Doc Hastings

Washington's Congressional delegation spoke out in favor of today's decision by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' decision to re-open the bidding process for the Air Force KC-767 tankers. Airbus had won the initial contract, which would have cost the state's economy a significant amount of money, but the process was discovered to be flawed by the Government Accountability Office.

Representatives Brian Baird (D-03), Doc Hastings (D-04) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (D-05) have yet to speak on the matter. Links to and excerpts from the rest of the state's elected officials statements are below.

George Fearing, 4th District candidate for congress, with his son George: Politicker PhotoWith the end of June rapidly approaching, and with it the time limit for reporting monthly (for state offices) and second quarterly (for congressional races) fundraising figures, candidates across the state have appealed to their supporters for a last-minute surge in contributions to beef up their prospects for the coming home stretch.

On Wednesday night Governor Chris Gregoire sent out an e-mail to supporters asking for $50,000 by month's end. Her letter doubles to show up her new radio ad, and with it the campaign theme that Democrats are being attacked on two fronts, both by the Republican Party and their "special interest lobbyist" backers.

Two congressional candidates, Darcy Burner (D-Carnation) and George Fearing (D-Richland) , also got into the act.

Washington's full delegation, with the exception of Rep. Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) spoke out on the Government Accountability Office's decision today to uphold the protest against the decision making process that led to a US Air Force tanker contract to go to Airbus over Boeing earlier this year.

The group unanimously celebrated the GAO's decision because of initial unfairness in the decision making process, and used their statements as an I-told-you-so to those who supported and helped usher the deal through.

"It has been clear all along that the process was flawed, as evidenced by the clear recommendations made by the GAO," said Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn). "This is a great victory for Boeing, Washington state and every American who values our nation's economic and homeland security."

Read all available statements below the jump.

At a time when man many candidates are appearing out of the blue, filing week, Wenatchee Democrat Don Moody has decided to go the other way. He announced this morning that he would drop his bid for U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings' (R-Pasco) seat in the 4th District.

Moody cited a lack of financial and party support in his decision. The Democrats have endorsed George Fearing (D-Richland) in the race.

Read Moody's full statement below the jump.

Republicans for Environmental Protection, a non-profit interest group dedicated to preserving "both our environment and our economy for current and future generations of Americans," today awarded U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn), along with Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) with the honor of "Greenest Republican in Congress".

The group also says Reichert has "become a champion of America's parks and wilderness heritage" for his co-sponsorship of the Wild Sky Wilderness Act, which is also the boost that gave him the extra three points on his score.

U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) brought his mistress along on a taxpayer-funded trip to Europe, and U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings -- then chair of the House ethics committee -- was there to watch it all happen.

Other "safely Republican" districts have recently fallen to Democrats. Could central Washington's 4th Congressional District be next? Democratic challenger George Fearing is taking on incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings.

Eastern Washington added a second Democratic candidate in as many days yesterday when White Salmon businessman John Gotts called the Tri-City Herald to announce his run for Doc Hastings' seat in the 4th District.

Gotts told the Herald that he is a "very, very, very pro-business" Democrat who has gone back and forth between the two major parties in his adult life, voting for George W. Bush as recently as 2000 but now supports Barack Obama and American troop withdrawal from Iraq.

More importantly, does it matter? Looking at our leaders, the experience trope has been inconsistent at best.

On the national level, touting her experience hasn’t worked at all for Hillary Clinton, and experience was not required of George W. Bush.  read more »

Two of Washington's contested House races saw some unusual figures when the 1st Quarter fundraising numbers were released yesterday. What was so unusual? The challenger outraised the incumbent.  read more »