a fund-raiser for a politician looking to make... [read more]
February 13, 2012
Dr. Art Coday for Senate
by Ron Hebron, 03:34 PM, 12 Comments
Dr. Art Coday is running for the US Senate seat kept warm by Maria Cantwell. Coday is a Harvard-trained, primary-care medical doctor whose practice is with Medicare and Medicaid patients. He ran two years ago, but stepped down when... [read more]
January 24, 2012
It Has Been 1,000 Days Since The Senate, Led By Harry Reid, Has Passed A Budget
by Jim Miller, 10:30 AM, 63 Comments
The Heritage Foundation has put out a little video honoring that dubious achievement. In 2010, the House, led by Nancy Pelosi, also chose not to pass a budget. Reid and Pelosi chose then, and Reid has chosen since, not to... [read more]
December 12, 2011
Our Sexist Senior Senator
by Jim Miller, 08:50 AM, 50 Comments
Patty Murray is open in her stereotyping. Sen. Patty Murray says that if Congress had more women, there might be a plan in place to deal with the nation's $15 trillion debt. While the supercommittee that she helped lead failed... [read more]
December 08, 2011
In Vino, Veritas?
by Jim Miller, 01:50 PM, 8 Comments
It's an old idea (and not totally wrong in my experience). So I don't doubt that our ace local journalists are, right now, racing to find out how much truth there might be in what Congressman Larsen's former staffers said... [read more]
November 17, 2011
Is Dave Reichert Running for Senate?
by warrenpeterson, 09:14 PM, 8 Comments
I just saw a TV spot sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that is nothing short of a campaign ad for 8th District Republican Congressman Dave Reichert. My political instincts immediately wondered if this was the opening shot of... [read more]
November 02, 2011
"...the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce". The third time as ... lunacy?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:28 PM, 28 Comments
Darcy Burner announced today that she is running for Congress again:In a video on her campaign web site, Burner referenced the slogan of the Occupy Wall Street protests, saying "we need to send people to Congress who will fight for... [read more]
July 13, 2011
Patty Murray Is A Party Hack
by Jim Miller, 06:22 AM, 15 Comments
We need to update our political images. When we think of a party hack, most of us visualize a middle-aged, overweight white guy. But hacks can come in any color and can be female as well as male, as our... [read more]
July 07, 2011
Dialing for Dollars
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:45 PM, 17 Comments
Sen. Patty Murray, in her capacity as chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, recently contacted Koch Industries executive Philip Ellender asking for a five-figure contribution from the company's PAC (which would make the donors eligible to attend a DSCC... [read more]
May 23, 2011
Senator Cantwell is taking another year off
by Ron Hebron, 07:45 AM, 54 Comments
Senator Maria Cantwell, Harry Reid, Chuck* Schumer and their 50 Demo colleagues (counting Sanders and Lieberman) did not produce a budget last year for FY 2011. What is their job if not to produce the budget? Now they are past... [read more]
April 21, 2011
If only someone had thought of this earlier
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:38 PM, 8 Comments
The Seattle Times praises Sen. Maria Cantwell for brokering a swap of federal land with the 300 member Quileute Indian Tribe so it can move to higher ground and be protected from "potential tsunamis and floods". Yes, and with only... [read more]
More paid to households than taxes received
by Ron Hebron, 07:38 AM, 13 Comments
This can't continue. What would Senator Cantwell cut? More cash was paid to households by the US government than the taxes received during 2010: $2.3 trillion vs. $2.2 trillion. This, of course, does not count all the government spending for... [read more]
April 19, 2011
Sen. Cantwell wants the federal government to simultaneously lower and raise the price of gasoline
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:37 PM, 29 Comments
Sens. Cantwell and Murray gave a press conference yesterday blaming "speculators" for the recent run-up in gasoline prices. The Senators didn't offer any evidence to support this theory, presumably because they don't have any. In an earlier report Cantwell's office... [read more]
April 06, 2011
What Congressman Jim McDermott Knows — And Doesn't Know
by Jim Miller, 12:31 PM, 11 Comments
This morning, Seattle's own congressman appeared, briefly, on John Carlson's Newsline program. The result was entertaining and, in its own way, informative.... [read more]
February 03, 2011
Patty Murray, fighting for jobs and small business
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:57 PM, 15 Comments
U.S. Senate Republicans lost yesterday's party line vote to repeal Obamacare. But all is not lost. Now that the Democrats have passed the bill so they could find out what's in it, they found out they didn't like everything they... [read more]
January 07, 2011
Congressman Inslee Obstructs
by Jim Miller, 07:01 AM, 103 Comments
Pointlessly. American voters delivered reasonably clear messages to Congress in last November's election; they want limits put on the national government. And the voters want Congress to work on the business of the country, not play partisan games. Democrat Jay... [read more]
November 04, 2010
Dino rossi concedes Senate race to Patty Murray
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:23 PM, 75 Comments
Darn. But thank you, Dino, for fighting the good fight. God bless you and your beautiful family.... [read more]
November 03, 2010
Rossi Camp Update On The Rossi-Murray Race
by Jim Miller, 05:24 AM, 65 Comments
Here's an email from his campaign manager, Pat Shortridge: This evening's returns indicate this election is as close as many predicted, in that it is too close to call. A few points to remember as you examine returns: Historically... [read more]
November 02, 2010
Attack Of The 50 Foot Pelosi
by Jim Miller, 09:27 AM, 2 Comments
For your viewing enjoyment. (And some will like the weird Jerry Brown ad that follows it.) Cross posted at Jim Miller on Politics .... [read more]
November 01, 2010
Two new polls showing Rossi, Murray neck and neck
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:42 AM, 36 Comments
This morning's release from Democratic pollster Public Policy Polling (PPP) shows Rossi 50, Murray 48. Another poll released today by Fox News shows Rossi 47, Murray 49.... [read more]
October 31, 2010
Real Clear Politics: Rossi and Murray race a "tie"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:08 PM, 19 Comments
RCP's assessment of our U.S. Senate race is a tie at 47.7% each. I'm not sure what RCP's exact formula for averaging polls is, but this one is a simple average of the last 3 polls -- (Survey USA: tie,... [read more]
October 29, 2010
Even Norm Dicks' support is softening?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:04 AM, 13 Comments
Real Clear Politics updated WA-6 yesterday from Safe Dem to Likely Dem. Democrat Norm Dicks has represented the district since 1976. This year's challenger Doug Cloud lost to Dicks in 2008 by 67-33. I haven't seen any public polls on... [read more]
October 28, 2010
A Small Move In The Rossi-Murray Polls
by Jim Miller, 10:28 AM, 27 Comments
But in the right direction. Republican Dino Rossi and incumbent Democrat Patty Murray are separated by a single point in the U.S. Senate race in Washington with less than a week until Election Day. The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone... [read more]
October 27, 2010
Kudos To Bruce Ramsey
by Jim Miller, 10:09 AM, 8 Comments
In an excellent column, the Seattle Times editorial writer destroys those Democratic ads charging Republicans with "shipping jobs overseas". Here's his conclusion: There are plenty of vile ads this year, and the Democrats have no monopoly of them. But in... [read more]
October 22, 2010
The 1994 House Election In Washington State
by Jim Miller, 01:07 PM, 21 Comments
When both Pew and Gallup polls find double-digit leads for Republicans in the generic ballot for the House of Representatives, those who are trying to guess what might happen in this year's election will turn to more and more extreme... [read more]
October 21, 2010
James Watkins Asks Jay Inslee Whether He Is Running For Governor
by Jim Miller, 01:23 PM, 12 Comments
Congressman Inslee ducks, dodges, and squirms — but never answers the question. You can find more videos from the Watkins campaign at his site... [read more]
October 20, 2010
Good News For Dino Rossi
by Jim Miller, 08:15 AM, 39 Comments
President Obama is coming out to campaign for his opponent, Patty Murray. I had thought of writing Obama and asking him to come out and campaign for her, but I decided that would be too obvious. It's too bad that... [read more]
October 18, 2010
Videos From The Dick Muri Campaign
by Jim Miller, 07:01 PM, 24 Comments
I liked the Nancy Pelosi/Adam Smith ad, which you can see here. You can find all seven parts of the Muri-Smith debate here. I appreciate it when a candidate is willing to show us what his opponent said, as... [read more]
Not After January, 2011
by Jim Miller, 12:59 PM, 25 Comments
Unless almost all the experts are wrong. I have been planning to write a longish post critiquing the Seattle Times endorsements, which are (mostly) wrong in an interesting way. But today's endorsement of 1st district congressman Jay Inslee has one... [read more]
Now Adam Smith in trouble?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:45 AM, 18 Comments
Latest Real Clear Politics rankings, which seem to be shifting red in recent days: WA-9 (Smith v Muri) and WA-2 (Larsen v Koster) are toss-up, WA-8 (Reichert v DelBene) and WA-3 (Heck v Herrera) leaning GOP. Reichert has always had... [read more]
A Little Credit Where A Little Credit Is Due
by Jim Miller, 07:12 AM, 5 Comments
This morning Q13 had a brief story on the Watkins-Inslee debate this evening. They even told viewers, though not in these exact words, that Inslee has been evading a debate with Watkins. (Will Q13 cover the debate? That's probably too... [read more]
October 17, 2010
Inslee Will Debate Watkins, After All
by Jim Miller, 05:06 PM, 5 Comments
But at a place and time that Inslee chose to minimize voter attention and press coverage. When: Monday, October 18, 7 PM. (Doors open at 6.) Where: American Legion Colin Hyde Post 172 7880 Bucklin Hill Rd NE Bainbridge Island,... [read more]
October 14, 2010
The First Murray-Rossi Debate
by Jim Miller, 01:54 PM, 24 Comments
Tonight at 7 on KCTS, or on the web at KOMO, and, probably, other places. (The KOMO site is asking for questions from the viewers.) I'll open this post up for comments, shortly before the debate begins.... [read more]
October 11, 2010
Can Dino Rossi defeat Senator Murray?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:23 PM, 54 Comments
Jeremy Lott writing for the American Spectator seems to think he can. And so apparently do former President Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama and now even President Obama. I don't know the answer to this, but have Lott, Clinton, Obama... [read more]
October 05, 2010
Now There's A Yard Sign That Makes A Point
by Jim Miller, 06:43 AM, 14 Comments
And a valid point, in my opinion. I saw one of these signs yesterday afternoon, and was delighted. Most yard signs (street signs?) are bland signs, good only for name recognition. It's great to see one with a message. (The... [read more]
October 03, 2010
Pelosi/Reid Congress refuses to do its job
by Ron Hebron, 04:05 PM, 17 Comments
This Congress spends a lot of time fooling with nonsense, while refusing to perform its most essential functions. Thursday Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi passed a law controlling the volume of TV commercials. A big victory for those who don't... [read more]
September 29, 2010
Was There Really A Big Swing To Murray In Washington State?
by Jim Miller, 01:22 PM, 42 Comments
That's what SurveyUSA said in their press release. In an election for United States Senator from the state of Washington today, 09/22/10, incumbent Democrat Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi finish effectively even, according to a new SurveyUSA poll... [read more]
September 24, 2010
The Murray-Rossi Race Is Close
by Jim Miller, 09:52 AM, 76 Comments
Very close. In the latest SurveyUSA poll, Murray leads Rossi by just 2 percent, In an election for United States Senator from the state of Washington today, 09/22/10, incumbent Democrat Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi finish effectively even,... [read more]
September 23, 2010
Profile In Cowardice
by Jim Miller, 03:47 PM, 35 Comments
Yesterday, I learned that my congressman, Jay Inslee, is refusing to debate his opponent, James Watkins. It isn't hard to understand Inslee's thinking ; he received almost 56 percent of the vote in the August all-party primary, his opponent was... [read more]
September 21, 2010
Two Candidates Who Can Use Your Support
by Jim Miller, 05:37 PM, 8 Comments
Jim Geraghty of National Review lists twenty House candidates who can use your support. Two of them are here in Washington state. John Koster, Washington's 2nd district: This race is a bit of a surprise, but the challenger is running... [read more]
Senator Lugar Passes Freedom To Farm
by Jim Miller, 04:35 PM, 3 Comments
After the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar was able to do what he had wanted to do for years: reduce farm subsidies and farm regulations.... [read more]
September 20, 2010
Fake Tea Party Candidate Suzan DelBene
by Jim Miller, 02:28 PM, 25 Comments
DelBene is running against a Republican House incumbent, Dave Reichert. The 8th district is now a swing district. It's never been held by a Democrat, but Gore carried it in 2000 (49-47), Kerry carried in 2004 (51-48), and Obama carried... [read more]
September 14, 2010
James Watkins Stages A Near-Perfect Campaign Event
by Jim Miller, 11:31 AM, 14 Comments
The Republican candidate for Congress in Washington's 1st district, James Watkins, combined a motorcycle ride with barbecue and Motown music. What's not to like in that all-American combination? Here are the riders. You can see more pictures here, and learn... [read more]
September 13, 2010
Tom Tangen Makes The Case Against Patty Murray
by Jim Miller, 10:07 AM, 29 Comments
In a letter published in the Everett Herald. Here's his first pragraph: Patty Murray's television ads are great. But after listening to the people in the ads, I realized that she has bought their votes with my tax money. By... [read more]
September 01, 2010
Senator Murray Is Number 1!
by Jim Miller, 08:08 AM, 36 Comments
While browsing in the back pages of the 2010 Almanac of American Politics, I learned that Washington's senior senator has another achievement that deserves recognition. No, she hasn't won another "no rocket scientist award". (I think the magazine no longer... [read more]
August 30, 2010
How Chairman Livingston Cut Spending
by Jim Miller, 09:23 AM, 17 Comments
With the odds now in favor of Republican control of the House of Representatives, it is time, perhaps past time, to ask how much difference that control could make. The best way to examine that question is to look at... [read more]
August 21, 2010
Holy Cow
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:29 PM, 58 Comments
Post-primary SurveyUSA poll: Rossi 52%, Murray 45%... [read more]
August 19, 2010
As Washington Goes, So Goes The Nation?
