I Couldn’t make it to today’s press conference where Safeco CEO Mike McGavick announced he’s forming an exploratory commitee re: running as the Republican candidate against Democratic U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell in 2006. But here are some good questions that the Dem war room is already circulating. I hope they got asked:

1) In 2001, you arrived at Safeco, laid off about 1200 employees, more  than 10% of your workforce. Then you took a $2 million bonus for the year. How do you explain that?

2) You’ve also said that it made good sense to send  jobs overseas. Is that a  record you think will help you if you run for Senate?


3) Do you think President Bush should fire Karl Rove?

4) What sort of Court nominee would you suggest to President Bush?

5) Were you strongly encouraged by the national party to run? Did you talk to Karl Rove? With President Bush? 

Meanwhile, here’s some good analysis from betterdonkey.org.