Washblog

To some, Washington's 4th Congressional District is dead red. So much so that discussions about the upcoming congressional race here are laced with dismay among some democrats. Some are even willing to back seemingly moderate republicans in what seems to me a way to wish the district to a more centrist political environment. Voters who have repeatedly voted republican have consistantly consoled themselves that when things appear good for them there is no need to change. Any political anomoly would pass and life would go on. By all rights, this year wouldn't be any different if the national political and economic environment were not different than that of a few short years ago. By striking contrast, gas prices, a war with no realistic strategy from the majority party, and an air of corruption surrounding the other Washington that despite the quelling, floats like the spring debris down the mighty Columbia River.

Richard Wright is somewhat an unknown.  While most people who are active enough in local politics will remember his previous self-financed primary run against Richard "Doc" Hastings, they probably wouldn't remember the candidate himself or anything he said.  The message simply doesn't get across in the local media (or most of the Traditional Media for that matter).  If most anyone even slightly interested in their representation in this country wants to be sure they are handing a vote to the proper candidate, they generally need to seek the information for themselves.  Otherwise they are left to sort through the sound bytes that rifle across the TV screen.  He who has the most money, good or bad, gets the message out the most.  In part, this is why blogging is important.  And why candidates are increasingly willing to channel their thoughts through us.

In my district, I have heard it all.  The bench isn't deep enough.  There are no standouts.  Hoplessly red.  No national Dem support... etc... Any democrat is going to have a hard time in this district for sure.  But relying on the usual buzz isn't going to get you up on who is stepping up to the plate.  And the usual buzz is just another page out of the Karl Rove playbook.  It's almost as if we forgot the "Mom in Tennis Shoes" candidate that came out of nowhere and has served this state respectively ever since.  Good candidates don't grown on trees for sure.  But really good ones have roots in the district they want to represent.

Not that he will listen, I think it would be a wise thing if he did... or simply live up to his term promise and simply not run. But Democracy 21 issued a statement today calling for Doc Hastings to step down as ethics chair.

Democracy 21 believes you have failed to carry out the important institutional responsibilities you hold as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee. We call on you to resign this position. Democracy 21 believes that Representative Alan Mollohan (D-WV) was correct in his decision to step down as Ranking Member on the House Ethics Committee until serious legal and ethics questions raised about his conduct have been resolved. Democracy 21 also believes that, for different reasons, you should step down as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee, "an entity that hasn't existed throughout the 109th Congress," according to a recent editorial in the Washington Post (April 15, 2006).

As Mollohan may be the latest poster boy for republican's to say "see, it's not just us", I say I could give a rat's ass. Corruption is corruption and that is what the congressional ethics oversight is all about. And at the helm, Hastings has been a complete failure, embarassment, and joke. What I think the GOP fails to understand is that the people who care about appropriate behavior in Congress don't care about the "D" or "R" before the name. We do care, however, that investigations of wrong doing take a precident to partisan politics. The recent re-opening of Representative Jim McDermott's ethics case is a clear cut case of just that and offers yet another pathetic example of just how partisan and low the GOP will go to further a failed agenda and grasp at the last straw's of a failed leadership in Washington DC.

Transperancy is nothing but good. But in this case, it appears to be bad for Doc Hastings.

The Democratic Candidate for Eastern Washington's 4th Congressional District had a chance to speak today at the Benton County Democratic Convention. If you who have not had a chance to hear Richard Wright speak, I captured it so you could have a chance. Central theme today is simple, Doc Hastings must go. Washington's 4th Congressional District needs leadership, not a follower like Hastings. Every step of the way Doc has given a rubber stamp for the Bush administration and it simply must end.

You can download the audio file here.

[Note: I do apologize for the quality. Trying to pick up audio of hotel speaker systems is nearly impossible. Next time I will capture using some better gear.]

While listening, it is a good time to visit my Act Blue page and drop Richard some coin.  Give what you can. Whether it is 10 bux or 1000, it simply takes money to run a good candidate.  This is what the netroots is all about.  Many people giving what they can afford will add up!

I attended the Drinking Liberally last night.  Darcy Burner showed up.  By now, everyone probably knows about her record breaking fund raising effort.

Everyone, take a bow.  We are the netroots.  We are strong.

Before I rush off to my next activity, I wanted to jot down some ideas about netroots.  This is kind of jumbled, because I haven't had time to work on my thesis.

Shout out to Noemie Maxwell, who is also discussing these points.

More...

I love a good underdog story.  In politics it might not seem so dramatic but in light of Doc Hastings entrenchment, Richard Wright's campaign against Hastings could well have the elements of a good contest.  Provided his message gets out there.  And we are starting to see just that.  And his latest message provides a good reality check for what it's going to take to beat Hastings in the solid red 4th Congressional District of Washington State.

