AP on Burner vs. Reichert
The dean of Washington State’s political press corps, David Ammons, today offers this long report on our state’s hottest Congressional race:
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington already has a heavily Democratic congressional delegation, but hungry national Democrats are hoping to pick up at least one more House seat here.They’re taking on The Sheriff, freshman Rep. Dave Reichert, in the increasingly independent 8th District east of Seattle. As President Bush’s poll ratings fall, Democrats say Reichert could be the most visible victim in Washington this year.
Ammons notes the “substantial buzz in the district and on liberal blogs” for Darcy Burner, Reichert’s Democratic challenger, and writes that if there’s a national pro-Democrat surge this fall, and if that surge is powerful enough to flip some swing districts into Democratic hands, “the textbook case could be the 8th.”
Republicans, of course, are downplaying that possibility:
“I predict we won’t see this sweep nationally … and that few districts are actually in play,” says state GOP Chairwoman Diane Tebelius.“Sure, people are unhappy and we realize it will be a tough year for the Republicans,” but strong candidates should trump that, she says.
Her prediction: All three GOP incumbents are returned to office and the GOP has a good shot at taking out Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen in the 2nd District.
And what do the political analysts say?
At the moment, independent analysts don’t see either the 8th or 2nd flipping, but say the possibility is strong enough to place on their watch lists.The Cook Political Report says the 8th should lean to Reichert and that Larsen is likely to win a new term. Congressional Quarterly likewise says both are favored. The Rothenberg Political Report has the closest prognosis for the 8th, calling it a toss-up, tilted Republican.
The big unknown, of course, is the strength of any Democratic tide. Analyst Charlie Cook says the current trend is “clear enough to make any Republican candidate or consultant reach for an airsickness bag,” with Democrats in their strongest position since 1992.
Nice plumb picking Eli. How often does the Stranger chearleading squad meet to practice for Burner? Do you have your practices in her campaign office?