WA-SEN

Dem Patty Murray Wins WA-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | November 5, 2010, 9:02AM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), who faced a tough challenge this year from former state Senator and two-time Republican gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi, has now won her race, after Rossi conceded defeat last night.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet Your New U.S. Senators]

Aside from the Alaska Senate race, this was the last unsettled Senate contest of the cycle, and also the last one in which partisan control of the seat is up for grabs. (The Alaska Senate race is now a contest between two Republicans.) This result finalizes the Senate makeup as being 53 members of the Democratic caucus, to 47 Senators in the Republican caucus.

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WA-SEN

Dem Patty Murray Expands Narrow Vote Lead In WA-SEN

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2010, 1:56PM

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

Although there is not yet a final result int he Washington Senate race, where incumbent Democrat Patty Murray faced a strong challenge from former state Senator and two-time gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi, the latest numbers can probably make Democrats rest easier.

As the Seattle Times reports, additional vote totals last night from King County (Seattle) and elsewhere expanded Murray's raw-vote lead from 14,000 up to more than 27,000.

The Republican Rossi has noted that hundreds of thousands of votes still haven't been counted, and thus say that the race is too close to call. However, analysis at the Times appears to indicate that he would have a tough time pulling ahead:

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2010 elections

No Calls In AK, CO And WA: The Latest On The Senate Numbers

Eric Kleefeld | November 3, 2010, 8:49AM

Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate race in Colorado Ken Buck and Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)

With Harry Reid's victory in Nevada, Democrats have kept control of the Senate. But how narrow will their majority be? As things stand now, Democrats have 49 seats, Republicans 46, and two independents who caucus with the Dems. Let's take a look at the three outstanding Senate results:

• In Alaska, the Anchorage Daily News reports, things are looking good for incumbent Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski in her write-in bid against Tea Party-backed (and Sarah Palin-backed) attorney Joe Miller -- but it's far from over. The total write-in votes lead Miller by a margin of 41%-34%. This could now go to court over the scrutinizing of all those write-in ballots, which must be sorted to find how well the voter spelled out "Lisa Murkowski," and determining what ranges of error are permissible:

Alaska's computerized voting system shows how many voters filled in the oval for a write-in candidate but not the actual name the voter wrote in. The write-in ballots are only opened to look at the name if there are more of them than votes for the leading candidate, or if the number of write-in ballots is within .5 percent of the frontrunner.

That count would begin Nov. 18 and be expected to last three days. The campaigns have been getting ready for the court challenges over "voter intent" that would be expected to follow. Minor misspellings are probably OK but simply writing "Lisa M,"; for example, could be a problem.

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2010 elections

Senate In The Balance: TPM's Look At The 9 Key Races Still Up For Grabs

Eric Kleefeld | November 1, 2010, 5:06PM

Clockwise from top left: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

As we head into Election Day, one thing is clear for Senate Democrats: It's going to be bad. Seriously. There's no going anywhere but down. But how far down?

It's unlikely that Democrats will manage to lose their majority outright, since they're starting at the high mark of 59 seats. But things sure look rough. Open seats in Indiana and North Dakota seem to be gone already, along with incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas. Republican seats that seemed like potential Dem pickups much earlier in the cycle -- North Carolina and open seats in Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Ohio -- are clearly out of reach.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Stranger Than Fiction? TPM Casts The 2010 Midterms Movie]

The few bright spots for Democrats are open seats in Connecticut and Delaware, where very weak Republican candidates Linda McMahon and Christine O'Donnell have spared the Dems from total humiliation. So with that in mind, let's take a look at some other key races to watch tomorrow.

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WA-SEN

And The Leader In WA-SEN Is...???

Eric Kleefeld | November 1, 2010, 12:51PM

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

Things are going down to the wire in the Washington Senate race, where three-term Democratic Sen. Patty Murray is in a dogfight with former state Senator and two-time unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi. Indeed, a Democratic pollster has the Republican ahead, and a Republican-aligned news outlet has the Democrat ahead.

