| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2010 2:42 am |
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Local News 
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This year's race could be Sen. Murray's toughest yet Democrat Patty Murray made history in 1992 when she defeated a sitting congressman to become the state's first female U.S. senator.She's been re-elected twice since, pretty easily both times. As she's ascended in power, she's become one of the state's most recognized, liked and liberal politicians. This year will test the mettle of the 59-year-old Whidbey Island resident as she pursues a fourth term in the most unfriendly political environment she's yet encountered. A survey conducted earlier this month by a national polling firm found her trailing top Republican challengers Dino Rossi and Clint Didier in head-to-head match-ups. And she barely led a third GOP opponent, Paul Akers, in results of the Rasmussen poll. "I have been told I'm vulnerable every time I have ever run for election," she said matter-of-factly in an interview before those results became public. She faces a greater battle than in those earlier re-election contests against Republican U.S. Reps. Linda Smith in 1998 and George Nethercutt in 2004. Ballots for the Aug. 17 primary will be mailed out Friday. The two candidates, regardless of party, receiving the most votes in the primary will advance to the November general election. Voters are a volatile bunch this year. Across the nation, in survey after survey, they are expressing distaste for incumbents and discomfort with initiatives of the Democratic-controlled Congress and President Barack Obama. A stagnant economy and stubborn unemployment are frustrating many. Concerns about the effects of a national health care bill, expiring tax cuts and the ongoing war in Afghanistan add to the unease in the electorate. As Rossi and Clint Didier look to capitalize on the discontent, Murray is campaigning with a totally different algorithm. She's not skirting her controversial votes for the national health care bill, the 2009 Recovery Act, the bank bailouts and the reforms for financial institution. She is proud of her vote against going to war in Iraq -- though she's supported funding the conflict there and in Afghanistan -- and for a large expansion of health insurance for children. She's not dwelling on those issues, either. Murray has carved a place in voters' minds as a "mom in tennis shoes," and the message of her campaign -- and from her loyal supporters -- is she's still that woman 18 years later. "She hasn't put on the high heels and big attitude," said Marshia Armstrong, a Stanwood Democrat. "She is still one of us." Murray speaks energetically about helping to create the Wild Sky Wilderness near Index, open an outpatient medical clinic for veterans in the Northwest region and battle to give the Boeing Co. a shot at the aerial refueling tanker contract. Didier and Rossi blast her for her penchant for requesting earmarks and insist they won't seek any. They charge she's steering money to pet projects that if truly worthy would get funded without any string pulling. "When I fight for spending in our state, whether it's for a veterans center or whether it's for a road project or whether it's for a YMCA that's housing domestic violence victims, I am fighting for the people in my state," Murray said. Few in the Senate -- and likely no one in this race -- can match Murray's fundraising prowess. Her success is due to her power: She is in the leadership of the Senate Democratic caucus, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairwoman of the subcommittee overseeing transportation spending. As of June 30, she had $6.8 million on hand of the $11.5 million she's hauled in since the 2004 election. By comparison, Rossi had $1.35 million, Didier $103,000 and Akers $13,000. Murray, who's evolved into a political professional, said she returns home on weekends, often winding up in the supermarket getting an earful from constituents about things in need of fixing. "I have been given a tremendous opportunity," she said. "I love solving problems for people and helping out communities." |
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- Steppin' up for a cause (6)
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COMMENTS
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It's about JOBS, JOBS,JOBS
Patty. What good is it to bring home earmarks money when you voted to spend trillions of taxpayers money? Patty as many other democrat politicians have been in congress for way to long and needs to know what it feels like to lose her job. To borrow from President Reagan, "the definition of a Recession is when your neighbor loses his/her job, a Depression is when you lose yours. A Recovery is when when the Patty Murray and the democrats lose theirs."
I'm sure Patty is a very nice person, but she has lost touch with her constituents.
Ricky D | Aug 14, 2010 2:33 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Who's the BEST alternative to Patty Murray?... "Whose Shoes Will You Choose?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0QOt7u-cHM
Greg Williams | Jul 30, 2010 12:49 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Her vote for Obamacare drastically cut medicare benefits for most seniors. It will be years before we know the full effect of these cuts.
BTW, wheres this VA clinic in Everett that her Ads tout??
bob kelly | Jul 29, 2010 5:01 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Patty Murray, the Gopher, has been nibbling away at the fiscal responsibility, and survival of our nation by being a progressive spendthrift spending our nation into oblivion. Her sneakers bear the stains of fraud, corruption and extortion of the current administration. We can't afford her deceit and being a liar anymore! Unseat her in November!!
Donald Williamson | Jul 29, 2010 4:48 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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One can hope that she does not
make it through the primary as
the other two candidates are
more qualified than she is.
John Peterson | Jul 29, 2010 4:35 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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Rossi is not going to sell out, or pander, the "left" wing agenda, unlike too many other "new age" Republicans are doing.
The current progressive liberal left wing agenda is wasting our money, and resources, creating so many programs, czars, taxes, regulations and new laws, that, rather than stimulating the growth of employment and economy, they are actually undermining the stimulus for businesses to grow and hire more employees.
Could it be that this is really a part of their agenda?... To creat a people who have no choice but to be dependent on the government?
Dino Rossi truly makes total sense, in this regard. And, he's got the integrity to stand by it!
Bruce Berquist | Jul 29, 2010 1:46 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
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Do you really believe Dino has integrity? If so, you are an establishment hack! He hasn't taken a stand on any issue. Just look at the answers he gives to the questions asked on YouTube at the state convention. He talks, but never says anything. He is the KCGOP lap dog that will do anything to further their corrupt power. He would be just as bad as Patty! Clint Didier is at least principled and doesn't double talk like the RINO Dino. I just hope that when Dino loses for the 3rd time he realizes it's 3 strikles and your out... of politics.
Scott Beutler | Jul 29, 2010 3:13 pm | Request removal
Ask her what she thought of ObaMao declaring war on Arizona when it passed a law to do the job he wouldn't do. All for "boycotting"¯ them, no doubt. How dare they defend themselves from uncounted thousands of lawbreakers!
Steven Smith | Jul 29, 2010 3:08 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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