Cold feet [Nethercutt may not run]

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER ^ | June 11, 2003 | JOEL CONNELLY

[JohnnyZ]

Cold feet: Every few months, it seems, Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane tells the pliant Olympia bureau of The Associated Press that he may run statewide for senator or governor. The AP makes a big deal of it, only to watch Nethercutt later decide to keep the House as home.

He may do it again, though Republicans say the nomination to oppose Murray is his for the asking. Guests at a recent fund-raiser co-hosted by ex-Sen. Slade Gorton chief of staff Tony Williams came away convinced Nethercutt won't take on Murray.

Absent Nethercutt, local conservative activists are pushing Seattle Pacific University political scientist (and ex-King County GOP chairman) Reed Davis as a Senate candidate.

[JohnnyZ]

I still think Nethercutt is a dope, but I also think he has a chance to win, but Stanton would probably be best, but won't run.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I have to disagree, I don't think Nethercutt can dislodge her. We should've gotten Jennifer Dunn into this race, and shame on her for not running. I hope we're not going to blow this winnable race... :-(

[Coop]

From what I've seen, I really think Dunn was the only legitimate contender. Still don't understand why she backed off so quickly, unless her internal pollsters showed her not being able to win. But the one independent poll I saw showed a competitive race, at least a few months back.

[Pubbie]

I'm more concerned about a lost opportunity in Wisconsin.

:(

Hopefully we can get SOMEBODY to run there because Feingold is simply much too liberal for his state.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I have to disagree, I don't think Nethercutt can dislodge her."

---

While I agree Dunn was our best possible challenger, I wouldn't count Nethercutt out. If he runs, I would give him even odds of beating her. Like when he slayed Tom Foley, Nethercutt would use Murray's self-inflicted wounds to make up for any electoral disadvantages he may have.

But if Nethercutt doesn't run, we may have to turn to Slade Gorton. He's come back from defeat before, although not 4 years after being defeated (nor, obviously, being so old).

[Coop]

Hey! What about Steve Largent? All his years with the Seahawks, he's an established politician, and he ran a heckuva campaign for OK governor!

What?

Why is everybody laughing?

[JohnnyZ]

Why is everybody laughing?

That wasn't me laughing, Coop. Largent would be a decent candidate relative to the field, which says a lot about the field, and isn't funny.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I got the impression she'd rather leave Congress and go make some money. I saw polling awhile back, too, that showed she was within the margin of error with Osama bin Patty.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Someone needs to drop-kick Tommy Thompson's ass into that race.

[fieldmarshaldj]

With Nethercutt, the 'Rats would use his breaking his pledge on term limits against him. I think this would end up as a replay of the '92 campaign between Osama bin Patty and Rod Chandler (also a Congressman), and it wasn't pretty.

As for Gorton, I think we've already gone to that well too many times. He'll be almost 77 by the time Jan. '05 comes around, and unless we're planning on electing a GOP Governor as backup for security, I think we ought let him enjoy his retirement after decades in political life. I don't think dragging him out a la Lautencorpse and Fritz Mondale would be very nice.

[MainstreamConservative]

"Hopefully we can get SOMEBODY to run there because Feingold is simply much too liberal for his state."

Absolutely, but our top tier candidates are not running. I'm convinced that Tommy Thompson could beat him, but he is not interested. Paul Ryan would have been a good candidate, but his age might have been problematic (but then again, that never hurt Joe Biden in 1972). State Sen. Welch is running, but I doubt he can win this race.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Yeah, I ain't laughing, either. More like gritting my teeth. Largent lost my respect after his position on Elian Gonzalez. We REALLY should've gone with Mary Fallin in that race. :-(

[fieldmarshaldj]

Paul Ryan would be 35 at the start of the next Congress, so that's not as young as Biden was (elected at 29), but he would be the youngest Senator.

[Impy]

"I still think Nethercutt is a dope, but I also think he has a chance to win, but Stanton would probably be best, but won't run."

Stanton who?

Nethercutt could win but Osama would have the edge. No senator has come from Eastern WA for a long time.

[Impy]

I think Ryan (there's that name again) would be a good candidate. In 1998 when he ran for the open seat everybody said the race was a prime pickup opportunity for the dems but Ryan held it easily.

[Pubbie]

"I think Ryan (there's that name again) would be a good candidate. In 1998 when he ran for the open seat everybody said the race was a prime pickup opportunity for the dems but Ryan held it easily."

Do you think Ryan can be persuaded to run, even though he has said no so far?

[Impy]

Probably not, people don't usually decide to run after they say they won't. Rather they decide not to run after they say they will. :/

[LdSentinal]

Nethercutt comes from a district in a state that is pretty Republican. He has little chance of upending Sen. Osama Murray (D).

He should run for governor. Locke's approval ratings are pretty awful and if he's smart he will opt to retire in '04. Nethercutt woukd be a credible candidate for that open governorship.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Hey, this is Wisconsin, the name "Ryan" ain't toxic there (except for those fleeing from IL who think he's another relative of the despicable ex-Governor).

[fieldmarshaldj]

Yes, Governor sounds like a better idea. But I thought there was another gentleman, whose names escapes me, that the GOP was trying to recruit in that race. It's unbelievable that state has gone since 1980 without electing a GOP Governor, although the last guy was a RINO who lasted a single term and was dumb enough to lose with Reagan at the top of the ticket.