Public Policy Polling (D): Rossi 50%, Murray 48%. The survey of likely voters has a ±2.2% margin of error. The previous PPP numbers from two weeks ago gave Murray a lead of 49%-47%.

Fox News: Murray 49%, Rossi 47%. The survey of likely voters has a ±3% margin of error. The previous Fox poll from three weeks ago gave Rossi an edge of 47%-46%.

The TPM Poll Average gives Murray a lead of 48.9%-46.3%.

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Patty Murray

Is Dino Rossi Making Late Surge Against Sen. Patty Murray In Washington?

Brian Beutler | November 1, 2010, 9:21AM

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

A new Public Policy poll of 2,055 likely voters in Washington state has got to be causing Senate Democrat Patty Murray heartburn. Murray has been leading her Republican rival Dino Rossi in most polls for weeks, but this one has her down two points, 50-48.

Now, Murray was ahead or at least tied in all but one survey last week. That was a Rasmussen poll which gave Rossi a one point lead, 48-47.

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WA-SEN

Washington Activist And Assault Victim Tells Her Tale To TPM

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 29, 2010, 6:49PM

Christie Stordeur

Before there was Lauren Valle and the Kentucky Stomp, there was Christie Stordeur, Democratic party volunteer and Walla Walla, Washington assault victim.

On Oct. 15, Stordeur was at the Walla Walla County GOP headquarters protesting Republican Senate nominee Dino Rossi. A pro-Rossi activist who was attempting to take Stordeur's picture allegedly hit her -- hard enough to get him arrested for assault.

In a TPM exclusive, Stordeur tells her side of the story, and expresses anguish at yet another closely-watched political campaign devolving into out-and-out violence committed by an older man on a young, progressive woman.

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WA-SEN

Poll: Murray Leads By 6 In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | October 29, 2010, 4:06PM

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

On the heels of two recent Washington Senate polls that show a tightening contest, the University of Washington released their poll today, which finds Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray leading Republican nominee Dino Rossi by six points, 51%-45%.

When the Washington Poll was conducted two weeks ago, Murray led by eight points, 50%-42%. An October 27 SurveyUSA poll had the two candidates tied, 47%-47%, while a Rasmussen survey from October 26 saw Rossi up one point, 48%-47%.

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WA-SEN

SurveyUSA Poll: Dem Murray And GOPer Rossi Tied In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | October 29, 2010, 10:10AM

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

A newly released SurveyUSA poll of the Washington Senate race finds Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray and Republican nominee Dino Rossi deadlocked 47%-47%.

When SurveyUSA looked at this race on October 14, Murray was leading by three points, 50%-47%. Yesterday, a Rasmussen survey found Rossi on top of the race for the first time in more than two weeks of heavy polling.

The TPM Poll Average finds the Democrat ahead in the contest 48.8%-45.8%. The margin of error for the latest survey is ±3.8 percentage points.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: GOPer Rossi Up 1 On Murray In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | October 28, 2010, 4:24PM

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

A newly released Rasmussen survey of the Washington Senate race finds Republican nominee Dino Rossi edging out Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray 48%-47%.

When Rasmussen looked at this race on October 17, Murray was on top 49%-46%. Prior to today's survey, the Democrat had led seven straight polls dating back to October 11.

The TPM Poll Average still has Murray ahead in the contest 49.1%-45.9%. The margin of error for the latest survey is ±4.0 percentage points.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

WA-SEN

Washington Man Arrested For Allegedly Assaulting Anti-Rossi Protester

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 28, 2010, 9:28AM

Christie Stordeur

A 72-year-old man was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly assaulting a 23-year-old activist protesting Dino Rossi's Republican campaign for Senate in Washington state, according to local reports.

The incident occurred outside GOP headquarters in Walla Walla County where the demonstrator, Christie Stordeur, was "one of five protesters standing about 40 feet from the entrance of the office," according to the Tri-City Herald.

Stordeur and the other protesters "were wearing bags over their heads and holding a sign that looked like a check." That's when Victor Phillips, according to a Sheriff's deputy on scene, walked over to Stordeur to "lift her bag off her head." When Stordeur "lifted her arm in defense," Phillips hit it "with 'force.'"

