Patty Murray

Paycheck Fairness Act

Dems Escalate Battle For Women Voters With Equal Pay Bill

Sahil Kapur | May 24, 2012, 5:25AM

Senate Democrats are advancing legislation to beef up equal pay protections for women, the latest salvo in the election-year battle for women voters.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is set to file cloture Thursday on the Paycheck Protection Act, which would strengthen protections for women who sue for pay discrimination. The move puts Republicans in an uncomfortable position as they work to repair their weak brand image with women voters ahead of the November election.

Five female Democratic senators talked up the bill Wednesday afternoon during a Capitol briefing -- and made clear they intend to hammer Republicans as anti-women if they stand in its way.

Budget

Dems Sharpen Opposition As GOP Advances Cuts To Poverty Programs

Sahil Kapur | May 8, 2012, 6:05AM

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)

House Republicans advanced a measure Monday that shifts automatic defense spending cuts the parties agreed to last August as part of a bipartisan debt-limit deal to domestic programs aimed at mitigating poverty and working-class struggles.

In clearing the legislation, the Budget Committee put it on a glide path to passing the full House -- but that's when it falls into limbo. Senate Democratic leadership had a concise message for their GOP colleagues: Dream on.

Patty Murray

Dems Try To Corner GOP On Violence Against Women Act

Sahil Kapur | April 18, 2012, 2:04PM

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Senate Democratic women are renewing their call for Republicans to drop their opposition to expanded provisions in the Violence Against Women Act re-authorization, painting the GOP into a corner on a red-hot political issue.

Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) held a Capitol press briefing Wednesday to announce that the Democratic-led measure already has 61 cosponsors -- suggesting Republicans lack the votes for a filibuster -- and to lament continued opposition from some Republicans.

"It really is a shame that we've gotten to this point," Murray said, "That we even have to stand here today to urge our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to support legislation that has consistently received broad, bipartisan approval."

Budget

Deja Vu: House GOP Reignites The Medicare Fight With Its Budget

Brian Beutler | March 20, 2012, 11:36AM

On Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled an updated version of their controversial long-term budget -- a sweeping plan that envisions dramatically lower tax rates on wealthy Americans, deep cuts to federal support programs for the poor and the eventual phase-out of the existing Medicare system, which would be replaced by a subsidized private insurance system, including traditional Medicare as an option.

You can read the GOP gloss on their plan here. Among its claims: The latest "Path to Prosperity" "Restores economic freedom and ensures a level playing field for all by putting an end to special-interest favoritism and corporate welfare" and "cuts government spending to protect hardworking taxpayers."

The reaction from the White House was swift.

House Republicans

Top Dem Warns House GOP Not To Renege On Budget Deal

Sahil Kapur | March 7, 2012, 11:34AM

Amid rumblings that House Republicans may break their end of a major budget agreement they struck with Democrats last fall, and possibly touch off another government shutdown battle later this year, a top Senate Democrat issued a stern warning to the GOP: Don't go there.

"We had a deal last August on the budget numbers, and we expect them to live with that deal," said Sen. Patty Murray (WA) -- a member of the Democratic leadership, high-ranking member of the Budget Committee and erstwhile co-chair of the Super Committee -- in an interview with TPM. "I have been astonished how many times they play with fire. Last August they almost shut the government down, a year ago they almost shut the government down, by trying to go to a place where most Americans don't believe we should be going."

Birth Control

White House Seeks To Mute Catholic Uproar Over Contraception Rule

Brian Beutler | February 10, 2012, 12:23PM

In the days since the conservative and religious uproar over the Obama administration's new contraceptive rule first erupted, the White House has been attempting to thread a policy needle so that nearly all women can receive free contraceptive services from their employer-provided health insurers, without forcing religious non-profits to provide benefits they oppose on "moral" grounds.

On Friday, President Obama announced the plan, which senior administration officials described in detail on a conference call with reporters.

