May 24, 2010 in News, City, Region

GOP source: Rossi to challenge Murray

Associated Press

Tags:Dino Rossipoliticssen. patty murray

OLYMPIA — A Republican official said Monday that Dino Rossi plans to enter the Washington state race against Democratic Sen. Patty Murray this week.

The official said that Rossi — a two-time candidate for governor — is hiring staff and is preparing to make his widely anticipated campaign official on Wednesday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private campaign plans.

Republicans had been courting Rossi and national Democrats have been criticizing him in hopes of keeping him out of the Senate race or rough him up by the time he’s officially in.

But Rossi has been in no rush to start campaigning ahead of the Aug. 17 primary. Complicating the GOP effort has been Sarah Palin’s endorsement of another GOP candidate, former football player Clint Didier.

The late start means Rossi will have to aggressively tap his supporters to raise the money needed to mount a viable campaign against Murray, who won her last campaign by a comfortable margin.

Rossi is best known politically as a runner-up, losing governor’s races to Democrat Chris Gregoire by a handful of votes in 2004 and a wider margin in 2008. But some recent polls have suggested a close race with Murray, and national Republicans have been recruiting Rossi for weeks.

Mary Lane Strow, a consultant of Rossi’s who was his spokeswoman in the 2004 race, refused to confirm or deny Rossi’s entrance into the race, other than saying that he would make some type of a statement midweek.

Murray was first elected to the Senate in 1992’s Year of the Woman. She ran that race as an unassuming “mom in tennis shoes” but has since climbed to the No. 4 spot on the Democratic leadership team. She faced a relatively weak Republican field before Rossi entered the race and had almost $6 million in her campaign account as of March 31.

As the state’s senior senator, Murray has aided powerful homegrown interests such as the Boeing Co., which is the state’s largest private employer. She also has delivered federal spending to all corners of the state and is known for a special focus on veterans’ issues.

“With every campaign Sen. Murray has ever run, she’s not worried about who’s running against her,” said spokeswoman Alex Glass. “She’s going to continue to do her job to get up and fight for working families of Washington state every single day.”

Democrats have been anticipating a Rossi campaign and began attacking his background in real-estate investment weeks before he officially entered the race.

