Maybe the times finally saw the light. A free News Media does not do well under Socialism/Communism.

McGavick is running one hell of a good campaign here in the Evergreen State. He's fighting back against every Cantwell cheap shot.

For instance, Cantwell is running an ad where she tries to nail McGavick for cutting jobs while he was CEO of Safeco. He fires back in his spot, reciting, of course, how cutting jobs at Safeco actually saved the company (and it did) and made it more profitable.

Another spot by Cantwell attempts to distort his position on Social Security.

Cantwell (along with other Dem candidates) has tried to portray that any vote for a GOP candidate in Wa State is a vote for Bush and his policies. That may ring true with Dem voters, but I think fence-sitters will see right through that and enjoy Mike's personality. That, and he's really avoided any mudlsinging type ads which attack Cantwell personally. McGavick's just providing the public with his differences on the issues. (In the Wizbang Weekend Caption Contest recently, one of the winners said "...for the last time "F*** Bush" is not a platform". Funny thing is, that's exactly how Democrats are running their campaign here in WA.)

He's really been in the public eye and he's proving to be a very likable candidate.

His main trouble is going to be here in King County (greater Seattle metro) and in Pierce County (Tacoma metro) where the voters predominantly vote Democrat. (No surprise there.) If he can do just a little bit better than Dino Rossi did in King and Pierce counties in '04, McGavick can take this thing by a slim margin. I think he'll take every county in Washington, except for King and Pierce. He just HAS to have a good showing, though.

This is SUCH an important race, not only for WA state but in hopes of the GOP holding onto the Senate.

I think it'll be close enough for a re-count.

Thanks, Peter F., for the local perspective.

Cantwell was one of the most vulnerable Democratic Senators coming into this cycle. She has done absolutely nothing to distinguish herself in the Senate. If we had more effective RSCC leadership, McGavick might have been lined up to run last year, given time to build a war chest and name recognition, and perhaps been able to avoid primary opposition.

I cringe at the thought of another recount in Washington, though. In the gubernatorial race, did King County not keep "finding" uncounted ballots until enough Democratic votes were "found" to win - even though they had more votes than voters?

Jim,

I cringe at the thought of another recount in Washington, though. In the gubernatorial race, did King County not keep "finding" uncounted ballots until enough Democratic votes were "found" to win - even though they had more votes than voters?

I too cringe at the thought of another recount here in King County, where the problems that we had in '04 with the Rossi/Gregorie race still haven't been totally resolved. (I understand some issues have been resolved, particularly when it comes to absentee votes and all the votes going to one central location versus multiple locations.) You are correct, King County did keep "finding" votes, mostly absentee votes, that we're "found" sitting in a warehouse uncounted; there were also ballots "found" in the pockets of balloting booths that were counted, even though no one could explain how they got there in the first place. But they counted them any way.

As far as "more votes than voters" that was an allegation that was made and found to be, if memory serves, partially correct. Yet I believe on appeal this was thrown out. (But don't quote me on that because it was a VERY confusing issue to follow and it's been a while since I've been asked about it.)

In short, the election was a fiasco and many felt it was likely rigged. I don't aspire to conspiracy theories so I don't believe it was "rigged" per se, but there was certainly government ineptitude and incompetence, particularly on the part of King County Elections Director Dean Logan, who rightfully, though stubbornly, resigned from his post in the post-election wake.

I believe it was right and noble of Rossi to not pursue a recount any further than he already had; many people (Dems mostly) felt Rossi was being a "whiny Republican" in pursuing a recount. The voter anger among Republicans was very high, but I think much of it has subsided, and memories do tend to be short. (To his credit, McGavick has not brought up 2004. I think it would only hurt him if he did.)

I was a little surprised and pleased that the Seattle Times endorsed McGavick this morning, that will definitely ruffle a few feathers. (The Post-Intelligencer, Seattle's most liberal newspaper, of course endorsed Cantwell.)

If something pops up in the campaign, I'll certainly do my best to inform you about it. It could be interesting times in these parts in the next two weeks!

In the end, I'd bet dollars to donuts that we don't wake up with a definitive winner on November 8.

P.S. We call her Marie CantVoteWell or, one that I made up, CantDoAnythingWell. ;-)

Thanks, Peter, do keep us up to date. If you don't see a recent topic that fits, email me at Adjoran"at"gmail.com.

I'm mystified that Cantwell wasn't sunk by the news she basically bought off her primary opponents. In South Carolina, that would spell the end of her career - not that she would have ever had a political career here.

I'm an optimist. The only thing that disturbs me this cycle is that we are even in competitive races against the low-quality candidates being offered by Democrats. From their ineffective incumbents like Cantwell, Stabenow, Menendez, and Bill Nelson to empty suits like Bob Casey, Jr. to far-left nominees like Sherrod Brown, Ben Cardin, and Jon Tester, there isn't one of them we shouldn't be thrashing by 20 points in any sane world.

Thats surprising since most of those liberal rags always support the demacrats