The Herald reports that the deputy on scene "immediately stepped between the two and arrested Phillips on a charge of investigation of assault."

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WA-SEN

Marist Poll: Dem Murray Ahead By 1 In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | October 20, 2010, 1:28PM

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

A newly released poll of the Washington Senate race finds Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray clinging to a one-point lead over Republican nominee Dino Rossi, 48%-47%.

This was Marist's first look at the contest, so there are no numbers available for direct comparison. An October 17 Rasmussen survey had Murray leading by three points, 49%-46%, and an October 16 PPP poll had the incumbent ahead 49%-47%.

The TPM Poll Average finds Murray with a 49.3%-45.8% advantage in the race. The latest poll's margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Dem Murray Up 3 In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | October 18, 2010, 3:35PM

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

A new Rasmussen survey of the Washington Senate race finds Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray leading Republican nominee Dino Rossi 49%-46%.

When Rasmussen last took a look at the race on October 6, Rossi was on top 49%-46%. Since the Republican enjoyed a lead in four straight polls from September 27-October 9 (conducted by right-leaning pollster Fabrizio, Rasmussen twice, and Fox News), the incumbent Democrat has found herself atop five straight polls.

The TPM Poll Average finds Murray with a 49.5%-45.9% advantage in the race. The latest poll's margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

WA-SEN

Economics Dominate WA-SEN Debate

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 18, 2010, 10:41AM

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

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) defended her economic record in last night's Washington state Senate debate, while Republican challenger Dino Rossi tried to tie Murray to Democratic programs he said are unpopular in Washington and the country. For her part, Murray took on Rossi over Republican economic rhetoric, including the party's suggestion that extending the Bush tax cuts will pay for itself, er, somehow.

"Murray asked Rossi how he'd pay for the Bush-era tax cuts for the richest Americans that are set to expire soon," SeattlePI.com reports. "Rossi wouldn't say, instead attacking his opponent's record of 'taxing, spending and growing government.'"

When pressed by Murray for an answer, Rossi eventually said "that creating jobs will grow the economy and a tax increase will 'kill jobs.'"

Rossi had his own lines of attack as well.

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WA-SEN

Polls: Dem Murray Cruising In WA-SEN Race?

Marc Kilstein | October 13, 2010, 5:19PM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

A newly released survey of the Washington Senate race finds Democratic incumbent Sen. Patty Murray leading Republican nominee Dino Rossi 55%-40%.

The latest numbers, which include "leaners", come from The Elway Poll, a respected Washington-based survey company. When they last took a look at the race on September 12, Murray was found leading 50%-41%. Prior to the latest release, the last four polls on the contest found the incumbent senator trailing by margins of six, three, and one (twice).

Another poll released today -- this one from CNN/Time -- shows Murray ahead 51-43. The previous CNN/Time poll, from mid-September, showed Murray ahead by nine points.

The TPM Poll Average suggests Murray is leading the race, but not in such comfort: she earns 49.3% versus Rossi's 46.3%.

The margin of error for the latest survey is ±4.6 percentage points.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

Minimum Wage

Ca$h Poor: Top 5 Republicans Who Stumbled Over The Minimum Wage (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 11, 2010, 11:30AM

Demonstrators at a labor rally outside City Hall in Los Angeles

Jobs, jobs, jobs. Did we mention jobs? Because everyone else has.

Politicians on both sides are rightfully talking about the thing 14.8 millions Americans don't have but want: a job. But some are maybe doing a better job than others. As several prominent Republicans have shown recently, when it comes to one of the basic foundations of the working class in America -- the federally-mandated minimum wage -- they have no clue what it is. Or want to get rid of it altogether.

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WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: GOPer Rossi Leads By 3 In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | October 8, 2010, 10:17AM

US Senate candidate Dino Rossi (R-WA)

Last week, a Rasmussen survey of the Washington Senate race found incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) trailing Republican nominee Dino Rossi for the first time in nearly a month's worth of polling. Today, Rasmussen is out with a new survey and similar results: Murray is down to Rossi 49%-46%.