48 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

ogdensk on May 24 at 2:44 p.m.
Can’t Dino just go way and lick his wounds.
misjustice on May 24 at 2:48 p.m.
Way to go Dino! Get rid of Murry & the rest of her curmudgeons. She’s been in there wwwaayyy to long.
PhiltheBibliophil on May 24 at 2:50 p.m.
Dino, who is slowly becoming a dinosaur may not be the answer, BUT Murray sure needs to go along with Gregwired! Sorry Dino, if you havn’t been blessed by Saint Sarah you have no hope!
gocougs10 on May 24 at 3:10 p.m.
Dino will get beat again.
MrNatural on May 24 at 3:10 p.m.
This insufferable businessman will not go away…he’s going to get my Eugster award for political twits if he turns out to be a three time looser…
Patty Murray fights well for Washington State, veterans and she has senate seniority…so naturally the perceived disenfranchised and perpetually malcontented will want to vote her out…I hope she wins…
reservedparking on May 24 at 3:23 p.m.
Cool.
He can do far less damage to us as 1 of 100 senators than he could as governor.
soccermomsusie on May 24 at 3:26 p.m.
Dino, you have our Tea Party vote! The way you were slammin’ Greece and France! Woo Hoo. Maybe somebody should tell those two countries about democracy. I don’t think they have ever heard of it. President Bush (the best) was right about France when he said they don’t have a word for Laissez Faire.
All to say those whiners protest whenever they think they are going to get their comeuppance from their betters - the corporations that God has given us to run our country. Frenchies think they are too good to follow God’s plan for their country.
At least, we here in the USA, especially us Tea Partiers, protest when government tries to impede our betters - the corporations. We are protesting for God’s plan - for our betters (rich people and corporations) to rule us. France doesn’t get it. And Greece will never understand democracy or anything about God. We are truly the Home of the Brave.
Go Dino! Keep talking the talk! Next ask to see Patty Murray’s birth certificate. How about using MurrayMedicine as a term like ObamaCare?
HEAR OUR VOICE!
Diana on May 24 at 3:43 p.m.
Yeah, Dino! You get the teabagger vote! All 18% of them!
WFaulkner on May 24 at 4:29 p.m.
Squishy Neocon Dino may get the money, but Didier has the TEA Parties and the rest of the grass roots.
bdr on May 24 at 4:30 p.m.
HAHA,,,,,,,,,,DINO DINO DEFICIT DINO,
HE DIDN’T EVEN NEED A DEPRESSION TO RUN DEFICITS.
UNDER THE THEN GOVERNOR Gary Locke
I SUPPOSE HES GETTING TIRED OF HE-AND EYEMANS LAWS BEING TORN TO SHREDS.
PhiltheBibliophil on May 24 at 4:43 p.m.
Sorry soccermomsusie, you sound like you’ve gotten way to much sun on the soccer field and suimmer hasn’t even started!
davidjskjonsby on May 24 at 5:36 p.m.
Dino - get a clue.
You are much better off selling used cars.
Pattty is our icon.
You will not get our Vet vote.
Take a reality check. Sit this one out.
maynard on May 24 at 5:41 p.m.
Before I make up my mind I want to know where Dino stands on the issues. Senator Patty Murray has been working hard for Washington State and Eastern Washington. Will Dino work just as hard or even harder for Washington?
misjustice on May 24 at 6:01 p.m.
Dino Rossi is like his name sake on the Flintstones cartoon; down Dino, down boy! He cracks me up, so I say run, Dino, run boy! It will make for an interesting race; Dino and Didier split the Teagagger’s vote, while Murray sweeps to v-i-c-t-o-r-y!
Note to soccermom; Greece invented democracy…and if it weren’t for the French, we’d all be speakin’ with a British accent. But hey, don’t let history influence your Texas textbook, home schooled, outlook on the world…I’d hate to confuse your mind with FACTS! ; )
rightwingextreme on May 24 at 6:02 p.m.
MAN THERE IS A LOT OF REALLY STUPID IGNORANT SOCIALIST FOOLS ON HERE!!! PATTY MURRY IS A FAT COW HELL BENT ON TAXATION AND SOCIALISM! SHE IS AS WORTHLESS AND CORRUPT AS GREGOIRE AND SHE IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT HAVE CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY HER AND MARIA CANTWELL WERE THE 2 VOTE THAT STOPPED ONE OF THE MOST COMMON SENSE BILLS THIS COUNTRY HAS SEEN!!! DINO ROSSI WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET TO THIS STATE AND WOULD DEFINATELY HELP TO GET THIS STATE BACK ON TRACK! IMPEACH THE PUKES!!!!!!!!
Albert on May 24 at 6:29 p.m.
Mr. Rossi is an absolute “no win” candidate. I despise Ms. Murray who is NOT pro-Vet as Mr. Natural believes. Based upon my personal experience with the VA, Ms. Murray did absolutely NOTHING to help in my fight. I did mention that I was a former financial contributor to her campaign did I not? If the dead-beat Senator will not help a dedicated financial supporter, then who in the world will she support? Mr. Rossi knew that the initial vote was contaminated by “dead” voters that Chrissy used to win her election. Despite this illegal election, his complete knowledge of these “dead” votes, Mr. Rossi did absolutely nothing. He could have won the election in court, but did not have the intestinal fortitude to fight for his rights. Why would anyone vote for a sure looser? At least Mr. Didier is a known fighter and very well could get Ms. Murray into retirement. Why waste our time with the Dino-soar?
Thayne on May 24 at 7:21 p.m.
soccermomsusie,
your screeching - oops voice - is as bad as the islamic religious zealots who prattle on with their narrow minded rhetoric. Too many of the corporations you speak so highly of such as- BP, Haliburton, Goldman Sachs etc etc, have only one goal, make money any way possible, even at the expense of every day citizens. They don’t pay taxes, destroy the environment and financial structure and then put their hand out to the taxpayer when their house of cards collapses. You remind me why being a “christian” is not all it’s cracked up to be. Dino Rossi must enjoy losing - he’s very good at it. So I hope the racist, offer no reasonable solutions teabuggers endorse him.
misjustice on May 24 at 7:36 p.m.
In defense of Senator Murray and to challenge accusations that she does not support Veterans I offer the following:
“Iraq and Veterans Affairs
Murray was the first woman named to the Veteran Affairs Committee and received an A+ rating from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in October 2008. http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=304169(13)http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=304169

