Murray's Seat In Play According To GOP Poll
In what is becoming a familiar refrain for Dems, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) could be facing a tough re-election fight, according to a new poll released today by a GOP survey firm.
The poll, conducted by OR-based Moore Information (R), shows Murray trailing two-time GOV nominee Dino Rossi (R) in a hypothetical matchup. Rossi, Moore Information pollsters Bob Moore and Hans Kaiser note, is the state's best-known GOPer, though he has not been mentioned as a potential candidate against Murray. Rossi has lost two close elections to Gov. Chris Gregiore (D); he notably declined to run in '06 against Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) to challenge a second time Gregoire in '08.
Moore Information surveyed 500 WA registered voters on Jan. 23 and 24, with a margin of error of +/- 4.4%.
General Election Matchup
Rossi 45% Murray 43
Rossi's performance in the survey against Murray, the Senate's 4th-ranking Dem, could indicate that Murray is vulnerable in this environment. (Indeed, Moore said that the goal of the poll was to see how vulnerable she is.) But that Rossi was tested also underscores the dearth of top-tier challengers to pit against Murray.
Alfalfa farmer/ex-Redskins tight end Clint Didier (R) and motivational speaker/author Chris Widener (R) are the cream of a weak GOP crop right now. AG Rob McKenna (R) and Rep. Dave Reichert (R) would be near the top of the party's wish-list, but neither has shown any inclination of entering the race, though a Reichert spokesperson refused to rule out the possibility in an interview last week with the AP.
Still, WA SEN and GOV races have been something of a graveyard for even top-tier GOP candidates. In addition to Rossi's two losses to Gregoire, then-Reps. Linda Smith (R) and George Nethercutt (R) lost to Murray by double-digits in '98 and '04, and the self-funding Mike McGavick (R) couldn't even break 40% against Cantwell in '06. But if GOPers can win in NJ and MA these days, the GOP SEN nomination in WA might not be as worthless this year as it has been in the past.
what about Sec of State Sam Reed running?
I agree that the race is very much in play, but I disagree with your assessment of the "cream of the weak crop".
There have been several Senate Candidate forums held to date, and those that have attended unanimously agree that the "crop" of candidates is of very high quality.
The truth of the matter is that it is too late for a "top-tier" candidate to effectively enter this race. They had their chance and passed on it.
Williams, Widener, Didier, Salazar, Coday, and Rieger are now the top candidates of choice. Speculation about other candidates is a waste of Republican time and money.
- Craig
Craig Williams
U.S. Senate Candidate 2010
www.VoteWilliams2010.com
I found the two candidates you mention as the least interesting and least likely of the bunch to win. Craig Williams requires a second, third and fourth look.
Deborah
Rieger supports civil unions, so he would not be a strong candidate against Murray (at least in the way of Republican voters).
This Republican has no problem with Civil Unions. Focus on Fiscal and Constitutional issues and I'm right there with you.
Conservatives will back and fight hard for the strongest of the candidates that emerge from the pack. Strength will be seen in their stance on issues rather than a candidate that wavers this way or that to get press creditials.
Right on, Sal!
I know some Republicans are concerned about civil unions, etc., but right now it is VERY important that we get together to take action. If we do not stop the profligate spending in Washington there will be no US economy left for our kids and grandkids.
Many believe it is being done deliberately - a manifestation of the Cloward/Piven strategy. I don't know about that. But whatever the reason we must throw whatever roadblocks we can in the way of further spending.
It may be that it is just the result of the Democrats controlling both houses of Congress and the Presidency. The Congress is spending like 535 drunken sailors and the President is saying, "More, More!"
Another possible Scott Brown like-kind victory? C'mon Dino. Run for WA. state GOP Senator! Just because you lost the last two gubernatorial elections doesn't mean you should end your political career.
Dave Reichert, dont make me laugh, he is a RINO. Lets not let the media and the RNC pick another John McCain type of candidate for us
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