Rossi Campaign Cautiously Optimistic As Voter Count Continues

As of 11:57 PM, the Washington Secretary of State was reporting on its website Election Day results showing incumbent Senator Patty Murray leading challenger Dino Rossi by a razor slim margin of only 14,005 votes out of 1,430,787 counted.  At the end of the first day of counting, Murray has a lead of 50.49% to Rossi's 49.51%.  However, Rossi For Senate Campaign Manager Pat Shortridge issued a statement by Email late last night outlining some points that should have the Murray campaign sweating bullets:

• Historically in Washington, the Republican candidates improve their percentages in each county in votes counted after Election Day, usually improving their margins by 2 to 3 percentage points.

• King County, which is providing most of Sen. Murray’s margin, accounts for 30.7% of all registered voters in the state. According to County Election reports, King County only has 26.7% of the remaining ballots left to count. The rest of the state, where Rossi has a comfortable lead, will count proportionately more ballots post-Election Day.

• Spokane County, where Rossi is currently in the lead by more than 50%, still has at least 21.6% of the remaining ballots left to process, with more coming in.

• Rossi is currently leading in Pierce County by nearly 2,500 votes

• According to the Secretary of State, there are still over 508,000 estimated ballots left to process statewide.

• Again, we will know more over the next several days as ballots continue to come in and counties continue to count. We are confident that the margins we are seeing throughout Washington State, combined with the state legislative victories, will put Dino Rossi ahead by an overwhelming margin.

This election is not like previous statewide races that Rossi has run.  It is a midterm, off-Presidential cycle election.  These usually favor Republicans, that traditionally exhibit more faithful voting habits.  In addition, a Republican tidal wave is sweeping the nation, with Republicans gaining a solid majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Turnout in more conservative Washington districts is running above normal this year.  This trend is elevating Republican Party hopes, as Washington is poised to send a Republican majority of its Congressional Representatives back to D.C. come January.  Five of Washington's nine Congressional seats appear to be in Republican hands:

• District 2 John Koster is leading his opponent 50.41% to 49.59%.  This is a Republican "gain".
• District 3 Jaime Herrara is leading her opponent 52.92% to 47.08%.  This is a Republican "gain".
• District 4 Doc Hastings is leading his opponent 68.31% to 31.69%.  This is a Republican "hold".
• District 5 Cathy McMorris Rodgers is leading her opponent 64.51% to 35.49%.  This is a Republican "hold".
• District 8 Congressman Dave Reichert is leading his opponent 55% to 45%, this is a Republican "hold".

Republican gains in west-side Congressional Districts are exceeding local Party expectations.  In addition, a number of voter initiatives regarding taxes have shown a conservative voting streak.  An initiative for a state income tax has gone down in flames, while another requiring a 2/3 majority of the state legislature to raise taxes appears to be passing.  In addition, a rollback of Democratic Party approved taxes on food and bottled water appeared to be passing as well.
While the race is still too close to call, it looks like we may be calling Dino Rossi our Senator very soon.

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Cross-posted to BLOGSUNNYSIDE.COM

The National Lentil Festival: Political Report and Photo Essay

The National Lentil Festival is my favorite event of the year. It is an All-American parade, back-to-school celebration and block party all rolled into one. It symbolizes everything I love about living in a small community like Pullman. I think over the course of this weekend, I saw just about everyone I know here in town.

And of course, in this big election year, a variety of candidates for national, state and local office turned out to meet and greet the thousand of voters assembled to watch the Grand Parade roll through downtown Pullman today.

Terry Rossi, wife of our once and future governor Dino Rossi, walked in the parade, accompanied by a large contingent of Whitman County Republicans, including several WSU students and families, along with State Senator Mark Schoesler and Whitman County Commissioners Greg Partch and Jerry Finch, I was among that group. Here we are assembling before the parade (Terry Rossi has her back to the camera with the "Vote for My Husband" shirt):


Waiting for the parade to start, I got a chance to talk to many of our elected officials.

Here's our local law enforcement team: Pullman Chief of Police Ted Weatherly (left) and Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers (right):


Here's 9th District State Representative Steve Hailey (left) with Whitman County Treasurer Bob Lothspeich (right):


Our other 9th District State Representative, Joe Schmick (and yes, Tyana, that's his Ford F350 truck):


Here's 9th District State Senator Mark Schoesler (left) with Whitman County Commissioners Greg Partch (middle) and Jerry Finch (right):


As I was talking to Mark, Greg and Jerry, WSU president Elson Floyd (right) stopped by say hello:


I had a chance to chat with Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers about the recent primary election. She was pleasantly surprised by her large margin of victory.


