Murray tops $6 million mark in Senate race

KGW - AP ^ | 01/29/2004 | MATTHEW DALY / Associated Press

[JohnnyZ]

Democratic incumbent Patty Murray continues to hold a huge fund-raising edge in Washington state's closely watched U.S. Senate race.

New campaign finance reports show Murray has topped the $6 million mark in total donations and has more than $4 million on hand as she prepares to battle Republican Rep. George Nethercutt.

Nethercutt, who has moved to Bellevue, Wash., to launch a statewide race, has raised more than $1.8 million and has almost $1.4 million on hand, his campaign said.

Campaign finance reports for the three months that ended Dec. 31 are not due until Saturday night, but both campaigns released summaries this week.

Nethercutt, who raised about $1.3 million in the final quarter of 2003, said his fund raising had exceeded his expectations. His fledgling campaign is building momentum, he said.

Murray, for her part, raised $1.1 million this past quarter through what her campaign called a broad-based, grass-roots effort.

Nearly 30,000 state residents contributed in the quarter — an outpouring of support that Murray called "both exciting and humbling."

"With this tremendous support, I will be able to continue my work to ensure that the needs of Washington state are heard in our nation's capital," she said.

More than 18,000 people have contributed to Nethercutt's campaign, which he called a sign that "Washington state is ready for new leadership in the Senate."

In a statement released by his campaign, Nethercutt noted that he has been in the Senate race for just six months, while Murray has been raising money for five years.

"These are very strong numbers, and they're going to get even better," he said. "I'm confident we're on track to run a competitive and ultimately successful race."

Nethercutt's report includes about $375,000 that was transferred from his old 5th District House campaign. Nethercutt dismantled the committee late last year after announcing he was giving up the Spokane-based seat to run for the Senate.

[JohnnyZ]

Cash on hand:

Murray $4 mil
Nethercutt $1.4 mil

Not too bad, to start out.

[Pubbie]

The Hunt for Usama *Ping*!

[Coop]

Nearly 30,000 state residents contributed in the quarter — an outpouring of support that Murray called "both exciting and humbling."

I bet 20,000 of them have "Abdul" or "Ahmed" somewhere in the name.

[AuH2ORepublican]

There are reports of us closing in on Osama
(http://www.powerlineblog.com/), and I think Nethercutt should get a huge boost when he is captured (dead or alive). Anything that puts Osama back in the news will severely harm Murray, whose absurd statements about Osama building daycare centers in Afghanistan and the like will come back to bite her in the ass as people start thinking about who to vote for in November.

[Pubbie]

"There are reports of us closing in on Osama"

We apparently have him cornered in the Hart Senate Building in DC - the NRSC has sent Nethercutt on a search and destroy mission!

: D

[ObiJuan]

There is no way that the press in Washington is going to remind people about Murray's comments, BUT wait til you hear about Nethercutt's broken term limits promise. WILL BE ALL OVER THE NEWS AFTER THE PRIMARY!

[ForOurFuture]

Nethercutt, who raised about $1.3 million in the final quarter of 2003

Murray, for her part, raised $1.1 million this past quarter through what her campaign called a broad-based, grass-roots effort.

Impressive.

[SMGFan]

Of course, unless Bush can carry Washington, we have no shot at defeating her.

[Impy]

Not necessarily true. Former Senator Slade Gorton outpolled Bush in 2000 by several % points.

[Impy]

Lots of people have broken terms limits pledges, no one seems to care. A couple states have even repealed term limits lawsfor state legistlators

Nethercutt did get hastled by a group of nutballs when he broke the pledge in 2000 but it seems that has passed.

9-11 really hurt term limits supporters too.

[freebulk]

We need to energize people and remind them that Senator Murray could just stay home and let Senator Kennedy vote for her.
We should also remind them that 9/11 did happen and she is not a supporter of the war on terrorists.

[orthodox priest]

Even so, aren't they still americans? Do I smell racism in your post?

We have to combat the rats with IDEAS not with racism. Make it a race of ideas and we'll win in every race (except in Mass.)

[JohnnyZ]

Even so, aren't they still americans? Do I smell racism in your post?

No.

[Coop]

Do I smell racism in your post?

Seems to me racism would involve a "race." You know, like Caucasian or something.

[alexander_vi]

Whether the discriminatory comments are specifically about racial groups or not, racism is now socially used to describe derogatory comments about ethnic groups. By this definition, terms like "Jap" are racist so are rightfully banished. So that was racism, pure and simple.

I'd like to say again, we need to fight the RATs with good ideas, not demogaguey or racism. Hell this is exactly the type of trash the RATs would love to taint us with.

[Coop]

Impressive lecture for your first day on the forum, Alex. "We" wouldn't want to give the Dems any ammo, now would "we?"

Your reputation precedes you, my friend. Time to change screen names. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go bleach my hood.

[alexander_vi]

Yeah it's my first day. I tend to get really excited when I discover something I like and enjoy, especially when it's something I can agree with ideologically. Was the polite thing to do to lurk for a while? There aren't many Republicans out where I am and I am surrounded by Europeans. Not that I have anything against Europeans per se of course.

It may be my first day here but I am a lifelong conservative. And proud of it.

[alexander_vi]

On second thought, I wasn't sure if I should have introduced myself and didn't know the proper thing to do here. Not sure how to reassure you but around around all of my friends, I am known as a defender of the GOP, President Bush and of conservatism. I am sure that this will become clear soon. I am very happy that I found this site and honored to be participating here. Sorry if I offended you.