We Washington Staters are used to being on the outside looking in when it comes to playing a decisive role in national politics. We’re too small to get serious attention when a state like California is right next door. Our politics is reliably progressive for the most part so we’re not a swing state in the way that Ohio often is.
But this is going to be one wacky election–witness comment by Democratic pollster, Thomas Riehle, quoted by The Opinionator who it turn quoted Mickey Kaus:
The whole question of House majority may come down to whether Dems can win 2 or 3 of the following 5 races that are currently (in the Majority Watch poll) a dead-heat statistical tie: … CO-07, KY-04, NM-01, IL-06, WA-08
WA-08 is Dave Reichert’s seat in suburban Seattle. For those who don’t know, Reichert is the former King County sheriff who made his name investigating the Green River killer. His life and career intertwined completely with that case and when it was solved it gave him an opening for higher office. By the way, few seem to remember that Reichert’s officers had at least one golden opportunity to catch this guy before he killed again and they screwed up.
At any rate, Reichert faced a strong opponent in talk show host Dave Ross in the last campaign and won by a few percentage points. This time around, he’s running against Darcy Burner, a Microsoft alum who apparently has stock to burn on this race (thank God). Because Reichert with his Republican/Country Club good lucks and full head of white hair is a true blue Bushite. Nothing deters him from that political line. Which is surprising considering he didn’t win his last election very handily. You’d think Reichert might want to tack toward the center. Inviting Karl Rove to your most recent fundraising event doesn’t sound like tracking toward the center to me.
This may be why the latest poll finds Burner besting him by 49-46%. This has formerly been a solid Republican district in a tony Seattle eastside suburb. The idea that Reichert might lose is astounding. And it literally shows how desperate things are turning out for Bush and his fellow Republicans.
Another favorable indicator is that Burner has been out-fundraising Reichert for months:
For the third straight filing period, political newcomer Darcy Burner raised more money than U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, continuing a boost that has lasted all year.
In July and August, Burner pulled in $312,000 to Reichert’s $198,000. Reichert still has more campaign cash on hand and has raised more money overall because of fundraising he completed last year.
To keep her momentum going, please consider a donation to her campaign.
