I've written a bit about this race before. Now, according to Charlie Cook (via Ben Smith), it turns out that it could be part of the plan for keeping the U.S. House of Representatives in Democratic hands:

Democratic strategists see a path to retaining their House majority.

To do so, they are aiming to pick off four seats held by Republicans, two open and two held by incumbents; then hold onto at least eight of their most endangered 16 open seats; and keep their incumbent losses down to less than 35.

Among those "most endangered 16 open seats" is the one being vacated by retiring Democratic Congressman Brian Baird right here in Washington State's 3rd District:

Next, Democrats are looking at their 16 most endangered open seats and think, based on their strong performances in special elections over the last 18 months, their worst case scenario would be to lose no more than eight of the districts held by the following: Reps. Charlie Melancon in Louisiana; Bart Gordon and John Tanner in Tennessee; Vic Snyder and Marion Berry in Arkansas; Brad Ellsworth in Indiana; Dennis Moore in Kansas; Paul Hodes in New Hampshire; Bart Stupak in Michigan; Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania; Alan Mollohan in West Virginia; Brian Baird in Washington; David Obey in Wisconsin; Bill Delahunt in Massachusetts; Patrick Kennedy in Rhode Island, and former Rep. Eric Massa in New York.

Check out who we're endorsing for the 3rd District's open seat in the coming issue of The Stranger.