2008

Gov. Chris GregoireA new Rasumussen Poll show Governor Chris Gregoire with a comfortable eleven point lead over her opponent, Republican Dino Rossi. The poll has Gregoire leading Rossi 52 percent to 41 percent. The last two Rasmussen snapshots, conducted in March and in February, showed statistical dead heats of 47-46, with Rossi leading in February and Gregoire on top in March.

The same pollster also shows Democrat Barack Obama leading Republican John McCain 51-40 in a presidential matchup here in the Evergreen State. This, too, is a marked increase for the Democrat from earlier polls.

Time's Mark Halperin, who runs their political website, The Page, unleashed his campaign season calendar highlighting what he predicts to be the most important dates in the presidential race. Worth noting for followers of Evergreen State politics is the final date on the calendar, Nov. 4, 2008. That's Election Day, on which he calls Washington one of 14 "states to watch."

Fourteen is too large a number to get terribly excited about, given that it puts Washington only in the top 30 percent of battleground states. But still, included in the same group are notorious win-or-go-home states as Ohio, Florida, Iowa and Pennsylvania.

In other words, get those hiking boots out. John McCain might just be coming back to the woods.

U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott has just endorsed Barack Obama for president. He is the last of Washington's elected superdelegates to pledge their support to a candidate for president and joins U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, Gov. Chris Gregoire, and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen in supporting the Illinois senator.

Here is what he had to say:

"I am proud to endorse Barack Obama today, because I believe he will bring us together to achieve the kind of change we need in this country moving forward. As Democrats, we are fortunate to have two very talented public servants running to be the nominee of our party, and I have great respect for Senator Clinton. But I believe now is the time to unite behind Barack Obama so we can be in the strongest place possible to win in November. Barack Obama has chosen to spend his career speaking out for those who need a voice and reaching across the aisle to bring change that matters in the lives of working families. I am confident that as president, Barack Obama will end the war in Iraq and bring our sons and daughters home, he will make universal health care a reality and he will restore our moral standing in the world. Barack Obama won the race in my home state by an overwhelming margin and I am thankful that so many new voters have become engaged because of the kind of campaign he has run, and I am happy to support him today."

The Seattle Times' David Postman is reporting that Rep. Rick Larsen, one of Washington's final remaining uncommitted elected superdelegates, will endorse Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

UPDATED: Larsen's office has just sent out a press release with his statements.

Larsen Pledges Super Delegate Vote to Obama

Everett, WA - Today U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), who will servenas a super delegate to the Democratic National Convention, endorsed BaracknObama for President of the United States of America. Larsen released thenfollowing statement:

"Today I am endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President. I believe Senator Obama is the best candidate to turn our country's hopes for a better future into reality.

"This week, Senator Obama has proven that he is tough and resilient. He has shown that he can take a pounding, come back and continue to communicate with the public to deliver his message of hope and change.

"In my district, Senator Obama has strong grassroots support. He has inspired and energized my constituents like no other candidate.

"I believe that Senator Obama will be the best President for our country. I have been particularly impressed by Senator Obama's truth-telling on a proposed gas tax policy - a proposal which would make little or no difference for Americans paying too much at the pump.

"Our country faces great challenges. As President, I believe that Barack Obama can unite our country to overcome obstacles and deliver real change."

 

 

Coming just days after the Indiana Democratic Senator and prominent Hillary Clinton supporter Evan Bayh advised his Hoosier State colleagues not to endorse any candidates despite his own actions, Washington state Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz is tacking a similar maneuver.

Yesterday the Times' David Postman mentioned a quote from Pelz in the NY Daily News where Pelz said, "It's time for us to end this. The candidates are tearing each other apart, and it's not good for the party. I think we need to have a candidate."

Washington State voters are at it again today, February 19, to decide on who they want to be their Presidential nominees for the Democratic and Republican Parties. A number of local papers have guides to who, what when and where. This might be particularly helpful in King and Pierce Counties, where some voting may be done at polling places. The rest of the state is mail-in only.