WA-08: The most exciting US House battle in 2008

Over the last two election cycles, the race in Washington state's 8th congressional district has been the most intriguing in the country, but has received relatively little national attention because it is all the way up in the Northwest. 

This district represents the front lines of the House election battles between the Democratic and Republican parties, which plays out during each even numbered year.  Like the state of Virginia as a whole, the 8th district is in the middle of a major sea change.  Many urban Democrats are moving out into the suburbs, turning what once was a Republican stronghold into a new battleground district.

The Republicans have won the last two elections there, but by smaller margins each time.  Incumbent Republican Dave Reichert has an uphill battle because his 2006 opponent, Democrat Darcy Burner, is running again.  This time her populist-driven campaign resources might put her over the top, enabling the Democrats to pick up yet another U.S. House seat. Rothenberg reports on her earnings::

Burner’s fundraising surely is much better this time. She is likely toshow $400,000 in the bank as of Sept. 30, almost four times what shehad on hand at the end of 2005. Burner and Reichert each spent justmore than $3 million in their previous race.

Because Burner was humbled by her loss in 2006, she is more real and outspoken -- exactly the type of leader the Democratic Party needs:

But in addition tobeing a more experienced candidate, Burner also is more outspoken.Indeed, she calls herself “more straightforward” in talking to voters,and that certainly includes her comments about some of the mostcontroversial issues of the day.

In one Web video this year,produced by the liberal blog OpenLeft, Burner uses language notnormally employed by candidates: “I’m Darcy Burner and I want to tellyou that the FISA bill that just got passed in the House completelysucks.” In that video and in another, she criticizes some in her ownparty for not standing up to the Bush administration.

This race is important not only because it will vindicate the opinion that there has been a national progressive trend since 2004, but also because Burner is a truly populist candidate.  She is an activist at heart -- especially on the issue of energy independence.  If we can get individuals like Burner into office and in House leadership positions, it will help make the Democrats more dependent on the grassroots, which include real people like you and me.

Here is a video of a virtual town hall meeting with Darcy Burner last month.