Spokane7
67°
November 5, 2010 in City
Murray secures Senate victory
Rossi concedes as counting extends incumbent’s lead
Democrat Patty Murray won a fourth term in the U.S. Senate, building a lead of nearly 50,000 votes over Republican rival Dino Rossi as counting continued Thursday.
Faced with a near mathematical impossibility of catching her even though hundreds of thousands of votes remain to be counted, Rossi conceded Thursday evening.
Murray built a victory on strong support in King County and other areas around Puget Sound. She made appeals to veterans, aircraft workers and women as she turned back Rossi’s criticism of her use of earmarks.
She was proud of her support of Democratic initiatives like health care reform and financial regulation. He advocated scaling back the former and repealing the latter.
Early in the year, Murray was considered a near lock to retain her seat. But Rossi entered the campaign in May, crowding out some of the early GOP hopefuls and eventually beating tea party favorite Clint Didier in the primary.
As the race tightened, Democratic stars Barack and Michelle Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton made trips to the state to campaign. The national political parties and independent groups weighed in with millions of dollars of advertising that filled the airwaves, and the race became the closest of Murray’s career.
By Thursday afternoon news organizations around the state began to call the race for Murray. Rossi issued a statement at 6:15 p.m., saying he had called Murray to congratulate her, and conceding the contest.
“I ran for the Senate because I believe we need a basic course correction from where Washington, D.C., has been taking us and to make sure this country is as free, as strong and as prosperous in the future as it has been in the past to preserve the best of America for future generations,” he said in the prepared statement. “That was a message that found a very receptive audience all across this state, though not quite receptive enough.”
Because ballots in Washington state must only be postmarked by Election Day, ballots will continue to arrive at county elections offices for days, or in some cases more than a week.
Like most counties, Spokane County tallied ballots Thursday, and, like the U.S. Senate race, local races that are close got a bit farther apart. But in each case it was Republican challengers gaining distance from Democratic incumbents.
Al French increased his lead over Spokane County Commissioner Bonnie Mager to 1,791 votes, up from 1,471 votes on Wednesday.
Rob Chase increased his lead over County Treasurer Skip Chilberg to 1,354 votes, up from 1,063 votes on Wednesday.
John Ahern increased his lead over State Rep. John Driscoll in Spokane’s 6th Legislative District to 1,759 votes, up from 1,617 votes on Wednesday.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on November 05 at 5:35 a.m.
Thanks again to the Didier voters that sat this one out…. gus
Marksman on November 05 at 6:35 a.m.
Congrats Seattle on sending the “dumbest person in the Senate” back for 6 more years. You get the government you deserve.
JBlim on November 05 at 6:47 a.m.
Ouch. Sour grapes from sore losers? Yeah, let’s get some of your “smart” guys back in charge like George Bush who destroyed the economy, started two unnecessary and unfunded wars and doubled the Federal debt to give tax cuts to billionaires.
Diana on November 05 at 7:04 a.m.
If Dino is so smart why has he been rejected by the voters in Washington three times? Could be he’s just a loser.
hawken on November 05 at 7:25 a.m.
Deeply disappointed by not surprised.
Chicago and Massachusetts have the good sense to replace their liberal left U.S. Senators with a Republican….. Not Seattle.
JBlim on November 05 at 7:31 a.m.
It’s all part of God’s plan, hawken. Who are you second guessing?
soccermomsusie on November 05 at 7:37 a.m.
Well, I would like the money back that I wasted on the miraculous teardrops of John Boehner. They smelled like gin and when I rubbed them on the computer screen, they did not get Dino elected but only left an orangey hue.
This is a very sad morning. Dino, Dino, Dino….
At least John Ahern and his O’Malley Militia, Waterford Warriors, Alderwood Maniacs and Maplewood Guardians are poised to wave their canes in victory. Hopefully “Dreamy Eyes” Ahern doesn’t get lost on his way to the inauguration like he did on his way to the debates with Driscoll.
Dino, listen to me. Maria Cantwell is in your sights and if that doesn’t work out Queen Gregoire will be next and before you know it Patty Murray will be back again. DON’T GIVE UP!!!! REMEMBER THE BEST PRESIDENT EVER - GWB - HAD 3 DWIs AND GOD’S PLAN STILL BECAME MANIFEST!!!!
Keep the faith!!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
drywitt99 on November 05 at 7:47 a.m.