by Jim Miller, 01:31 PM, 42 Comments
Sean Trende shows that Washington's blanket primary is a good predictor of general election results here, and may be a good predictor of national results. Maine opted to conform to the national Election Day after the 1958 elections, so we... [read more]
August 18, 2010
Moderate Gains
by Jim Miller, 07:32 AM, 20 Comments
That's what I expect for Washington state Republicans this November, after a quick look at the partial returns from our top-two primary. Republicans will make gains, but a landslide like that in 1994, when Republicans swept the state, looks unlikely.... [read more]
August 11, 2010
46 Percent
by Jim Miller, 09:09 AM, 43 Comments
That's the current estimate, at FiveThirtyEight, that Washington's senior senator, Patty Murray, will lose her seat this November. (The site's founder, Nate Silver, is a Democrat, but is good enough at arithmetic to be a Republican.) If that estimate is... [read more]
July 30, 2010
Congressman Inslee And Speaker Pelosi Have A Friendly Chat
by Jim Miller, 12:36 PM, 51 Comments
When I learned that 1st district Congressman Jay Inslee had voted with Speaker Nancy Pelosi 99 percent of the time, I was reminded of an old joke.... [read more]
July 14, 2010
For Your Viewing Enjoyment
by Jim Miller, 07:03 AM, 33 Comments
This strange ad attacking our senior senator, Patty Murray. If you want to support the organization that made the ad, you can do so, here. (Those unfamiliar with her career may need an explanation for the tennis shoes. According to... [read more]
June 30, 2010
Patty Murray Is "No Rocket Scientist"
by Jim Miller, 01:12 PM, 33 Comments
We know that because she won that award from the Washingtonian magazine, in 2002 and 2004. (She lost out in 2006 to a trio of Republicans.) The magazine used what I think is a reasonable way to make this award;... [read more]
June 29, 2010
Senator Patty brags
by Ron Hebron, 08:48 AM, 16 Comments
She brags about being a career politician. I heard a clip on the radio to the effect: Someone else in this race wavered; he had to think about his family... he wavered, but I never wavered!" Sure she never wavered.... [read more]
June 27, 2010
Demos refuse to perform primary responsibility
by Ron Hebron, 06:47 PM, 31 Comments
It's a primary responsibility of Congress to write and pass the budget each year. But the Demo leadership in the House, where budgets must originate, say they will not do it this year. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced his bold... [read more]
June 21, 2010
Good News From Gallup
by Jim Miller, 05:13 PM, 45 Comments
If you are a Republican candidate. An average of 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents have said they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year compared with past elections, the highest average Gallup has found in a midterm... [read more]
May 05, 2010
Not Enough Day Care Centers in Connecticut?
by Jim Miller, 06:29 AM, 0 Comments
Many of our "mainstream" journalists seem puzzled by the Times Square suspect's motives. Here, for instance, is a story from the Associated Press, with this headline: "NY car bomb suspect cooperates, but motive mystery" Perhaps these mystified journalists should take... [read more]
April 26, 2010
Good News From SurveyUSA On Senator Murray
by Jim Miller, 09:33 AM, 31 Comments
(Unless you are a "mainstream" journalist, in which case you may find this distressing, or even threatening.) Here's the lead paragraph from the SurveyUSA press release. Like Other Incumbent Democrats Coast-to-Coast, US Senator Patty Murray In Trouble in Washington State:... [read more]
March 18, 2010
Positive And Negative From Chris Widener
by Jim Miller, 01:07 PM, 10 Comments
Senate candidate Chris Widener has had his campaign site up for some time. Now he has added a negative site, NOtPatty.com. (That first "O" looks familiar, for some reason.) (I plan to put up more links for candidates, as... [read more]
January 20, 2010
Should We Invite President Obama Out To Campaign For Senator Murray?
by Jim Miller, 02:08 PM, 69 Comments
Or would that be too obvious?... [read more]
December 10, 2009
James Watkins Is Running For Congress In The 1st District
by Jim Miller, 03:25 PM, 15 Comments
Or so I learned from a press release this morning. Here's why he says he's running: I'm running for congress against career office-seeker Jay Inslee because our political class has lost touch with America and American values. Career politicians have... [read more]
December 09, 2009
Brian Baird Wants To Serve In "Other Ways"
by Jim Miller, 04:03 PM, 58 Comments
Ways that don't require him to face the voters of the 3rd district. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) announced his retirement early this evening. "The time has now come to pursue other options, other ways of serving. Hence, I am announcing... [read more]
November 06, 2009
It's Time To Call Your Congressman
by Jim Miller, 11:18 AM, 69 Comments
It isn't too late to urge them to vote against the 2000-page monstrosity that Speaker Pelosi is calling health insurance reform. The Democratic leadership is trying to rush the vote, but has not twisted enough arms to have 218... [read more]
September 24, 2009
Reichert Launching Investigation into AARP's support of HR3200
by MarkGriswold, 11:31 AM, 57 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA-8), has launched an investigation into why AARP has so much love for the Health Care bill HR3200. "I just can't understand how the leading voice for America's seniors would support a bill that cuts $156 billion... [read more]
September 17, 2009
Two Surprising Votes
by Jim Miller, 03:59 PM, 44 Comments
First, Congressman McDermott voted against the resolution reprimanding Congressman Joe Wilson. Second, Congressman Larsen voted against cutting funds to ACORN. If you have an explanation for either vote, share it with us.... [read more]
September 10, 2009
Is Brian Baird Vulnerable Next Year?
by Jim Miller, 02:32 PM, 41 Comments
Isaac Wood and Larry Sabato already have a list of vulnerable House Democrats, and our own Brian Baird is on it. Wood and Sabato think that Baird is likely to retain his seat, but only likely. Insulting some of his... [read more]
August 22, 2009
Parsing Dave Reichert
by warrenpeterson, 09:32 PM, 80 Comments
I agree with the President on some things. I don't agree with the President on a lot of things." Congressman Dave Reichert - November 6, 2006 CNN interview on support of President Bush. Just under the surface, conservatives have had... [read more]
June 22, 2009
Is Jim McDermott's Office A Bad Environment?
by Jim Miller, 09:00 AM, 0 Comments
The small post that I did last week on "Liz" Becton's strange email exchange with a woman working for a lobbying firm drew far more attention than I expected. (I think — and said — that the exchange was entertaining.... [read more]
April 08, 2009
Congressman Norm Dicks Is In Bad Company
by Jim Miller, 01:23 PM, 14 Comments
Almost everyone knows that Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha has a bad reputation. (He was, after all, an unindicted ABSCAM co-conspirator.) Virginia Congressman Jim Moran is less well known, but would never be a poster boy for an ethics-in-public-service campaign. Almost... [read more]
April 07, 2009
Patty Murray Is Right
by Jim Miller, 11:46 AM, 70 Comments
Probably. I am not a fan of Washington state's senior senator; in fact, I have long thought that Senator Patty "not-a-rocket-scientist" Murray is unqualified to serve in the Senate. But she may be right in her support of most... [read more]
March 15, 2009
Cathy McMorris Rodgers Leading Effort on Earmarks
by Eric Earling, 12:48 PM, 11 Comments
Eric Cantor discussed it on Meet the Press today. The relevant exchange begins at 1:37, the specific mention of her work at 3:20:... [read more]
March 10, 2009
Footnote on Reichert's Moderation
by Eric Earling, 09:15 AM, 8 Comments
A final thought on the discussion of Dave Reichert below on the main page: why do the netroots and some other arms of the left keep earnestly insisting that Dave Reichert is some sort of partisan-minded fool? Jim Miller pointed... [read more]
March 09, 2009
Dave Reichert: Moderate or Not?
by Eric Earling, 06:28 PM, 35 Comments
Point: Goldy earnestly declares: Thanks in part to the complicity and/or laziness of our local media, Reichert has done a good job in recent years portraying himself as a "moderate" (whatever that means) while continuing to vote the Republican party... [read more]
February 25, 2009
Republicans on New Media - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 10:04 AM, 4 Comments
Steadily and surely, GOP use of technology in communications is improving. If you're on Twitter you're already aware to the degree to which conservative leaders & activists are using it both as a communications and organizing tool. Our own Cathy... [read more]
February 24, 2009
Reichert in the Spotlight
by Eric Earling, 09:05 AM, 24 Comments
The Boston Globe sent a reporter out to the lovely confines of the Puget Sound region to do a story on Dave Reichert, as an example of House Republicans walking a careful line between opposing the recently passed "stimulus" plan... [read more]
February 05, 2009
Reichert on the "Stimulus" - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 08:41 AM, 131 Comments
Guest column in today's P-I: Quite simply, the House "stimulus" bill didn't do what it was supposed to -- to help hurting families and small businesses. That's precisely why I was disappointed to see my vote against last week's "stimulus"... [read more]
February 02, 2009
Props to Cathy McMorris Rodgers
by Eric Earling, 07:31 AM, 2 Comments
A befitting turn of events given the growing amount of Republican communication occurring on Twitter, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers has joined up. McMorris Rodgers was already active on Facebook, which she has been using effectively in recent weeks. She's taking... [read more]
January 28, 2009
Stimulus End-Game
by Eric Earling, 04:39 PM, 48 Comments
All three Evergreen State Republicans were part of the unanimous GOP vote against the just-passed stimulus...and were joined in doing so by 11 Democrats. Interesting as that turn of events is, with the One gaining no support across the aisle... [read more]
January 27, 2009
Productive GOP Tone on "Stimulus"
by Eric Earling, 08:14 PM, 27 Comments
Cathy McMorris, as part of her leadership role as House Republican Caucus Vice Chair, responds to Obama's stimulus-based outreach: The emphasis on Republican desire to work with Obama - even if they disagree with legislation in current form - as... [read more]
January 23, 2009
Choices on Free Trade
by Eric Earling, 09:25 AM, 32 Comments
Chris Vance asked some good questions recently regarding the shift in positioning from Democrats in our state Congressional delegation on the topic of free trade: One of the biggest questions facing our Democrat dominated Northwest delegation is how hard will... [read more]
January 19, 2009
Patty Murray, call your office
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:39 PM, 16 Comments
Sen. Patty Murray December 2002:"We've got to ask, why is this man (Osama bin Laden) so popular around the world?...Why are people so supportive of him in many countries . . . that are riddled with poverty? "He's been out... [read more]
January 07, 2009
Reichert on Ways & Means...plus another nugget
by Eric Earling, 07:38 PM, 26 Comments
Dave Reichert's office was obviously pleased to put out a release noting his appointment to one of the most powerful committees in the House: "I'm honored to accept an appointment to the Ways and Means Committee and ready to roll... [read more]
December 31, 2008
Reichert Scores
by Eric Earling, 08:29 AM, 13 Comments
The Fix lists Dave Reichert's re-election as one of the best House campaigns of 2008: Washington's 8th district -- Dave Reichert (R): This King County-area district is moving away from Republicans rapidly but Reichert, the former sheriff in the area,... [read more]
December 10, 2008
Double Bonus
by Eric Earling, 09:29 PM, 40 Comments
One corrupt Alaska Republican down (Ted Stevens), another to go. And we're part way there with the latter. Don Young is stepping down from his position as Ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee. Excellent. The quicker such soiled... [read more]
December 09, 2008
Defeating Dave Reichert
by Eric Earling, 09:32 PM, 46 Comments
Dave Ross's former campaign manager has penned a tome on the topic of Democrats retaking the 8th CD. Interesting reading and largely wise counsel if a Democrat were to heed it, until this part of the piece: "Hit Reichert on... [read more]
November 26, 2008
Looking Toward 2010
by Eric Earling, 07:52 AM, 67 Comments
With certified election results in hand, let us pause to consider Dave Reichert's final standing. Since his race wasn't called on Election Night, there will be the lingering impression in some circles that the race was tight in the end.... [read more]
November 20, 2008
Cathy McMorris Rodgers in Congressional GOP Leadership
by Eric Earling, 07:34 PM, 57 Comments
She won election as Vice Chairwoman of the House Republican Caucus, joining a largely new stable of leaders. Good for her. She has the potential to make a real mark given the void she and other young bucks - like... [read more]
November 10, 2008
Cathy McMorris Rodgers Looking To Move Up
by Eric Earling, 06:31 PM, 14 Comments
Jim Camden reports she's looking to run for Vice Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference. That's exactly the kind of fresh blood in House GOP leadership I'd like to see.... [read more]
Dear Darcy,
by Eric Earling, 06:04 PM, 56 Comments
UPDATE: per now Seattle Weekly reporter Don Ward in the comments, Darcy Burner did finally make the concession call today. Good for her. If you haven't already done so, could you just please make that concession call to Dave Reichert... [read more]
November 08, 2008
Excusing Away Burner's Mistake
by Eric Earling, 12:16 PM, 22 Comments
Darcy Burner's netroots base will probably never let us hear the end of their earnest insistence that it was those rotten, corporate bastards at the Seattle Times who defamed Burner and thus manipulated the race in favor of Dave Reichert.... [read more]
November 07, 2008
Reichert Adds to Lead
by Eric Earling, 07:27 PM, 53 Comments
More counts today in both King and Pierce Counties (with another coming from King later tonight). Reichert's lead is expanding in each locale, and if Pierce County ever figures out how to count ballots in a timely manner we'd have... [read more]
Reichert is Winning...But Everyone Will Say It's Still Close
by Eric Earling, 07:04 AM, 28 Comments
King County's late evening count gave Dave Reichert a 55% - 45% advantage among those ballots. He has now moved into a narrow overall lead in King, in addition to his strong lead in Pierce County. Current overall margin: 51.10%... [read more]
November 06, 2008
Reichert Extending Lead Over Burner
by Eric Earling, 08:00 PM, 19 Comments
Dave Reichert crossed a milestone today, winning a small count of mail-in ballots in King County this afternoon. Non-poll votes have been trending toward Reichert in King since an initial tally on Election Day that favored Burner 57% - 43%.... [read more]
November 05, 2008
Reichert v. Burner Update - w/ AM numbers
by Eric Earling, 08:17 PM, 37 Comments
Dave Reichert did exceptionally well today in ballots counted in Pierce County, extending his lead over Darcy Burner in that portion of the 8th CD from 54.5% - 45.5% to 56.1% - 43.9%. That's a lot of movement in a... [read more]
Reichert v. Burner near the dawn
by Eric Earling, 06:56 AM, 15 Comments
Reichert is now up overall 50.32% to Burner's 49.68%, after a long night of slowly tallying votes in King and Pierce. Notably, Reichert is winning later counts in King County outright after the first count of early mail-in ballots gave... [read more]
November 04, 2008
Reichert v. Burner - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 09:49 PM, 16 Comments
Thanks to Pierce County we may have a data void tonight...on top of how long it will take for King to a) tally mail-in ballots and b) collect and report poll votes. First returns, early mail-in ballots in King County... [read more]
November 03, 2008
Darcy Burner's Closing Ad
by Eric Earling, 08:00 PM, 23 Comments
Is this the way her campaign envisioned coming down the final stretch? No. And at the risk of being a jerk, which I'm not trying to be, she looks like a teenager in the ad. Good for her thirty years... [read more]
October 31, 2008
Reichert Campaign Closing Ad Again Features a Woman
by Eric Earling, 08:12 PM, 6 Comments
No, it isn't going down the same path as the famous ad that made Democrats cry "sexism!" but it does feature a speaker who is female, a Democrat, and a union member. I've had Democrats state their belief to me... [read more]
October 30, 2008
In case you missed it
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:18 PM, 74 Comments
Former Microsoft non-executive Darcy Burner tries to explain to KOMO's John Carlson and Ken Schram how not having a degree in Economics from Harvard is the same as having a degree in Economics from Harvard.... [read more]
October 29, 2008
The Netroots Hero candidate
by Eric Earling, 07:07 AM, 21 Comments
Darcy "FISA sucks!" Burner explains why moderation is out, netroots immaturity is in (warning: the audio sounds like it was recorded in a tin can).... [read more]
October 26, 2008
Darcy Burner's Peculiar Defense - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 10:01 PM, 52 Comments
