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Senator Patty Murray and Republican challenger Dino Rossi squared off again last night in a debate televised on KOMO 4, as well as CSPAN.

It was obvious as the hour-long battle went along that Patty Murray is the right choice for Washington State.

Campaign manager Jeff Bjornstad chimed in via PattyMurray.com after the debate, saying:

“Tonight’s debate again displayed the stark differences between United States Senator Patty Murray and 18 year candidate Dino Rossi. Senator Patty Murray continues to fight for Washington state communities and the middle class [...] Voters need a Senator with an in-depth understanding of the issues facing our state and the guts to go to bat for the solutions. Tonight’s debate proved conclusively that Senator Murray is the right choice for Washington State.”

Senator Murray focused on her track record of helping people and solving problems, such as repairing the Howard Hanson Dam and replacing the South Park Bridge – projects that have created jobs for Washingtonians and benefited the local economy.

Watch the full debate on KomoNews.com, or read more from Jeff Bjornstad’s statement here.

If you’d like more information about Senator Murray’s stance on the issues, visit PattyMurray.com/issues

We’ve just received word that The Olympian has officially endorsed Senator Patty Murray’s campaign for re-election! The support of the paper is a great boost as we move towards Election Day.

The Olympian pointed to Murray’s work to protect Washington’s workers and America’s veterans as reasons to vote for her:

“When it looked as though Boeing would lose the military’s air-tanker contract to Airbus from Europe, it was Murray who sprang to Boeing’s defense and insisted on a level playing field. When she saw how veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were being treated when they returned home, it was Murray who led the charge for improved conditions.”

The editorial continues:

“Murray passionately fights for Washington residents in the other Washington.”

Read more about The Olympian’s Endorsement, or click here to see all of the organizations that have endorsed Patty Murray so far.

In the first Washington Senate debate last night in Spokane, Senator Murray was sharp, calm, and educated on the issues most important to Eastern Washington and the state as a whole.

But you don’t need to take my word for it – if you missed the debate, you can check out the whole thing online on the KXLY website.

Our fearless campaign manager Jeff Bjornstad had this to say after the debate:

“Tonight, the choice facing voters was clear.  Senator Murray once again showed herself to be a fierce advocate for our state.  In every one of her answers, Senator Murray showed her understanding of issues facing Washington state.  From Hanford to creating jobs to making sure local communities have the investments they need to grow and thrive – Senator Murray is fighting for middle class families in this state.”

Thanks again for all who tuned in – our second and last debate is this coming Sunday in Seattle.

Thanks,

Doug

It’s clear that Patty’s record of helping people and solving problems in our state has made a strong case that she is the right voice for Washington state families.

Since October 3, newspapers representing the Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and Clark County regions have all stepped forward to endorse Patty Murray in her bid for re-election this November.

The Seattle Times said:

“Murray has guts and principles. She works doggedly on behalf of average citizens in every corner of the state. Re-elect Patty Murray, a solid, conscientious senator.”

The News Tribune further praised Senator Murray, saying:

“This state needs a scrappy defender looking out for it. Murray is that person, and The News Tribune endorses her for re-election.”

The Everett Herald chimed in as well:

“Her deep understanding of the issues important to Washington citizens and businesses, combined with the political clout she has forged over three terms, put her in a better position to make a positive difference.”

Finally, The Oregonian made the case that she is the right choice for Southwest Washington, saying:

“In a time of war, Murray, daughter of a wounded World War II veteran, deserves considerable credit for her tenacity on behalf of veterans…Washington voters should re-elect Murray, and keep both her influence and her values in the U.S. Senate.”

To read the full endorsements from each news outlet, click on the links below:

Seattle Times Endorsement – The News Tribune Endorsement – The Everett Herald Endorsement

The Oregonian Endorsement

We are extremely honored and excited to announce that the Everett Herald has endorsed Senator Patty Murray in the upcoming election for U.S. Senate.

The Herald highlighted Patty’s history of tenacity on the Senate floor – and her ultimate sense of responsibility when it comes to her constituents:

Murray has shown toughness that her critics are quick to overlook. She’s been a tenacious defender of veterans, aggressively pushing the Veterans Administration to meet its health-care commitments and improve suicide-prevention efforts. She’s been a leader on improving the security of U.S. ports in the wake of 9/11, teaming with Republican Susan Collins of Maine. When it comes to supporting Boeing’s Air Force tanker bid against Airbus, no voice in Congress has been stronger than Murray’s.

Senator Murray is proud to accept the Herald’s endorsement, and is looking forward to continuing her work on issues important to Snohomish County.

If you would like to voice your support for Senator Murray, or see the other organizations around Washington that have pledged their support, please visit the endorsements section on PattyMurray.com or submit your own endorsement with myPatty.

Today’s a huge day for our campaign.

It’s September 30, the last day of the last full fundraising quarter before the election — and one of the last opportunities for the political press and pundits to gauge our strength before the people of Washington state cast their votes.

We’ve set a $100,000 grassroots fundraising goal to help us finish the quarter strong — but we need your support to reach it before midnight tonight.

Can you help?

Please contribute $5 now — and help us reach our $100,000 grassroots goal before tonight’s midnight reporting deadline!