"All women will still have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive services," one official said. But if a religious institution declines to provide coverage that includes contraceptive services, "the insurance company will be required to reach out directly and offer her contraceptive coverage free of charge."

Patty Murray

Patty Murray: The One Percent Aren't 'Job Creators'

Brian Beutler | December 7, 2011, 10:33AM

Super Committee Members John Kerry and Patty Murray

Former Super Committee co-chair and head of Senate Democrats' 2012 campaign effort Patty Murray will take on the GOP myth that the wealthiest Americans are "job creators" -- and therefore must be protected from higher marginal tax rates.

In prepared floor remarks sent my way, Murray will argue that the GOP has this exactly backwards, and that middle class workers need more money in their pockets -- not the highest earners.

Super Committee

FAIL: Super Committee Comes Up Empty

Brian Beutler | November 21, 2011, 4:48PM

Shutterstock/ Kajano

A whirl of last minute meetings and shuttle diplomacy weren't enough to help the 12-member deficit Super Committee reach agreement on anything. Late on Monday, co-chairs Jeb Hensarling and Patty Murray put the panel to bed in an official statement.

Super Committee

Super Committee Chairs Prepare To Announce Failure

Brian Beutler | November 20, 2011, 9:48PM

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Capitol Hill sources say that barring a highly unexpected, last minute development, Super Committee co-chairs Jeb Hensarling and Patty Murray will issue a statement on Monday acknowledging the panel's failure.

The development comes one day before the panel's drop dead date to submit a plan, and three days before the debt limit law requires them to report legislation to the full Congress. Failure will lock into place deep, across the board cuts to defense and security programs, a two percent cut to Medicare providers, and cuts to other domestic programs. Those spending reductions will kick in on January 1, 2013, unless Congress acts to change the law, or passes more targeted budget cuts and thus agrees to eliminate the automatic penalty.

Those cuts, along with the looming expiration of the Bush tax cuts, promise to be major flashpoints for the 2012 campaign, and lock in a tough legislative food fight over cutting spending and raising taxes.

Super Committee

Dems Mock Latest GOP Super Committee Offer

Brian Beutler | November 18, 2011, 4:36PM

After multiple meetings Friday, Democrats publicly excoriated a fall-back offer by Super Committee Republicans to cut 10-year deficits by over $600 billion. And for the first time, Democratic members are publicly casting doubt on the panel's chances to meet its Wednesday deadline.

Partisan tempers flared over how Democrats and Republicans describe the offer, which includes a trivial amount of new tax revenue, but doesn't touch entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Super Committee

Dems Rip GOP Super Committee Co-Chair For Negotiating In Public

Brian Beutler | November 16, 2011, 2:57PM

'Super Committee' members Sen. Patt Murray (D-WA) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), September 7, 2011.

Another sign that the Super Committee's about to implode: Panel Democrats just scolded Republican co-chair Jeb Hensarling for taking his bright lines public on Tuesday, contrary to the spirit of the negotiations, which have been mostly leak-free.

"We've been really working hard not to negotiate in public and not to negotiate through you folks but to talk to each other in good faith and try to work through a compromise," said Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) after a closed door meeting.. "I think when people go public and say what they're willing and not willing to do, it isn't as helpful as sitting at a table and trying to work through these things. "

Super Committee

Schumer Predicts Super Committee Will Fail (VIDEO)

Brian Beutler | November 7, 2011, 11:18AM

Senate Democrats' top messaging strategist predicted Monday that the deficit Super Committee will fail to meet its required minimum target of $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction.

"I don't think the Super Committee is going to succeed because our Republican colleagues have said 'no net revenues,'" said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on MSNBC. "When Democrats move too far left, we lose. We're now -- the basic mainstream of Democrats...we're willing to move to the middle," Schumer said. "They are not willing to do any revenues."

Super Committee

At First Meeting, Super Committee Agrees On One Thing: Failure Is Not An Option

Susan Crabtree | September 8, 2011, 11:38AM

Super Committee Members John Kerry and Patty Murray

As the deficit super committee kicked off its long-awaited first meeting Thursday morning, Republicans and Democrats on the panel were in perfect agreement on one thing: failure is not an option.

Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the co-chairs of the joint House and Senate panel, in opening statements laid out the goal of achieving $1.2 trillion in additional deficit reduction over 10 years, as well as the stakes, in dire terms.

Super Committee

Top Republican Staffer To Serve As Staff Director For Super Committee

Brian Beutler | August 30, 2011, 11:08AM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

"Super Committee" co-chairs Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) have announced that the panel's top staffer will be senior Republican Senate Finance Committee aide Mark Prater.

"The know-how and experience Mark brings to this difficult task is exactly what we agreed must be the top priority for the staff serving all the members of this Committee," Murray and Hensarling said in an official statement. "Mark has a well-earned reputation for being a workhorse who members of both parties have relied on. We look forward to working with him and are confident that his approach and expertise will be valuable as we weigh the difficult but necessary choices ahead."

Russ Feingold

Feingold To Press Dems To Abandon Any Unbalanced Super Committee Deal

Brian Beutler | August 23, 2011, 12:36PM

Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI), June 12, 2011.

Former Sen. Russ Feingold and his new group Progressives United are petitioning the six House and Senate Democrats serving on the joint deficit Super Committee to walk away if Republicans don't budge on tax increases, and insist on cutting entitlement benefits.

"If we don't get our policy priorities, Democrats need to be ready to walk away from the deal," Feingold emailed his supporters. "You can guarantee extremists on the other side will continue to push relentlessly to give even more to corporations and put even more of the burden on the middle class. We have to fight harder than they will."

Super Committee

Biden: Super Committee Could Easily Gridlock

Brian Beutler | August 23, 2011, 10:32AM

V.P. Joe Biden

The man who led the first in a series of failed Congressional debt limit negotiations says it's still quite likely that the new joint Super Committee, tasked with reducing the deficit by another $1.5 trillion over 10 years, will gridlock, triggering unpalatable penalties.

The new 12-member panel has "a shot of getting a deal that would be viewed by Wall Street, be viewed by everyone, be viewed by the international community as a significant alteration of a trajectory of long-term debt.... We still may end up with the trigger being pulled," Vice President Joe Biden told reporters traveling aboard Air Force Two in Asia. Reaching a deal will be "very difficult," he added.

Grover Norquist

Norquist Calls Sen. Murray 'The Lady From Washington' Who 'Doesn't Do Budgets'

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2011, 8:53AM

Grover Norquist

All six Republicans on the new deficit Super Committee have all kissed anti-tax zealot Grover Norquist's ring. So now he's training his sights on the six committee Democrats -- not always politely. Here's the New York Times.

All six Republicans on the committee have signed the pledge not to raise taxes dictated by Grover Norquist, who heads Americans for Tax Reform. Now, Mr. Norquist said, he will focus on keeping the Democrats in line. "The Republicans are serious budget reformers; the lady from Washington," Mr. Norquist said of Mrs. Murray, "doesn't do budgets."

"The lady from Washington," is the only female member of Senate leadership in either party, and the second highest-ranking member, male or female, of the Senate Budget Committee.

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Topics: Budget, Budget Committee, Deficit, Grover Norquist, Patty Murray, Super Committee

Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi Names Clyburn, Van Hollen, Becerra To Deficit Super Committee

Brian Beutler | August 11, 2011, 1:04PM

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

The roster's now complete. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has named her picks to the deficit Super Committee, and they're a familiar bunch: Reps Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Each of the three has served at her behest on different fiscal working groups in the recent past. All are loyal members, current or former, of her leadership team, all with fairly liberal voting records.

But here are a few caveats...

Harry Reid

Reid Picks Murray, Kerry, Baucus For Super Committee -- Here's The Upshot

Brian Beutler | August 9, 2011, 6:15PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has announced that Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Max Baucus (D-MT) will serve a new deficit Super Committee. Murray will be the Democrats' top member.