Leading Cathy's parade contingent were WSU College Republicans Vice President Chris Johnson (left) and Chris Howe (right):



There were some old friends at the parade today. WSU College Republican alums Christopher DelBeccaro (left) and Dan Ryder (right) were on hand to help out:


I also ran into Moscow-Pullman Daily News publisher Nathan Alford and his cute twin daughthers:


Last and certainly not least, after the parade, I ran into Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson. Glenn is a class act and we are incredibly lucky to have him as mayor:



Here are some shots during the parade. Whitman County Republican chairwoman Susan Fagan was driving the Rossi-Mobile:








Here's Team Rossi Pullman with Terry Rossi after the parade:


Overall, there was a very enthusiastic crowd reaction to Terry and Dino. There were lots of cheers and calls of "Go Dino!" and "Good luck!" I was especially impressed with the youth interest in Dino's campaign, both last night at the Republican street fair booth and today during the parade. According to the polls, that is not a demographic Dino is supposed to do well in, but you couldn't tell it this weekend.

The Democrats:

I didn't get a good picture of the Democrats, as their entries were very early in the parade. However, Democratic Whitman County Commissioner candidate Pat O'Neill wisely separated himself from the main flock of moonabts and rode a lawnmower:


The Governor gave a campaign stump speech after the parade to a crowd of about 100 (there were more than 10 times as many people over in Reaney Park NOT listening to the Queen speak.) From what I could tell, the crowd was made up mostly of current and retired WSU professors, Pullman School District teachers, and others on the state payroll that have gotten big pay raises during the Queen's reign. There was also a smattering of students.

The Queen stuck to her tiresome lies: there is no state budget deficit, in fact we have a surplus! Forbes magazine ranked Washington #3 as a place to do business on her watch! Any budget deficit she inherited from Dino Rossi! Dino is going to throw sick kids out on the curb! That, along with liberal sprinklings of the words "Barack Obama," was about all Spendoire had to say. Overheard in the crowd: "These people around here are blinded. They just can't see how good that you and I know Chris is." *LOL*



The Democrats booth yesterday and today seemed a little slow, with mostly just partisans milling around. Bryan Burke's Eastern Washington Voters also had a booth at the street fair last night. When I went by, none other than Lu Laoshi himself, Chris Lupke, was there, recently returned from Taiwan.

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers' (WA-05) Primary Election Statement

The following statement is from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers:

"I want to thank the people of Eastern Washington for their continued support and their vote. I feel good about tonight's numbers – although tonight is only the first snapshot and our final vote totals won't be known for at least another week. I am confident our margin of victory will only increase as more ballots are counted.

"Since being elected to serve Eastern Washington in Congress, I have worked hard on the issues we all care about including growing the economy, reducing taxes on families and small businesses, helping our farmers, improving access to health care and meeting America's energy needs with innovation, investment, and more domestic oil production.

"I want to congratulate Mark Mays on his victory tonight and look forward to a campaign that is focused on the issues and our different ideas on how to address the challenges facing our region and our country. With this election, the voters of Eastern Washington have a very clear choice.

My campaign will be focused on my record and the work I have done on behalf of Eastern Washington including:

- Serving as a member on the Farm Bill Conference Committee which passed legislation important to Eastern Washington farmers;
- Serving as Ranking Republican on the Water and Power Subcommittee where I am working to promote hydropower as a renewable resource;
- Serving as a member of the Higher Education Opportunity Act Conference Committee which included my proposals to increase our nation's competitiveness, make college more affordable and crack down on diploma mills;
- Sponsoring legislation to ensure Eastern Washington veterans have access to the benefits they've earned;
- Advocating for Fairchild Air Force Base receive the next generation of air refueling tankers;
- Protecting the helicopters based at Fairchild AFB that are used for survival school training and search and rescue missions."

A reminder: Tonight's numbers only reflect the ballots that were received prior to Election Day. Counties will continue to count ballots well into next week and the primary election will be certified on September 9, 2008.

