[AntiGuv]

The 2004 elections may very well not be about the economy on a nationwide level, but they will near certainly be about the economy in Washington State. In 2000, Washington had as low as 4.2% unemployment; in 2003, Washington currently has 7.3% unemployment (sorry, it's Oregon with 8.1%). Whatever the stock & real estate markets might do nationwide (within reason), it's not going to make much difference for Washington. (Seattle, BTW, is one of the few places that's experienced a real estate bust). We shall see.

[Pubbie]

"it's not going to make much difference for Washington. (Seattle, BTW, is one of the few places that's experienced a real estate bust). We shall see."

I was under the impression that Gov Locke was taking most of the heat about the economy in Wa state.

[Torie]

So why is the real estate market picking up in Oregon with an 8.1% employment rate? I know it is, because part of my real estate "empire" is in Portland. I will have to check realtor.com as to Seattle, and see what the asking prices at least are in the neighborhoods I once checked out in detail back when, and thus know well.