In defense of the accusation that Darcy Burner said she has a degree in economics she doesn't hold, the Burner campaign put out a video that says an old professor likes her but never says she actually has that degree... [read more]
October 24, 2008
Reichert Takes to the Airwaves To Talk "Economics"
by Eric Earling, 07:42 PM, 32 Comments
You have to hand it to the Burner campaign, they muddied the waters enough with their pushback on the topic of which Congressional candidate holds what degree to pull off this front-page article. Problem: when it comes down to it,... [read more]
October 23, 2008
More on that Democratic plan to kill 401(k)'s
by Eric Earling, 07:35 PM, 32 Comments
James Pethokoukis at U.S. News & World Report digs deeper on that talk - including our own Jim McDermott - of taking a sledge hammer to how most Americans now save for retirement. Pehtokoukis lays out a host of reasons... [read more]
Amusing: Burner campaign attempts to spin candidate's "economic degree" problem
by Eric Earling, 06:55 PM, 25 Comments
Trying to change the subject from Darcy Burner's "I have a degree in economics" fumble, her campaign managed to find an independently prepared website that doesn't state Dave Reichert's education credentials correctly. This apparently is Dave Reichert's fault...or so the... [read more]
Another less than brilliant idea from Baghdad Jim
by Eric Earling, 08:14 AM, 35 Comments
I cannot begin to describe how absolutely furious this idea makes me: ...all workers would receive a $600 annual inflation-adjusted subsidy from the U.S. government but would be required to invest 5 percent of their pay into a guaranteed retirement... [read more]
More on Reichert v. Burner
by Eric Earling, 06:06 AM, 6 Comments
For what it's worth, SurveyUSA's latest says Burner is ahead by four. That comes before word of Burner playing whack-a-fact with the details of her college degree. Either way, SurveyUSA's previous 10-point margin in Reichert's favor was too high. Even... [read more]
October 22, 2008
Smooth: Darcy Burner fibbed about her college degree - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 06:54 PM, 63 Comments
The Seattle Times breaks the news: In recent weeks, congressional candidate Darcy Burner has touted her Harvard degree in economics when talking about the nation's financial crisis and her opposition to the bailout package passed by Congress. At two debates... [read more]
October 20, 2008
Darcy Burner: Big Spender
by Eric Earling, 08:28 PM, 10 Comments
What to make of a candidate who is without question dramatically outraising her opponent with vigor, yet who is still required to loan her campaign $140,000 to respond to a supposedly pending ad buy from the Reichert campaign? Did Burner's... [read more]
October 19, 2008
Reichert Sweeps Newspaper Endorsements
by Eric Earling, 08:41 PM, 17 Comments
Break out the brooms, the Tacoma News Tribune is endorsing Reichert in tomorrow's paper. They join the Seattle Times and Seattle P-I in doing likewise. The P-I was the one switch from 2006, when the Times and the TNT endorsed... [read more]
October 15, 2008
Twists in the Reichert Race as Ballots Go Out
by Eric Earling, 09:27 PM, 18 Comments
Reichert's latest ad goes right after Burner on the image of youth, inexperience, and partisanship that has been forged since the start of her 2006 run: The netroots and Burner backers will protest, but the same themes seen in Reichert's... [read more]
October 10, 2008
Sunday's news today: Times endorses Reichert - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 06:33 PM, 22 Comments
The Ed cetera blog breaks the news, you can read the full Sunday editorial here. One passage in particular should stand out to regular readers of Sound Politics: On the important issue of trade, the most significant differences arise. Burner... [read more]
October 09, 2008
Netroots Disaster: P-I Backs Reichert
by Eric Earling, 06:31 PM, 29 Comments
Yes, that would be the one major newspaper that endorsed Darcy Burner in 2006. This year, the New York Times west says Reichert has earned another term: In the 8th Congressional District, Eastside and neighboring voters have a race that... [read more]
October 08, 2008
Reichert & Burner Debate
by Eric Earling, 08:06 PM, 57 Comments
Coverage from the Seattle Times and the P-I tells part of the tale. Two points to extract from their coverage: 1) Reichert has Burner dead-to-rights on the "pay-go" issue. According to the "pay-go" principles Congressional Democrats and Burner have committed... [read more]
October 07, 2008
Reichert takes to the airwaves - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 08:12 PM, 16 Comments
On TV as of today: Note that the ad is generally positive, with only a soft contrast with Darcy Burner at the end. Furthermore, the US Chamber of Commerce ad that's on the airwaves now too - though not on... [read more]
October 05, 2008
Mo' Money in the 8th CD
by Eric Earling, 10:00 PM, 13 Comments
Joel Connelly reports that the US Chamber of Commerce and the NFIB are about to weigh in on the race between Dave Reichert and Darcy Burner. In a stunning turn of events, they're not backing the candidate (Darcy Burner, D-Netroots)... [read more]
October 03, 2008
Dave Reichert: that crazy, Bush Republican
by Eric Earling, 08:22 PM, 38 Comments
More pricks in the bubble of Democratic talking points that Dave Reichert is a right-wing zealot...or something like that. 1) Reichert is about to receive an award recognizing him as one of the three "Greenest Republicans" in Congress. From Connelly's... [read more]
Darcy Burner (D-Netroots)
by Eric Earling, 07:37 PM, 10 Comments
Apologies for the late post on the topic, though yesterday's profile of Darcy Burner as a child of the netroots largely speaks for itself: Burner is of the netroots as the article attests. One indicator: her campaign this year still... [read more]
September 28, 2008
Darcy Burner Still Not Running on Pocketbook Issues
by Eric Earling, 09:47 PM, 24 Comments
Perhaps it should come as little surprise that a candidate who is a darling of the netroots is running a campaign that puts little emphasis on the economic issues that are dominating the headlines and top the concerns of voters... [read more]
September 17, 2008
The Issue Darcy Burner Forgot
by Eric Earling, 09:22 PM, 29 Comments
From a Politico story on improving Republican Congressional prospects this year: Elsewhere, Cook Political Report House analyst David Wasserman said that the rapid ascent of energy as the leading issue across the country has caught off-guard some leading Democratic candidates... [read more]
September 12, 2008
Burner's Tax Plan
by Eric Earling, 07:35 AM, 33 Comments
Darcy Burner released her tax plan, and not just the one where she says she wants to "raise a few." The Seattle Times coverage of the release says: "Her opponent's campaign called the plan a 'gimmick'"... That doesn't tell the... [read more]
September 01, 2008
NRCC expecting to play in the Reichert race
by Eric Earling, 07:33 PM, 5 Comments
There has been real question in this election cycle whether the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) would be swamped by the efforts of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Fundraising results thus far have been brutally bad for the GOP... [read more]
August 27, 2008
Worth Reading
by Jim Miller, 02:37 PM, 13 Comments
Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat interviews Democratic Congressman Brian Baird, who committed an unpardonable sin. He was right about the surge. Brian Baird was lonely enough back when all his Democratic friends thought he was wrong. But now that it... [read more]
August 20, 2008
Primary Notes: Reichert v. Burner
by Eric Earling, 08:02 PM, 15 Comments
It may presage very little for November, but Darcy Burner finishing second in her primary is not the optics her campaign was looking for...especially after she talked up the primary's importance on YouTube. Those optics are helped even less by... [read more]
August 12, 2008
What's Darcy Burner Running on?
by Eric Earling, 09:59 PM, 40 Comments
I honestly haven't figured it out yet. Her 2006 effort was all about George W. Bush. Yet, her campaign never sealed the deal, failing to establish her as a reasonable alternative to the experienced and moderate record of Dave Reichert.... [read more]
August 11, 2008
Dave Reichert in the News
by Eric Earling, 09:26 PM, 22 Comments
The Reichert campaign has released two web-only ads, also available here, targeted to reach viewers in the 8th District at the websites they visit (using the innovative techniques of this guy). This creates an interesting contrast. While Reichert is using... [read more]
August 06, 2008
Reichert Interview
by Eric Earling, 07:09 PM, 0 Comments
Mike Kerr over at Red County Washington has an interview with Congressman Dave Reichert that is worth a read. I note with approval that when asked about his agenda, Reichert's answer was very heavy on energy and the economy.... [read more]
July 22, 2008
Democratic Ads Against Reichert
by Eric Earling, 07:51 AM, 14 Comments
That didn't take long. Just a short time after some had the gall to think Darcy Burner wouldn't receive ample support from national Democrats, the TV cavalry has arrived Of note, this is a big ad buy. 2,400 points means... [read more]
July 12, 2008
How Much Help from DC?
by Eric Earling, 09:41 AM, 35 Comments
Via Postman, I note Eli Sanders at the Stranger is commenting on the fact Democrats don't have Darcy Burner's race on their initial ad buy list, saying: And every time you ask Democrats in the 8th why it didn't work... [read more]
June 26, 2008
How To Bring Trouble On Yourself
by Eric Earling, 07:36 AM, 8 Comments
Be the only U.S. Senator not to respond to questions regarding potential favorable loan treatment from Countrywide: More than a week after Politico asked all 100 senators about the circumstances surrounding their home loans, just one -- Sen. Maria Cantwell... [read more]
June 19, 2008
Reichert v. Burner Polling Numbers
by Eric Earling, 08:30 PM, 12 Comments
The latest from SurveyUSA: Dave Reichert leads Darcy Burner 51% - 45%. Notables: Reichert leads in every age group and has a big lead with independents (52% - 39%). But, hey, it's June. Don't get too excited.... [read more]
June 02, 2008
Different Year, Same Story
by Eric Earling, 07:56 AM, 8 Comments
Somewhat similar to the post below, it is a pleasure to read ritualistic tales of Democrats clamoring with hope to unseat Doc Hastings. It happened in 2006, with the netroots hyped up about a similar opportunity. The outcome? Hastings won... [read more]
Uninformative Headline of the Day
by Eric Earling, 07:42 AM, 40 Comments
Today's Seattle Times says: "Reichert abusing free mail, critics say." That might be more interesting except the primary complainant is Darcy Burner's campaign. You have to read over halfway through the article to find another critic. Since Democrats were complaining... [read more]
May 07, 2008
A Very Bad Feeling
by Eric Earling, 08:45 PM, 47 Comments
That's what I have about Dave Reichert's race this year. And I can't shake it. As usual, in no small part thanks to the politics of his district, Reichert finds himself on prominent lists of endangered incumbents. Little surprise there... [read more]
April 28, 2008
Thanks, Congressman McDermott
by Jim Miller, 04:08 PM, 19 Comments
The Seattle congressman just made a big campaign contribution to the Republican party. Rep. Jim McDermott has paid more than $1 million to House Minority Leader John Boehner, ending a decade-long dispute over an illegally taped telephone call. . .... [read more]
April 22, 2008
How to Knock Off an Incumbent
by Eric Earling, 07:29 AM, 26 Comments
Step one: convince a critical mass of the electorate the incumbent is flawed. Step two: present yourself as a credible alternative. Darcy Burner and the Democratic party arguably achieved step one in 2006 with the Reichert = Bush theme, plus... [read more]
April 16, 2008
8th CD Fundraising is Troublesome - UPDATE
by Eric Earling, 07:12 AM, 36 Comments
Let's be honest here. Darcy Burner's fundraising thus far this year is robust, and strong enough that she's likely moving herself up on the list of challengers the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) is going to focus on supporting this... [read more]
April 12, 2008
Colombia Deal Now Bigger Than a Mere Trade Pact
by Eric Earling, 03:16 PM, 41 Comments
The Seattle Times editorial board weighs in today on the languishing free trade deal with Colombia, lamenting in part the positioning of our state's six Democratic U.S. Representatives. Meanwhile, the now regular drumbeat of MSM editorial board opinion against House... [read more]
April 11, 2008
"Drop Dead, Colombia"
by Eric Earling, 07:29 AM, 22 Comments
So describes the Washington Post's editorial board's befuddled view of the approach by Congressional Democrats to the Colombian trade deal. Dave Reichert has recently tried to push the measure (saying more here). Meanwhile, we hear from Democrats in our traditionally... [read more]
March 26, 2008
Why we call him "Baghdad Jim"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:15 PM, 181 Comments
Go figure:Saddam Hussein's intelligence agency secretly financed a trip to Iraq for three U.S. lawmakers -- apparently including Rep. Jim McDermott -- during the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion, federal prosecutors said today.... [read more]
March 18, 2008
Who is Rick Larsen Running Against?
by pudge, 12:26 PM, 17 Comments
Former Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart will challenge Rick Larsen for the Second Congressional District seat. His official announcement is 7 p.m., March 28th at Buzz Inn at Harvey Field in Snohomish. You may recall that Bart aborted a run... [read more]
Who Is Darcy Burner Running Against?
by Eric Earling, 07:20 AM, 54 Comments
Josh Feit correct divines the flaw in Darcy Burner's campaign strategy: she appears to be running against of a Democratic Congress. That means she's essentially running to the left of a Congress that already isn't very popular. Coming out of... [read more]
December 20, 2007
Earmarks, the Perennial Story
by Eric Earling, 07:39 AM, 19 Comments
Regular commenter pbj took umbrage with me at #21 at this thread for not doing more with the series of earmark stories upon which the Seattle Times has spent a couple barrels of ink (latest article here). I'll confess, the... [read more]
December 18, 2007
Murray Moving Up?
by Eric Earling, 07:27 PM, 23 Comments
The Politico is reporting speculation that ailing and deteriorating Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) could be dethroned and replaced as Appropriations Chair, at least on an interim basis, by Patty Murray. The article is an interesting look into the culture of... [read more]
December 13, 2007
Congressman McGrinch
by Jim Miller, 06:37 AM, 33 Comments
The Seattle PI (to its credit) gives him that label. Maybe you could call him Congressman McGrinch. Rep. Jim McDermott supported House resolutions this fall to recognize the Islamic holiday of Ramadan and the festival of Diwali, celebrated by Hindus,... [read more]
December 03, 2007
McDermott Will Have To Pay
by Jim Miller, 04:08 PM, 40 Comments
It's a gloomy day here in the Seattle area, but a ray of sunshine came from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court refused today to take up an appeal by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) of a lower court ruling ordering... [read more]
October 13, 2007
Credit Where Credit is Due
by Eric Earling, 11:16 AM, 17 Comments
Cong. Adam Smith deserves recognition for prudently voting against a resolution in the House Foreign Affairs Committee labeling near century-old killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as "genocide." The vote sparked a serious diplomatic row with one of our strongest... [read more]
September 26, 2007
Remember Norm Dicks' UW Commencement Speech?
by Jim Miller, 06:01 AM, 14 Comments
Not everyone enjoyed it, since it was more a campaign speech than a commencement address. At the time, two things puzzled me about the speech, why the UW had picked Dicks, who is not a scholar, and why he hadn't... [read more]
September 21, 2007
Jack Murtha And Norm Dicks
by Jim Miller, 10:39 AM, 4 Comments
Turns out that our 6th district congressman shares something with unindicted Abscam co-conspirator* Jack Murtha. There's a pattern to their earmarks. Murtha's record of receiving at least some campaign cash from every one of his private earmark beneficiaries makes him... [read more]
September 10, 2007
Profile In Some Courage
by Jim Miller, 03:09 PM, 4 Comments
In my youth, the book, Profiles in Courage, was immensely influential. There was a lesson, most thought, in the stories the book told of eight senators — John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Thomas Hart Benton, Sam Houston, Edmund G. Ross,... [read more]
September 07, 2007
8th CD in the News
by Eric Earling, 07:14 AM, 10 Comments
Here's the profile of the 8th Congressional District RealClearPolitics has been forecasting the last couple days. It's pretty solid though the faithful on both sides of the aisle won't find much new in it, except perhaps this: [Darcy Burner] favors... [read more]
September 05, 2007
Rodney Tom throws in the towel
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:25 AM, 23 Comments
The Seattle Weekly reports that disgruntled former Republican legislator Rodney Tom is now a disgruntled former Democrat congressional candidate.... [read more]
September 03, 2007
What is this trade of which you speak?
