Editorial
Murray, a victory earned and deserved

TOM REESE / THE SEATTLE TIMES Sen. Patty Murray kicks off her campaign at Qwest Field this summer.

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Murray did not appear to be winning just a handful of Puget Sound counties, as Maria Cantwell, the state's junior senator, did four years ago. In early returns, Murray was ahead in 17 counties, compared with the 22 she won in 1998 when she ran against former Congresswoman Linda Smith.

Murray's victory against Spokane Congressman George Nethercutt is payback for a dozen years of hard work — on behalf of veterans seeking medical care in Vancouver, Walla Walla and Tacoma, on behalf of businesses and commuters clamoring for transportation improvements, and on behalf of residents seeking higher security for Puget Sound ports.

Republicans today must be wondering what it will take to unseat the senator they frequently underestimate.

For the next six years, Murray is in position to deliver for Washington. She may be in the minority party at least the next two years but she serves on important committees such as Budget, Appropriations, Veterans Affairs and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Throughout the campaign, Nethercutt tried to raise his profile with issues such as sales tax deductibility and the Wild Sky Wilderness, but his last-minute plan was not acceptable.

In the end, Nethercutt's campaign had no there, there. His approach seemed to be, "I agree with George Bush and I am not Patty Murray." That only goes so far in a state that voted against the president and feels comfortable with a senator who shares Washington values about the economy and world affairs. Murray, as many people know, was one of only 23 senators to vote against the war in Iraq.

Murray ran a modern campaign that includes the new ethic: Leave no attack unanswered. The former chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was a tougher candidate this election. She learned from rough-and-tumble Senate races two years ago to come back swinging any time her Republican opponent attacked unfairly — and she did. For example, when Nethercutt challenged her efforts on federal funding of the Coast Guard post-9/11, she rounded up a group of retired Coast Guard officers to defend her record.

Murray earned a third term by working diligently on education, health care, veterans issues, transportation and port security. She is a good fit for Washington. Voters understand that.