She was an early, vocal critic of the Iraq war, voting against the use of force in 2002 because she said the government did not have a rebuilding plan. She has since supported legislation demanding that the military start withdrawing troops by 2008.
When Democrats faced accusations that a timeline would imperil troop safety, Murray wrote and passed a resolution stating that the Senate would not pass any legislation that would put troops in danger.
Murray has pushed for more money for veterans and the U.S. National Guard and prevented the closure of some veterans hospitals. She has also worked to improve the technology available to ailing vets, pushing the Defense Department to create a computer system that will enable them to track the complete medical history of veterans, even when they transfer between hospitals.
In 2007, Murray tried to add an additional $1 billion to a bill for veterans’ health care. Jim Nicholson, then the secretary of the Veterans Administration, testified that it was unnecessary. Republicans cut the measure from the bill. Then, several months later, the department announced it needed an additional $1.5 billion for operating expenses, prompting then-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) to announce “Murray was right.” Nicholson resigned soon after.”
http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Patty_Murray
spokanada on May 24 at 7:42 p.m.
Rightwingextreme, what school district did you come from? What happened in your life to create such hatred?
misjustice on May 24 at 7:44 p.m.
Dear soccermom:
Thank you for breeding and supplying us with the next generation of workerbees/drones for the corporate mandate; and or for the military-industrial-congressional complex. We welcome them as either fodder for corporate “accidents” or IEDs.
Love,
Halliburton/BP
spokanada on May 24 at 7:44 p.m.
@ soccermom, I thought your post was a joke. But by the looks of the commenters on here they think you were being serious. Were you trying to be serious with your post?
lewis8457 on May 24 at 8:36 p.m.
I voted for Dino for governor he would have done a far better job then Gregoire. In fact the voters of Washington showed how stupid they really are by re-electing Gregoire.
Murray is no different then Lisa Brown and Gregoire spend, spend, spend, is all they know how to do and the only way they know how to raise the cash is to tax.
It really shows the ignorance of the general public when they laugh and point fingers at a movement bent on stopping government over control. I wonder if the republican or democrat ideals were defined with structure right out of the gate, I would think not.
We as Americans like to judge and ridicule the people we don’t understand and for that we deserve the lying cheating thieves we call politicians.
I am surprised no one on this thread blamed this on Bush.
PoorSportsmansAlmanack on May 24 at 8:50 p.m.
Spokanada: Probably District #354. The district of choice for entitled ignoramuses and their children!
Dazzeetrader11 on May 24 at 8:50 p.m.
This St would be in much better shape if Gregoire[s people hadn’t stolen the first election Dino won. Further I’d bet Dino will be heavily supported in his run against Murray. I’d like to see someone with some ideas…fresh ones…..get this seat. Murray’s old and worn out thinking will only perpetuate what she’s already done…which is very little.
If she hasn’t done much in her multiple terms, she won’t do much now. She’s had her chance….time’s up.
Dino would be a refreshing, much needed change. Doesn’t matter if he lost the last one to this fraud governor….he can win against Murray. This is why such resistance has begun. I bet you so called “critics” of Mr Rossi don’t have a clue as to what his platform might be? Give it a chance…you might like it once you know about what his senate run is about.
New blood and new thinking is what this country and this state needs. Or are you still running against Bush (like most neanderthal libs are)? He’s long gone…Dino had nothing to do with him. Give the guy a look.
JBlim on May 24 at 10:32 p.m.
Lewis says:
“In fact the voters of Washington showed how stupid they really are by re-electing Gregoire.”
Well, that’s a little arrogant, don’t you think, Lewis?
I’m tired of all you phony “conservatives” who wasted all our future tax dollars on your war of choice in Iraq. Bush, as a matter of fact, doubled the national debt. How is that conservative?
Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman:
“… May 23, 2010, 6:52 pm