by Eric Earling, 11:02 PM, 15 Comments
One of the more significant outstanding issues in Congress these days are languishing trade deals awaiting approval. Last month the Seattle Times came out in favor of all four such pending agreements, with Columbia, Panama, Peru, and South Korea. Yet... [read more]
August 29, 2007
"More of Us Than There Are of Them"
by Eric Earling, 05:40 AM, 38 Comments
So says Darcy Burner. Evidently polling in two blue states doesn't quite agree, and indicates there isn't a solid majority in the Northwest sold on the idea to bail on Iraq ASAP. Key point from the poll: "there is no... [read more]
August 26, 2007
The Meaning of Baird
by Eric Earling, 10:07 PM, 13 Comments
Brian Baird's shift on Iraq is getting mucho attention, especially after laying out his case in a Seattle Times op-ed. What does it mean? That's complicated. Probably somewhere between David Postman's analysis and the Washington Post coverage he reviewed. Meaning,... [read more]
August 24, 2007
Where is Darcy Running again?
by Eric Earling, 09:15 PM, 27 Comments
Interesting tidbit at the P-I's Strange Bedfellows blog on the latest from Darcy Burner's campaign: It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. Reichert's 8th Congressional District, made up mostly of Seattle's eastern suburbs, is a true... [read more]
August 03, 2007
Busted
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:15 PM, 15 Comments
David Goldstein busts disgruntled former Republican legislator turned Democrat congressional candidate Rodney Tom:Tom finally has his campaign website up online, touting his "experience" and "knowledge of the issues," and of course, slamming the Republican incumbent, Rep. Dave Reichert:The current congressman... [read more]
The Ideology of the 8th
by Eric Earling, 08:17 AM, 6 Comments
Goldy is upset about a couple thoughts I threw out for consideration on the already formulating race for the 8th in 2008. Ok. On one level, Goldy sounds a bit like the rascal of Redmond, Andrew Villeneuve, in proclaiming that... [read more]
July 31, 2007
War on Wealth Puts Local Democrats in a Bind
by Eric Earling, 09:27 PM, 38 Comments
Both the Seattle Times and the Wall Street Journal had articles today on Democratic plans to increase taxes on private equity firms; plans that have local Democrats front and center in the Congressional debate. Brian Baird is a leading skeptic... [read more]
Aspiring To Be A National Nuisance
by Jim Miller, 02:53 PM, 24 Comments
Almost all politicians have ambitions, from passing a measure they believe will help the public to winning a higher office. Some of their ambitions are honorable, and most of them are at least understandable. So, why I am... [read more]
July 20, 2007
Stick a fork in her
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:49 AM, 17 Comments
Darcy Burner's erstwhile cheerleaders at The Stranger are now pouring cold water on Burner's assertion that she has a better chance of defeating Congressman Dave Reichert than does the disgruntled former Republican legislator who is now challenging Burner in the... [read more]
July 18, 2007
Rodney Tom
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:00 PM, 11 Comments
Today's P-I proclaims that disgruntled former Republican legislator turned Democrat congressional candidate Rodney Tom "must overcome Republican past". But seriously, while many of Tom's current positions are silly ("begin pulling troops out of Iraq within six months"? How does preannouncing... [read more]
July 17, 2007
This primary catfight should be fun to watch
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:31 PM, 54 Comments
Disgruntled former Republican legislator Rodney Tom has entered the 8th Congressional District Democrat primary for the nomination to challenge Congressman Dave Reichert in 2008. This should be an interesting primary. Tom will undoubtedly run on his record as a disgruntled... [read more]
July 12, 2007
Burner still backed by out-of-district nutroots
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:03 PM, 21 Comments
Postman gives us an update on the 8th Congressional District. * Congressman Reichert was named again by Congressional Quarterly as one of the most independent members of the House Republican caucus. * Disgruntled former Republican legislator Rodney Tom will challenge... [read more]
July 10, 2007
How Do Your Senators Vote On Earmarks?
by Jim Miller, 11:16 AM, 9 Comments
You can find the answer here. Not all earmarks are pork, nor do earmarks include all the different kinds of pork. But earmarks are often pork, and the attitude toward earmarks tells us something about a senator's willingness to control... [read more]
June 28, 2007
She's Back!
by Eric Earling, 08:25 PM, 26 Comments
My fears have come true, we have a Congressional campaign trying to run full steam ahead the summer before an election year. Lord help us. Goldy covers the news of Darcy Burner's new ad: Now, partisan differences aside I actually... [read more]
June 21, 2007
Congratulations To Speaker Pelosi And Majority Leader Reid
by Jim Miller, 06:08 AM, 33 Comments
(And, in Washington state, to Congressmen Inslee, Larsen, Baird, Dicks, McDermott, and Smith.) This was fast work. The percentage of Americans with a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in Congress is at 14%, the lowest in Gallup's... [read more]
May 27, 2007
Raging Moderate?
by Jim Miller, 05:03 PM, 63 Comments
It doesn't take much deviation from a hard left line to get called a moderate by our "mainstream" media. There's an example showing just how easy in this Seattle Times profile of Congressman Adam Smith, which is headlined: "Can a... [read more]
May 14, 2007
Why Did Congressman Inslee Vote To Make Nancy Pelosi Speaker?
by Jim Miller, 04:24 PM, 0 Comments
Last year, I wrote an open letter to my own congressman, Jay Inslee, asking him why he thought that Nancy Pelosi was a suitable choice to be speaker of the House of Representatives, and second in line to be president.... [read more]
May 13, 2007
Will Local Democrats Lead?
by Eric Earling, 06:39 PM, 24 Comments
Congressional Democrats have a problem. Their agenda is stymied in Congress and their poll numbers are no better than the President's. Bluntly, they need to get something done. After being elected because they weren't Republicans, they still have to govern... [read more]
Happy Mother's Day!
by Jim Miller, 02:22 PM, 17 Comments
To all the mothers out there. And, especially happy Mother's Day to new mother (and congresswoman) Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Four weeks earlier than anticipated, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and husband Brian Rodgers welcomed the arrival of their son, Cole... [read more]
May 01, 2007
McDermott loses appeal
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:31 AM, 90 Comments
Not that he ever had much appeal to most of the people who read Sound Politics, but Rep. "Baghdad" Jim McDermott suffered another legal defeat today:Rep. Jim McDermott had no right to disclose the contents of an illegally taped telephone... [read more]
April 25, 2007
Darcy's Back!
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:29 AM, 46 Comments
Darcy Burner is tan, rested and ready and resuming her perennial campaign for Congress. Check out her two new campaign videos. The first was recorded in the car on her road trip to Wenatchee. The second was recorded in the... [read more]
April 21, 2007
Members of Congress Play "Insider"
by Eric Earling, 10:47 AM, 2 Comments
A number of members of Washington's Congressional delegation took part in a recent in a series of "insider" polls done by the National Journal on the state of the Presidential race. On the Democratic side, Jim McDermott and Adam Smith... [read more]
April 07, 2007
Affordable housing crisis
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:05 PM, 19 Comments
Sen. Patty Murray met with a bunch of folks in Seattle yesterday:to see what she can do at the federal level to help people with low and moderate incomes find affordable housing.Lower taxes? Dismantle regulatory obstacles to home construction? Then... [read more]
April 05, 2007
Keep an Eye on This
by Eric Earling, 07:44 AM, 4 Comments
The Washington Post editorialized yesterday in favor of pending trade agreements between South Korea and some key countries in Latin America. The Seattle Times had some similar things to say on the general topic of trade prior to the new... [read more]
March 22, 2007
Reichert and the U.S. Attorneys
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:46 PM, 81 Comments
Postman wonders aloud how I could criticize Dave Reichert for supporting John McKay when I had been an enthusiastic Reichert supporter last election. What's the contradiction? I like Dave Reichert and fully expect to support him next election, not that... [read more]
March 08, 2007
Democrats beginning to challenge Dave Reichert for 2008
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:37 PM, 33 Comments
Postman reported that a Draft Ross Hunter for Congress website has been launched. A commenter claimed that:the domain name was registered by Hangwire [true] -- one of Ross Hunter's consultants, and a firm which has close ties to his general... [read more]
December 15, 2006
Never Fear, the "Media Whore" is Here
by Eric Earling, 09:05 AM, 12 Comments
Many moons ago, I was conversing with a former staffer for Congressman Jay Inslee and the topic of the behavior of this person's old boss came up, at which point the confession was made: "Yeah, we realized Jay had pretty... [read more]
November 28, 2006
"Queen Of Pork"
by Jim Miller, 02:57 PM, 23 Comments
In this post, I suggested we call Washington's senior senator, Patty "Pork" Murray, for her devotion to grabbing money for indefensible projects. As I learned from this Seattle Times article, the Taxpayers for Common Sense had already come up... [read more]
November 27, 2006
Patty Murray Has A Position On Pork
by Jim Miller, 10:40 AM, 12 Comments
She's for it. That's one of conclusions that I draw from this New York Times article, which gently warns readers not to expect controls on spending after the Democrats take over in January.... [read more]
November 22, 2006
Timing is everything
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:44 AM, 32 Comments
The Olympian "Divorce file of lobbyist with ties to Cantwell to be unsealed" A judge has ruled that most files in the divorce case of a lobbyist with close ties to Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., must be open to the... [read more]
Where Do Local Democrats Stand on Alcee Hastings?
by Eric Earling, 01:12 AM, 23 Comments
It's no secret Nancy Pelosi fumbled her way out of the blocks as incoming-Speaker of the House by publicly pushing for ethically-challenged Jack Murtha over now Majority Leader-to-be Steny Hoyer. Indeed, Pelosi took a thrashing from the punditocracy over the... [read more]
November 18, 2006
Reichert's Victory Rally
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:52 PM, 13 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert, holding his grandson, thanks supporters at his victory rally this morning. He didn't talk a lot about the race, but he did recommend the book 1776, with the message that the fight for our freedom is... [read more]
November 16, 2006
Darcy Burner's final implosion
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:42 PM, 69 Comments
I wasn't planning to beat up on Darcy Burner any more, but she's both apparently eager to remain in politics and too inviting a target to deserve a free pass. Her concession speech was as ungracious and divisive as her... [read more]
Does Your Congressman Tolerate Corruption?
by Jim Miller, 07:22 AM, 42 Comments
Thanks to Nancy Pelosi, many of us will be able to answer that question. If you are represented by a Democrat, and that Democrat votes to make John Murtha majority leader, then your congressman tolerates corruption. It's as simple as... [read more]
November 14, 2006
Back to work for Congressman Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:12 PM, 12 Comments
Darcy Burner's concession speech is here. Jim Brunner, filling in for David Postman attended her press conference and has a report. Back to work in Washington, DC, Congressman Dave Reichert gave a post-victory interview to KING-5, here. And for those... [read more]
November 13, 2006
Burner concedes to Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:06 PM, 46 Comments
Associated Press: Reichert said Burner called to congratulate him on a second term, and the two shared their frustrations about the slow pace of Washington's largely vote-by-mail elections. "Finally, something we agree on," Reichert told The Associated Press in a... [read more]
Reichert declared winner, Burner refuses to concede
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:52 PM, 18 Comments
The Seattle Times "Developing News" box on the home page at this writing says that Reichert has "declared victory". The Associated Press now reports that Dave Reichert has been re-elected, but Burner's campaign refused to concede the race, saying it... [read more]
November 12, 2006
"Ballot-bag problems may slow counting of 8th District votes"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:01 AM, 107 Comments
I'm not blogging today but this deserves a mention: King County Elections staff said about 100 bags -- containing up to 20,000 absentee ballots that had been dropped off at polling sites on Election Day -- remain uncounted because of... [read more]
November 11, 2006
Excellent news for Reichert in King County's Saturday numbers
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:36 PM, 29 Comments
King County's Saturday numbers are on the Secretary of State's site. Reichert's lead increased to 3,514 overall. In today's 10,433 ballots, Reichert led by 419 votes, or 4.02% (52% - 48%) As noted Friday , Burner would likely need an... [read more]
November 10, 2006
More good news for Reichert in King County's Friday numbers
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:40 PM, 26 Comments
King County just reported today's numbers. Darcy Burner's overall lead in King County over Dave Reichert has narrowed slightly to 0.70%. Burner's margin in today's 12,467 ballots was only 25, or 0.20%. Reichert now leads by 3,095 overall. As I... [read more]
Darcy's Hurdle
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:57 AM, 58 Comments
As noted earlier, Congressman Dave Reichert has increased his lead over Darcy Burner to 3,120 votes. Darcy's fans remain exuberant. Jokes about King County Elections aside, what would it take for Darcy to overcome Reichert's lead (or even win a... [read more]
November 09, 2006
Reichert expands lead
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:11 PM, 34 Comments
UPDATE (7:11pm) King County has now reported. Reichert's overall lead has grown to 3,120 votes (1.82%). Burner's lead in King County in the new votes was 0.75%, smaller than yesterday's lead and far less than the 4% - 5% lead... [read more]
November 08, 2006
Pictures from the Republican 2006 Election Night Party in Bellevue
by byrond, 07:24 PM, 11 Comments
I attended the Republican election night party at the Bellevue Hyatt last night and took pictures. You can view them and my thoughts at this post on the "My Own Side" blog. McGavick, Reichert, Lambert, Rossi, John Carlson, Slade... [read more]
Reichert still maintains lead
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:02 PM, 13 Comments
King and Pierce Counties have now both reported their Wednesday evening numbers. Reichert extended his numerical lead to 2,736 votes, albeit with a slightly narrower percentage margin than yesterday, now 50.9% - 49.1%. Reichert maintained his 12.9% lead in Pierce... [read more]
Reichert maintains lead
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:50 AM, 46 Comments
As of this writing, Dave Reichert is holding his lead over Darcy Burner, by nearly 2,700 votes, or 2.2%. In King County, with early absentees and nearly all of the polling ballots counted as of 2:30 am today, Burner has... [read more]
Reichert now leading in King County
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:19 AM, 18 Comments
King County has now reported a quarter of the polling place precincts in the 8th District. Reichert not only erased Burner's lead in early absentees, but pulled slightly ahead in King and is leading 52% - 48% overall... [read more]
November 07, 2006
Reichert speaks
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:20 PM, 1 Comments
Dave Reichert addressed the ballroom a few minutes ago. He didn't say much, other than to observe that he's ahead, to thank his supporters and to indicate that he would have more to say later in the evening. The King... [read more]
Netroots Alert: McMorris Winning
by Eric Earling, 10:20 PM, 3 Comments
10:20 Upate: McMorris has nearly a 10% lead, and is leading in every county. No more counts coming tonight, but this one is in the books I think. Over a 5% lead for Cathy McMorris over Peter Goldmark in vote-rich... [read more]
McGavick Call
by Eric Earling, 10:00 PM, 7 Comments
10:00 pm UPDATE: here's the coverage: AP and CNN calling the race, as covered by the Seattle Times. McGavick is in for a long night. Early returns in Clark and Spokane county are untenable for a Republican nominee. The question... [read more]
Reichert leading in early returns
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:52 PM, 0 Comments
At this writing, Reichert is leading by 1,500, 51.2% to 48.8%. His lead in Pierce County is 55% to 45%... [read more]
November 06, 2006
Darcy Burner's Last Chance
by Stefan Sharkansky, 02:52 PM, 31 Comments
The Reichert campaign e-mailed a list of issues on which they claim Darcy Burner has never stated her position. These are fair questions and I welcome a response from the Burner campaign. Also, I recently wondered aloud whether anybody could... [read more]
November 05, 2006
Burner's Dilemma
by Eric Earling, 10:19 PM, 23 Comments
Shortly after September's primary, some points we're raised here at Sound Politics about Darcy Burner's low name ID, and the opportunity for others to define her image (see points #'s 2 & 3 at this post). On October 10th, it... [read more]
Saddam sentenced, McDermott conflicted
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:54 AM, 25 Comments
Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to hang for crimes against humanity. Apart from Hussein's Sunni base, most Iraqis are celebrating. Speaking of Saddam, I'm reminded of my encounter with Seattle Congressman "Baghdad" Jim McDermott when he was running for re-election... [read more]
November 04, 2006
"Cantwell Doesn't Care"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:58 PM, 43 Comments
The fretting about civil liberties and the Patriotic Act are grossly exaggerated and I'm not criticizing Cantwell for voting for it. But the general perception that "Cantwell Doesn't Care" resonates, and is something the McGavick campaign could have exploited... [read more]
First Round Of Endorsements
by Jim Miller, 10:06 AM, 12 Comments
This round is easy: You should vote against Alcee Hastings for Intelligence Committee chairman. You can do that most easily if you live in Florida's 23rd district. But you can also vote against Hastings anywhere else in the United States,... [read more]
November 03, 2006
What have you done for me lately Dave? Oh I see.