A number of recent polls have shown a close race. A September 21 SurveyUSA poll had Murray ahead only two points, 50%-48%, and a September 25 Fox News poll had the race separated by a single point, with Murray on top 48%-47%.

The TPM Poll Average still has Murray leading in the contest, 48.5%-47.7%.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

WA-SEN

Rasmussen: Rossi Leads WA-SEN By One Point

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 30, 2010, 10:32AM

US Senate candidate Dino Rossi (R-WA)

Republican Dino Rossi has taken a one-point lead over incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) according to the latest poll from Rasmussen. Murray leads in the poll 48-47.

That's a big momentum shift for Rossi, who trailed Murray by seven in Rasmussen's last poll of the race which was taken on Sept. 14. Both polls were conducted among likely voters, using the Rasmussen screen that Democrats have long contended is slanted toward the GOP (Rasmussen has just as long denied this).

Other polling from the contest shows a tightening race as well. The TPM Poll Average shows Murray leading 49.6-47.2.

The last three polls of the race -- two of which were conducted using Ramussen's methodology and automated call system -- have shown the race to be razor-close. A live-interview poll of the race conducted by CNN/Time on Sept. 14 showed Murray leading by 9 points.

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WA-SEN

Fox News Poll: Dem Leads By One In WA-SEN

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 28, 2010, 3:59PM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

It couldn't be closer in the Washington Senate race, according to a new poll from Fox News. Well, I take it back -- it could be just a little closer. The poll of likely voters conducted for Fox by a branch of the Rasmussen polling empire shows incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D) leading Republican nominee Dino Rossi by just one point. Murray is ahead 48-47 according to the new numbers.

There is no previous Fox News poll for direct comparison. The TPM Poll Average shows Murray leading 50.0-47.0.

The Fox poll is the latest in a string to show the race tightening since the state's well-respected Elway Poll showed Murray ahead by nine back on Sept. 12. Since then, automated pollsters Rasmussen and SurveyUSA have shown the race to be closer, though a live telephone interview CNN/Time poll showed the Elway margin holding.

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WA-SEN

The Good Democrat: Patty Murray Quietly Surging In WA-SEN

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 22, 2010, 9:07AM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

While the political earth shifts around her, Sen. Patty Murray appears to have grounded herself in Washington state. While the national press largely passes her race by, Murray -- who at the start of the summer was, according to conventional wisdom, a Vulnerable Democrat -- appears to have built the momentum she needs to comfortably compete for a third term.

Of course, as must always be said at this point, nothing is set in stone. Murray is up against Dino Rossi, one of the few establishment Republican nominee picks to make it past a tea party primary opponent this year. Rossi was, at one time, one of the brightest stars in NRSC chair John Cornyn's 2010 universe, and the party is expected to keep pumping support Rossi's way as long as things stay close.

And they are close.

If Murray was the Vulnerable Democrat in the original Washington state narrative, Rossi was (in the view of most Republican establishment figures) the ideal Formidable Opponent to defeat her. But as election season has proceeded, that storyline has proven to be more and more far-fetched. Murray, quite simply, is winning while Rossi is losing. And it's been that way for awhile.

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WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Murray Up Five In WA-SEN Race

Howard Polikoff | September 16, 2010, 5:26PM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Democratic Sen. Patty Murray leads Republican Dino Rossi by five points in the Washington Senate race, 51%-46%, according to a Rasmussen poll released today.

The recent survey of likely voters is the latest good news for the Washington Democrat. Two other polls this week have each given Murray a nine-point lead against Rossi.

The previous Rasmussen poll of the race, from August 31, gave Rossi a 50%-47% lead.

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WA-SEN

Poll: Dem Murray Leads By 9 in WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | September 15, 2010, 6:22PM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

A new CNN/Time poll of the Washington Senate race finds Sen. Patty Murray (D) up nine points on her Republican opponent, Dino Rossi.

