McMorris kicks off re-election run

Republican Cathy McMorris wants another two years in Congress to work on lower spending, less regulation, simpler taxes and a stronger economy.

McMorris, the freshman representing Eastern Washington’s 5th District, kicked off her campaign by invoking the optimism of Ronald Reagan and wondering why some Americans seemed to be questioning their “national purpose.”

With the stock market, homeownership and employment figures all up, people have “every right to dream big dreams,” she said.

McMorris made clear she would run on the hallmarks of Republican philosophy that marked her 10 years in the state Legislature and the last 15 months in Congress. She wants tax cuts, like making a permanent repeal of the federal estate tax.

“Our tax system continues to be too burdensome. It needs to be streamlined,” she told a crowd of about 550 at the Davenport Hotel.

She wants a smaller government.

“How about spending a decade spending less?” she asked. “Our current deficit spending at the federal level is not acceptable,” she said.

During her term, however, the Republican-controlled Congress has spent its time spending more. Just this week Congress raised the debt limit – the amount it allows the federal government to cover deficit spending – to $9 trillion. McMorris had already left Washington, D.C., by the time the House voted another $92 billion for the war in Iraq and hurricane cleanup, but she has generally supported Republican budgets, and opposed Democratic alternatives which often tended to be even higher. She wants a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.

She wants less regulation.

Last year McMorris was named the chairwoman of a special committee looking at the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires studies on the possible effects of federal projects before they are built. She repeated Friday that she wants to move from “confrontation and court action to collaboration.” Environmental groups have said the panel is a way for Republican leaders to eviscerate the landmark environmental act. A bill has not yet been proposed.

While she’s been generally supportive of President Bush on national policies, McMorris highlighted one major regional difference she has with his current budget plan, a proposal to change the way Bonneville Power Administration handles some surplus electricity sales.

“I’m fighting our administration on the proposal to raise rates on BPA customers,” she said.

In at least one respect, being a freshman gives McMorris an advantage over some of her more senior House colleagues who have become mired in ethical problems. She wasn’t around to receive contributions from convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

“Too often, you’ve seen in the headlines politicians in Washington, D.C., who have broken the rules,” she told the crowd. “You need a representative you can trust.”

Two years ago, McMorris beat two other Republicans in a primary and Democrat Don Barbieri in the general to claim the open House seat. At this point she faces a clear shot at re-election, with no credible GOP opposition and no announced Democratic foe.

Sharon Smith, Spokane County Democratic chairwoman, said several Democrats have discussed running against McMorris, and “one person is talking seriously about it.” Smith wouldn’t name that potential candidate but predicted a campaign announcement “in a week to 10 days.”

“There will definitely be a Democrat in the race,” she said.