The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> DUNN FOR br> Conservative everywhere will have former moderate Sen. Slade Gorton to thank if the GOP loses a highly winnable Senate seat in Washington state in 2004. That's because it appears he was key in talking Rep. Jennifer Dunn out of challenging Democrat Sen. Patty Murray , considered one of the weakest Democrats running in this next election cycle. /p>

Dunn phoned Presidential counselor Karl Rove last week to inform him of her decision not to run. She sited a conversation she had with Gorton as a key reason for her not running. "She was telling Karl that Gorton told her to 'go with her heart,'" says a White House political staffer. "What kind of crap is that?"

Apparently the kind that Gorton slaps around, and apparently the kind that Dunn takes seriously.

To be fair to Dunn, she would have had to get moving on fundraising, but given her name recognition and leadership position in the House, cash would not have been a problem. That's particularly so, since the White House would have committed time and energy to a race it badly wants to win for several reasons.

First, Murray is weak and Washington is winnable. Second, Murray, who is one of the most liberal Senators in the Democratic caucus, headed the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee last electoral cycle. Though her own colleagues considered her a disaster, the Bush White House likes taking on and beating those who challenge its people. It really is that competitive.

"If we can pick up Washington State, and perhaps pick up South Carolina and a couple of others, while still allowing for a loss or two, we strengthen our majority in the Senate," says a Republican National Committee staffer. "The Dunn-Murray race would have been fun to watch."

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