by DonWard, 05:32 PM, 17 Comments
And for reader approval here is an item which may make voters vote for or against the incumbent congressman from Washington's Eighth Congressional District. Use common sense while dealing with the source. Just beware though. It touches upon actual issues... [read more]
Has anybody vouched for Darcy Burner?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:49 PM, 42 Comments
One thing I've noticed missing from the Darcy Burner campaign are testimonials from people who have known her and worked with her, telling us what a wonderful employee, colleague, boss and/or community leader Darcy was. (If I've missed any, let... [read more]
Did Darcy Burner Vote Republican in the 2000 Presidential Primary?
by Eric Earling, 01:09 PM, 21 Comments
Working off a tip, I've been digging into this question, and have at least found some indication she did. Labels & Lists, a firm that provides assorted forms of data and voter lists to interested entities, confirmed to me that... [read more]
A tale of two debts(I): Introduction
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:33 PM, 16 Comments
Articles on yesterday's Dotzauer divorce file hearing from reporters who were in the courtroom: The AP's Gene Johnson and The Herald's Scott North. There are two curious Maria Cantwell/Ron Dotzauer debt transactions that the divorce records might help explain. The1999(?)... [read more]
A tale of two debts (II): Dotzauer's $15,000 - $50,000 debt to Cantwell
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:32 PM, 5 Comments
The previously reported loan from Maria Cantwell to Ron Dotzauer is still a mystery. Neither Cantwell nor Dotzauer will disclose the exact amount, the timing, the terms, what it was for, and why it was still unpaid as of her... [read more]
A tale of two debts(III): Cantwell's $35,000 debt to Dotzauer
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:31 PM, 1 Comments
While Ron Dotzauer was managing Maria Cantwell's 2000 Senate campaign he was still in litigation over money owed to his ex-wife, Angela. Cantwell's 2000 FEC reports and some of the unsealed court records I obtained earlier suggest that Dotzauer and/or... [read more]
November 02, 2006
Dotzauer Divorce File Hearing
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:58 PM, 27 Comments
Another hearing on the Dotzauer divorce file (rescheduled from tomorrow) was held this morning. The entire file will remain sealed until after the election. Most of the file will be unsealed within weeks, except for certain financial, medical and educational... [read more]
RE: Who's the Sexist?
by Eric Earling, 07:05 AM, 19 Comments
Claiming Reichert's latest ad is sexist is really not too different than the liberal rush to assume Republicans are racists because of the ad run against Harold Ford. Here again, liberals are actually the ones showing prejudice in the assumption... [read more]
November 01, 2006
Who's the sexist?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:42 PM, 29 Comments
Over at The Stranger they're accusing Dave Reichert's "Darcy Burner Job Interview" ad of being sexist. In the comments, David Goldstein: It is insulting to women, and will be understood as such. Perhaps that message plays well with some of... [read more]
Poll: Reichert leads Burner by six points
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:54 PM, 37 Comments
KING-5's Robert Mak reports: a new poll by KING 5 and Survey USA finds Reichert leading by six points: 51 to 45 percent. This seems more realistic than the Majority Watch poll that Burner fans are touting. Mak's conclusion gets... [read more]
State Democrats settle with Michael Yon over unauthorized photograph
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:58 AM, 4 Comments
Michael Yon told Postman that the issue over the state Democrat Party's unauthorized use of Yon's image in a mailer for Darcy Burner has been resolved: Earlier today, concerns were raised about the use of an iconic photo to which... [read more]
"Closed Cantwell"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:28 AM, 8 Comments
Josh Feit at The Stranger blog writes about the Cantwell campaign's response to last week's Bellevue Community College incident. The Stranger has endorsed Cantwell and Feit has been the primary reporter covering this race. Today he characterizes Cantwell's response to... [read more]
October 31, 2006
Darcy Burner's Job Interview
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:01 PM, 35 Comments
The Reichert campaign's latest ad.... [read more]
Suppression of dissent in Maria Kantwell's Amerikkka: The Video
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:48 PM, 28 Comments
Here's a video of the Republican students being banned from the Cantwell rally at Bellevue Community College. hat tip: Patrick Bell was first of a few readers who e-mailed this.... [read more]
Darcy Burner outsourcing volunteers from other states
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:43 PM, 32 Comments
Darcy Burner really wants to be a Congresswoman. Unfortunately she can't find enough supporters in her own district, so she's importing volunteers from other states (and countries, for all we know). The Daily Kos has the details: "Darcy Burner's campaign... [read more]
More on Yon photograph
by DonWard, 01:13 PM, 5 Comments
News is already spreading regarding the unauthorized usage of a copyrighted photo in Democratic campaign literature. Stefan wrote about it first, below, and Postman has followed up. For soldiers at Fort Lewis and their families, the photograph will be easily... [read more]
Update on Darcy Burner mailer with unauthorized Michael Yon photo
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:16 PM, 7 Comments
Update to last night's post on the Washington Democrats Darcy Burner mailer that misappropriated Michael Yon's photograph of the American soldier carrying the Iraqi girl. I spoke with Yon's attorney/spokesman John Mason, who confirmed that Yon did not authorize the... [read more]
John Kerry is in Seattle at this hour
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:54 AM, 65 Comments
John Kerry is reportedly in Seattle today for a Cantwell fundraiser lunch. The even bigger Kerry news of the day is his "get stuck in Iraq" comment, above. Kerry says he meant to disparage the President, not the troops, but... [read more]
Dueling Polls
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:43 AM, 2 Comments
Yesterday's SurveyUSA poll shows Cantwell at 54%, McGavick at 41% But yesterday's Wall Street Journal/Zogby poll shows Cantwell at 50%, McGavick 46%. They can't both be right. Check out Brett Malin's Public Blog entry "The Reliability of Polling" for some... [read more]
Darcy Burner mailer misappropriates Michael Yon's photo
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:22 AM, 27 Comments
Several readers e-mailed to alert me to this Darcy Burner flyer which came in Monday's mail. It includes Michael Yon's famous image of an American soldier carrying an Iraqi girl who had been fatally injured by a terrorist bomb. Yon... [read more]
October 30, 2006
It's in the P-I New York Times
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:15 PM, 11 Comments
Today's P-I (sorry, it's the New York Times. The latter's ever-falling standards had me confused) has an article about Bellevue and the 8th District: "Liberal Republican Suburb Turns Furious With G.O.P.". The article is mostly notable for its exemplary liberal... [read more]
Suppression of Dissent in Maria Kantwell's Amerikkka
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:47 PM, 51 Comments
The ACLU is following up on the complaint of the Bellevue Community College students who were barred from last week's Obama/Cantwell rally at BCC for wearing Mike McGavick T-shirts. Meanwhile, somebody uprooted my Mike McGavick yard sign again last night... [read more]
A vote for Darcy Burner is a vote for Jim McDermott
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:09 PM, 26 Comments
(photo credit) From Sunday's Seattle Times: "Democratic win would strengthen state's clout" I'm not sure that the state's clout would be strengthened as much as that of certain Democrats in the state's delegation: If Democrats win control of the... [read more]
October 29, 2006
We're already getting enough, thanks
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:36 PM, 7 Comments
Today's New York Times magazine article headlined "Winning Women?" leads with a mention of Darcy Burner: The online version is helpfully sponsored by something called "Do you want lies with that?" I think we're already getting enough of those from... [read more]
October 28, 2006
Darcy Burner, in the eyes of her neighbors
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:11 PM, 43 Comments
Darcy Burner's neighbor from Ames Lake (poster of this public blog entry) e-mailed after reading this bit in yesterday's Seattle Times: Jeff Cook, who preceded Burner as president [of the Ames Lake club], said Burner was the only resident willing... [read more]
October 27, 2006
Marcy Burner?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:55 PM, 47 Comments
I can't find anything on the media sites, but I've seen a few emails and comments to the effect that Barack Obama called her "Marcy Burner". Anybody have more specifics? UPDATE: See the comments. If Obama runs for President, he'll... [read more]
Darcy Burner is no Rick White
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:15 AM, 24 Comments
Today's Seattle Times examines Darcy Burner's (non)record of community engagement: "Burner: weak resume or refreshing outsider?" The article makes a bit of a stretch, I think, by comparing Burner favorably with Rick White, who, as a political newcomer, unseated the... [read more]
October 26, 2006
Congratulations, Maria!
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:40 PM, 28 Comments
... for being named the 99th most powerful Senator... [read more]
October 25, 2006
What's Going on in the 5th Congressional District?