"I have great faith in Senator Murray as the co-chair of the committee," Reid said in a statement. "Her years of experience on the Senate Budget and Appropriations committees have given her a depth of knowledge on budget issues, and demonstrated her ability to work across party lines. Senators Baucus and Kerry are two of the Senate's most respected and experienced legislators. Their legislative accomplishments are matched only by their records of forging strong bonds with their Republican colleagues."

Entitlement defenders were hoping for a more progressive bunch than this. But the key on the Democratic side of the new committee isn't so much whether members will agree in principle to some entitlement cuts -- most say they will -- it's whether they'll require as a concession that Republicans agree to increase tax revenues.

And through that prism, there's some reason for optimism.

Debt Ceiling

Dems Push Back At Republican Claims Of 'Scare Tactics'

Susan Crabtree | July 13, 2011, 11:10AM

John Cornyn (R-TX) and Patty Murray (D-WA)

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) is pushing back against Republicans' most recent memo to GOP candidates telling them not to worry about the dire default-or-else messaging coming from President Obama and the Democrats.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Debt Negotiations At The White House]

NY-26

DCCC Chair Steve Israel: Medicare Has Put House Back In Play

Benjy Sarlin | May 26, 2011, 12:38PM

Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY)

How big is the Medicare issue for Democrats in 2012? Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told reporters on Thursday that the House is already back in play thanks to the GOP's budget.

"I did not expect to be able to tell you the House was in play as early as May, but today I can tell you that I fundamentally believe the House of Representatives is in play and that the Democrats can win a majority," he said at a press conference with his Senate counterpart, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair Patty Murray (D-WA).

Medicare

Democrats: We'll Use NY-26 Medicare Formula Around The Country

Benjy Sarlin | May 25, 2011, 9:38AM

Kathy Hochul

National Democrats were united in their post-election message after their NY-26 win, issuing a flurry of statements claiming the race as a victory over Paul Ryan's Medicare plan.

Supporters chanted "Medicare" at Democrat Kathy Hocul's victory party, and she made it a centerpiece of her speech.

"We can ensure we do not decimate Medicare," Hochul said. "We will keep the promises made to our seniors who have spent their lives paying into Medicare, so they can count on health care when they need it most."

If Democrats have their way, there will be a lot more speeches along those lines come November 2012. The chairs of both legislative election committees made clear on Tuesday that they believe they have found a winning formula they intend to use elsewhere.

Medicare

Female Democratic Senators Attack GOP Budget's Harsh Toll On Women

Brian Beutler | May 25, 2011, 9:20AM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Female Democratic senators are returning to a tactic that served them well when Republicans threatened a government shutdown over federal funding of abortion. They're making the case that the House GOP budget, and the male Republican legislators who are advocating its policies in debt limit talks with Democrats, are using the deficit as an excuse to pursue an anti-woman agenda.

"[T]hey have put one thing above anything else: cutting health care for women," said Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). "Last month they almost shut down the entire federal government in an attempt to cut off funding for health care programs for women and girls

Joining Murray were five of her female colleagues, and two male Democratic senators, Dick Blumenthal (D-CT), and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD). Together, they ran through a long list of ways the GOP budget undermines women.

Newt Gingrich

As Newt Implodes, Democrats Pass The Popcorn

Benjy Sarlin | May 17, 2011, 4:30PM

Pres. Barack Obama and Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich isn't the only victim of his political implosion this week. His biting remarks on the Republicans' Medicare plan come right as Democrats sharpen their attacks on the Republican budget -- and party officials are only too happy to bank his remarks for later.

"We're getting a gold mine of things we can use," Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the chair of the DSCC in a difficult election cycle, told TPM when asked about Gingrich.

Patty Murray

Lieberman Mulls A Run As A Dem, Will Meet With DSCC Chair Murray

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2010, 8:54AM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) says he will meet with freshly-minted DSCC chair Patty Murray, likely early next year, about his re-election options for 2012.

