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News & ArtsTuesday, February 2, 2010
Politics Rossi for Senate? Pollster Says Dino Would Beat Patty
Posted by Will Kelley-Kamp on Tue, Feb 2, 2010 at 12:40 PM
If the election were held today, according to Portland pollster Bob Moore, twice-defeated Republican Dino Rossi would beat three-term Senator Patty Murray. Rossi, who was defeated in the governor's race by Chris Gregoire in 2004 and 2008, hasn't shown interest in the race publicly, but with these kind of numbers, you can expect area GOP activists to ask the former state senator and commercial real estate salesman to consider it. So far Rossi isn't tipping his hand:
Rossi told POLITICO that he has “no plans to run for any office at this point.” He said he hadn’t known he was going to be tested in the poll, and he hadn’t discussed the results with his family.“I’ve been through a couple of long, drawn-out races already here in Washington. I kind of like having dinner with my family,” Rossi said.
But he didn’t completely rule out a campaign either. “I never say never,” said Rossi. He said he hadn’t been contacted yet by anyone from D.C. encouraging him to run.
The pollster involved, Moore Insight, has just recently given a boost to Rossi fans. In the fall of 2009, Moore re-ran the 2008 election contest and found that if the 2008 election has been run a year later, Rossi would have won.
Don't expect complacency from Washington's senior Senator; in 2004, Murray steamrolled a veteran congressman from Eastern Washington, Rep George Nethercutt. Rossi has never tried his hand at federal office, where the dynamics on abortion politics are even tougher than they are on state level. (There would be no way for Rossi to say that he's "not running for Supreme Court," which was his response to abortion questions during 2004 campaign. Senators get to vote on Supreme Court nominees, after all.)
There are two GOP candidates in the race—one is a former jock and farmer from Pasco, the other a "motivational speaker." If Rossi were to run against Murray, he would be a formidable opponent, and a plausible alternative should voters sour on Democrats in a big way in 2010.
1
Man - they're going to run Dino Fucking Rossi for everything until he's finally elected for something, aren't they?
3
If the Democrats in Congress don't shape up their act, they will lose, regardless of who the Republicans put up to run. Democrats don't "deserve" to win and they don't "deserve" any votes. If the Democrats and Obama continue to insist on ignoring the millions of people who voted them into office to make change, then they will lose more. You can only blame Republicans for so much (unless you're a hardcore Democratic Nazi who supports the party no matter what they do).
4
Oh, fuck, oh fuck oh fuck. Murray's an outstanding senator. Rossi doesn't have a fucking clue, and even if he did he won't be allowed to do anything with it for about 12 years thanks to the way the senate works. These dipshits are going to destroy America.
Will, is that one of your "action phrases that work"? So hard to tell with you. Ganja is going to attract a lot of conservatives voting no to the polls too, you know.
Will, is that one of your "action phrases that work"? So hard to tell with you. Ganja is going to attract a lot of conservatives voting no to the polls too, you know.
5
I don't think people should just assume Dino is running. Rossi was also on polls against Cantwell back in 2005 that showed him above her, he was at the height of popularity in the post election contest aftermath. Elizabeth Dole head of the NRSC was asking him to run and he wouldn't. Also Rep. Nethercutt being from Eastern Washington had little name id in the Puget Sound. I wouldn't compare him to Rossi who has state wide id which is the only reason Rossi's name is being used in the poll. And there are more than 2 candidates running as Republican in this race, Clint Didier, Sean Salazar, Chris Widener, and Dr. Arthur Coday. Also should mention Rep. Dave Reichert who has said he hasn't ruled out running against Patty.
6
Will:
Do a bit of background research. Moore is the Northwest's leading Republican pollster, has worked for both Slade Gorton and Dino Rossi.
Long ago, with Gorton challenged by Democrat Brock Adams, Moore had Slade 20 points AHEAD in advance of the primary. The two men ended up running even, and Adams went on to victory in November.
It's kind of like that mysterious outfit Strategic Vision -- lately criticized as not on the up-and-up -- that produced a succession of figures showing Chris Gregoire about as popular as the Wicked Witch of the West.
The Stranger should not let itself be used by such folk.
Do a bit of background research. Moore is the Northwest's leading Republican pollster, has worked for both Slade Gorton and Dino Rossi.
Long ago, with Gorton challenged by Democrat Brock Adams, Moore had Slade 20 points AHEAD in advance of the primary. The two men ended up running even, and Adams went on to victory in November.