WA 5th Congressional District: Republican Candidate Cathy McMorris Rodgers Answers Your Questions

1. Steve from Pullman asks: What is your stance on nuclear energy? Europe and the rest of the world have left us behind in nuclear technology. Nuclear energy is much more safe now than thirty years ago at the time of Three Mile island. Plus, increased funding on nuclear research and development could be a boon to businesses and universities like SEL and WSU here in Pullman.

I support an “all of the above” plan to meet our nation’s energy needs, including expanding nuclear power. The plan also includes increased conservation, investment in renewable energy like solar, wind and hydropower, and increased exploration for oil in places like ANWR and on the Outer Continental Shelf.

2. Jay from Colfax asks: Would you support a balanced budget amendment?

I support a balanced budget amendment. In fact, I am a cosponsor of one, H.J. Res. 1.

My second question is: No one ever addresses the 800 pound gorilla called the national debt. Do you have any plans on paying off or paying down the nine-trillion-plus dollar debt?

That is a complicated question. Yes, we must work to eliminate our national debt. This can be accomplished by controlling spending. I believe our government doesn’t have a revenue problem—we have a spending problem.

Our entitlement programs are also contributing to the national debt. Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid current consume 62% of the federal budget, leaving 38% for everything else like the military, defense, the current War on Terrorism, transportation education and other programs. Therefore, I believe we need to start looking at Medicare reform in such a way that does not cut reimbursement rates to doctors.

3. Matt from Colton asks: As an "almost" US citizen, even though I cannot vote yet, I have a question regarding Immigration. Recently I found out that my local Immigration office is about 1 year behind on Naturalization, if I remember correctly, they are just starting to work on application to become a US citizen from about August 2007. So all in all, even though I can become a US citizen around June 2010, I will still may have to wait until June 2011 or out to December 2011. That means I will have been unable to become a naturalized citizen for more than the required 5 years, on top of that my status was adjusted in Nov/Dec of 2004, yet I had to wait until June 2005 to get my green card and start the "5 years of residence"...The Question is: Do you support the streamlining of the process of becoming a naturalized US citizen?

Matt, congratulations on “almost” becoming a U.S. citizen. Yes, I believe the process of becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen is too complicated, too bureaucratic and too time-consuming. Helping resolve citizenship issues is one of the top issues my office deals with. We’ve found it can take 5-6 years to become a U.S. citizen. In addition, it’s important we streamline the process because so many companies are having trouble attracting specialized employees from overseas.

4. Jan from Pullman asks: What is your position on stem cell research? Specifically, I would like to know why Rep. McMorris Rodgers voted against H.R. 810 (The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act) and how Mr. Mays would have voted on H.R. 810.

I am against embryonic stem cell research, which would involve the destruction of human embryos. I support research based on adult stem cells.

5. Scott from Garfield asks:. How do you feel about allowing grazing on CRP land?

I support grazing on CRP land.

"An all-of-the-above energy plan"

The editorial below from our 5th District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, appeared in the July 17 edition of the Seattle Times.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers, the Ranking Republican on the House Water and Power Subcommittee, co-sponsored the Americans for Energy Act and was the first signer of the Declaration of American Energy Independence.

We are lucky to have Cathy representing us. She is fighting for lower gas prices along with the other House Republicans on Capitol Hill who have refused to go home until the Democrats vote on offshore oil drilling.

If you're like many people, the high price at the pump is keeping you close to home this summer. And even if you can afford to fill up, the high price of fuel means you're paying more for groceries and other goods. The high energy prices are affecting everyone. It is the No. 1 issue I hear about from you — and I understand your frustrations.

Since the January 2007 beginning of the 110th Congress, the president has signed 244 bills into law. Guess how many of those were naming post offices and public buildings? Nearly 40 percent. Twenty of them resulted in a nearly $340 billion tax increase on the American public!

With gas much more than $4 a gallon, you'd think Congress would put everything else on the back burner and focus on what's really important to the American people: the high cost of energy. It's simple. We need to lower the cost of gas. It's critical to our economy and it's critical to our national security.

Since coming to Congress, I've had the opportunity to vote for American energy 24 times. I am pleased to tell you, every time I voted yes.

I am also one of the original sponsors of the Americans for American Energy Act. The act is a comprehensive energy proposal aimed at reducing energy costs through increased energy production, conservation and innovation.

