New developments this week.

New developments in the Dino Rossi campaign:

-John McCain participated in a conference call with a reporter on Monday morning in support of Rossi.  He praised Dino’s opposition to earmarks, calling them a “corrupt practice.”  Rossi said he wants to change the earmark process, but “I’m also trying to be somewhat realistic.  They should be banned until the budget is balanced, but I’d be happy with eliminating them altogether.” (Seattle Times)

-Rossi-Murray race deemed critical in determining which party controls the Senate.  Rossi reiterated his opposition to the tightened regulation on Wall Street as it could harm small businesses. (The Herald)

-Campaign Trail:
Tuesday – Headed to Lakewood
Wednesday – Campaigned in Silverdale, said he had a packed house
Thursday – Woodland and Vancouver
(dinorossi.com)

-New robocall for Rossi by Former Washington State Governor, Dan Evans, to help remind voters to turn in their ballots.  Evan expressed concern by stating, “Our country is on an irresponsible fiscal path.”  He went on to praise Rossi for his budget work in the Washington State legislature. (dinorossi.com)

New developments in the Patty Murray campaign:

-On Tuesday Patty Murray met with Washington veterans to talk about veterans’ affairs and the economy. She reminded veterans of what she has done for them and warned against returning to Republican economic policies. She also promised to continue to help veterans in the future. (pattymurray.com)

Spending Update:

-Independent groups have poured $5.2 million dollars into Patty Murray’s campaign and $6.9 million into Dino Rossi’s campaign, it was reported this week. $1.5 million of Patty Murray’s campaign donations came from the Commonsense Ten, and $2.6 million from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The National Republican Senatorial Committee donated $2.8 million to Rossi’s campaign. The Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies donated $1.2 million to Rossi’s campaign as well. While this amount of spending is large, it is not considered unusual, given the importance of the race to both sides (The Seattle Times).


-Noel Hansen and Talan Gunnell.