The survey of likely voters finds Murray leading the race, 53%-44%. There is no prior CNN/Time poll for direct comparison, but these findings come a day after an Elway Poll also showed a nine-point lead for the Democrat. An August 31 Rasmussen poll painted a different picture of the contest, finding Rossi on top of Murray 50%-47%.

The margin of error for the latest survey is ±3.5 percentage points. The TPM Poll Average has Murray leading Rossi, 49.7%-46.7%.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

WA-SEN

Poll: Dem Murray Out In Front By 9 In WA-SEN

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 14, 2010, 3:41PM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Patty Murray (D) is comfortably ahead of her Republican opponent, Dino Rossi, in the Washington state Senate race, according to a poll released last night. The Elway Poll, a respected Washington-based survey company, reports Murray is leading 50-41.

Other polling from the contest suggests the race is a good deal closer than that. The TPM Poll Average shows Murray leading 48.9-47.3. The last Elway poll, taken way back in June, showed Murray ahead of Rossi 47-40.

In his analysis of the new numbers pollster Stuart Elway says things are closer than his numbers may make them appear on first glance.

"Although Murray is at 50% in this survey, there are enough "soft" supporters for each candidate, plus undecided voters and supporters of other candidates -- not to mention time on the calendar -- to determine the eventual outcome," Elway said, according to the Seattle Times.

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2010 elections

TPM's Top 10 Senate Races To Watch

Brian Beutler | September 13, 2010, 8:35AM

Kentucky Senate candidates Jack Conway and Rand Paul talk with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Campaign season doesn't really heat up until September ... which means now. That means all the scandals and ads and ups and downs you've heard and read about in the last several months were just stage-setters. Most voters really begin paying attention now.

It's looking like a tough year for Senate Democrats, almost of whom are polling below 50 percent. Several weeks ago, many Republicans -- including NRSC Chair John Cornyn -- thought Republicans wouldn't be able to retake the Senate. Today, it's a distinct possibility. There are a number of critical races, but you should really keep an eye on these 10.

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WA-SEN

Poll: GOPer Rossi Up 7 On Dem Murray In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | August 23, 2010, 10:22AM

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

A new SurveyUSA poll of the Washington Senate race shows Republican Dino Rossi leading Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, 52%-45%.

This is the first SurveyUSA poll conducted for the state's general election since April, when Rossi led 52%-42%. The new findings come on the heels of an August 18 Rasmussen poll that showed Murray up on Rossi by four-points, 50%-46%. These are the first two surveys conducted since Murray and Rossi easily advanced out of Washington's "Top Two" primary last week.

The TPM Poll Average finds Rossi with a slim advantage in the race, 48.0%-47.7%. The latest SurveyUSA poll's margin of error is ±4.0 percentage points.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

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.

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WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll: Dem Murray Leads By 4 In WA-SEN Race

Marc Kilstein | August 19, 2010, 2:20PM

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

A new Rasmussen poll of the Washington Senate race finds Democratic Sen. Patty Murray ahead of Republican rival Dino Rossi, 50%-46%.

The poll found an equivalent four-point advantage for Murray, 48%-44% prior to establishing leaners' preferential candidate in the race with a follow-up question. The latest survey is the first conducted since Murray and Rossi easily advanced out of Washington's "Top Two" primary earlier this week. In a July 28 Rasmussen survey, Murray was favored 49%-47%. An earlier Rasmussen poll from July had Rossi on top, 48%-45%. All three of these polls' margin of error are ±4.0 percentage points.

The TPM Poll Average shows Murray ahead in the race, 48.7%-46.6%.

For more on the race, check out TPMDC's full coverage here.

Cordoba House

Dino Rossi Hedges (A Little) On Cordoba House

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 18, 2010, 1:22PM

US Senate candidate Dino Rossi (R-WA)

Dino Rossi, the freshly-minted Republican nominee for Senate in Washington, is kicking off the general election campaign with a little have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too take on the topic du jour, the Cordoba House project in lower Manhattan.