During the last campaign I did not take campaign donations.  I spent more than $100,000 of my own money.  My assessment of this year's campaign is that between $600,000 and $1.2 million is needed to realistically have a chance to defeat an entrenched incumbent.  I ask for your support with humility and confidence. Contributions can be made on our website, at www.wright06.com.

3,000 miles could not separate rhetoric from reality tonight.  First tell me what you think -- I've read some of your comments about health care and energy.  Do you feel better, worse, or the same after the President's speech?

Update Update: Just so it can't be claimed I was wrong, the 4th CD website has updated in their support for Laura.

Update: I just received word that the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee endorses Laura Ruderman.

The Chair of the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee, Keith Gourley, is fully supporting Laura Ruderman for Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party. “Laura has shown to me as well as many others in the 4th CD, that she understands the needs of Central Washington and of Eastern Washington”, stated the Chair. “She represents change in the status quo current operation of the Party”, he stated. “I believe she has the strength, the ideas, the values and the vision to put the Party in the win column throughout the entire state”. “Each State Committee person in the District will be voting on January 28 in Kent, on who they want to lead the Party into the future. I am encouraging them to vote for the future, by voting for Laura Ruderman, our next State Party Chair”, stated Chairman Gourley. Thank you, Keith Gourley Chair, 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee

I think this is important in that after all the talk about who endorses who, and the seemingly misinformation that has followed, we have a clear statement from where it matters the most. Eastern Washington is in dire need of some real support from the central party. I believe, and apperantly the 4th CD does too, that Laura Ruderman will provide that support.

Cadidate Forum for Washington State Democratic State Chair - Saturday, January 14 2006. Pasco Washington

I think the state party chair race has gotten a bit soapy. For the most part, I had not formed an opinion since I really don't feel all that qualified. And frankly, when I see something spinning out of control that shouldn't, I am too busy laughing at the situation to take it seriously. Speculation about who endorsed who simply doesn't matter. To me, it is about what you stand for... and if you show up.

Yesterday's Candidate Forum for the Hispanic and Latino Caucus drew three of the five candidates for Washington's State Party Chair.  Mark Hintz, Jean Brooks and Laura Ruderman.  And while the missing Bill Harrington couldn't be there, he did at the least send someone in his absence, explained somewhat for being missing, and gave a position statement for him.  

But apperantly, Dwight Pelz decided we weren't worth the effort.  I asked around as to why he wasn't there and shoulders shrugged, eyes rolled and the only verbal answer I got was to the effect of "he has his own schedule".  Nobody was there in his stead.

Read on after the fold...

Across the state there is some dismay about the lack of name candidates (or no candidate at all) for both the 4th and 5th Congressional districts.  Especially in light of the very promising Darcy Burner, former Microsoft Executive, and her candidacy against Dave Reichert in the 8th.  And to put it bluntly, and at least in the 4th, that is a shared sentiment.  And while many Eastern Washington residents might think that whatever the west side media puts to print is just another example that the blue side of the state isn't in touch with the east.  In this election cycle, the west is right.  And continually so.  Case in point, Joel Connelly, Seattle PI:

House Speaker Dennis Hastert can talk about "reforming" lobbyist rules, but he was feted at a $21,000 fund-raiser held at one of Abramoff's Washington, D.C., restaurants. Would-be House Majority Leader John Boehner handed out checks from tobacco companies on the House floor.

The public senses it. By 44 percent to 32 percent, those polled by CNN-USA Today said the Democrats are best equipped to deal with scandal and corruption on Capitol Hill.

What a turnaround. In 1995, remember, our state's six newly elected Republican House members were going to bring us a frugal, transparent government.

And to this we answer with an empty challenge in the 5th, and a (at least so far) weak challenge in the 4th.  

It is official. The Tri-Cities Chapter of Drinking Liberally is alive.  Thanks to Kendall Miller for jumping in and picking a great place to hold our first DL... on very short notice I might add.  

I had just got back from playing hookie from work to snowboard in north Idaho and saw that he had taken the initiative to just do it!  All I can say to that is FAR OUT.  So as soon as I got home, icky head cold and all, and after a completely miserable and dissapointing day on the slopes, I got right down there and joined him.  

Here are the details

What: Tri-Cities Chapter of Drinking Liberally
When: Every Wednesday at 5:30
Where: Tuscany Lounge, 1515 George Washington Way Richland

The Tuscany promises to serve munchies and generally has a good beer on tap for a couple bucks.  Also, free wireless internet access for those of us who just can't get enough of the blogger screed.    

While we are not officially sanctioned by the national Drinking Liberally we are committed and I have started the process with them.  

So if you live in the Tri-City area of Eastern Washington State, mark your calendar for next Wednesday and join us in our quest to promote democracy one pint at a time.