by Eric Earling, 11:47 PM, 19 Comments
Perhaps not as much as we think. Recent news from the AP and David Postman indicates things are tighter than originally hoped for in the race between Cathy McMorris and Peter Goldmark, or as indicated by September's primary. Yet, while... [read more]
King County Journal endorses Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:12 AM, 9 Comments
Today's editorial: "Reichert deserves re-election in 8th"... [read more]
Worth Reading
by Jim Miller, 08:58 AM, 2 Comments
"Neo-neocon" interviews 7th district candidate Steve Beren here and here. Having gone through a somewhat similar shift from left to right, she is sympathetic to Beren. (As am I, though I was never as far to the left... [read more]
October 24, 2006
Dotzauer (Cantwell) divorce file to remained sealed until after the election
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:08 PM, 25 Comments
I attended today's hearing on the Dotzauer divorce file. Gene Johnson of the AP has a write-up: A longtime friend and adviser to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell is fighting the unsealing of his divorce case to hide his "bad behavior... [read more]
Congressman Inslee Should Pledge Not To Vote For Pelosi
by Jim Miller, 02:26 PM, 15 Comments
Before the November election. Last April, I wrote an open letter to my congressman, Democrat Jay Inslee, asking him, politely, to explain why he thought Nancy Pelosi was qualified to be Speaker (and second in line to be President.) After... [read more]
October 23, 2006
Darcy Burner, proud to be Jim McDermott's protege
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:20 AM, 39 Comments
Discredited former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and discredited Congressman "Baghdad" Jim McDermott headline a fundraiser for discredited Congressional candidate Darcy Burner. From a DailyKos blog entry in the Socialist Realism style. Appears that Burner is a McDermott protege. Go figure.... [read more]
October 22, 2006
Netroots Corrupt Goldmark Campaign
by Eric Earling, 05:53 PM, 23 Comments
One of the clearest criticisms levied against the netroots is their influence on the discourse of campaigns. Yes, they can help raise money and enhance campaign activism, but their left-of-center beliefs and shrill rhetoric tend to pull candidates in the... [read more]
Sunday's Netroots Implosion Alert
by Eric Earling, 08:49 AM, 6 Comments
On the heels of the Seattle Times' endorsement of Mike McGavick, now available online after yesterday's news, there's more to warm the hearts of Sound Politics readers. In today's paper, the Spokane Spokesman-Review endorsed Cathy McMorris (the editorial is hiding... [read more]
Seattle nutroots trying to buy Eastern Washington congressional seat for nutty candidate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:10 AM, 4 Comments
Peter Goldmark, the Democrat challenging Spokane Congresswoman Cathy McMorris, is something of a nutcase. He reportedly told a Seattle fundraiser that "9/11 was directly attributable to George Bush and the Republican administration." His ads show him riding a horse and... [read more]
October 20, 2006
Netroots Implosion Alert
by Eric Earling, 06:40 AM, 28 Comments
The Tacoma News Tribune endorsed Dave Reichert in today's paper. This from the same editorial board that endorsed Maria Cantwell last Sunday. Much like the Seattle Times' endorsement of Reichert, however, it's the content of the editorial itself, not just... [read more]
October 19, 2006
Latest Democrat stunt ad criticizes Reichert for telling the truth
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:20 PM, 15 Comments
Sadly, Darcy Burner and the DCCC don't have much to offer other than misrepresentations. Their latest attack ad [video] quotes Reichert out-of-context, distorting his remarks: So when the leadership comes to me and says 'Dave, we need you to take... [read more]
Darcy Burner's Campaign May Be On Tilt
by Eric Earling, 07:30 AM, 20 Comments
Stefan has some great work below on a stunt pulled by Darcy Burner in her latest ad. Clearly, the false claim of independent verification from the Seattle Times, to protect her from legitimate charges she'll vote to raise taxes, is... [read more]
October 18, 2006
Darcy Burnocchio
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:58 PM, 40 Comments
Darcy Burner's latest ad delivers more lies. [Video]:Now newspaper reports prove that Reichert and his Republican friends aren't telling the truth about Darcy Burner's position on taxes. They know their attack ads are lies. First, Reichert's ad [video] correctly cites... [read more]
Darcy Burner needs to disclose her performance reviews from Microsoft
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:40 PM, 22 Comments
Darcy Burner is turning her job performance at Microsoft into a campaign issue. Seattle Times online Q&A: I have more than a dozen years of experience in the business world where I managed multi-million dollar budgets and was responsible for... [read more]
October 17, 2006
Today's Senate Debate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:27 PM, 26 Comments
Postman is live-blogging the Senate debate, which was recorded this afternoon for 9pm broadcast on KING-5. UPDATE: I watched the debate this evening. Big winner: Mike McGavick who came across as the most statesmanlike and best equipped to cope with... [read more]
Seattle Times Q&A with Dave Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:06 PM, 32 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert answered reader questions at the Seattle Times website yesterday. I won't say I agree with all of his positions and I think his response on Social Security warrants elaboration, but I agree with most of what he... [read more]
"Re-elect McMorris in 5th District"
by Eric Earling, 01:14 AM, 9 Comments
So says the Seattle Times. As a matter of electoral impact the endorsement is likely to play a rather minimal role. As a matter of inducing netroots anger, well, that might be worth watching.... [read more]
October 16, 2006
Darcy Burner's muddled position on Iraq
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:24 PM, 13 Comments
Seattle Times: "Burner carefully balances her position on Iraq war". The sympathetic headline undermines the devastating article about Burner's position on Iraq, best summarized by a non-partisan analyst: "a muddled message: It's time to end the status quo without offering... [read more]
Darcy Burner's record of "community leadership": 5 e-mails, 3 meetings, 0 achievements
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:14 PM, 31 Comments
Effective service as a Congressman is less about passionate partisanship and more about working with others to solve problems for the benefit of one's constituents. Dave Reichert has a record of working with others to get things done, as a... [read more]
October 15, 2006
Re: Seattle Times Endorses Reichert
by Eric Earling, 02:02 PM, 22 Comments
Stefan provides coverage of the news of the day below, though I'll pile on with a couple additional points worth bearing in mind. First, the news of the Seattle Times endorsing Dave Reichert is important not just because they did... [read more]
Darcy Burner is running away from what her campaign is really about
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:32 PM, 41 Comments
Other than Postman's blog, I still find no news or photos anywhere on House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi's Friday campaign stop for Darcy Burner. That's odd, given that the Burner campaign is really more about Nancy Pelosi than it is... [read more]
Seattle Times endorses Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:45 AM, 65 Comments
Today's Seattle Times editorial page endorses Congressman Dave Reichert's re-election, citing his "impressive record of public service" and "conscience-driven independent streak". Opponent Darcy Burner, on the other hand is nailed for (among other things) her lack of community service, "spotty... [read more]
October 14, 2006
Reichert-Burner KING 5 debate
by DonWard, 08:52 PM, 35 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert and his Democratic opponent Darcy Burner will appear on King 5 News "Upfront with Robert Mak" tomorrow. The half-hour debate will be broadcast at 9:30 a.m. on KING 5, 6 p.m. on KONG 6/16 and at 8... [read more]
Reichert-Burner Ad Update
by Eric Earling, 02:30 PM, 25 Comments
Interesting news in the last couple days about the pending escalation of TV ad wars in the race between Dave Reichert and Darcy Burner. David Postman covers the news the NRCC is shifting resources to support Reichert, while Andrew Villeneuve... [read more]
October 13, 2006
Nancy Pelosi stumping for Darcy Burner
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:35 PM, 80 Comments
Postman interviews House Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi(D-San Francisco), who is in town campaigning for Darcy Burner: we're up against Republicans who are unconcerned about money, truth or decency. They will say anything." That sounds more like Darcy Burner, who, as... [read more]
McGavick v. Cantwell Connelly and Balter
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:55 PM, 12 Comments
KING-5's Robert Mak's recent profiles of the Senate candidates are online and worth watching: "Who is Mike McGavick?" and "Who is Maria Cantwell?" Most of the McGavick profile was an interview with the candidate himself. The Cantwell profile includes file... [read more]
Politicians personal lives. A double standard?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:28 AM, 20 Comments
How has the local media covered Republican politicians' personal lives in the recent past? Consider Congressman Rick White, who unseated Maria Cantwell in 1994. White divorced in April 1998. The local media seems to have made White's personal life an... [read more]
October 12, 2006
Of screenwriters and journalists
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:07 PM, 8 Comments
Flipping through the TV channels I stumbled across Six Degrees. Hope Davis's character was faced with a dilemma: A friend of mine is getting married next weekend and I haven't RSVPed. It's her fiance. He hit on me at the... [read more]
New Poll Has Reichert +3%
by Eric Earling, 06:12 PM, 40 Comments
A Constituent Dynamics "Majority Watch" poll released today has Reichert up 48% - 45% over Darcy Burner. Good news: the same pollster, with a very similar sample, had Burner up 49% - 46% at the end August (see all major... [read more]
Darcy Burner, the publicity-shy candidate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:51 PM, 15 Comments
Darcy Burner seems to be trying to conceal some of her campaign events from a general audience. Postman has a hilarious post about Burner hiding from the cameras at campaign events. Her bizarre insistence that campaign speeches are private conversations... [read more]
Another fascinating Dotzauer campaign contribution
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:22 AM, 9 Comments
Last week I mentioned Cantwell buddy Ron Dotzauer's astonishing admission of using corporate funds to make federal campaign contributions (big no-no) Here's another interesting one -- A donation of $2,000 to Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska) for his 1994 re-election campaign... [read more]
"From a former Darcy Burner classmate"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:33 AM, 16 Comments
Orrin Johnson, one of Darcy Burner's classmates during her aborted attempt at law school (now conveniently airbrushed out of her official biography), has an interesting blog post about Burner. Johnson wasn't favorably impressed with law student Darcy Burner and he's... [read more]
October 11, 2006
Reichert/Burner Debate at first glance
by DonWard, 06:55 PM, 23 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert debated his Democratic challenger Darcy Burner last night at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. The forum was hosted by the Seattle Times. Since I was not on the pad last night I did not get exact quotes. TVW... [read more]
"Maria Cantwell And Ron Dotzauer: Making Music Since 1983"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:54 PM, 46 Comments
The NRSC created this video about Senator Maria Cantwell and lobbyist Ron Dotzauer. From the press release: "Maria Cantwell can avoid reporters and refuse to debate all she wants, but that won't provide answers to numerous questions out there about... [read more]
Reichert-Burner debate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:37 PM, 11 Comments
I hoped to blog about last night's debate, but by the time I got to Meydenbauer, the theater was full. The debate will be on TVW tonight at 7pm. The Reichert campaign e-mailed late yesterday asserting that Burner made many... [read more]
October 10, 2006
Reichert-Burner Ad Review
by Eric Earling, 09:52 PM, 43 Comments
UPDATE: Debate coverage is available from the Seattle Times, the Seattle PI, and the Tacoma News Tribune. Darcy Burner will also be doing an online Q&A with the Seattle Times today at 11 am for those interested. **** As observers... [read more]
America's Mayor in town to support McGavick
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:20 PM, 29 Comments
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was here last night campaigning for Mike McGavick. (photo credit: Seattle Times) This morning's Times and P-I articles on the event were pretty good. The McGavick campaign site has excerpts from Giuliani's speech to... [read more]
Dotzauer divorce file hearing update
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:43 AM, 24 Comments
To all the Cantwell surrogates who are manufacturing outrage over the fact that anybody would want to unseal a divorce file, the Judge found that the original seal was "overly broad" and is moving forward to open the file. Unfortunately,... [read more]
Dotzauer divorce file hearing
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:11 AM, 24 Comments
I'm off to today's hearing in Snohomish County Superior Court over the re-unsealing of the Dotzauer divorce file. It's a huge file and I only got to see it for a few hours. There are whole volumes I didn't even... [read more]
October 08, 2006
Signs that your local media suffers from liberal bias (III)
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:01 PM, 40 Comments
While the liberal media studiously avoids the 800-pound corpse in Maria Cantwell's closet, they'll eagerly parrot any silly accusation that left-wing crackpots level at Mike McGavick. The latest such charge is that McGavick's ad which uses the word 'illegal' to... [read more]
October 06, 2006
Cantwell speaks
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:50 PM, 35 Comments
This week's revelations of Maria Cantwell's documented insinuation into another couple's marriage hasn't gotten as much coverage as, say, an unproven accusation against a Republican candidate might get, but the Tri-Cities Herald asked Cantwell about this yesterday. The response: "Attacking... [read more]
Burner-Social Security bleg - UPDATED
by Eric Earling, 06:30 PM, 21 Comments
The "Truthwatch" page at Darcy Burner's website, referenced at the previous post, tries to defend her against a claim she said she supports raising payroll taxes to help fix Social Security. Specifically saying: Claim #2: "Darcy Burner wants to take... [read more]
October 05, 2006
Jim McDermott implicated in Foley pederasty scandal
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:57 AM, 40 Comments
A newly uncovered shocking photograph reveals that Seattle Congressman "Baghdad" Jim McDermott was in cahoots with disgraced pederast e-mailer Mark Foley. This photograph of the 108th Congress House Ways and Means Committee, on which both McDermott and Foley served, is... [read more]
Rahm Emanuel should resign for flirting with underage candidates
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:33 AM, 47 Comments
DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel, who is responsible for grooming Democrat House candidates, should resign for his flirtations with underage candidates, notably Darcy Burner. Although Burner is chronologically eligible to serve in Congress, it's clear from her conduct that she's not... [read more]
October 04, 2006
Cantwell advisor: political contributions are a "necessary business expense"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:11 PM, 36 Comments
During the same period that Cantwell advisor Ron Dotzauer was found in contempt (even jailed briefly) for failing to meet his financial obligations to his ex-wife and daughter, having his earnings garnisheed to satisfy other debts, and borrowing money from... [read more]
October 02, 2006
Maria Cantwell was the "other woman" in lobbyist's divorce
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:29 AM, 148 Comments
The Seattle Times has recently reported on the close ties between Sen. Maria Cantwell and former boyfriend, boss and campaign consultant, lobbyist Ron Dotzauer. Begging explanation is a $15,000-$50,000 personal loan to Dotzauer reported in Cantwell's financial disclosures since... [read more]
September 30, 2006
Liberal Base Pulls Democrats Away from Rational Thought on Anti-Terror Policy
by Eric Earling, 09:37 PM, 51 Comments
[Reader Note: This post is a full essay, whose length is necessitated in part because it discusses incorrect assumptions made by certain liberals. Since those assumptions are accepted as fact in some circles, a full and well-researched rebuttal is required... [read more]
September 28, 2006
Game Time in the Reichert v. Burner Race
by Eric Earling, 11:32 PM, 37 Comments
Lots of polling shows a close race between Rep. Dave Reichert and Darcy Burner, but as we head into the apex of the campaign season the Burner backers would be wise not to get ahead of themselves. I said at... [read more]
Because that's where her supporters live
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:08 AM, 27 Comments
The Darcy Burner campaign sent out this hilarious e-mail: With just 43 days left until Election Day we need your help more than ever. That is just 43 days left to make sure that every voter in the 8th Congressional... [read more]
September 25, 2006
Sad but true. Darcy Burner only voted about half the time; failed to vote for schools, parks, libraries
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:07 PM, 46 Comments
Yesterday's Seattle Times reported on attack ads in the 8th District Congressional race, focusing on Darcy Burner's false accusation that Dave Reichert voted to "cut funding for veterans' health care." (he voted to increase funding). More on this later. The... [read more]
September 21, 2006
Kudos To Dave Ross And Dori Monson
by Jim Miller, 07:26 AM, 31 Comments
Yesterday the two KIRO talk show hosts cooperated to shed more light on Congressman McDermott's relationship with the Islamic charity that was just raided by the FBI. When I caught part of Monson's show yesterday, I learned that McDermott, though... [read more]
September 20, 2006
Darcy Burner Wins! (but only the affection of the Seattle nutroots)
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:08 PM, 22 Comments
The innumerate Seattle nutroots are declaring victory for Darcy Burner today. Why? Because partial results show that (1) the blank slate Democrat received 2% more votes in King County in her primary "contest" than Congressman Dave Reichert received; and (2)... [read more]
September 19, 2006
Few Eastsiders can be bothered to turn out for Darcy Burner
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:27 PM, 12 Comments
This hilarious entry was posted on the Eastside DFA blog: "Sitting. And waiting." (PDF here in case they modify the post) we had a very good turnout at our anti-Reichert demonstration in downtown Bellevue late Friday afternoon. I was glad... [read more]
Wealthy out-of-town Democrats trying to buy state Congressional seats
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:49 PM, 5 Comments
In both the 8th and 5th Congressional Districts, the media is applauding the Democrat challengers and their purported fundraising prowess over Republican incumbents Dave Reichert and Cathy McMorris (Seattle Times: "For the third straight filing period, political newcomer Darcy Burner... [read more]
September 18, 2006
Congressman McDermott Has Interesting Associates
by Jim Miller, 05:05 PM, 78 Comments
The FBI just raided Life for Relief and Development, an Islamic charity in the Detroit area. (They have a pleasant name, I must say.) Debbie Schlussel is pleased because she believes they have strong links to a variety of... [read more]
September 09, 2006
Fodder for Poll Geeks
by Eric Earling, 09:55 AM, 9 Comments
For those who enjoy digging into the weeds of polls and their methodologies, the PI's Strange Bedfellows blog provides some insight into the recent poll on the Reichert v. Burner Congressional race, a poll about which the blog was already... [read more]
August 26, 2006
More Proof Netroots Enthusiasm Doesn't Equal Electoral Strength
by Eric Earling, 12:34 PM, 11 Comments
Despite recent hype, it is prudent to remain skeptical of the true electoral impact of the netroots. Darcy Burner's race is no exception. A recent poll by Survey USA on the match up between Rep. Dave Reichert and Darcy Burner... [read more]
August 22, 2006
Darcy Burner untethered on TV
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:57 AM, 69 Comments
A big thanks to David Owngoalstein for posting this video of a hysterical Darcy Burner ranting and raving in front of the DNC Fall Meeting last weekend. The video gives the impression of a woman who is passionate, but more... [read more]
August 17, 2006
Darcy Burner passes gas, burns Cantwell, Dicks, Larsen
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:03 PM, 40 Comments
The Darcy Burner campaign released this howler of a web site: "Gas Pump Man", which claims: Congressman Dave Reichert's solution [to the high cost of gasoline] is to give the oil companies YOUR MONEY Burner's answer: We need a real... [read more]
August 15, 2006
Blogger Conference Call with McGavick and Frist
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:16 PM, 10 Comments
Yesterday Eric and I took part in a blogger conference call with Mike McGavick and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. More details and the podcast are here. I thought McGavick was at his best in his answer to Patrick Bell's... [read more]
August 11, 2006
More resume inflation from Darcy Burner?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:38 AM, 67 Comments
Karl Swenson says that Darcy Burner's TV ad falsely plants the impression that she is an "Air Force Veteran".... [read more]
August 10, 2006
McGavick endorses Lieberman
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:54 AM, 19 Comments
Mike McGavick has endorsed Sen. Joe Lieberman, now running for re-election as an independent candidate. It is probably unusual for a Republican Senate candidate to back someone other than his fellow Republican in another Senate race. But in this case,... [read more]
August 02, 2006
The lawsuit that dropped from the Horse's Ass
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:51 PM, 13 Comments
George Howland Jr confirms that the "shareholder lawsuit" against Mike McGavick is a pile of horseshit. Postman has more. For the complete picture, see David Owngoalstein's original posts on the topic: April 26 and June 16.... [read more]
July 21, 2006
Axis of Evil (II)
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:58 AM, 31 Comments
Darcy Burner gazing admiringly at her mentor, Baghdad Jim McDermott. The photo was originally posted as part of this blog entry from the "Northwest Progressive Institute", which reports on the Burner/McDermott mutual-admiration-fest at which the photo was taken. For... [read more]
Axis of Evil (I)
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:09 AM, 32 Comments
The House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 921, reaffirming its "steadfast support for the State of Israel", condemning Hamas and Hizbollah for "engaging in unprovoked and reprehensible armed attacks against Israel on undisputed Israeli territory, for taking hostages, for killing... [read more]
July 19, 2006
"Pelosi's no Gingrich"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:58 PM, 10 Comments
Former Republican Congressman and 2004 U.S. Senate candidate George Nethercutt has an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal editorial page: "Pelosi's No Gingrich: Is it 1994 all over again? Not just yet". His point is that in order for the... [read more]
July 18, 2006
McGavick supports stem cell research as does Senate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:14 PM, 70 Comments
Josh Feit at The Stranger blog reports that Mike McGavick went on the record in support of the stem cell research bill pending before Congress. The bill passed the Senate today 63-37 with the support of Majority Leader Bill Frist... [read more]
July 17, 2006
Whither Peter Goldmark?
