The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

As it stands, it will most likely be the Nethercutt-Murray race. Rep. George Nethercutt has been mulling a challenge to Murray for a while, but was holding off, waiting for Dunn to make the decision. It's expected that Rove, as well as Sen. George Allen, who is running the National Republican Senatorial Committee, will sit down with Nethercutt soon to discuss the race.

Nethercutt shouldn't be dismissed as a second tier candidate or even a second choice. He's perhaps the most popular Republican in the state of Washington, with good name recognition and solid fundraising base. He's also solidly conservative.

Gorton, though, deserves a slap on the wrist for going against the desires of the White House, as well as the Senate Republican leadership, which had worked hard to recruit Dunn. Gorton, now a lobbyist for the powerhouse Preston-Gates firm, was a moderate to liberal Republican who lost to Democrat Maria Cantwell in 2000. "He wasn't a team player for us in the Senate," says the RNC staffer. "At least he's consistent."

Rove was said to be extremely disappointed by Dunn's decision.

p> THE VILLAGE SCENE br> Former Vermont Gov. Howie Dean isn't surrendering even the smallest, most inconsequential segment of the Democratic Party to the likes of Sen. John Kerry or Sen. Joe Lieberman . That's why he could be found pressing the flesh, as it were, in Manhattan's Greenwich Village recently, and speaking at the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Center. /p>

Dean was welcomed enthusiastically, and seemed particularly focused on Transgender voters, mentioning them several times. "Maybe he thinks they can vote twice, depending on the timing of their transgendering, or whatever you call it," says a member of the New York Conservative Party. "It's certainly a group not many politicians anywhere look to woo."

Dean, who isn't expected to last long into the primary season, has seen his long shot presidential aspirations slide into oblivion in the aftermath of the successful Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dean was able to raise about $500 from his speech at the center. In the same period of time, Sen. Lieberman raised $100,000.

topics:
Iraq, NATO, Energy