And voters across the nation had the good sense to say NO to the loony teabaggers!!
O’Donnell
Buck
Miller
Angle
Tancredo
Paladino
Iott
And they said NO to wealthy Republican women who attempted to buy their way into office!!
McMahon
Whitman
Fiorina
Yes, it was a VERY good day for Republicans.
But it could (SHOULD) have been better.
But the Party of Lincoln allowed itself to be compromised by the far right crazies who believe the US Constitution has only one amendment…….the one that permits them to take arms against the duly elected government.
The racists who so object to a black man being elected president, that they spin a web of LIES to discredit him.
He’s a socialist……he’s not an American……he’s a Muslim…….he wants to impose Islamic law on the United States.
Yes, the American people were angry and frightened.
And the Republican party succumbed the the lies and hatred of the teabaggers to what they assumed would be a clean sweep in the election.
But they were wrong.
Yes, the Republicans have control of the House.
Enjoy it.
You’ll only have it for 2 years.
eagleproducer on November 05 at 7:48 a.m.
Senator Brown from Mass. voted for their state health care program. Anyone in the GOP in that state must remain moderate or will be relegated to the dust bin of aslo rans like Rossi. Not so in this great bastion of liberalism Washington where Chatty Cathy and other empty suits can simply blather the words to the company song every two years and idiotic minions will “flock” to fill in the circles next to names with the big “R” next to them.
drywitt99 on November 05 at 7:53 a.m.
susie,
The voters heard your voice.
They just couldn’t believe the insanity you were spouting!!
Senator Patty Murray.
I sure like the sound of that!!!!
eagleproducer on November 05 at 7:54 a.m.
hawken: Look at per capita income in Seattle compared with Spokane. Look at average educational attainment. Spokane and the whole state would be screwed without the educated liberals on the west side of the state providing the revenue for your schools, roads, etc. Are you ready to pay your own way over here? Until you CAN pay your own way, shaddddduuuupppp! On average liberals are better educated and make more money. You are just jealous and your attitude reeks of penis envy.
Doc Hastings was re-elected for like the 20th time in central washington. Anyone drove around his district lately? Live poor and vote rich.
hawken on November 05 at 8:00 a.m.
Here you go Spoketucky:
Quote: Boston Globe
“MASSACHUSETTS HAS been lauded for its healthcare reform, but the program is a failure. Created solely to achieve universal insurance coverage, the plan does not even begin to address the other essential components of a successful healthcare system….”
“…Massachusetts healthcare reform fails on all five Institute of Medicine criteria. Congress should not make it a model for the nation.”
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/02/mass_healthcare_reform_is_failing_us/
maria on November 05 at 8:30 a.m.
Here, here now, make yourselves a Bloody Hell Mary for breakfast and you’ll feel better.
http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/a/S/2/neo-con-tears.jpg
james_l on November 05 at 8:57 a.m.
So, the lesson to be learned from the article hawken cited above is that the reason the Massachusetts healthcare reform isn’t successful, according to the author of this OP ED piece, is that it doesn’t go nearly far enough toward socialized medicine.
Thanks for the article!
bdr on November 05 at 9:19 a.m.
I am a serial liberal voter and I’m happy Washington agrees with that sanity vote as well as the richest of all Bill Gates and his family team that devotes 8 hrs a day to philanthropy.
We believe a vote for Patty is a step closer to the constitution term: (one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all)
Verse Rossi’s belief of divided with justice for ONE
I imagine a day poor people like Joyce (turtle lady) on pines wont have to drag her bags daily to Millwood to beg for food or medication to treat her imaginary ghosts.
Thank-you all who voted for Patty!
MrNatural on November 05 at 9:21 a.m.
LOL!!! thanks Maria
Congrats Senator Murray!
Dazzeetrader11 on November 05 at 11:15 a.m.
She’s very much out of step with most of Washington St.
Cut it any way you want Dry, Dems got creamed…do some math if you can. Huge landslide victory for the R’s.
Obama will be gone.Senate will be owned by the R’s again. Obama ….no matter what he seems to say…is really saying he didn’t communicated well…not that his program is a socialist disaster. Without a forestated goal or two…has anyone wondered why he’s taking 3000 people, 40 planes and 30 warchip to India with a bill of well above $1.5 billion? Can’t be a “‘victory” tour. He is simply abusing the taxpayers in a period when the taxpayers are angry over his policies and his spending.
