The D-Trip Digs In...

...to wage war in Battleground Washington.

For months, I've been preaching that the two open House seats in WA-5 and WA-8 looked like keys to the election of Speaker Pelosi, and my opinion seems to be confirmed by the blasts from the big guns in DC.

First, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tagged Don Barbieri in the 5th for their first roster of candidates to benefit from their Red To Blue campaign. As usual, the Republican primary in the District saw the 'moderate' choice fall to a local idealogue, and Don Barbieri's deep community roots in the district's most populous community and business oriented 'New Democrat' approach make him an even more attractive choice for 5th District voters. With an extra financial boost from the D-Trip, we're on our way to taking back Tom Foley's old seat while winning back his old job for our new Speaker.

I didn't support Dave Ross in the Democratic primary for the 8th District, but that doesn't diminish my enthusiasm for his potential to be a fine Congressman or his prospects in November. It's a celebrity contest of sorts, with long time talk radio host Ross up against King County Sherrif Dave Reichert, who's chief claim to fame comes from his involvement in a notorious serial killer investigation. With the primary past us, the D-Trip has weighed in with a TV campaign that points out the obvious - tracking bad guys in this Washington isn't a particularly relevant credential for doing good work in the other Washington. It's a potent attack, and one that Ross would be hard pressed to finance this early himself, since he's been dumping resources into our pitifully late primary election.

That's one of the main values of an organization like the DCCC. A candidate like Ross is able to reload the coffers without abandoning the airwaves because people from across the country are able to pool resources to lend a hand. That's why efforts like the Majority Makers campaign are critical to taking back the House, and that's why I've pledged to raise $5000 through the Upper Left Majority Makers page. Because it's important to races that are near to home, and those races are important to each and every one of us.

If you've got five or ten (or what the heck, five K) to toss in the bucket, I'd sure appreciate it. And just for fun, the next five folks to kick in and send me their snail mail address will get a coveted 'Complete Sentences' button along with my heartfelt thanks.



Winning here in the Upper Left can produce victory for Democrats everywhere, and the D-Trip is providing important artillery in the battle. Lend a hand!