by Eric Earling, 10:26 PM, 27 Comments
As Stefan and I have posted recently, the netroots are falling all over themselves to declare to anyone that will listen that Darcy Burner is riding an inevitable tide of liberal, Seattle...er...excuse me, I meant 8th Congressional District, enthusiasm to... [read more]
Darcy Burner's claim of "raising more money than Reichert" is bogus
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:58 AM, 43 Comments
The Seattle Times reported yesterday that "Democrats pumped as challenger outpaces Reichert on fundraising" For the second straight quarter, political newcomer Darcy Burner raised more money than U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, bolstering Democrats' view that he is vulnerable for an... [read more]
July 13, 2006
Reichert votes with Democrats to retain foreign language ballots
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:24 PM, 18 Comments
The House of Representatives voted today to extend the Voting Rights Act in its present form for another 25 years. Congressman Dave Reichert was one of only 44 Republicans who voted with nearly all Democrats to defeat the King amendment... [read more]
July 12, 2006
Republican Congressman breaks no law; Democrats cry foul
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:19 AM, 30 Comments
KING-5's Up Front with Robert Mak reports on mailings that Congressman Dave Reichert sent to his constituents under the centuries-old "franking privilege". Mak delivers the damning indictment at 3:23 into the video: It's "all perfectly legal". Oh, well. No Pulitzer... [read more]
July 10, 2006
The root causes of out-of-control federal spending
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:11 AM, 26 Comments
P-I: "Sound Transit asks U.S. for more rail extension money" Sound Transit has increased its request for federal money to help it extend passenger rail service to the University of Washington ... It originally asked for $700 million in federal... [read more]
July 07, 2006
Oxygen Burner
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:35 AM, 112 Comments
Darcy Burner is at this hour burning oxygen and taking calls on KUOW Weekday with Steve Scher. (Congressman Reichert was originally scheduled for this hour, but had a last minute schedule change. He is after all a Congressman and not,... [read more]
July 06, 2006
Money Burner
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:50 AM, 111 Comments
David Postman reports that 8th district congressional candidate Darcy Burner seduced her Democrat contributors to burn $1.1 million dollars on her implausible campaign to unseat Congressman Dave Reichert. But as Postman noted last week, elections maven Larry Sabato downgraded the... [read more]
July 03, 2006
Call me Congressman Ishmael
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:31 AM, 9 Comments
Sammamish business consultant Larry Ishmael, a Republican, has announced that he will run against Rep. Jay Inslee, the Democratic incumbent, in the 1st Congressional District. (Press release, here). Ishmael has a long track record of community service and is currently... [read more]
June 30, 2006
First responders support Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:46 PM, 17 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert continues to make steady progress toward re-election, while his unserious opponent Darcy Burner goes down in, uh, flames. Back in March, Reichert won the endorsement of the Seattle Firefighters Union. Burner's campaign manager said this to Eli... [read more]
June 28, 2006
Joel Connelly Agrees With Me
by Jim Miller, 04:25 PM, 27 Comments
In this post, I argued that Congressman Reichert would defeat Darcy Burner by about eight points, basing that conclusion mostly on past election results. The post was pure analysis, and would have been written the same way, even if I... [read more]
June 23, 2006
Why Darcy Burner doesn't have a chance of winning
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:47 AM, 42 Comments
Do read Matt's post below and the linked column -- "Why The Dems Don't Have A Chance Of Winning". And locally, the Dem's hope for unseating Congressman Dave Reichert seems to have a particularly poor chance of winning --... [read more]
June 22, 2006
The Fight For Washington's 8th District
by Jim Miller, 02:56 PM, 79 Comments
This misleading New York Times article by Timothy Egan started me wondering whether the Democrats do have a chance to win Washington's 8th congressional district. The question has more than local importance because, if the Democrats are to regain control... [read more]
June 21, 2006
Rasmussen: "Cantwell Slide Continues"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:48 AM, 85 Comments
Rasmussen reports today that Republican challenger Mike McGavick continues to close the gap, calling the Washington Senate race a toss-upIn the latest Rasmussen Reports poll of an increasingly competitive U.S. Senate race, Senator Cantwell now leads former Safeco CEO Mike... [read more]
June 16, 2006
A picture is worth a thousand words
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:41 PM, 67 Comments
Darcy Burner with State Democratic Party Chairman "Cuba" Dwight Pelz, at an anti-Bush rally at Westlake Center. If Darcy Burner wants to represent the 8th District, why is she campaigning in Seattle?... [read more]
June 15, 2006
Darcy Burner praises Bush success in Iraq War
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:02 PM, 18 Comments
President Bush is visiting Medina tomorrow to headline a campaign event for Congressman Dave Reichert, who by the way is the most centrist member of the state Congressional delegation. Reichert's independent voting record notwithstanding, the local nutroots are suffering from... [read more]
June 11, 2006
Congressman Inslee Responds. Sort Of
by Jim Miller, 09:41 AM, 48 Comments
In this post I published an open letter to my own Congressman, Jay Inslee, asking him why he thought that the Democratic House leader, Nancy Pelosi, was fit to be speaker, and possibly president. After three weeks, not having received... [read more]
June 07, 2006
What kind of "community leader" is Darcy Burner? (II)
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:23 PM, 60 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert Darcy Burner An entire day has passed since I posed some questions on this blog and to the Burner campaign asking for more information about Darcy Burner's accomplishments as a "community activist" and "community leader" (as... [read more]
Another nutroots candidate goes down in flames
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:00 AM, 23 Comments
Republican Brian Bilbray beat Democrat Francine Busby in the special election to fill the San Diego congressional seat vacated by the convicted Randy "Duke" Cunningham. The media dubbed this race a "bellwether" for the fall midterm elections. (For whom does... [read more]
June 06, 2006
What kind of "community leader" is Darcy Burner?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:50 AM, 98 Comments
Here's how Democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner describes herself on her campaign website: Along with the thoroughly debunked claim that she was an "executive at Microsoft", she also claims to be a "community leader" and "active in her community". The... [read more]
May 30, 2006
Follow Up On "Speaker" Pelosi
by Jim Miller, 06:53 AM, 26 Comments
Three weeks ago, I sent an open letter to my congressman, Jay Inslee, asking him why he thought Nancy Pelosi was fit to be Speaker, and possibly President. Congressman Inslee never replied. This devastating New York Times article may help... [read more]
May 09, 2006
Democrats deprecate Burner campaign
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:28 AM, 26 Comments
For the last two weeks, Seattle's lunatic fringe liberals have been congratulating themselves on their "netroots" fundraising drive which they claimed had pushed Darcy Burner into the first tier of Democrat challenger candidates from across the country. But today The... [read more]
Speaker Pelosi?
by Jim Miller, 07:20 AM, 4 Comments
(This is an open letter to my own congressman, Jay Inslee.) Dear Congressman Inslee: Sometimes it is best to be blunt and I hope you will excuse me for thinking that this is one of those times. If the Democrats... [read more]
May 08, 2006
Darcy Burner, former "former Microsoft Executive"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:53 AM, 34 Comments
David Ammons, in his weekend column about state Congressional races effectively ends Darcy Burner's attempt to get the press to play along with her pretense that she is a "former Microsoft executive": Burner, 35, a Harvard-educated former Microsoft program manager,... [read more]
April 28, 2006
Cantwell Flunks Econ 101.
by Andy MacDonald, 03:19 PM, 36 Comments
Mary Catherine Hamm at Wizbang points out Maria Cantwell's total ignorance of economics, in particular her inability to understand that lower supply coupled with steady demand will increase prices. Cantwell's pre-Senate job was Vice President of Marketing at Real Networks,... [read more]
April 26, 2006
Democrats accuse Gary Locke of federal campaign finance violations
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:52 PM, 27 Comments
Today's headline in the P-I: "'Illegal' McGavick funds alleged" After Mike McGavick became a U.S. Senate candidate but while still chief executive of Safeco, the company agreed to give him a lucrative "golden parachute" that amounted to an illegal corporate... [read more]
April 21, 2006
Maria Cantwell is the 82nd most popular senator
by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:43 PM, 19 Comments
according to the latest SurveyUSA poll hat tip: KV... [read more]
Darcy Burner concedes that Dave Reichert is the most moderate member of state Congressional delegation
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:38 PM, 58 Comments
The Darcy Burner campaign now concedes that Congressman Dave Reichert is the most moderate and independent member of the Washington state congressional delegation. Seriously. Courtesy of the Burner campaign, I produced this graphic which shows that Reichert has joined with... [read more]
April 20, 2006
McDermott's Own Little Terror Supporter
by Andy MacDonald, 09:24 AM, 29 Comments
Front Page Magazine is reporting that Congressman Jim McDermott's new intern is a terror supporter. Very little McDermott does surprises me any more.... [read more]
April 17, 2006
Darcy Burner Accident Report
by Stefan Sharkansky, 07:06 PM, 70 Comments
Courtesy of Richard Pope, the police report on the 4-car chain collision that Darcy Burner caused on June 15, 2005, the day she filed as a Congressional candidate. The officer who filed the report concluded: Based on my investigation of... [read more]
Update on the 8th Congressional District Race
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:41 AM, 27 Comments
Congressman Dave Reichert kicks off his re-election campaign with a breakfast tomorrow at Meydenbauer. Meanwhile, this is from a weekend print-only article in the King County Journal about challenger Darcy Burner: (hat tip: Richard Pope) What's odd here is that... [read more]
April 14, 2006
Darcy Burner makes the national news. Ouch
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:49 AM, 40 Comments
Today's Washington Times reports that the FEC is investigating the GOP complaint that Darcy Burner failed to report donations from "Eastside Democracy for America". The article also exposes inconsistencies in the stories of the Burner campaign and Andrew Tsao of... [read more]
April 13, 2006
Score two for McGavick
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:18 PM, 27 Comments
Josh Feit at The Stranger says "Score one for McGavick". No, really. And Taegan Goddard observes that "McGavick Closes In on Cantwell"... [read more]
Darcy Burner campaign finance flap
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:33 AM, 18 Comments
The Darcy Burner campaign late yesterday afternoon reposted the video that was the subject of the state GOP's campaign finance complaint. The video, posted here, was produced for the Burner campaign under the name of "Eastside Democracy for America", an... [read more]
April 12, 2006
Darcy Burner pulls non-compliant video
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:11 PM, 20 Comments
The Darcy Burner campaign has already pulled down the video that was the subject of today's campaign finance complaint by the state GOP. I'll take this as an admission that the GOP's complaint was not without merit. Maybe Darcy Burner... [read more]
Darcy Burner target of campaign finance complaint
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:06 AM, 21 Comments
The Washington State Republican Party has filed a formal complaint with the FEC alleging that the Darcy Burner campaign has committed a number of federal campaign finance violations. This complaint paints a picture of a campaign that is unable to... [read more]
April 11, 2006
Libertarian to run against Cantwell
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:04 AM, 38 Comments
The Bellingham Herald reports A perennial Libertarian candidate from Bellingham has announced he will run against U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell this fall. Bruce Guthrie, 42, will focus his campaign on social issues, including his opposition to the war in Iraq... [read more]
April 10, 2006
Darcy Burner, reckless driver?
