Political infighting splits (Wash.) state's delegation in D.C.

[icymist]

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M.

Political infighting splits state's delegation in D.C.

By Alex Fryer
Seattle Times Washington bureau

Back in the 1970s, the entire Washington state congressional delegation periodically met in Sen. Warren "Maggie" Magnuson's office to shape legislation favorable to folks back home.

These days, the 11 members of Congress from Washington are unable to come together even on issues they all agree upon. Partisan sniping has made relationships much frostier than the cordially competitive days of Maggie and Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson.

Most of the recent acrimony has been generated by the election contest between Republican Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, but fissures in the delegation were emerging long before Nethercutt decided to run for Murray's seat.

One result: The state's lawmakers have not gathered as a group this year, suspending their monthly breakfast meetings.

"Washington state has always had a tradition of working together for the greater good," said a Washington, D.C., lobbyist with Washington state clients. "That's definitely eroding. And it makes everything harder for everybody."

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[barbaraann]

1. The title is misleading.

Infighting would be fighting amongst Dems or amongst Republicans. What is happening is just standard GOP political deception and trickery and the Dems aren't going to go along with it.

I refuse to subscribe to the Times because they endorsed Bush in 2000. They are a tool of the GOP and the purpose of this article is probably to upset Dems and make help Nethercutt.

[icymist]

2. Yeah. You could be right.

I'll be more discriminate about what I read (and post) from the Times. I still tend to think that papers in Seattle couldn't tend to 'lean' towards Chimpy; there's too many Liberals out here.

[Bandit]

3. Pretty much the same everywhere in this day and age.

So much for the Uniter theme. Didn't work no way no how. GOP is incapable of getting along with anyone other than another GOPer.