Rossi Declines

Recruiting failure? Not really.

This one is not Elizabeth Dole's fault. Dino Rossi has said for months that he is not prepared to move his family to Washington, DC. Today, he gave his final "No" to those who have been recruiting him for months. A recent GOP poll showed Rossi pummelling Cantwell but all other potential candidates trailing badly.

This is a severe blow to Republican hopes of expanding the Majority. Defeating Cantwell was always appealing, but this blue state requires everything to work out just right for Republicans. In 2006, that would involve first and foremost having the popular shadow Governor on the ticket. Now that he is out, Republicans have to hope that Mike McGavick, Safeco CEO, will enter the race. McGavick would be a longshot, but Cantwell polls at just 49% in a hypothetical race against him.

Call this "Likely Democrat" with McGavick, "Safe Democrat" with anyone else.