We need to move away from foreign oil and produce more of our energy here at home — including expanding the role of our hydroelectric dams. We also need to look for ways to conserve the energy we waste every day. It's time we start meeting America's energy needs with American resources, and this plan does that.

It's clear we need an all-of-the-above approach, like the Americans for American Energy Act, to meet our nation's current and future energy needs. On electricity production alone, just to keep up with new demand, by 2030 we'd have to build 747 new coal plants, or 52 new nuclear power plants, or 2,000 new hydroelectric generators.

The need to increase domestic oil and gas production is no different. In the 1950s, America was one of the leading exporters of oil. Today, we import nearly two-thirds of it because we've put our own resources off-limits. It's off-limits to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or off the coasts of Florida or California. We have the largest supply of coal in the world, but it's Germany that is planning to build 27 coal-fired electrical plants by 2020.

Today, environmental regulation and process hinders most domestic energy production. One example, the National Environmental Policy Act, better known as NEPA, started as a single-paragraph statute in 1969 — essentially one paragraph on one page and was turned into 25 pages of regulations and has resulted in more than 1,500 court cases.

When I chaired the task force to update and reform NEPA, I learned that the average time frame for obtaining a permit to produce natural gas has tripled. I learned the NEPA process has caused some producers to wait more than 10 years for approval to market clean natural gas. This fall, I look forward to introducing NEPA-reform legislation to improve the process and recognize we can move forward in an environmentally friendly way.

In Congress, I am working to offer real solutions, such as encouraging more investment in innovative energy technologies, supporting clean and safe access to petroleum resources off our nation's shores and on public lands, and promoting investment in renewable sources of energy. We must unleash American ingenuity.

Whether it is oil sands, wind, the development of clean liquid fuels from coal, biodiesel, hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear power or solar energy, all of these sources of energy decrease our dependency on foreign oil. They also create new markets, stimulate the work force and help contribute to American energy.

But none of it will happen overnight. It is time we start taking action to meet our growing energy needs with American energy — and "no" is not an answer.

Say Hey! The Dems Have Given Up on the WA 5th Congressional District!

A story in Sunday's Spokesman-Review reported how Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has raised over a million dollars so far, while her Democratic opponent, Spokane psychologist Mark Mays, has raised only $36,085. McMorris Rodgers has raised more than that on just the South Hill of Spokane. It's embarrassing.

$36,085? You can't run for the state House of Representatives on that kind of money, much less the U.S. Congress. McMorris Rodgers last opponent, rancher Peter Goldmark, who is now running for Commissioner of State Lands, is a darling of the netroots. He raised nearly $2.5 million in 2006, most of it from out of the district. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee designated the 2006 5th District election as one of their "Red To Blue" races. However, even though Goldmark outspent McMorris Rodgers by some $500,000, he got throughly spanked by 13%.

Now, apparently, the Dems have given up on Washington's 5th Congressional District. Rep. McMorris Rodgers, having solidly defended her seat after her freshman term, is only facing sacrificial lamb Mays this time around. It is an indication of how 5th District Dems view Mays' chances that the biggest contribution, $5,000 (14% of total contributions), has come from the state party.

In what promises to be a banner year for Democrats, with candidates nationwide grabbing Obama's coattails and the party with flush with lots of cash to throw around in once unassailble Republican districts (e.g. the Idaho 1st, with incumbent Rep. Bill Sali facing Walt Minnick) it is inexplicable why the Dems in Eastern Washington are not making a stronger run in 2008. Willie Mays has a better shot of getting elected to Congress than Mark Mays. I won't even get started on the weak Democratic candidates fielded in the 9th Legislative District and Whitman County.

"McMorris Rodgers: Farm Bill is veto-proof; Washington congresswoman was part of committee that struck balance between House, Senate versions"

I would like to hear some thoughts on the Farm Bill. There are quite a few Palousitics readers who are actively involved with agriculture. As you know, the new Farm Bill has been met with a firestorm of criticism from many on the right.

In any case, Rep. McMorris Rodgers is to be commended for serving the needs of her constituents.

From Saturday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

McMorris RogersU.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is confident Congress will override a veto of the Farm Bill if President George W. Bush stays true to his word and axes the current form of the legislation.

