Nethercutt expected to challenge Murray (WA Senate race)

[flamingyouth]

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- George Nethercutt, the political giant-killer who toppled U.S. House Speaker Tom Foley in 1994, is expected to take on Washington's senior senator 10 years later.

Nethercutt, 58, a Republican lawyer from Spokane who is a favorite of the White House, was expected to announce on Wednesday his intention to take on Sen. Patty Murray, a Shoreline Democrat who is a rising power in the Senate.

Murray is running for a third six-year term. Until now, she has drawn no opposition in either party. President Bush's original favorite for the GOP nomination, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn of Bellevue, declined to run, and Nethercutt became the backup choice.

Republican officials said Nethercutt was making a "soft announcement," rather than a full-blown campaign kickoff, signaling intentions by announcing he'll change his campaign account from House to Senate.

"We think that George Nethercutt will make a tremendous candidate and an excellent senator, and we believe he will make this race very competitive," said Dan Allen, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=WA%20Nethercutt%20Senate

FY says: This guy is going down. Hello? He co-sponsored a bill to take the US out of the United Nations? How is that going to go over in Pan-Asian Washington? No Eastern Washingtonian has been elected Senator since the '40s. Nethercutt: I say you're croutons, sir! But you're tasty on my daily salad...

[ScotTissue]

1. Nethercutt has no chance

He's from the sparsely populated east side of Washington and he's a firebrand. The metropolises of Western Washington are firmly progressive.

Having said that, I dislike Patty Murray because she has a well-earned reputation for being an idiot and an ineffectual legislator. True, she is the force behind some good conservation issues (we tend to be kinda one-issue here in WA). I hope the race lights a fire under her ass which hasn't been there for two terms.

[flamingyouth]

2. I agree with your characterization of Nethercutt

But I disagree with you on Murray.

She has been instrumental in getting (for better or worse) those awful cruise ships (shits? I almost typed that ... he he he) into Seattle. I think she has proven herself to be somewhat of a firebrand, much to my surprise. Although I opposed her vote to approve the first round of the Patriot Act, she did vote against against the war and occupation in Iraq.

I know, I know, I wish we could find a totally balls-out senator who would match my philosophy, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen any time soon.

[Aristus]

8. I agree, in part, with your assessment of Murray.

But if you want balls-out, try drafting Jim Compton of the Seattle City Council to run for the Senate. The man has got game!

[goobergunch]

3. CALL: SAFE DEM/possible LEANS DEM

http://www.freewebs.com/goobergunch/senate.html#wa

[CarlBallard]

4. A Shoreline Democrat?

I thought she was a Seattle Democrat. I mean I know Cantwell is a Shoreline Democrat (she goes to my gym) but how would I not know Murray is from here. Especially since I'm always complaining about Northenders not getting enough respect.

Also we've had some discussions on the Murray/Neathercutt race here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=6401&mesg_id=6401&page=3

[ScotTissue]

5. Nethercutt's approach

Nethercutt will be running on running over Patty Murray by quoting her school speech *gaffe,* of course.

"Osama bin Laden funded day care centers."

Will be what we hear from now to Election Day. Won't have traction on the state level, but it will be part of the national "They can't be trusted with national security" campaign.

That and former President Clinton's recent comements in favor of W. will see plenty of light. Thanks, Big Dog.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Let him try.

Nethercutt doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to Western Washington issues. He really put his foot in his mouth when he joined Jennifer "The Eastside Bimbo" Dunn in trying to prevent Federal Transit Administration money from going to Seattle's Light Rail project.

[Bruce McAuley]

6. And Cathy McMorris will run for his seat....

Which means we might get a DEM to take HER seat in the state legislature, which she has a lock on. She DOESN'T have a lock on Nethercutt's seat, though. If we're REALLY lucky, Nethercutt AND McMorris will lose, a distinct possibility.

Bruce

[Judi Lynn]

9. Sounds as if the Republicans really intend to try, doesn't it?

The very idea sounds preposterous to someone living in the Midwest. Sure hope Murray will win as handily as Democrats would expect! She's been just excellent so far.

Small, new article on the subject:

(snip) GOP Rep. George Nethercutt to challenge Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in Washington state
By Associated Press, 7/30/2003 15:35
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Republican Rep. George Nethercutt, who in 1994 toppled U.S. House Speaker Tom Foley, said Wednesday he will challenge Democratic incumbent Patty Murray for the Senate in 2004.

Nethercutt, 58, a favorite of the White House, will give up his congressional seat to make the run. He said he met last week with President Bush, who encouraged him to get into the race.

Murray, a rising Democratic star in the Senate, is seeking a third term.

When Nethercutt took on Foley in 1994, no sitting House speaker had been ousted since 1862. (snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/211/nation/GOP_Rep_George_Nethercutt_to_c:.shtml