Rossi, who's challenging the incumbent Sen. Patty Murray (D) in a state usually counted on to be blue, didn't go as far as some of his fellow Republicans when it came to opposing the Muslim community center near Ground Zero. Rather than talk up the "insensitivity" of the project as many Republicans have, Rossi chose to focus on President Obama's recent statements regarding the project.

"I really don't think the President should have waded into this mosque issue. That's not really the direction, I don't believe," Rossi told NBC's Chuck Todd last night. "I don't think anyone disagrees that they have the right to build it. I guess the question is, 'Is it the right thing to do?' I think most Americans would say no, that it isn't the right thing to do. The Governor of New York has even offered to help find a new location. I'd take em' up on it. That's what I think they ought to do."

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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.

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2010 elections

Poll: Dem Murray And GOPer Rossi In Good Shape To Win WA-SEN 'Top Two' Primary

Thomas Rhiel | August 11, 2010, 11:00AM

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

Washington's Senate primary is next Tuesday, and with a week left before voters head to the polls, it looks like Democrat Patty Murray and Republican Dino Rossi will advance to the general election, a new SurveyUSA poll finds. Washington state has an open primary, meaning the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, move on to compete in November. In SurveyUSA's new poll, Murray leads with 41% of the vote and Rossi gets 33%. Clint Didier, a Tea Partier and former NFL player, is a distant third with 11%.

Past polling of the race has also shown Murray and Rossi to have commanding leads over other primary contenders. The last time SurveyUSA polled Washington, they found Murray with 37% and Rossi with 33%, while Didier lagged behind in third with 5%.

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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.

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WA-SEN

Patty Murray Attacks Dino Rossi With WA-SEN Ad Featuring Bush

Thomas Rhiel | August 3, 2010, 1:26PM

Former President George W. Bush

Former President Bush has a cameo role in a new attack ad from Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, who's battling Republican former state Sen. Dino Rossi in the Washington Senate race.

The new ad, Murray's third in the campaign so far, takes on Rossi for hosting Wall Street fundraisers and opposing the recently passed financial regulation bill. Images of the former president appear in an opening montage alongside foreclosed homes and concerned-looking retirees while a narrator intones, "Bailouts, bonuses, lost savings, foreclosed homes." Bush is not mentioned by name.

The ad goes on to smack Rossi for accepting Wall Street campaign contributions and calling for the repeal of financial regulation reform. "Dino Rossi," the ad concludes, "the best friend Wall Street and big banks can buy."

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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 »

WA-SEN

Report: Jim DeMint Backs Dino Rossi In WA-SEN

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 29, 2010, 3:13PM

US Senate candidate Dino Rossi (R-WA)

Shunning the man Sarah Palin endorsed to be the next Senator from Washington state -- tea party favorite Clint Didier (R) -- Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) has decided to back the national party's choice in the race, former gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi (R).

The Washington Post previews tomorrow's announcement:

"When I met with Dino a couple months ago, he made it clear he was only interested in running if Republicans were serious about saving our country from fiscal collapse," DeMint will say in announcing the endorsement. "I've studied his record and his positions on the key issues, and it's clear that he will stand up to the establishment in both parties."

DeMint's backing gives Rossi some of the conservative cred he needs to keep Didier and his supporters at bay. But it also gives him a connection with the tea party side of the GOP that might not sit well with general election voters in the blue state. But in the short-term, DeMint's backing probably means a big new revenue stream for Rossi, who needs to raise a lot of money fast if he wants to eliminate Sen. Patty Murray's (D) cash advantage.

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WA-SEN

Dem Sen. Patty Murray Up With First TV Spot In WA-SEN (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 16, 2010, 9:20AM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) -- facing what could be a stiff challenge from likely GOP nominee Dino Rossi in November -- went on the air with her first TV spot of the 2010 campaign this week. Murray is already facing a barrage of TV advertising from conservative group American Action Network in the race.

Murray's first ad is all-positive, focused on her work for veterans in the Senate. According to reports, the ad has been running statewide since last night.

