Biden campaigns for Sen. Murray, defends administration

Vice President Joseph Biden passionately defended the Obama administration at a breakfast fundraiser for Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Friday morning in downtown Seattle.

Speaking as hundreds of supporters and opponents demonstrated outside, Biden said that Democrats will do "just fine" in the November midterm elections.

"We are creating jobs; our foreign policy is once again respected in the world; we are bringing our troops home from Iraq," Biden said. "We are once again leading the world."

The event at the Westin Hotel raised $500,000 from about 1,200 donors, who paid between $150 and $2,500, Murray spokeswoman Alex Glass said. Biden spoke before traveling to Vancouver, B.C., for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

One of four Senators in the Democratic leadership, Murray is seeking her fourth term. Seven Republicans are also in the race.

Biden spent the first portion of his 40-minute talk praising Murray, whom he called a "great friend."

"Patty has this dangerously disarming way of making you think that she is your sister and just looking out for your interest, but you come to think that your interest lies in Washington state," the vice president said. "I don't know how it happens, but it happens."

Luke Esser, state Republican chairman, said Biden's visit reinforced Murray's tie to the administration.

"Senator Murray has been a down-the-line supporter, blindly following every aspect of the Obama agenda," Esser said in a Thursday afternoon conference call with reporters. "There's a big storm brewing in this state and in this nation because of the arrogance and the out-of-control spending."

Some of that "storm" was on display outside of the hotel. Most of those gathered were supporters, urging Congress to pass a health-care package quickly, but others, many from "tea party" groups, demonstrated against Democrats.

Those protesters held signs such as "Hey Patty! No fundraising needed: You're fired!"

Tea-partyers have criticized the economic stimulus and bailouts. Biden defended both in his speech.

"The financial system was in crisis," said Biden, his voice rising to a yell. "It had to be dealt with or we would have had a depression. We weren't talking about the largest banks in America having to reorganize. We were talking about whether they would shutter their doors."

Biden said the stimulus reduced job losses by 2 million. He sharply criticized Republicans for "paralyzing" the Senate by regularly invoking a procedural rule that requires 60 votes for passage.

Of the Republicans running to unseat Murray, just one has held political office: state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, who entered the race this week. All are at a financial disadvantage, in terms of fundraising. Murray reported $5.2 million cash on hand at the end of 2009.

Brian Rosenthal: 206-464-3195 or brosenthal@seattletimes.com