"Orange to Blue: Suzan DelBene, WA-08"

Joan McCarter (Daily Kos):

Newspaper endorsements a winning candidate do not make. But here we once again revisit the 2008 election, and the last minute hatchet job the Seattle Times did on Burner, smearing her by saying that she was lying about her Harvard degree in computer science and economics, a smear that was quickly debunked, but not before the damage was done. Darcy lost another very close race, and based on the GOTV and tracking the campaign was conducting, it was that story that lost the race. That's not going to happen again.

This Orange to Blue endorsement for Suzan DelBene isn't about sour grapes, it's not even about finishing what we started four years ago. Well, okay, maybe it is about finishing what we started back then--proving that a smart, energetic, and capable progressive can win in a swing district. Suzan DelBene is all that. Her responses to our O2B questionnaire (which are posted below the fold) prove that she'd be a strong progressive voice in the House. MORE...

Howie P.S.: If anyone knows the backstory on the Seattle Times endorsement of DelBene this time, I've got an autographed copy of Markos' new book (American Taliban) for ya!

Joan McCarter: "WA-08: It's a race"

Joan McCarter (Daily Kos):

Public Policy Polling for Daily Kos. 10/9-10/10. MoE 3.0%

Dave Reichert (R) 49%
Suzan DelBene (D) 46%

Dave Reichert, for the third election in a row, remains among the most vulnerable Republican House members. This is the swing district where Darcy Burner nipped at Reichert's heels in both 2006 and 2008. It could be that voters in the 8th have finally decided to stop grading Reichert on a curve, and expect their congressman to start doing more than just showing up. That's what led the Seattle Times, Reichert's most stalwart defender in the past two cycles, to endorse the challengers in the August top-two primary. MORE...

Suzan DelBene (WA-8) Makes DCCC "Red to Blue 2010"

DCCC:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has announced 13 candidates who have earned a spot in the DCCC's highly competitive Red to Blue program. These candidates earned a spot in the program by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they will work to create jobs and stand up for the middle class.

Suzan DelBene

WA-08 (Map)

Meet Suzan Delbene, Democratic candidate for WA-8 (with video)

Dwight Pelz (email), with video (03:41).

During these tough economic times, Suzan's exactly the kind of leader we need in the 8th Congressional District. And it is time that we send Reichert into retirement.

Suzan's background as a leader in the technology industry and her record as a community activist prove that she has the experience in creating jobs and new opportunities that we need in Congress.

Suzan also has a deep understanding of the challenges facing our families. At a young age, Suzan's father lost his job, and her family struggled for years to pay the bills. That's why, after a successful career, Suzan's made the commitment to build a stronger community through a more progressive Congress.

For too long the 8th Congressional District has been represented by someone who votes
AGAINST equal pay for women, AGAINST a woman's right to choose and AGAINST legislation that would prevent insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

I'm confident that when Suzan is elected to Congress, she'll deliver the kind of solutions that the 8th District needs.

Suzan will support health care reform, instead of standing in the way of reform, like incumbent Congressman Reichert.

Suzan has a fresh voice, and she has answers to the many problems we face.

I'm thrilled to endorse Suzan DelBene's candidacy, and I know she will build a stronger, more robust 8th Congressional District.

Finally, the earlier we can support Suzan with our financial support, the stronger her campaign will be going into 2010. We all need to do our part in fighting for new leadership in the 8th Congressional District. I urge you to join me in donating to the Suzan DelBene for Congress campaign today:

https://www.delbeneforcongress.com/contribute

Sincerely,

Dwight Pelz
Washington State Democrats Chair