The Senate voted 81-15 to approve the five-year, $307 billion farm bill Thursday, while the House voted 318-106 in favor of the legislation Wednesday. McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington, said the bill's strong support gives it a veto-proof majority.

"If the president should veto the bill, the House and the Senate can override with two-thirds of the vote," she said.

Bush has said the measure is too expensive and gives too much money to wealthy farmers.

McMorris Rodgers said the bill does have its deficiencies - as any large bill would - but it does provide much-needed support for Palouse-area wheat farmers should the commodities market take a downturn.

"At the top of the list is the safety net it provides for Washington wheat growers," McMorris Rodgers said. "It provides them some certainty."

McMorris Rodgers said wheat farmers are benefiting from recent high prices, but average prices for wheat have been between $3.50 and $4 over the past 10 years. Farmers would no longer be able to support themselves if prices returned to those levels, considering rising fuel and fertilizer costs.

"There's no guarantees (these prices are) sustainable, and during times when prices are down it's important they have a safety net," McMorris Rodgers said.

The bill also includes other provisions to help wheat growers and other specialty crop farmers expand their markets, McMorris Rodgers said. That's welcome news to Washington wheat farmers who export roughly 80 percent of their crops.

The bill also has provisions for research money that could make its way to local universities.

"We will do our best to get some of it to Washington State University," she said.

McMorris Rogers was appointed to a Congressional committee in April with the sole purpose of ironing out differences between separate and differing versions of the Farm Bill passed by the House and Senate. That position allowed her to ensure the interests of Washington and the Palouse were represented.

"I was thrilled to be on the congressional committee and work to protect the interested of Washington growers," she said.

U.S. Rep. Bill Sali of Idaho also voted in favor of bill. In a news release, Sali praised the bill for its support of specialty crops that are important to Idaho agriculture, funding for pest and disease programs, and for its support of alternative fuels.

"While far from perfect, this bill happens to be very good for Idaho agriculture," Sali stated. "It is important that we create a sensible farm policy, so that we will never have a day when we speak of America's reliance on foreign food, the way we speak of America's reliance on foreign oil. A safe, abundant and diverse food supply is essential to our state and our country, and this measure will help ensure that Idahoans and all Americans enjoy high quality food and fiber in coming years."

Cathy Cares

Alex McGregor has a nice letter in this week's Gazette concenring Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and the Farm Bill:

The bountiful crops raised east of the Cascades are the results of hard work by dedicated farm families, outstanding people who’ve persevered through many lean years in a high risk, often low return enterprise. It was only a couple of years ago when a bushel of grain was worth less than a gallon of fuel—for the first time since the Great Depression. It is vital that these dedicated families have some “safety net” protection against wild swings in worldwide demand and production costs if they’re to endure in their essential trade.

As a new farm bill finally nears completion, we’ve been fortunate to have Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers serving on the Conference Committee that has been reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Cathy has played a vital role in ensuring Northwest farmers are here for the long haul and that our food supply stays strong.

Kudos to Cathy for understanding our needs here in Eastern Washington and for working hard to make sure the new farm bill reflects them. We’re lucky she’s been on the Conference Committee, but we’re even luckier she cares.

Alex McGregor, Colfax

Cathy really does care, and not just about farmers. This press release was issued yesterday:

McMorris Rodgers Announces New Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other members of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus held their first briefing. Today’s briefing marks the first official event of the bipartisan caucus since its launch last week.

McMorris Rodgers co-chairs the caucus. She and her husband Brian have a one-year-old son, Cole, who has Down syndrome.

“The news of Cole’s Down syndrome was at first difficult to get our arms around and we were eager to learn all we could,” McMorris Rodgers said. “I’m often asked how being a mother has changed my life and changed my priorities, and I can assure you that it’s all been for the better. I have a new passion and a new energy for everything that I do. We have every intention of doing everything possible to ensure Cole has every opportunity to reach his full potential. I believe the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus will be a vehicle to help bring this information to the forefront so all families of children and adults with Down syndrome can lead happy lives.”

There are more than 350,000 people with Down syndrome in the U.S., but past and current funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is disproportionately low when it comes to finding treatments and increasing understanding of secondary disorders that often afflict people with Down syndrome, like Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis.

Today, the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus held its first briefing on what research is being done at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH updated us on its 10-year research plan which calls for increased research on the medical, cognitive, and behavioral conditions that occur in people with Down syndrome.