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WA-SEN

Rasmussen Poll Puts Dem Murray In Tight WA-SEN Race

Eric Kleefeld | June 25, 2010, 12:17PM

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

The new Rasmussen poll of Washington state shows a tight re-election fight for Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.

The poll has Murray tied 47%-47% with Republican former state Sen. Dino Rossi, and 3% for "some other candidate." She leads Republican former pro football player Clint Didier 48%-40%, with 6% for "some other candidate." And she leads Republican businessman Paul Akers 48%-38%, with 4% for "some other candidate." The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. The TPM Poll Average give Murray a lead over Rossi of 45.7%-42.5%.

To go nitpicking, "some other candidate" won't be an option on the ballot in November, though voters could potentially register some form of protest-vote with a write-in. Washington state's electoral system is different from the rest of the country, unlike the party primaries and general elections that we're used to. And that system is spreading -- so pollsters around the country better get used to it.

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2010 elections

Have Republicans Already Blown Their Chance to Recapture The Senate?

Brian Beutler | June 15, 2010, 1:19PM

(clockwise, from top left) Sen candidate Sharron Angle (R-NV), Senator David Vitter (R-LA), Sen candidate Carly Fiorina (R-CA), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

With nearly five months to go until Election Day, Republican hopes of retaking the Senate have dimmed and they're privately lamenting their lost opportunity. Until just a few weeks ago, Republicans considered winning a Senate majority a long shot but by no means out of reach. But the euphoria over Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts in January seems a distant memory now, especially after the latest round of primary results last week.

Primary victories by Carly Fiorina in California and Sharron Angle in Nevada bolstered a growing national narrative that Republican candidates are lightweights, or too outside the mainstream, to survive in the fall, and that could harm even top tier Republicans.

"There's now a path to 'acceptable losses' for Democrats," notes one cautiously optimistic Democratic strategist.

"I totally see how the number stops at five to seven [Republican pickups]" says a Republican consultant, speaking of an optimistic scenario for the GOP.

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WA-SEN

Dino Rossi Raising Online Cash At A Halter-Like Pace In WA SEN

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 4, 2010, 6:22PM

US Senate candidate Dino Rossi (R-WA)

Republicans said it would be bad news for the otherwise-safe Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) if former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi decided to run against her. So far, they seem to be right, and more so than observers expected.

Yesterday, his campaign announced Rossi raised over $600,000 in his first week as a candidate -- a third of it from grassroots supporters online. He's signed 2,500 people to his campaign list in the first week, and attracted 20,000 followers to his Facebook page (which his campaign says is the "third most of any US Senate candidate and nearly twice that of Senator Murray.")

Republicans in Washington, it seems, are happy to see Rossi after all.

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2010 elections

Here We Go Again! Wa-Sen Race Embroils GOP In Another Establishment vs. Tea Party Battle

Christina Bellantoni | May 26, 2010, 12:49PM

WA Sen. candidate Dino Rossi (R) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Is Washington state about to go the way of Florida and Kentucky? There's a battle brewing now that Republican Dino Rossi has officially jumped into what was already a crowded primary field to challenge Sen. Patty Murray (D) this fall. Rossi is up against a tea partier backed by Sarah Palin and several others who don't want to make way for the D.C. favorite, who announced his candidacy this morning.

The national Republican establishment has gone all out to court Rossi, with NRSC Chairman Sen. John Cornyn telling reporters recently that Rossi is "exactly the kind" of candidate that could beat Murray and do well in competitive races. Cornyn (R-TX) said last month that Rossi can beat Murray, adding that the new candidate can help "rebuild the Republican brand nationally." He said the NRSC would "do whatever it takes to help him." Sound familiar? As we've written, Cornyn has been a bit regretful about backing Florida Gov. Charlie Crist early in the primary, saying he had no way of knowing Marco Rubio would wipe away Crist's hopes of being the GOP nominee. In Kentucky, Cornyn didn't officially back Rand Paul, but it was clear that D.C. preferred Trey Grayson to the tea party favorite.

The TPM Poll Average of a race pitting Murray against Rossi has the senator leading him 45.5 to 40.6. percent.

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