Chris Simcox

The Amazing Race? Conservative Reality Show Stars Current (And Failed) GOP Candidates

Jillian Rayfield | August 20, 2010, 5:44PM

The new reality show, "Running."

This is the true story of six Republicans, picked to live in a house, work together and have their lives taped, to find out what happens when people stop being polite, and start getting real...

Or something.

RightNetwork, a conservative TV network scheduled to launch September 8, is planning a reality show called "Running," featuring six current (or failed) congressional candidates. "Their attitudes may vary, but they all have one thing in common," the "Running" promo says. "They love their country, and are willing to do something for her."

Read more »

WA-SEN

Dino Rossi's Got A Clint Didier Problem

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 20, 2010, 2:52PM

US Senate candidate Dino Rossi (R-WA)

Reporters have been waiting for almost three whole days to see what the Sarah Palin-backed, tea party-favored Clint Didier would do after Dino Rossi crushed him in Tuesday's open Senate primary in Washington. Today they got their answer: Didier may have received only 12% of the vote in the primary, but he's gonna stick around to make Rossi's life difficult anyway.

"At this moment, I cannot endorse Dino Rossi," Didier told reporters at a press conference today.

According to the Seattle Times Didier said "he's willing to throw his support behind Republican Dino Rossi, but not until the U.S. Senate candidate makes specific promises about taxes and abortion rights." The price of an endorsement from the third-place finisher in the open primary? "[A] pledge not to support new taxes, promises to never vote for anything that would increase the federal budget, and promises to sponsor an anti-abortion bill," the paper reports.

Read more »

WA-SEN

Dem Sen. Murray And GOPer Rossi Win 'Top Two' Primary, Heading For November Faceoff

Eric Kleefeld | August 17, 2010, 11:59PM

WA Sen. candidate Dino Rossi (R) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

The general election field is now set in the Washington Senate race, with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and Republican rival Dino Rossi advancing to the general election November.

With 52% of precincts reporting, Murray has 47% and Rossi 34%, ahead of former pro football player Clint Didier (who was endorsed by Sarah Palin) at only 11%. The Associated Press has projected Murray and Rossi as the winners of the primary, proceeding to a final match-up in November.

Washington state does not use conventional primaries like the rest of the country, but uses a different system known as "Top Two." All candidates appear on the same primary ballot, regardless of party, with the top two vote-getters going on to the general election (regardless of whether somebody were to get over 50% of the vote). This system allows for the possibility of two Democrats or two Republicans facing off in the final round, though in most instances such as this one it ends up as one Dem and one GOPer. And this system is spreading, too -- it was recently passed by referendum in California, to take effect next cycle.

Read more »

WA-SEN

PPP Poll: Murray Only Three Points Ahead Of GOPer Rossi

Eric Kleefeld | August 3, 2010, 2:21PM

WA Sen. candidate Dino Rossi (R) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

The new survey of the Washington state Senate race by Public Policy Polling (D) gives Democratic Sen. Patty Murray only a narrow lead over Republican former state Sen. Dino Rossi. At the same time, Rossi is on his way to the general election in the August 17 top two primary, well ahead of his insurgent Republican challenger.

Murray leads Rossi by just 49%-46%, and also leads Clint Didier, a former pro football player who has been endorsed by Sarah Palin, by a heftier 50%-39%. The survey of registered voters has a ±2.8% margin of error, and there is no previous survey of this race by PPP for direct comparison. The TPM Poll Average gives Murray an edge of 47.6%-46.1% over Rossi, and a lead of 47.6%-43.4% over Didier.

Read more »

WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Dem Murray Pulls Ahead of GOPers In WA-SEN Race

Thomas Rhiel | July 30, 2010, 11:16AM

WA Sen. candidate Dino Rossi (R) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) is pulling ahead of her potential Republican challengers in the Washington Senate race, according to a new Rasmussen survey. Against former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi (R), the frontrunner in the GOP primary, Murray leads 49%-47%. She's also ahead of former pro football player (and Sarah Palin favorite) Clint Didier 48%-45%, and businessman Paul Akers 48%-42%.

When Rasmussen surveyed the race two weeks ago, they found Murray downagainst both Rossi and Didier, who both led 48%-45%. Murray had been ahead of Akers 46%-41%.

Read more »