No discussions have taken place yet, but he said that some Senate Democrats are rooting for him.

"Some of my colleagues in the Democratic caucus have been very gracious and kind saying they hope I run as a Democrat," he told TPM in an interview Wednesday. "Patty and I said we'd talk sometime early in the New Year."

Don't expect any imminent announcements. Lieberman says for now he's just flattered that "people are raising the question."

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Topics: DSCC, Joe Lieberman, Patty Murray

DSCC

Patty Murray Accepts DSCC Chairmanship

Jillian Rayfield | November 30, 2010, 12:43PM

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has accepted the chairmanship of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, two sources have confirmed to TPM.

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Topics: DSCC, Patty Murray

Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | November 30, 2010, 9:01AM

Obama, Republicans In Tax Face-Off At White House
Reuters reports: "President Barack Obama faces off with Republican congressional leaders over taxes on Tuesday in a test-of-wills that could foreshadow how the White House works with the opposition party in the coming two years."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, and meet with the bipartisan Congressional leadership at 10:30 a.m. ET. He will meet with Nobel Laureates at 4:05 p.m. ET, and he and Vice President Biden will meet with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Chuck Grassley

Snowe, Hatch Poised To Take Top GOP Slots On Major Committees In January

Brian Beutler | November 10, 2010, 12:14PM

Republicans didn't pick up the Senate last week. But they did pick up six seats and will have several new members coming to town next year, which means the committees will be rejiggered -- and the leaders of those committees will play the biennial game of musical chairs.

According to top aides, the reshuffling won't be too dramatic this time around. On any particular committee, Democrats adhere to a seniority system to determine who moves up the ladder. Republicans let the members choose who gets the top spot.

With that in mind, here's one likely reshuffling scenario.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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%.

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.

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Topics: 2010 elections, Dino Rossi, Patty Murray, Polls, Senate '10, WA-SEN

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.

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Topics: 2010 elections, Dino Rossi, Patty Murray, Polls, Senate '10, WA-SEN

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.

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Topics: 2010 elections, Dino Rossi, Patty Murray, Polls, Senate '10, WA-SEN

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.

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Topics: 2010 elections, Dino Rossi, Patty Murray, Polls, Rasmussen, Senate '10, WA-SEN

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.

TPMDC Patty Murray

Sahil Kapur | May 24, 2012, 5:25AM

Sahil Kapur | May 8, 2012, 6:05AM

Sahil Kapur | April 18, 2012, 2:04PM

Brian Beutler | March 20, 2012, 11:36AM

Sahil Kapur | March 7, 2012, 11:34AM

Brian Beutler | February 10, 2012, 12:23PM

Brian Beutler | December 7, 2011, 10:33AM

Brian Beutler | November 21, 2011, 4:48PM

Brian Beutler | November 20, 2011, 9:48PM

Brian Beutler | November 18, 2011, 4:36PM

Brian Beutler | November 16, 2011, 2:57PM

Brian Beutler | November 7, 2011, 11:18AM

Susan Crabtree | September 8, 2011, 11:38AM

Brian Beutler | August 30, 2011, 11:08AM

Brian Beutler | August 23, 2011, 12:36PM

Brian Beutler | August 23, 2011, 10:32AM

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2011, 8:53AM

Brian Beutler | August 11, 2011, 1:04PM

Brian Beutler | August 9, 2011, 6:15PM

Susan Crabtree | July 13, 2011, 11:10AM

Benjy Sarlin | May 26, 2011, 12:38PM

Benjy Sarlin | May 25, 2011, 9:38AM

Brian Beutler | May 25, 2011, 9:20AM

Benjy Sarlin | May 17, 2011, 4:30PM

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2010, 8:54AM

Jillian Rayfield | November 30, 2010, 12:43PM

Eric Kleefeld | November 30, 2010, 9:01AM

Brian Beutler | November 10, 2010, 12:14PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TPMDC
Patty Murray