He should go on vacation. The “peacock presidency” is over.
It’ll get worse too.R’s will shut down the profligate spending. His crazy healthcare bill…which he never read…but signed..will be unfunded 90%.
Giggle while you can. The experiment in socialism is over.
rawbertb on November 05 at 11:22 a.m.
Gee…and it didn’t take three recounts till the Democrats got a total they liked.
misjustice on November 05 at 11:46 a.m.
“…has anyone wondered why he’s taking 3000 people, 40 planes and 30 warchip to India with a bill of well above $1.5 billion? ” (Math challenged? It’s going to cost 1 1/2 billion to go to India?)
No, Daisy. But I do wonder why the Rs are so bent about President Barack Hussein Obama going to India but they couldn’t care less about the American jobs that Trans National Corporations shipped to India?
hawken on November 05 at 11:51 a.m.
Here are the simple…. blatant…. indisputable facts…
1- You on the liberal left, just experienced the greatest blood bath in over 100 years of American history, in a mid-term election.
2- The Democrats tell the Republicans to “come along for the ride, but,,,,,, take a seat in the back of the bus.” …when they control the Senate, House and White House…. and then fail dismally!
3- When Democrats lose control, they screech “compromise!”…. “compromise!”
NO COMPROMISE! REPUBLICANS! NO COMPROMISE!
Take off the gloves, Republicans! Don’t wimp out this time like you have consistently done in the past!….
Yes…. YOU… Bush II!
Let Obama and his liberal left COMPROMISE WITH US!
Meanwhile,,,, all of you from the far, liberal left, on this forum,,,. can continue to pat each other on the butt…. and tell each other how good and wise you are…. while you lick your wounds.
Clearly, the American electorate has disagreed with the liberal left.
): Smile…..
hawken on November 05 at 12:14 p.m.
I will concede this point to you far left, libs….
You are far more committed to your far, liberal left world view…. demonstrably flawed as it is…. throughout world history….
Than the so-called, conservative, Republicans have been, since Reagan,,,, to a conservative world view. all of whom have shown themselves to be political wimps… out of fear they might not be “liked” by you on the far left….
For this,,,, credit is due to you.
I’m really hopeful that THIS TIME,,,, the Republicans will not wimp out again.
MrNatural on November 05 at 12:38 p.m.
Hey Hawken-Daisy…when can I expect to get dragged out into the street and sent off to the ovens?
misjustice on November 05 at 12:42 p.m.
Boner will be impotent and unable to implement the Gagger “wish list” because of the upper chamber, the Senate; where bills from the House go to die. [Just ask Pelosi about that one.]
I look forward to one of the first acts of the House in the new congressional session, raising the national debt ceiling. It will make for entertaining C-Span viewing; watching Boner twist himself into a pretzel! Good times!
And his drunken crying jags are going to create some [more] GREAT YouTube videos! Giving this forum a lot of material to draw from when posting comments. Sweet!
; )
misjustice on November 05 at 12:49 p.m.
@ Mr. Natch; when The ArcherDanielsMidlandCitibankPhizer ExxonHumaniacare Corp. Inc. decide, through their corporate death panels (also known as the stock holders), that you need to stand down for the final solution; Soylent Green.
; )
hawken on November 05 at 12:56 p.m.
Misjudgment…..
Whether or not the Speaker Elect… was under the influence…. is a personal judgment call for all to make….
Here is much more corroborated evidence…
“Ted Kennedy appears to have been afflicted with a serious drinking habit. He was accused by a former staffer of having a cocaine dependency, and allegations of womanizing were legendary. Whatever the specifics, nearly everyone agrees that resisting temptations was a problem for him.
Remember Chappaquiddick??? Or, were you still in diapers?
Hey…. “Fair and Balanced”
james_l on November 05 at 12:59 p.m.
Those who believe this is the beginning of some sort of reformation in America are the same ones who believe the second coming is right around the corner, something that has been wrongly predicted thousands of times.
Meanwhile, here on planet Earth, this is merely another swing of the pendulum.
88% of people surveyed in exit polls in this election cited jobs and the economy as their primary influence in their voting decisions. If the economy was booming there would have been a much different result.