It's kind of like that mysterious outfit Strategic Vision -- lately criticized as not on the up-and-up -- that produced a succession of figures showing Chris Gregoire about as popular as the Wicked Witch of the West.
The Stranger should not let itself be used by such folk.
7
I call bullshit.
This is a slanted poll by a partisan pollster. Murray will waltz to victory against Rossi or anyone else the Republicans put up against her. While I disagree with a number of her positions, she provides solid constituent service, her votes are in line with what the majority of Washingtonians support, she's a powerful senator in the DC hierarchy and is a fundraising dynamo. And she's also one of the luckiest damned politicians ever - starting with her running against Brock Adams when no one else even considered taking him on. Then the Times broke that little story about him being Mr. Rufie.
Power, money, luck. Like her or not, Murray is going to be in office for a long, long time.
This is a slanted poll by a partisan pollster. Murray will waltz to victory against Rossi or anyone else the Republicans put up against her. While I disagree with a number of her positions, she provides solid constituent service, her votes are in line with what the majority of Washingtonians support, she's a powerful senator in the DC hierarchy and is a fundraising dynamo. And she's also one of the luckiest damned politicians ever - starting with her running against Brock Adams when no one else even considered taking him on. Then the Times broke that little story about him being Mr. Rufie.
Power, money, luck. Like her or not, Murray is going to be in office for a long, long time.
8
This poll is bullshit from a Republican pollster known for bullshit.
Senator Murray is a popular senator with over $4 million cash on hand. We just voted against an anti tax measure and we are the first state to vote for expanding rights to gays and lesbians. Even if Democrats are depressed they will still send in an all mail ballot.
Rossi is a conservative partisan who has lost twice statewide to Gregoire, who excites her base a lot less than Murray.
If Rossi gets in (at this very late date), he will be slaughtered.
Senator Murray is a popular senator with over $4 million cash on hand. We just voted against an anti tax measure and we are the first state to vote for expanding rights to gays and lesbians. Even if Democrats are depressed they will still send in an all mail ballot.
Rossi is a conservative partisan who has lost twice statewide to Gregoire, who excites her base a lot less than Murray.
If Rossi gets in (at this very late date), he will be slaughtered.
9
Will, don't be such a tool. This is stupid horse-race political reporting where you become a mouthpiece for political operatives. You can do better. At one point The Stranger was about investigation and shedding light on something new. Don’t be so lazy. It's no wonder Publicola is becoming the leader in local political reporting.
11
I heard Rossi talk in person, and there's something aloofly cagey about the guy. I don't think he would do very well. Mike McGavick had a more cross-over appeal with Democrats than Rossi, and he couldn't defeat Cantwell in 2006..
12
Patty is one of the toughest campaigners in this state. Rossi has only succeeded as much as he has by refusing to actually take a stand on anything. Eastern Washington adores the guy, but he will never win Seattle, and he will never win a statewide race without Seattle. Seattle is still the 500-pound gorilla (500,000 voter gorilla) of state politics.
13
Oh, and take a look at Moore Insight's client list sometime. They're almost exclusively Republicans. Moore does polls favorable to Republicans.
14
I don't think so...Dino BOMBED in the last governor's race and Patty is a well-liked incumbent in a largely blue state...
It's ONE poll and not from a well-known pollster...take with a big grain of salt.
It's ONE poll and not from a well-known pollster...take with a big grain of salt.
15
in reality, I think Rossi only appeals to the ritzier burbs...the urban areas don't like him and the rural areas don't trust him cause he's too slick...and you can't win the state by winning parts of the Eastside of Lake Washington...also, the whole taint of failure in not beating the not very popular Gregoire.
17
This is just more of the Right's typical "if we keep saying it long enough and loud enough - then it MUST be true!" wishful thinking.
Rossi couldn't get elected dogcatcher in a state-wide contest.
Rossi couldn't get elected dogcatcher in a state-wide contest.
18
Damn you Comte! I was just about to say Rossi could run for dogcatcher and finally achieve his goal of 3 time Loser.
Patty's got really nothing to worry about, its Maria who I would like to see defeated, her early on lollygagging when so many thousands of us were calling and writing early on in the healthcare debate has helped get us where we are now, I am DONE.
(no offense to any potentially out of work King Co, animal control officers.)
Patty's got really nothing to worry about, its Maria who I would like to see defeated, her early on lollygagging when so many thousands of us were calling and writing early on in the healthcare debate has helped get us where we are now, I am DONE.
(no offense to any potentially out of work King Co, animal control officers.)
