Another senior House Republican announces retirement
Washington (CNN) - Republican Rep. Doc Hastings of Washington state announced Thursday that he'll retire at the end of this year rather than run for re-election in November.
Hastings, who currently serves as the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement he was stepping down after 10 terms to allow someone new to represent Washington's 4th Congressional District.
FULL POST
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree arrives at the West Front
Washington (CNN) – An evergreen from Washington state is now in Washington, D.C. as workers prepare it to become the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
House Speaker John Boehner will preside over the illumination the evening of December 3.
FULL POST
Seven states reject Obama insurance proposal
(CNN) - If you like your health insurance plan, you might still be out of luck.
At least if you live in one of the seven states that have rejected the President Barack Obama's proposal to allow health insurance companies to renew plans not in compliance with the Affordable Care Act.
FULL POST
Kucinich announces retirement from Congress
(CNN) - Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the anti-war Ohio congressman, announced Wednesday that he will retire from the House at the end of his term, opting not to launch a bid for a house seat in Washington state after losing a primary for his own seat.
Kucinich's primary loss came in March, when he was defeated by fellow Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur after the Republican-led state legislature combined their districts. He then explored a run in Washington.
FULL POST
Murray and Rossi clash in Washington Senate debate
Spokane, Washington (CNN) - It may not have been the marquee Senate debate of Thursday night – that one took place in Nevada – but the clash in Washington between Sen. Patty Murray and her Republican challenger Dino Rossi was another study in contrasts highlighted by sharply different visions of President Obama's record.
Seated next to Murray in a Spokane television studio for the first of two debates, Rossi worked overtime to portray the three-term incumbent as beholden to the president's agenda by voting in favor of the health care reform bill, the stimulus package and financial regulatory reform.
Eager to tap into concerns about the economy and the national Republican tailwind, Rossi painted a picture of "extreme partisanship in Washington, D.C. that has really taken us in the wrong direction and down the wrong path."
Outside money floods into Washington Senate battle
Seattle, Washington (CNN) - With Sen. Patty Murray looking vulnerable for the first time in her 18-year career, outside groups have pumped millions of dollars into the state of Washington to influence a marquee race that might ultimately decide which party controls the Senate next year.
Among the big-spenders here: American Action Network, a Republican-friendly group that's spent roughly $1.3 million attacking Murray with TV ads criticizing her homespun "mom in tennis shoes" image, and Crossroads GPS, the free-spending arm of American Crossroads, an independent group with ties to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and being advised by GOP heavyweights Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie.
Crossroads GPS has spent $1.3 million on television ads in Washington, including one spot on the air accusing Murray of increasing the national debt by $14 trillion with her votes since joining the Senate in 1993.
CNN/Time Poll: Murray up 8 points in re-election bid
(CNN) - A new poll indicates that Sen. Patty Murray of Washington leads her Republican challenger Dino Rossi by eight points.
Full Results (pdf)
According to CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday, 51 percent of likely voters in Washington State back the three term senator, with 43 percent supporting Rossi, who was the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2004 and 2008, with two percent undecided. Murray's eight point advantage is down from a nine point lead from mid-September.
CNN/Time Poll: Murray holds advantage in re-election bid
(CNN) - A new poll indicates that Sen. Patty Murray of Washington leads her Republican challenger Dino Rossi by nine points.
According to CNN/Time/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday, 53 percent of likely voters in Washington State back the three term senator, with 44 percent supporting Rossi, who was the GOP gubernatorial nominee in 2004 and 2008.
While the poll indicates that the two candidates are splitting the independent vote, Murray holds an overwhelming lead among members of her own party -Democrats– who outnumber Republicans in the state.
"The state of Washington has been considered pretty blue in recent elections and Murray is capitalizing on that. She is winning support from 95 percent of self-identified Democrats," says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "And 93 percent of Republicans support Rossi, showing how polarized the electorate is - a consequence of the two extremely close gubernatorial races that Rossi ran in 2004 and 2008."
Palin goes 0-for-2 on primary night
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/29/art.gi.palinfile.jpg caption ="Palin's endorsements have yet to produce victories in August so far."]
(CNN) – It hasn't been the greatest of months for Sarah Palin when it comes to her political star power.
The two candidates Palin backed in Tuesday's primaries lost their bids, making the former Alaska governor 0-for-5 when it comes to endorsements this month.
In Washington State, Palin had backed Tea Party activist Clint Didier in his bid for the Senate over businessman Dino Rossi, the favorite of national Republicans.
In making her endorsement of Didier last May, Palin said the Tea Party favorite had "inspired" her, and hailed him as a "patriot running for U.S. Senate to serve his state & our country for all the right reasons!"
Poll: Rossi front-runner in Washington GOP Senate race
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/27/art.rossi.cnn.jpg caption="A new poll indicates that Republican Dino Rossi is the GOP frontrunner in the Washington Senate race."]
(CNN) - Dino Rossi holds a large lead over two other Republican candidates in the battle to challenge Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, according to a new survey.
An Elway Poll of registered voters in Washington state indicates that 43 percent back Murray, who's bidding for a fourth term in the Senate, in the state's August 17 primary.
Thirty-one percent support Rossi, with fellow Republicans Clint Didier at five percent and Paul Akers at two percent. Seventeen-percent were undecided. Washington is the only state in the nation to hold a non-partisan primary, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. Earlier this month California voters passed a referendum that would move the Golden state towards a similar system.
Rossi, who announced his candidacy last month, is arguably the best known Republican in Washington state, thanks to his two bids for governor. In an election that went into overtime, Rossi lost to Democrat Christine Gregoire by just a handful of votes six years ago. He was again defeated in a 2008 rematch by a wider margin.
Recent Comments