I am not saying the Democrats, especially Obama, were innocent victims in this. They should have passed single-payer healthcare, nationalized the troubled banks, ended the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and prosecuted the Bush era war criminals. If they had done these things, people would be able to clearly distinguish them from the other party, rather than a “Republican Light” version.
hawken on November 05 at 1:11 p.m.
Clarke….. You say…..
They [Obama} should have passed single-payer healthcare, nationalized the troubled banks, ended the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and prosecuted the Bush era war criminals. If they had done these things, people would be able to clearly distinguish them from the other party, rather than a “Republican Light” version.
I say….
Seems to me the American people DID get it??? You know…. Democrat bloodbath…. did you miss it?
Or,,,,, do you continue to say,,,, or imply,,,, that the American people are “stupid”….. not as “enlightened”….???
surely, NOT as the liberal left elite…. in the opinion of the liberal left elite, of course.
hawken on November 05 at 1:13 p.m.
Correction…. my post above should be to James…. not Clarke…. minor clarification…. but needed, I think. Can anyone tell the difference?
james_l on November 05 at 2:03 p.m.
Don’t read real good, huh?
JBlim on November 05 at 4:58 p.m.
The founding fathers made the Senate a 6 year term to offset the fads and whims of the populace, which is obviously the case here. There is no reason why Dems need to compromise with the fickle.
bdr on November 05 at 9:02 p.m.
the house seats changed in 2006 was 32 seats
the house seats changed in 2010 was 60 seats
But the senate was not changed much.
I really don’t see what the freshmen class has to do with over all policy (The senate rules the roost)
This isn’t a landslide. congress is gridlocked period with anything under supermajoritys. It was gridlocked in January 2010.
Dazzeetrader11 on November 06 at 12:38 a.m.
Most of the bills begin in the house. Funding does as well. Senate usually is too lazy to begin de novo bills. House matters lots. Defunding/unfunding passed legislation is a big stick. Senate overall has more power and can do some additional things but usually the senate waits on the house.
Therein lies one of the biggest values of this past election. Senate is pretty exclusive territory though. Not sure who’s up for a Senate vote next trip but those races will be hotly contested. Obama will be busy with his own election. Next time will be for most of the marbles. If I had to guess…well I’ll wait for a bit. The mood of the country right now is conservative.Might not last. America is fickle….2006, 2008 and 2010…big change in each.
drywitt99 on November 06 at 6:33 a.m.
hawken….displaying his ignorance yet again.
Quote: “Here are the simple…. blatant…. indisputable facts…
1- You on the liberal left, just experienced the greatest blood bath in over 100 years of American history, in a mid-term election”
No……not 100 years……only 72.
In 1938 the Republicans picked up 81 seats in the House….and 6 in the Senate.
And the long term significance of that wave/tsunami/whatever??
Two years later FDR was re-elected to his THIRD term!!
And four years after that he was reelected to his FOURTH term.
So…..your first simple….blatant….indisputable fact was FACTUALLY WRONG!!!!!!!
A LIE??? A MISTAKE???
Since all of your factual errors are offered as proof of some ideological point you are trying to make, I tend more towards them being LIES!!
When the historical facts do not support your position…..you just make sh— stuff up!!
misjustice on November 06 at 8:14 a.m.
The House CAN NOT “defund/unfund” laws. If they could, nothing that the opposition hates would ever be funded…geez, Daisy, you know better than that. The funding mechanism is written into the laws…”defunding” would be like negating/overturning laws without employing the process required to do so…and “defunding” only ocurrs in the minds of the Faux Noose, brain washed Republican’ts, sorry.
And the Senate is where bills go to DIE…the House can try all the shenanigans that they want, good luck getting it through the Senate…
And then, there is always the VETO pen…
; )
misjustice on November 06 at 8:19 a.m.
“And the long term significance of that wave/tsunami/whatever??”
What ever!
A tsunami is a force of destruction; to call the Republican’ts win a tsunami is, I think, a very apt description. The force of destruction has washed in, and will leave nothing but a swath of ruin in its wake.
; )
WillyPeter on November 06 at 10:20 a.m.
Although the demagoguery will ridiculously play on, this is pretty simple…if the Democrats demonstrate that they heard the voters, they stand a chance in 2012. If they go with Pelosi, who says that she looks forward to an aggressive continuation of the last two years…they’ll lose the senate, more house seats, and most probably morph President Obama into a Carter clone.