The Morning Digest: Monday, October 27, 2008

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Urban voters may swing election for lands position

When the two candidates for state lands commissioner showed up for a recent debate, the small-town Eastern Washington rancher wore cowboy boots, while the veteran Puget Sound-area politician sported tasseled loafers. (Warren Cornwall, Seattle Times)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008315233_landcommiss27m.html

Gregoire, Rossi differ sharply on health care

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican challenger Dino Rossi both want to lower the cost of health care and expand the ranks of the insured in Washington, but their approaches come from opposite ends of the ideological spectrum. (Chris McGann, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/385032_healthcare27.html

Romney e-campaigns for Reichert

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a top contender for the Republican nomination for president this year, sent out an e-mail on behalf of Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) Friday, asking supporters to contribute to Reichert's campaign. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2473/romney-e-campaigns-reichert

Christians rally at Capitol

OLYMPIA – Faith and patriotism came together Sunday in the state Capitol Rotunda for a ceremony that recognized the country's Christian roots. (Diane Huber, The Olympian)

http://www.theolympian.com/672/story/636869.html

Group aims to raise businesses' political profile

Washington businesses need to borrow a page from labor unions and get more strategic in their political involvement, says Erin McCallum, the president of a new organization that aims to educate businesses large and small about where best to put their money and support at election time. (Kathie Durbin, The Columbian)

http://www.columbian.com/article/20081027/NEWS02/710274860

Democratic incumbents outspend challengers in legislative races

OLYMPIA -- Democratic incumbents have outspent their Republican challengers in the races for 24th District representative. Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, led all four candidates for the state House of Representatives seat that represents Clallam, Jefferson and part of Grays Harbor counties. (Jim Casey, Peninsula Daily News)

Seattle City Council public hearings don't usually drum up much excitement, but there are some exceptions -- including the annual hearings on the city budget, which draw passionate speakers, singing groups, costumes, skits and artists. (Katy Mulady, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/385043_budget27.html

Inslee praises state's environmental leaders

SEATTLE - U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island) kicked things off at today's fundraiser luncheon featuring former Vice President Al Gore on behalf of Gov. Chris Gregoire by imploring voters to make it so that George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Dino Rossi are all "swept into the ashcan of history." (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2470/inslee-praises-states-environmental-leaders

Challenger seeks end to county seat debate in commission race

A decades old debate about where Benton County's seat should be is revived in the District 1 Benton County commissioner race, in which incumbent Leo Bowman is challenged by retired judge Fred Staples. (Franny White, Tri-City Herald)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/363091.html

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.