Washblog

The Dems have already lost a fine potential challenger with Peter Goldmark's withdrawal from a 5th District run at GOP freshman Rep. Cathy McMorris. And attorney Randy Gordon quit the 8th District race against GOP Rep. Dave Reichert.

The Dems have a promising 8th District candidate in ex-Microsoft executive Darcy Burner.

Sadly, nobody of front rank has emerged to take on McMorris or Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash.

Hastings was the GOP leadership's pick to be the chairman of-- and make a shambles out of -- the hithertoindependent House Ethics Committee. This supine hack needs a run for his money. But ... nobody doesn't beat somebody.

The non-front rank candidate Connelly speaks of is Richard Wright.  Wright has run before in the 4th putting up his own money in a primary challenge that led to dismal results.  With, from what I understand, roughly 6000 votes, that less than most city council races, Wright was a distant challenger.  It is unfortunate in that Richard Wright does indeed have what it takes to represent this district in this political climate.  Honesty and integrity, however, will not beat that "somebody".  Tragic in light of Hastings being the complete and utter failure that he is.  This is a testament to the dilligent voting base that votes for Hastings term after term.  And a glaring failure of democratic efforts to mine the potential that is there.

Whether it was pure rumor and speculation that Peter Goldmark would run against McMorris in the 5th, Goldmark was a clear winner for that district.  His background made him a compelling choice for voters knowing their economic motivations.  His experience would have been a value to the east side's desire to expand higher education in the region.  It appears he has made his choice and so far, and I have not heard otherwise, there are no other challengers waiting in the wings.

Rubber stamping the Bush/Delay agenda is thin ice policy to skate these days and the opportunity is here, not to forget the national embarassment of Hastings ongoing ethics committee chair.  The democratic establishment may very well be playing it safe by waiting it out for a presidential election cycle, but that opportunity is now.  A maverick, outspoken, personable and smart candidate could take either one of these seats.   Given Wright's seemingly low profile, we may yet see that from him, but both districts are in jeopardy unless serious consideration is given to them.  And it is much less than clear a presidential election cycle would enhance opportunity given the seemingly short attention span suffered by voters, and the spin of accomplishment from the standing republicans.

So whose at fault?  Well, at first blush it would be easy to blame west side money.  And in part, that may be why we do not have the stand out candidates we need.  But to pull blame within, it is easy to notice the lack of candidates being cultured through democratic programs.  Republican candidates don't come from un-culled pools of red value districts.  They come from carefully planned strategy and win through a divisive cultural powerplay for which the likes of Eastern Washington Democratic candidates, the odds are stacked against.

(cross posted at http://www.mccranium.org/?p=137)