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Most everybody posting have made good comments. Here’s my take.

I went to each of the three senate candidates hospitality suites Friday night. I had gone to the convention uncommitted but leaning towards Paul Akers. Akers suite was sparsely attended and yet Paul was unable to work the room because he was focusing on one particular gentleman who had too much to drink rather than talking to the rest of the visitors. During Akers converstation with the gentleman all I could hear Akers say was “I’m there with you, buddy”, not quite the answer to questions I’d like from the candidate.

Next up was Dino Rossi’s suite. It was packed with old guard Republican’s and ones I’d consider moderate Republican’s, the ones not really willing to get into the gutter to fight because they are above all of that. Never got to see Rossi, he was huddled up inside a group of supporters.

At the Didier suite, it was just like advertised, a tailgate party. There were as many or more people at Didier’s as was at Rossi’s, yet Didier was acting like the consummate professional, not a single person who ventured anywhere near his suite door left without Didier personally shaking their hand and thanking them for coming, it was impressive.

Both Rossi and Didier gave excellent convention speeches, Akers, squandered his opportunity. I was amazed at how all the candidates, sans Akers, and incumbent congressmen addressed the three concerns of the Tea Party folks and the fringy Ron Paul fools who now call themselves the “Campaign for Liberty”; immigration, Federal Reserve and the 10th Amendment.

IMHO, Rossi came up short and he seemed less passionate and ready for battle than Didier. I really don’t think Rossi’s heart is in this.

Didier shored up his base with the very direct and firm remarks he made about the above mentioned subjects. His passion was off the charts and it even brought a tear to my eye, and I’ve been to going to these conventions for over thirty years.

I think Didier has a good shot at winning his primary over Dino. I also expect Didier to run towards Rossi’s more moderate positions on those three issues so he can pick up the votes he needs in the middle after the primary. If Didier doesn’t, the liberals in Pugetopolis will hand Clint a 60-40 defeat and we’ll have six more years of Murray.

I don’t think Dino can get it done, this time.