Will Patty Murray Survive the Washington State 2010 Primary?

Bothell, Washington -- The 2010 Senate race is heating up and the primary is approaching soon in August. I think of myself as conservative, but not so much that I do not respect other's opinions or views. As a voter, I do think that this primary and fall election will be rather interesting in terms of the number of people involved, and the issues.

From my perspective of what I see on the nightly news and in newspapers like The Seattle Times, it seems that due to all the problems lately in our country (jobs, housing market, and health care) that more people than normal are getting involved, according to http://elections.gmu.edu, whereas there has been a rise in voter turnout since 1996.

As a Washingtonian, I am very interested in the job market and in seeing some recovery in the number of jobs available as well as in the job types. As the nation's unemployment is on the rise, so it is in Washington State. In talking with co-workers and friends, people are holding our state senators accountable to what they are doing to help our state. One good example was the 2009 Economic Stimulus Package and especially to the earmarks that were being added to the bill. This stimulus package allocated over 6 Billion dollars to the state of Washington. These monies do help in providing some jobs as most of the monies are going into federal construction projects.

Another way that we are looking for our senators to help in the job market would be government contract such as the Air Force Tanker contract. There has been much controversy over the contract, so much so, that all companies have to go through the bidding process again. I am looking at how Senator Murray and Cantwell fight for this contract to be awarded to Boeing, but by also ensuring that the planes are produced here in Washington. This contract would create jobs in our state that we need.

Other states have had far greater issues due to the housing market bubble, but that does not mean that Washington has not had its own issues. Housing prices continue to lose value and there does not seem to be much slowing this trend down. One issue that I am concerned with in regards to the Truth-in-Lending Act is two-fold. I want there to be legislation that ensures that people properly qualify for the home that they are purchasing. However, on the other side I see that for our economy to recover the banks need to open the purse strings and some of the requirements for individuals to be able to qualify for a home. I think it would be very unwise to allow the same lack of governess that lead the housing collapse, but people also need to be able to buy homes. I am taking notes on how both Senators Murray and Cantwell are voting on legislation around this topic. In a recent article in the Seattle Times titled, "How Your U.S. Lawmaker Voted, " published on May 16, 2010; both Senator Cantwell and Murray voted to have tougher home mortgage standards. I will be watching this issue closely.

The topic of healthcare touches all Americans in one way or another. Due to the legislation, that President Obama signed into law requiring all American to purchase healthcare by 2014; almost all Americans have become angry. A poll by CBSnews.com showed that 76% of American disapproves of the way Congress members are doing their job, this mostly due to the healthcare reform. I would agree that something needs to be changed, but I think that this was the wrong direction. I was very disappointed in the way that Senator Murray recently tried to sell this "New Product" to the state of Washington. Patty Murray was on www.king5.com and Seattle Times reported her comments, telling all that this new Healthcare is just what the state needs. Come the primary I think she will have a different answer from the voters.

It is my opinion that these three main topics are bringing about a higher voter turnout and more people being involved in this year's election. I know that I will be keeping my eyes and ears open to news stories that center around these topics, and I am watching to see how the current Senators from Washington State are voting on all of these different bills in Congress. I think that patty Murray has an up hill race to maintain election into the primary. The republicans have a number of candidates that are taking on her record of service and her voting history. In a King 5 story "Issues that Matter, Taking on Patty Murray" aired on April 11, 2010 there are three competitors looking for her set within the Senate.

Sources:

Dr. Michael Mc Donald "Voter Turnout"

One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of America AT THE FIRST SESSION, "H. R. 1"

AP (Associated Press) "Gregoire, Murray boost Boeing bid"

Washington State University "Washington State's Housing Market"

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System "2009 Banking and Consumer Regulatory Policy"

On the Issues "Patty Murray on Budget & Economy"

CBS News Poll "Poll: Health Care Reform Still Confusing"

Mike Carter, "Yakima County man charged with threatening to kill Sen. Patty Murray"

King 5, Up Front "Taking on Patty Murray"