Washblog

I just got back from the quarterly WA State Democratic Central Committee meeting, where I had an extended chat with Mimi and John Latta of Benton County.  I had mentally blown off the 4th and 5th CD races as not worth any further investment, but they clued me in to some of the political realities of the dry side and changed my mind.  Mark Mays in the 5th CD is by their estimation not running hard but essentially setting himself up for another try in two years.  George Fearing is running hard in the 4th CD, and actually stands a chance of winning in the general election.

Reality #1.  35% in a primary strikes most wet siders as being too ridiculously low to warrant further investment in a campaign.  The same percentage on the dry side is a stellar beacon of hope.  The reason is that over there, Democrats tend to not bother voting in primaries because actual contested races are so rare.  Jay Inslee got 23% of the primary vote in the 4th CD, but went on to actually win the general election.  By that standard George Fearing's 35% is an outstanding achievement.  It has not been equaled in the 4th CD by any Democrat in a primary election since 1972.

Reality #2.  A little money goes a very long way in eastern Washington media markets.  $100 can get you 10 TV ads or 12 radio ads on stations with serious long distance broadcasting ranges. (Yes, two is actually the correct number of zeros.)

Reality #3.  Democrats in eastern Washington are making major progress in filling their local farm teams with competent officholders.  Many of them have young kids at home and are unwilling to make political moves which could move them long distances from their families.  As they rack up experience in local offices and the state legislature, that will be changing in a few years.  So in addition to  Obama having decent coattails at the top of the ticket, a number of people at the bottom of the ticket have enthusiastic supporters as well pushing from below. There is an especially good candidate for the state legislature in the 8th legislative district.

What this means is that Democrats in comparatively safe districts should really make an extra effort on behalf of George Fearing.  This could be a good year for us in the 4th CD.  

http://www.georgefearing.com/