On Blaming Bush
Jonathan Chait has an item about the largely successful attempt not just to blame Obama for our current economic difficulties, but to “socially stigmatize” anyone who points out that most of the blame actually lies with his predecessor. Indeed. And may I point out that the sainted Reagan was still very much blaming Jimmy Carter for the economy’s troubles well past this point in his administration? (Not to mention that circa 2004 the Bushies were still trying to get the NBER to postdate the beginning of the 2001 recession back to Clinton.)
What Chait doesn’t point out, however, is that the idea that enough time has passed that we can’t blame Bush is especially wrong-headed given the nature of our problems. We’re in the aftermath of a financial crisis — and there’s overwhelming evidence (link-pdf) that recovery from financial crises is almost always protracted and difficult. There’s no way one should have expected everything to be fine until the Lehman failure lies years in the past. In fact, the return of job growth we’ve already seen is ahead of schedule compared with the historical average.
And one thing is clear: the financial crisis occurred on Bush’s watch. To demand that everyone let Bush off the hook for where we are now because 16 months have passed under his successor is to defy the overwhelming evidence of history….”
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/on-blaming-bush/
misjustice on May 24 at 10:48 p.m.
And defy it they will, JBlim… ie, “he’s long gone.”
PDCougar on May 24 at 11:13 p.m.
This will be a verrry interesting race this time. When Patty Murray was in Yakima in April (maybe the only time she’s been there in a couple of years) she had — and I counted these figures from the sidewalk across the street — about 15 people holding signs supporting her, and somewhere around 100 people PROTESTING her! Oddly, one of the local TV stations that night reported that the protestors outnumbered the supporters “by about two to one.”
18 years ago may have been “the year of the woman.” 2010 is the “year of removing the Obamacare-supporting incumbents.”
I’ve been telling people for a few months: I’ll vote for Clint in August. Then I’ll vote for Dino in November.
misjustice on May 24 at 11:24 p.m.
But aren’t Clint and Dino both running as Rs?
If Clint wins in the primary, you won’t be able to vote for Dino in the general; and vise versa…which ever R candidate wins the primary they will run against Murray in the general…
Dazzeetrader11 on May 24 at 11:39 p.m.
History does show Carter had interest rates in the 20%’s. Hard to argue he had to go. Obama is holding rates down by printing money….and taking over companies, banks, etc and proclaiming all is well….and some swill it up.
Murray agress with everything Obama says and does..even though Greece is a microcosm of what’s wrong. Retiremnt at 52, social handouts , huge unemployment,high taxes and of course all this has caused their Debt to be 123% of their GDP.
Few want to work because of the handouts…which aren’t free as they lose their country. This past Saturday, the government raised the retirement rate to 62 yrs and alll that did was cause a huge rush to retire before the law changes. Unemployment in the 20-35 yr old groups in right at 30%…so the government is being forced to tighten un unemployment benefits. That age group’s solution?..move to another country so they can live without working. Doesn’t this show something? If social handouts become the rule, the country goes broke but the citizens have no thought of curing what ails. “Just gimme more and I’ll elect you”.
Obama faces the dilemma. His solution is partly to legalize new voters (guess who?) so they’ll vote him in again. Won’t happen to him and won’t happen to Murray. About all that’ll work is to close the borders, keep jobs home for the taxpayers and cutoff the riff raff who milk the system. Of course closing out those wars he promised would end might help too. But..nahhhh….he wouldn’t do that or honor any other promise he made. Health care for ALL!! Won’t happen….and why? He’s out of money to run the country. Murray and her ilk have allowed this to happen and voted for it.
Time to tighten things up. We need someone who will do just that. Murray won’t. Dino will. Remember this in November. We cant afford the Jimmy Carter libs anymore. The countryis crashing and some of you yell for MORE! Socialism is fine till the guys who pay extra taxes run out of money and stop hiring. November is the cutoff for this insanity. Bush was a democrat when it came to spending. The next GOP guy won’t be. Dino Rossi deserves his chance. 70% of the voters know the country is on the wrong track by every poll imaginable. November….