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:35 PM, 33 Comments
I don't believe that a person's driving record is necessarily relevant to their fitness for public office, and no, I wasn't looking for this sort of thing, a blog commenter brought it to my attention. But Darcy Burner's traffic infraction... [read more]
April 07, 2006
Darcy Burner and the whirlwind spring of 2005
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:16 AM, 62 Comments
One of Darcy Burner's fans is trying to explain that the year she spent in law school and doesn't mention on her campaign bio was a "methodical" attempt to learn more about the law while she focused on her race... [read more]
April 06, 2006
Darcy Burner's story makes absolutely no sense
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:33 PM, 71 Comments
This is what Eli Sanders wrote in his profile about Darcy Burner for the March 16 The Stranger 18 months ago, she decided it was time to pursue her interest in politics and retired from Microsoft in order to focus... [read more]
Darcy Burner is looking flakier by the day
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:59 AM, 47 Comments
Darcy Burner's campaign is now caught in a pretty serious lie. Her campaign's About Darcy page claims: She left Microsoft to spend the time necessary to be elected to the United States Congress in the 8th District. Actually, no. As... [read more]
April 05, 2006
Darcy Burner was never a Microsoft Executive
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:04 PM, 109 Comments
The various Democrat blogs are all pretty excited about Darcy Burner, who is challenging Congressman Dave Reichert for his Eastside seat. But this seems to be more about liberal out-of-district Democrats desperate to try anything to help get a Democrat,... [read more]
March 30, 2006
Democrats for domestic spying
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:15 AM, 12 Comments
Seattle's Congressman-for-Life, "Baghdad" Jim McDermott has been an outspoken critic of the Bush administration for what he calls "domestic spying". Which is somewhat ironic in light of McDermott's own legal problems over his use of an illicitly recorded phone call... [read more]
March 28, 2006
Baghdad Jim loses appeal
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:41 AM, 66 Comments
"Appeals Court rules against McDermott in taped call dispute" In a 2-1 opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that McDermott violated the rights of House Majority Leader John Boehner, who was heard on the... [read more]
March 24, 2006
Aaron Dixon
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:35 AM, 15 Comments
Today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports on Aaron Dixon, the former Black Panther and current Green Party candidate who is now challenging Republican Mike McGavick for the United States Senate seat currently held by Maria Cantwell: "Green Party Senate hopeful not a... [read more]
March 23, 2006
Loonie Dems Go Ga-Ga over Congressional candidate who has zero experience
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:07 PM, 23 Comments
The various lunatic fringe Democrats from Howard Dean to wacko bloggers to Eli Sanders at The Stranger (nice guy, good writer, loonie Democrat) are all going ga-ga over this year's unknown and inexperienced Eastside Congressional candidate. In last week's gushing... [read more]
March 22, 2006
Evening with John McCain and Mike McGavick
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:43 AM, 126 Comments
I attended last night's McGavick for Senate campaign fundraiser with Sen. John McCain (I sat at the press table in the back). The video of the speeches should be available on the campaign webcast page at some point. It will... [read more]
March 19, 2006
"Innovations in Education"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:55 AM, 26 Comments
Sen. Barack Obama spoke in Seattle yesterday at a Cantwell campaign fundraising event. The title of the program was "Innovations in Education". Today's Seattle Times has the story: "Obama at Garfield to talk up education" The article leads: Of course,... [read more]
January 25, 2006
Brian Baird gives lesson in (bad) manners
by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:00 AM, 57 Comments
This item appears today in Roll Call [subscription only]: Calling Miss Manners. Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) must have been channeling Emily Post when he wrote a letter lecturing a college student — who had just been awarded a scholarship in... [read more]
January 19, 2006
McGavick Campaign Kick-off
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:37 PM, 28 Comments
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McGavick launches his campaign in Seattle this Saturday WHEN: Saturday, January 21st, 2006 11:30AM – 12:30PM (doors open at 11:00) WHERE: Seattle Center Rainier Room (On the corner of 1st and Republican – North of... [read more]
September 01, 2005
McGavick on the Initiative Process
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:09 PM, 37 Comments
Safeco CEO Mike McGavick, who announced yesterday that he'll stay on as CEO longer than expected, has explained (through a spokesman) that this decision is solely to help ensure a smooth transition for his successor at Safeco. McGavick is moving... [read more]
August 31, 2005
McGavick to stay on as Safeco CEO
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:18 AM, 23 Comments
Today's Tacoma News-Tribune reports that "Likely Senate candidate will stay as Safeco CEO" Mike McGavick, a likely Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2006, will remain Safeco CEO indefinitely, the insurance giant announced Tuesday. McGavick had intended to step down... [read more]
August 26, 2005
Majorities matter (go figure)
by Timothy Goddard, 11:12 PM, 32 Comments
A couple months ago, I took a lot of flack in the comments for making the wild claim that, somehow, members of the majority party would have an easier time protecting military bases in their constituency from closure than those... [read more]
August 11, 2005
Mike McGavick
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:32 PM, 48 Comments
The other interesting finding in the new Strategic Visions poll is that Senator Maria Cantwell has only a 47% approval rating (contrast with 57% for Patty Murray). In a race held today between Cantwell and Mike McGavick, Cantwell would only... [read more]
July 29, 2005
Hutchison ends Senate bid on Carlson Show
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:03 AM, 53 Comments
Given the lack of grassroots excitement over Safeco CEO Mike McGavick's announcement of a Senate bid, others are trying to decide whether to jump in the race. The Seattle Weekly reports that former KIRO-TV anchor Susan Hutchison has "pollsters in... [read more]
July 19, 2005
McGavick Press Conference
by Stefan Sharkansky, 02:32 PM, 37 Comments
I attended Mike McGavick's press conference this afternoon where he announced his exploratory committee for the 2006 U.S. Senate race Mike McGavick with wife Gaelynn. Audio of the press conference is posted here (7 MB). His opening remarks last for... [read more]
July 18, 2005
McGavick is "exploring a run for the U.S. Senate"
by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:39 PM, 61 Comments
Safeco CEO Mike McGavick announced his resignation this afternoon McGavick is stepping down effective Aug. 31 "to give full consideration to the possibility of public service" I received an e-mail that McGavick has scheduled a press conference for noon tomorrow... [read more]
July 15, 2005
Rossi won't run for U.S. Senate in 2006
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:31 AM, 28 Comments
Dino Rossi released a definitive statement today confirming what he has been saying all along. He will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2006. The full statement follows --... [read more]
June 17, 2005
On backing the right horse
by Timothy Goddard, 07:59 PM, 33 Comments
The entire congressional delegations of Washington and Oregon, including both Republicans and Democrats, came together this week to harshly criticize the base closure plan that would whittle the Northwest's air defense down to only two F-15 fighters. And good for... [read more]
Senators Durbin, Murray, and Cantwell
by Jim Miller, 04:53 PM, 71 Comments
By now, you have almost certainly heard about Senator Richard Durbin's outrageous statements on the interrogations at Guantánamo, which he compared to the Nazis, Stalin's gulag, and the genocidal Communist, Pol Pot. (If you want to know more about what... [read more]
June 07, 2005
Doug Roulstone: Courage for Congress
by Timothy Goddard, 10:28 PM, 30 Comments
Regardless of what happened Monday morning, the gubernatorial election showed that Washington is very evenly divided between red and blue--but the fact that only a three of our nine person delegation to the House of Representatives is Republican doesn't bear... [read more]
April 25, 2005
What Has Senator Maria Cantwell Accomplished?
by Jim Miller, 08:24 AM, 39 Comments
Washington state's junior senator is up for re-election next year and is said to be in trouble politically. That's why Joni Balter of the Seattle Times wrote this campaign ad for Cantwell. Balter (and most likely others in the... [read more]
March 17, 2005
Proud leader of the smaller economy crowd
by Ron Hebron, 07:59 AM, 99 Comments
Senator Cantwell gained personal stature while she worked against economic development. She was in charge of the Democrat's latest opportunity to lose to President Bush, who they tell each other is not very smart. And Bush beat her. Good news.... [read more]
February 26, 2005
Keeping the poor poor in the 2nd District
by Timothy Goddard, 08:58 PM, 36 Comments
Democrat Congressman Rick Larsen's "town hall" on Social Security reform wasn't much of a town hall, and it didn't talk much about Social Security reform. Instead, it was a thoroughly partisan operation devoted solely to attacking the idea of adding... [read more]
February 22, 2005
Social Security reform along the Sound
by Timothy Goddard, 06:39 PM, 49 Comments
The news media is awash in talk of Social Security reform, a subject very close to my young heart (and my young pocketbook). Of all the millions of words written about Social Security reform--specifically, the creation of personal retirement accounts--some... [read more]
February 10, 2005
Cantwell in the Crosshairs
by Seth Cooper, 01:08 PM, 53 Comments
Both today’s and last Thrusday’s WSJ Political Diary ($) contain entries discussing the 2006 Senate race in Washington State. The common sense prediction is that it will be a tight contest. Bad news for Senator Maria Cantwell. Last week, John... [read more]
February 07, 2005
Connelly on Congress's Ethics
by Ron Hebron, 10:32 PM, 11 Comments
Joel Connelly in the Seattle P-I only sees power plays. He can't imagine that an elected official would ever do the right thing. My theory is that power is all he understands. Today in seeing cross-eyed over Doc Hastings being... [read more]
December 02, 2004
More Puget Sound Pork
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:48 AM, 1 Comments
More examples of Puget Sound Pork, reported by Danny Westneat: First, there is $1 million for the Norwegian American Foundation: The 3-year-old foundation had asked for the money earlier this year, to honor the 100th anniversary of Norway's independence from... [read more]
November 30, 2004
Puget Sound Pork
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:07 AM, 2 Comments
Today's Seattle Times reports that our local congressional delegation has pulled in billions of dollars of federal spending, much of it textbook examples of pork barrel idiocy There's $240,000 for an undersea museum in Keyport, Kitsap County, $121,250 for improvements... [read more]
November 03, 2004
Unearned and undeserved
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:15 PM, 0 Comments
Today's Seattle Times editorial: "Murray, a victory earned and deserved". At first I thought they were talking about Rep. Ed Murray, re-elected to the state House of Representatives from the 43rd District with a robust 87% of the vote. It... [read more]
Congressman Reichert
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:34 PM, 0 Comments
Dave Ross has conceded the 8th District congressional race to Sheriff Dave Reichert. Jennifer Dunn's seat will stay in good hands. Sheriff Reichert is shown here addressing the state Republican victory party last night.... [read more]
November 01, 2004
My Vote Choices
by Jim Miller, 02:44 PM, 6 Comments
Those who have followed the posts at my main site, Jim Miller on Politics, will know that I will vote tomorrow for George W. Bush for president and for George Nethercutt for the senate. I have said less there about... [read more]
October 30, 2004
Endorsements: Federal Races
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:27 PM, 1 Comments
These are my endorsements for federal offices on Tuesday's ballot. These endorsements reflect only my personal opinions and not necessarily those of other Sound Politics contributors. President: George W. Bush U.S. Senate: George Nethercutt Of the state's nine Congressional districts,... [read more]
October 29, 2004
Baghdad Jerk
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:32 PM, 1 Comments
Seattle Congressman "Baghdad Jim" McDermott is not only a hallucinating street corner lunatic, a tyrant's useful idiot and a Jihadist fellow traveler, he is also a garden variety jerk. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ordered Congressman Jim McDermott... [read more]
October 28, 2004
Q & A with Baghdad Jim
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:50 PM, 0 Comments
I attended a public appearance/Q&A session with Seattle Congressman Baghdad Jim McDermott yesterday evening. My write-up is here. McDermott seems to have a rich inner fantasy life which he enjoys sharing in public. Do any local journalists bother to follow... [read more]
October 25, 2004
Dinner with George Nethercutt
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:00 AM, 0 Comments
Join Senate candidate Congressman George Nethercutt for dinner this evening Monday, Oct. 25 at 5pm at the Downtown Seattle Republican Club. After dinner and informal conversation, I will interview Congressman Nethercutt for later broadcast on local cable television. The interview... [read more]
October 21, 2004
Nethercutt v Murray Debate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:35 PM, 8 Comments
The second and final Nethercutt - Murray debate took place last night. Video of the debate is here. Murray had this bizarre vacant stare on her face most of the time. As this woman in a focus group said Sen.... [read more]
October 19, 2004
Nethercutt v Murray Debate
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:46 PM, 0 Comments
The Nethercutt campaign e-mails: Before the King 5 debate in Seattle come rally for George! Help cheer and wave signs wearing your Nethercutt blue until George enters the studio. We’ll then go to Piecora’s Pizza located at 1401 East Madison... [read more]
The Times flip-flops
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:13 AM, 0 Comments
As noted earlier, The Seattle Times endorsed Sen. Patty "Osama builds day care facilities" Murray for re-election. On what grounds? Murray unabashedly brings home the bacon on transportation projects, $700 million in recent years for projects from Walla Walla to... [read more]
October 14, 2004
Viewer Mail
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:26 PM, 0 Comments
Brad Jacobsmeyer sent us this e-mail, which he also submitted as a letter to the editor to the Seattle Times. Brad predicts "as they’ve never printed [my letters] before, I doubt they’ll start now": I read with interest your endorsement... [read more]
October 11, 2004
The One-Note Democrats
by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:17 AM, 1 Comments
The Washington Democrats are scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with scare tactics against the Republican challengers, reports the Seattle Times -- "Democrats put heat on GOP with two hot-button issues" Attacking Republicans on abortion has become... [read more]
October 09, 2004
Debating against articles of clothing
by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:01 PM, 5 Comments
Patty Murray has been avoiding debates with her challenger George Nethercutt, so Nethercutt debated a pair of tennis shoes instead: The conversation with the white, size 7 sneakers is the closest the Republican has been able to get to a... [read more]
October 06, 2004
Patty Murray, call your office
by Stefan Sharkansky, 02:59 PM, 6 Comments
Another girls' school opened in Afghanistan. I doubt Osama bin Laden had much to do with it. Maybe the Seattle Post-Intelligencer will even call me a Nazi for pointing this out!... [read more]
October 03, 2004
It's in the P-I
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:26 PM, 4 Comments
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Thomas Shapley acknowledges in today's column that the Nethercutt for Senate campaign ad was correct to ridicule Patty Murray's "Osama builds day care facilities" statement: The attributions of day care-building benevolence to bin Laden were apparently off... [read more]
September 30, 2004
Going easy on Patty "Osama Mama" Murray
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:45 AM, 8 Comments
Yesterday the Nethercutt for Senate campaign released a new video ad with a clip of Sen. Patty Murray making her now infamous statement from 2002 attempting to explain why Osama bin Laden is popular in the Muslim world: He’s been... [read more]
September 29, 2004
Patty "Osama Mama" Murray video
by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:04 AM, 16 Comments
The Nethercutt for Senate campaign has released a new ad featuring a video clip of Patty Murray making her infamous statement praising Osama Bin Laden for "building daycare facilities" and for having "made people's lives better". That statement has been... [read more]
September 23, 2004
Wilderness Bill Killed in Squabble
by Ron Hebron, 11:36 PM, 4 Comments
Rep. Rick Larsen won and wilderness lost. Everett Herald Larsen, Congressman in the second district, killed the "Wild Sky" wilderness bill because it didn't include areas that are obviously not wild. The intent of the 1964 wilderness act is to... [read more]
September 03, 2004
It's in the P-I
by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:24 PM, 1 Comments
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, along with its comrades in the Washington state Democratic Party, is showering unprecedented admiration on a conservative Republican Senate candidate who has no chance of winning the nomination, let alone the general election: Reed Davis is waging... [read more]
September 01, 2004
Manly Man in a Dither
by Matt Rosenberg, 11:11 AM, 9 Comments
Touchy, touchy. Silly. That was celebrity Republican candidate and King County Sherriff Dave Reichert, storming off the stage at a candidate forum, upset his GOP opponents in the Sept. 14 primary for Jennifer Dunn's old seat (WA-8) had dared to... [read more]
August 23, 2004
Slow Tennis Shoes
by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:47 PM, 2 Comments
Democrat Sen. Patty Murray has once again been named by Washingtonian Magazine as "No Rocket Scientist". The actual article isn't online yet, the link is to a GOP press release. Washingtonian's awards page from 2002 is online here. Sure enough,... [read more]
August 22, 2004
Rep. McDermott Loses In Boehner Lawsuit
by Ron Hebron, 11:16 PM, 0 Comments
After six years there is some justice for Congressman Jim McDermott. Clinton's Justice Department found a reason not to convict him for criminal possession of an illegally recorded phone conversation -- even though he admitted he did it. He says... [read more]
August 19, 2004
Murray Praises President!?
by Ron Hebron, 11:23 PM, 7 Comments
"Unlikely Duo" Everett Herald, August 18 Senator Patty Murray praised Pres. Bush for attacking Airbus's taxpayer subsidies for developing the new jumbo A380. Repeat... Senator Patty praised Bush last Friday. She seems to be seeking her place as "the Senator... [read more]
August 10, 2004
Positive Press for Nethercutt
by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:01 PM, 0 Comments
The Seattle Times has two favorable news items about George Nethercutt in the last few days: Sunday: "Profile: Nethercutt's persistence pays off for Cuba trade" As Republican George Nethercutt campaigns for the U.S. Senate, Democrats frequently mock him as a... [read more]
July 29, 2004
Senator Murray's fame as DSCC chair in 2002
by Ron Hebron, 08:18 PM, 2 Comments
Senator Patty Murray failed at her assignment as DSCC chair in 2002. Before the election the Democrats controlled the Senate; after it the Republicans had control. [read more]