19
Gregoire is the one I'd worry about the most, out of the three. If she decides to rerun as gov, I don't think she'll win.
Not that anything normal has turned out in recent elections, so we'll see about Murray's chances too. Remember that NYC Mayor Bloomberg ran a multi-billion dollar campaign to rerun as NYC mayor over his opponent, and he nearly lost. People are going out of their way to vote against Big Establishment for the worst reasons.
Will In Seattle drives a truck.
Not that anything normal has turned out in recent elections, so we'll see about Murray's chances too. Remember that NYC Mayor Bloomberg ran a multi-billion dollar campaign to rerun as NYC mayor over his opponent, and he nearly lost. People are going out of their way to vote against Big Establishment for the worst reasons.
Will In Seattle drives a truck.
20
I hope either Reichert or McMorris decides to take a run at Patty - she's made it a tradition to beat a Republican Congressperson like a drum every six years.
21
ANYBODY would be better than Patty Murray - I'm praying the republicans take this seat and restore common sense in DC.
22
I thought there were at least two other candidates against Murray--the doctor (Coday?), and one other.
23
Dino in 2010? I think the whole country is getting tired of lefty libs who want to take control of other people's wealth, and too-far-right Republicans who want to control people's bodies and marriages.
Dems who want to get elected had better start realizing that you do not create jobs by increasing taxes on business. Republicans who want to get elected had better realize that this country was founded on the promise of liberty (not just economic - personal as well).
The GOP could win Murray's seat if they find a super successful Seattle or Spokane businessman to run who has actually created a lot of jobs, but is also socially liberal.
Dems who want to get elected had better start realizing that you do not create jobs by increasing taxes on business. Republicans who want to get elected had better realize that this country was founded on the promise of liberty (not just economic - personal as well).
The GOP could win Murray's seat if they find a super successful Seattle or Spokane businessman to run who has actually created a lot of jobs, but is also socially liberal.
24
The problem with the progressive meallymouths on this blog is that they're terrified Rossi will win. Be afraid, very very afraid, because the polls are usually very accurate. Patty Murray, the washington insider, is at the end of her rope. She crammed the healtch care bill down the throats of our economy validating how damaging it and she will become, she takes big money to feed her socialist agenda, she supports Cap and Tax, a senseless money grab for Al Gore. She is merely a rank and file socialist. In fact, the progressives admit being socialist, they admit thier desire to kill conservatives, they love anarchy, they justify policical change through thier climate zealous delusions of grandeur. They opose immigration law and the lawlessness that has left families in our state raped, murdered and robbed, and worst of all, Patty Murray supports giving sexual stimulants to pedophiles. And most painfully to any state, she supports our racist president. The progressive violence is just getting worse. The progressives have bitten off more then they can chew.
Rossi will take her apart. America doesnt want the socialists of washington state to bury them financial and politically.
Rossi will take her apart. America doesnt want the socialists of washington state to bury them financial and politically.
25
Well said, River!
Rossi will win this election and everyone who insists he'll lose will taste the bitter disappointment of losing an election. We need someone who's going to set this state right and help lower the unemployment rates as well as fight the unconstitutional Health Care plan Obama set in place.
People who support Murray like living blind lives. She basically handed the key to the shackles of sexual predators. She turned them loose. Obviously they don't know what it's like to be molested or for their kids or family members to be molested; if they did they wouldn't want Murray in office. No sane morally-driven person would. But maybe that's the problem; no one's morally driven anymore. They just want the easy way out of things, no matter how bad the easy way makes things.
Also, if there is a cheating recount this time that causes Rossi to lose to a bunch of FAKE votes pulled out of someone's ass again there's sure to be a HUGE upset this time. Republicans won't take the cheating sitting on their hands this time.
Rossi will win this election and everyone who insists he'll lose will taste the bitter disappointment of losing an election. We need someone who's going to set this state right and help lower the unemployment rates as well as fight the unconstitutional Health Care plan Obama set in place.
People who support Murray like living blind lives. She basically handed the key to the shackles of sexual predators. She turned them loose. Obviously they don't know what it's like to be molested or for their kids or family members to be molested; if they did they wouldn't want Murray in office. No sane morally-driven person would. But maybe that's the problem; no one's morally driven anymore. They just want the easy way out of things, no matter how bad the easy way makes things.
Also, if there is a cheating recount this time that causes Rossi to lose to a bunch of FAKE votes pulled out of someone's ass again there's sure to be a HUGE upset this time. Republicans won't take the cheating sitting on their hands this time.
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