Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Will the 'Blue Wave' engulf North Central Washington?

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There has been much talk about the so-called "Blue Wave," a Democrat Party overwhelming victory from coast to coast in the mid-term elections this November 6.

There is no doubt that the "blue" party, aptly named if water is involved, will most likely take over many seats in Congress if the current polls are to be believed, but how much of a wave will it really be?

Here, in the conservative bastion of North Central Washington, will Democrat Kim Schrier take the "red" seat occupied by Dave Reichert or will Republican Dino Rossi win? It is a known fact that the population centers of the western (liberal) part of the state can easily dominate the sparse rural population of Chelan and Douglas counties. Schrier has been spending a fortune on direct mail advertising and television ads. I probably have been receiving one of her color two-sided campaign brochures at least twice a week in the mail.

I have received almost nothing from Rossi, but third party anti-Schrier ads are extant on TV.

Does it mean that Dino is assured of my vote and she is not or that Dino has less money to burn than Schrier? Maybe her "third party" PAC friends are eager to turn Reichert's seat blue for the first time in many years, but whatever the answer, which of these two are actually understanding of rural Washingtonians?

Both Rossi and Schrier have visited Wenatchee during the campaign season and both claim they are willing to work with the other side to get bills passed for rural citizens.

Rossi has many years of political experience while Schrier is one of the new faces that have come out to run for office ever since the Trump phenomena took place.

In case you missed it, Donald Trump has given hope to all Americans of every stripe that they too can run ... and win ... an election for public office.

Admittedly, many of these new found "politicians" were motivated by anti-Trump feelings, but just as many are motivated by the idea of democracy in action.

Considering the time, dedication and money involved in running for public office, I don't see this exciting new era in our republic as an anomaly, but as something that I hope continues far into the future.

If so, then gone are the days that only the good ol' boys win a seat in Congress or on the local county commission. The "common" citizen has a real chance of putting themselves in positions of real responsibility and power.

These are exciting times for all of us and I haven't a clue if the tide will allow all ships to rise or if indeed, the "Blue Wave" will submerge the Grand Old Party and take control of Congress. Perhaps that includes both Houses, i.e., the Senate and the Congress. Then in 2020 the presidency and that will complete the flipping of the three branches of government.

Remember, even incumbent Republicans and Democrats have been losing primaries to their own people who have the guts to fight the status quo. Those races included both pro and anti Trump forces.
The 2018 and the 2020 races promise to be transformative for at least the first 20 - 50 years of this century. Let the games begin.

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