AND IN THE OTHER WASHINGTON – AT 8:33 A.M. ET:  Another one of the most closely watched Senate races promises to give us real excitement Tuesday night.

In Washington state, Republican candidate Dino Rossi is closing fast on three-term Democrat Patty Murray, whose record of accomplishment can be written on the head of a pin, with generous margins to spare.  Murray is running, in the very blue state of Washington, as an unabashed supporter of Barack Obama.  It isn't helping.

RealClear politics shows that an average of recent polls has Murray up only half a point.  The latest poll, by Rasmussen, actually has Rossi up a point.  And, once again, the challenger benefits from Republican enthusiasm.

Washington has a mail-in voter system, so the result may not be known for days or weeks.  But for a Republican to do this well in such a blue state tells us where America is this year.

If we can't knock off Barbara Boxer in California, Murray is a suitable consolation prize.  But Boxer's departure would have deeper spiritual meaning. 

October 29, 2010