Mr_Bloggy on May 25 at 3:20 a.m.
Dino holds a special place in the angry hearts of Wa state Repugs, angry as heck that Christine out-maneuvered the GOP and out-Bushed poor Rossi and stole that election. It infuriates them to this very day. Even the Dems have let go of Bush robbing Gore back in 2000 but these guys just can’t stop fuming.
It is why Rossi will lose once again. He’s forever id’d as the one GOP candidate in the galaxy who got an election stole by a Demo back in those ugly days early in the millenium.
So, the same old disgruntled yahoos will get this mope nominated and once again that oily scammer of a politician, Dino Rossi, will get creamed.
Pat O'Leary on May 25 at 5:46 a.m.
Dino will continue his record of losing to women who are far more intelligent than he. Of course this is assuming he can get past Sarah Sleddog’s “annointed one”…which is a big maybe.
JBlim on May 25 at 6:41 a.m.
Daisy opines:
“History does show Carter had interest rates in the 20%’s. Hard to argue he had to go.”
Carter saved the day by appointing Paul Volcker to Fed. Volcker did what needed to be done to break the back of inflationary expectations that was ruining the country. It wasn’t politically popular but it was a true profile in courage. We all owe our thanks to Jimmy Carter for putting country first.
Reagan tripled the federal deficit. We’re still paying it back.
WillyPeter on May 25 at 6:56 a.m.
Bottom line is - Dino must find a way to beat the King County Election’s Office if he expects to win any state-wide election.
misjustice on May 25 at 9:11 a.m.
What does Carter have to do with a Senate race? Dazee doesn’t miss a chance to froth at the mouth and ramble on, off thread…thank goodness she can’t vote here!
MrNatural on May 25 at 11:10 a.m.
Opinions like fingerprints vary
Voicing support to contrary
From frothing intensely
To trail-offs immensely
The topic divergences parry
Dazzeetrader11 on May 25 at 11:12 a.m.
Well…the facts that Carter was a peanut farmer with no experience seems to be lost on Blim. Incontrovertible that Reagan saved the country from the liberal Democrats or Socialism would have set in back then. It’s useless to banter with Blim since he cannot remember the facts…but is more than happy to revise history.
Once again Msj confirms that she cannot put 2 and 2 together but is happy to chirp away as a pretender to thought…any thought…doesn’t matter. Perhaps a reading course or a logic course might help. Try this on for size: Carter killed the country with free spending and mass debt ( Murray) and a conservative ( Dino) will be required to correct this mayhem.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/income/2010-05-24-income-shifts-from-private-sector_N.htm
Which leads to this:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
And this answers the key question Obama puts forth every day: “How do you like me now?” As inexperienced as it gets. Carter had run a 2nd rate( back then) state. Obama…what’s he done again to merit the presidency? Don’t waste time on thinking…the answer is “ZERO” and now it’s beginning to manifest. November. Dino…November….repeat after me..”Dino..November”.
MrNatural on May 25 at 1:06 p.m.
Interesting site Daisy especially the Rasmussen Report. I liked it. Still be careful how much stock you put into opinion polls. These polls reflect more the mob mentality at a certain time rather than individual intellectual thought. That said it would seem by your logic where experience matters then Patty Murray would be the best choice of Senator as opposed to Dino Rossi who has very limited governmental experience.
I have always found that it is easier to criticize government than it is to run it… regardless of the party or candidate once in office the burdens and constraints affect that candidate idealism into brutal realism.
Personally I think Patty Murray has shown leadership, wisdom and effectiveness over her tenure especially within the political environment she has had to work in….but that’s just my opinion :)
Dazzeetrader11 on May 25 at 2:10 p.m.
Any idea what she’s done in her 12 years? Clinton, Bush and now Obama…what’s she done? How did her “leadership, wisdom and effectiveness” manifest in each of those administrations cited?
