Dems make 3rd try against Reichert

The Democrats have come within five points of knocking off Rep. Dave
Reichert (R-Wash.) in the past two cycles and they have a candidate
ready to take a third shot.

Former Microsoft executive Suzan DelBene has a strikingly similar résumé to that of Darcy Burner, the candidate who gave Reichert fits in 2006 and 2008. Burner is not planning to run again in 2010.

As Washington state political science Professor Travis Ridout noted, Reichert can expect Democrats to launch a full-fledged attack next year because, after making significant gains in the House in the past two elections, they have a much smaller playing field. Democrats put the district in their “Red to Blue” program last cycle and are expected to do the same in 2010.

“The Democrats don’t have all that many great targets left,” Ridout said, “and this is good territory for them.”

{mosads}The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is capitalizing on Reichert’s vote against President Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus package.

“The focus right now is on Congressman Reichert, who voted against the economic recovery package — twice,” Andy Stone, a spokesman for the DCCC, told The Hill. “This is a winnable race in 2010 and we’re looking forward to seeing how things develop.”

The DCCC has also launched robo-calls in Reichert’s district that criticize him for voting against the package.

Reichert, though, deflected the criticism and said he is focused on his job.

“Congressman Reichert was reelected to continue to represent all the people of the 8th district, bringing common-sense solutions and an open-minded approach to Congress,” said Chris Miller, Reichert’s chief of staff. “His focus is on the economy and creating jobs in Washington state.”

Miller declined to discuss the Democrats’ early attacks, saying people are looking for solutions, not politics.

“There’s a time to engage in discussions with political opponents and there will be plenty of time to discuss the election next year,” he said. “But today people are hurting and are looking for leadership, not partisan politics.”

While his office may not want to talk politics, Reichert has shown considerable political know-how in the last two election cycles.

Last November, he fended off Burner for a second time by a margin of 52 percent to 48, a larger edge than in 2006, when he faced Burner for the first time. And Reichert was significantly outraised and outspent last cycle. Burner’s campaign dished out $4.2 million while the congressman scraped by with $2.6 million and was forced to finish the cycle $176,000 in debt.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Reichert is his suburban eastern Seattle district, which is trending Democratic. Al Gore carried the district in 2000, 49 percent to 47.

John Kerry (D-Mass.) improved on that margin in 2004, winning 51 percent to 48. And Obama improved on that still, carrying the district last November with 57 percent of the vote.

Nevertheless, Reichert has shown his mettle in those previous races and, as Ridout noted, meshes well with his constituents. According to National Journal’s 2008 ratings, Reichert has amassed one of the most centrist voting records in the House.

Ridout said that mirrors the district. “He’s developed a more moderate image in the past few years,” he said, “which you need to do in a district like that.”

Most importantly, he added, Reichert hasn’t become infamous for doing something wrong. “There’s been no real reason to kick him out of office,” he said. “He’s done nothing blatant that the Democrats can point to.”

But DelBene, who announced her candidacy in late February, thinks Reichert may have provided that reason when he voted against the stimulus.

In an interview with The Hill, she criticized Reichert for voting against the measure without offering any proposals of his own. “I think if you’re going to disagree you have to bring alternatives to the table,” she said. “[In Reichert], I saw disagreement with no alternative solutions.”

Like Burner, DelBene will tout her business credentials in her campaign. She worked more than 13 years for Microsoft, eventually rising to the rank of vice president. She has also worked as CEO of her own small business and said she plans to campaign on offering new solutions.

“I think we need someone who can not only vote on issues but who can bring new ideas to the table,” she said.

And she has Burner’s backing.

“I’d be thrilled to have Suzan DelBene represent me in Congress,” Burner wrote in an e-mail. “This district deserves representation that understands the business and technology that drive our economy — as she does.”