Filing a strong September 30 fundraising report will be a powerful sign of our grassroots momentum, which I’ve also seen first-hand out on the campaign trail while traveling across Washington state. And it will be a real benchmark for the press and pundits when sizing our campaign up against Dino Rossi’s.

But it’s not just about sending a signal — it’s also equipping us with the resources we need to fight back about Dino Rossi and our right-wing opponents’ incessant attacks.

In fact, Karl Rove’s shadowy front group, Crossroads GPS, just dumped more than $500,000 onto Washington state’s airwaves to run TV attack ads against me.

We need to make sure we have enough resources to get our message out in the face of these ongoing attacks and distortions — and that’s why I’m turning to you.

Please contribute $5 now — and help us reach our $100,000 grassroots goal before tonight’s midnight reporting deadline!

The stakes are high, our opponents are escalating their attacks, the press and pundits are watching us closely — and we need to respond.

Thanks so much for your help.

Sincerely,

Patty Murray

Big news came in yesterday! President Bill Clinton will be making a stop in Washington to show his support for Patty.

The Senator is extremely excited to welcome the President, and so are we here at Campaign HQ.

“President Clinton has always been a strong advocate for middle class families – the ones who work hard and play by the rules,” said Patty, “and I am proud to stand by his side and we work on building a stronger America to help those families succeed.”

Can you join us in Everett? The rally will be on October 18th, at the Flying Heritage Collection at 3407 109th St. SW in Everett.

Best of all, the rally will be free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to RSVP here.

While you’re at the rally, display some Patty Pride! Visit our online store to pick up t-Shirts, rally signs, and buttons too.

The event will begin at 2:00 PM, so come early, and Vote Patty!

Best,

Doug

Senator Patty Murray was at the Olympia Center this Saturday to help build a volunteer base to help with the push towards November.

Among the issues discussed were Patty’s contribution to put a stop to the Boeing tanker contract that would have left many Washingtonians jobless, her efforts to continue the upswing of benefits for veterans, and loan assistance for small business.

Senator Murray gained a wealth of support from new volunteers as people from around the South Puget Sound rallied to sign up and contribute to the campaign, According to The Olympian.

“William LaVigne was one of the first to reach for a pen and sign up to volunteer after Murray finished talking. Asked what makes Murray appeal to him, he said she has good ideas and works to get them put into action – ideas such as securing additional clinics for military veterans and help to deal with combat-related brain injuries.”

Repeat volunteers showed up too, reports The Olympian.

“Pearl Edwards of Tumwater, who retired from managing a medical office, credited Murray with work for military veterans, halting the tanker contract that was not going to Boeing, and helping pass health insurance reform. ‘I’ve been down there twice (to the campaign) to make phone calls, and I signed up to make more,’ Edwards said.”

Patty is doing two more volunteer recruitment events this weekend in Bellevue on Saturday and in Everett on Sunday.

To sign up to volunteer for the Patty Murray campaign, go to our volunteer page at Pattymurray.com/volunteer

When it comes to our veterans, Patty Murray not only “talks the talk”, but “walks the walk” as well.

Veterans are finding it easier to receive an education through the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill that Senator Murray championed through the Senate.

Dave from Renton, a Marine who served in the Iraq War felt her impact when he returned home to a difficult job market. Through the new G.I. Bill, he was able to receive a great education and re-enter the job market with a new confidence and outlook.

Through his research of Murray-backed legislation, Dave found that Patty has been working throughout her career to help veterans like himself in more ways than he could imagine.

“I know, right now, if [the Senate] is in session… Murray’s at her desk with the phone in her hand,” he said.

Do you have a story about how Patty Murray has helped you? Visit myPatty and share your story with us.

I can’t imagine a better partner in the U.S. Senate than Patty Murray.

Together, Patty and I work every day to put the hard-working people of Washington state first — fighting for jobs, for small businesses, for our families, and for our future.

It’s so important that we re-elect Patty Murray — and to do that, we need to give her campaign a boost of support before the crucial September 30 end-of-quarter deadline.

Will you join me and stand up for Patty?

Please contribute to Patty’s campaign today — and let’s help her reach her $100,000 grassroots fundraising goal before the September 30 deadline!

Patty’s opponent, Dino Rossi, is the wrong choice for Washington state.

His right-wing agenda would return us to the failed policies of the Bush Administration, policies that took our country to the brink of an economic meltdown.

Dino was the first Senate candidate in the country to call for a repeal of the Wall Street reform bill. He opposed our efforts to pass the Small Business Jobs bill to help our small businesses expand and thrive.

And Dino even opposes our plans to extend tax cuts to middle-class families — 97% of Americans — unless we hand the wealthiest Americans a massive tax windfall too.

There’s no question that we need to keep Patty Murray in the Senate. But it’s up to you and me to help make that happen.

The September 30 fundraising deadline is less than a week away. It’s one of the last chances before Election Day for the press and pundits to gauge the strength of Patty’s campaign and compare it to Dino Rossi’s.

We need to make sure that Patty Murray comes out on top — on September 30 and on Election Day.

That’s why we need to make sure she reaches her $100,000 grassroots fundraising goal before the end-of-quarter deadline.

Please contribute now!

Thanks so much for joining me in supporting my friend, my colleague, and our senator, Patty Murray.

Sincerely,

Maria Cantwell

U.S. Senator