Nethercutt to challenge Murray in ’04

[goobergunch]

Washington State congressman plans Senate bid against two-term Democrat
By Hans Nichols

Rep. George Nethercutt, a Spokane Republican, has decided to challenge two-term Democratic Sen. Patty Murray in a Washington state east-west Senate showdown.

Nethercutt declined to confirm his candidacy. But numerous sources close to the fifth-term congressman said that he has made a decision to seek the Senate seat next year.

There’s heated speculation in GOP ranks about when Nethercutt will make his announcement official. Sources say he has already informed the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Bush White House of his intention to run.

A formal announcement is believed to be set for late September or early October.

more...http://www.thehill.com/news/072903/nethercutt.aspx

[theHandpuppet]

1. Ouch!

Look out, Mr Nethercutt -- Ms Murray is about to kick your political self in its "nether-regions"!! :D

[Aristus]

2. I'm not worried. We have lots of good lefties west of the Cascades

who could wipe the floor with him. Anyway,I'm confident "Fighting Patty" Murray will keep her seat by a long shot.

[GainesT1958]

3. Given that guy's so GOOD about keeping his promises...

Like, for instance, term limits--included in that "Contract On America" he signed when he challenged Speaker Tom Foley in 1994--Patty Murray should have NO problem taking him down. Which would not only be great for Washington state as a whole, but for his district in particular! :D

B-)

[SeattleDem]

4. To quote our fearless leader: "Bring 'em on"

let's hope we get a good candidate to replace him in the House. This could work out well both the Senate and the House!

[KellyW]

5. This gives us a shot at his seat

He will be crushed. They only thing he is known for on this side of the state is breaking his term limit promise and campigning to pull the US out of the UN. BTW we have not electied a senator from the east since the 30s.

[AntiCoup2K4]

6. Senator DUNCECAP??

Yeah, right...... Not even electrofraud ballot machines can make that happen.

:dunce: <--------- Nethercutt

[jos]

7. Will be a tough race

I think Murray will win, but Nethercutt will give her a run. As much as I hate to say it, I've got to give Rove credit. He usually manages to get the candidate he wants to run.

[Lexingtonian]

9. Not really

Jennifer Dunn would have been a better candidate.

This looks like a normal 55 to 45 contest that never actually gets close. Nethercutt is probably bored of being in the House (you get the memo at 9 AM and vote the way DeLay wants you to at 10) and Rove needs someone to prop up W on the Washington ballot.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

8. Rove is going to be involved in this one

They think Murray is vulnerable.

We need to destroy Nethercutt.

[SeattleDem]

10. they will blast the airwaves with Murray's statement

at that school last year, in which she asked students to consider why bin laden has been "successful" in the Middle East. I can see the negative ads already... "Patty Murray says Osama builds day care centers...."

It might be ugly, but I don't think Nethercutt will win.