That is always a better question. Look around you. That’s what shes done. Links above is what she’s partipated in. She’s had 2 Dem admin to work with. Ask yourself what’s she’s done. It’s apparent.
Dino Rossi is a conservative financial wizard who has worked in the private sector and knows how to manage. He a very honest man. He might deserve a chance. If it’s Murray on the other side, Dino Rossi will get my money.
MrNatural on May 25 at 2:23 p.m.
Here ya go Daisy:
http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Awards
look at the Awards link…regardless we can agree to disagree
Dazzeetrader11 on May 25 at 4:24 p.m.
I agree…we can and we WILL. I like the awards. The question remains though: What has she done? What bills has she sponsored and passed?
Awards are nice but they’re from the rinky dink associations she’s snagged some money for. Of Course they’ll honor her! It’s the money!
Mr Nat…what has she done???? As best I can tell, it’s nothing but get photo ops with Obama. List of bills, etc would make me like her more. TAX and SPEND is what’s gotten the US into this mess. It was bad before because of Bush’s profligate spending. Obama has made it worse.
Read the financial reform bill where he allegedly stand up to Wall St ( I love Wall St by the way)…..he gives those pirates everything. He’s just a show horse. Looks fine..gives a speech that put us girls in a swoon. Then he does nothing….except raise taxes and give handouts.
She’s (Murray) the same. We need a conservative to work out this mess. November is the time!
Dazzeetrader11 on May 25 at 4:34 p.m.
This just in: New CBS poll:
“The discontentment is tied to widespread dissatisfaction with Washington economic policy. Just 13 percent say Mr. Obama’s economic programs, among them the massive economic stimulus package, have helped them personally. Eighteen percent say they have hurt, while two in three say there has been no effect.”
Looks like DIno is a reasonable choice. Dems has simply fallen in lockstep with Obama. Obviously the country is unhappy with the spending. Murray has just followed the leader. Rossi won’t.
JBlim on May 25 at 4:53 p.m.
Daisy blubbers:
“Well…the facts that Carter was a peanut farmer with no experience seems to be lost on Blim…”
What facts are those?
Carter had as much experience as Reagan, they were both governors.
then you say “Incontrovertible that Reagan saved the country from the liberal Democrats or Socialism would have set in back then…”
That is not incontrovertible to anyone but a partisan nitwit.
PDCougar on May 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Responding to the question “misjustice” asked me: I’m voting for Clint in August to voice my support for him to run for office again and help make him a viable candidate in the media’s eyes for the future, because I think he’ll be outpolled by both Dino and the Peppermint gal. And, actually, it -is- technically possible (though VERY unlikely in our state) that both Dino and Clint would end up as the two finalists for November (with Murray completely out of the picture), due to the very weird “top two primary” rule that got imposed on our state a couple of years ago.
misjustice on May 26 at 7:19 p.m.
Mr. Natural, the Bard of the S-R Blogs; once again, you made me smile…thanks for the prose! ; )
eagleproducer on May 29 at 10:19 a.m.
msJ: I’d re-read soccermomsusie’s commentary… I am pretty certain “she” is being sarcastic. Put down the attack quill once is awhile and read carefully?
On to Dino:
You’re once, twice, three times a loser….
eagleproducer on May 29 at 10:21 a.m.
PDcougar: That top two primary system wasn’t imposed on Washington. It was the result of moronic and uninformed voters like yourself.
misjustice on May 29 at 5:34 p.m.
@spoketucky, not so sure about soccermom; she generally writes/responds to similar threads with similar posts and ALWAYS ends with HEAR OUR VOICE…think she’s a bona fide Gagger!
Anyways, I don’t tell you to chill and as there is a lil’ something called the 1st Amendment would appreciate the same consideration, you don’t have to agree with me, just don’t criticize my ‘reading’/ response; we are all entitled to our take on what we chose to respond to, even Lazee Dazee…
eagleproducer on May 31 at 8:59 a.m.
Dazee: Reagan increased the deficit ten times the rate it was growing under Carter. He didn’t save the country from anything and any “prosperity” during his administrations was the result of deficit spending financed by STEALING from Social Security. His involvement with Iran/Contra was felonious and his last days should have been spent drooling in a prison cell.