I have an idea… let's start a DRAFT RON REAGAN JR. for GOVERNOR campaign! Thoughts?

The concerns are understandable. Many similar concerns were expressed by Democrats in California this time two years ago about Jerry Brown's campaign for governor. Meg Whitman had been on TV for a month and had a small poll lead. She looked set to spend over $100 million of her own money on the race (she ultimately spent $150 million). But Brown was quiet and silent. He didn't do much campaigning, even though he (like McKenna) was the sitting Attorney General. Democrats were quite worried.

Meg Whitman ultimately outspent him 7 to 1. Brown did not even launch his campaign until Labor Day.

In the end, Brown won by 13 points.

So it is possible that the concerns expressed at this early stage are just nervous jitters and that as the campaign gets underway, Inslee will turn out to be just fine.

But that all depends not so much on Inslee, but on the strength of his allies. Brown didn't beat Whitman alone. While he sat quietly hoarding his money and waiting for the right time to strike, everyone else in California who was a progressive or a Democrat spend every hour of every day hammering Whitman. It was relentless. During the summer the attacks were ramped up, part of a very disciplined and well-designed plan that involved all kinds of groups.

The result was that when Brown was ready to campaign full-time, Whitman had been weakened significantly. It's like bombing and shelling the beaches before the troops come ashore.

What concerns me isn't so much Inslee as it is the lack of any other attacks on McKenna. No one candidate can win a race like this all on their own. It takes a coalition. And if unions, the state party, and other progressive organizations don't get out there in the next few weeks to hammer away at McKenna with the same relentless intensity that their compadres in California exhibited against Whitman, then Inslee will indeed be in trouble.

Inslee is going to figure this stuff out. He's no fool and he'll make adjustments as needed. The bigger question is whether his allies will be softening up the enemy for him. That is where the concern should probably be right now.

You quote one poll. What.about the newer one that showed them dead-even statewide?

This one: http://publicola.com/2012/03/07/new-poll…

@3: That one comes from PPP, a polling firm that has been criticized for having Democratic leanings.

Even if you don't see PPP as being biased (and yes, I know what Nate Silver had to say about PPP actually leaning Republican) their governor's race poll is inarguably an outlier.

And, I don't cite only one poll. I also cite the ten-month average, which involves many many polls and has Inslee down by six points.

Good article. I've volunteered for Inslee in the past, and I think you describe him very well. He displays all of the good qualities you want in a politician. If he wins this, it will be because of the type of campaigning you mentioned. I've seen it work for a room full of people who are way more on a fence than the groups you mention. It may seem too small scale for a Governor's race, but there is plenty of time until November. More than anything, it lays the groundwork for things to come.

In many ways, the lack of news coverage you mention reiterates Inslee's campaign staff's point: its early. If the press doesn't care yet, then the people don't care yet.

Inslee should do well in his own district, which isn't as Democratic as Seattle. That may be his strong suit. He can point to the fact that he originally won a squeeker, then continued to win, based on his performance. In other words, the people who know him most, like him best.

His other strength is that he has ties to Eastern Washington. Winning really big in the Puget Sound and getting beat in the rest of the state is one way to win the race, but not the only way. It used to be that Democrats won statewide races by doing pretty good on the west side, and breaking even on the east side. That will be his strategy, and he has the skills and experience to pull it off.

The polls probably reflect Democratic fatigue. There are a lot of people who consider themselves independent in this state. They like the idea of occasionally voting for a moderate, sensible Republican. Gregoire barely won her races against a similar candidate in Rossi. I would bet that Gregoire would be struggling in the polls right now against McKenna, despite her incumbency (let alone name recognition).

Both candidates will go all over the state looking for votes as the election nears. But eventually they both go where the votes are concentrated: Right here. Can you imagine Inslee shaking hands at a Husky game compared to McKenna? No contest.

With gay marriage, marijuana and a chance to reelect Obama on the ballot, the Democratic voter will show up for this election. It is highly likely that same voter will vote for Inslee.

"Invisible" or not, Jay still gets my vote.

Yaay, Ross. Keep up the good work! Go, Dems!!

Maybe we're not seeing the interest in Jay it's because more of the same one note Democratic Governor we've had in this state for the last 8 years. The difference between Jay and our current ineffectual Gov is what exactly? There is no difference.

Great angle. Well done, sir.

This was exactly the article I've been waiting for, for months. Nailed it again, Eli. Thanks for the good work, keep it up, etc.

I was drawn by the title of your article, "Does Jay Inslee Exist?"

Let me begin with the assurance that I will vote for Jay Inslee for governor. I would not vote for Rob McKenna for anything, except maybe for some obscure office in Tennessee.

So, if I never get my question answered, it won't change my vote. But I'm concerned that other members of Mr. Inslee's core constituency may be receiving the same brush-off treatment and that could affect whether he gets their votes or not.

Also, the public outreach events I've been aware of all have a minimum contribution of $100. I might do that at some point, but I'd first like Jay to be more responsive.

My question, incidentally, is "How do you feel about, i.e., what is your position on the issue of, burning biomass (wood, etc.) to produce energy? Even if I get the wrong answer relative to my views, I'm tiring of being ignored.

I was drawn by the title of your article, "Does Jay Inslee Exist?"

Let me begin with the assurance that I will vote for Jay Inslee for governor. I would not vote for Rob McKenna for anything, except maybe for some obscure office in Tennessee.

So, if I never get my question answered, it won't change my vote. But I'm concerned that other members of Mr. Inslee's core constituency may be receiving the same brush-off treatment and that could affect whether he gets their votes or not.

Also, the public outreach events I've been aware of all have a minimum contribution of $100. I might do that at some point, but I'd first like Jay to be more responsive.

My question, incidentally, is "How do you feel about, i.e., what is your position on the issue of, burning biomass (wood, etc.) to produce energy? Even if I get the wrong answer relative to my views, I'm tiring of being ignored.

Republicans buy the media and twist it
Republicans buy the polls and twist it
Republicans will buy phone company's and anything else they can to twist it to their favor.

For a platform that dose not has not and probably will never support anything but corruption, arm twisting, reversing of basic rights for Americans and nothing but investing in slash and burn until its all gone policy's the republicans seem to have succeeded in being the cigar puffing size 32,58,32 semi bald polluters who pay too much for jewelry and suits and wars and hostile take overs.

If the economy went boom over night they would spent on the same ignorant crap that have wasted it for the past 20 frigging years that they have controlled since Jimmy Carter lost the nation by being a Georgia peanut farm lost in the wolf filled woods of Washington D.C.

Its DeJa vu time and time again as they are the same people with different names.

The Democrat who runs his mouth with no action to back it up and the republican who runs a crime syndicate with no brains. Inslee has been in congress so he may need help just to fart and pouring a glass of milk? McKenna is twisted prosecutor who is so twisted that none of his actions or beliefs represent American Quid pro quo?

@9 & @15: Your opinions still don't change my support for Democrats.

Thanks, for bringing this up, Eli. As a reproductive rights activist I wouldn't consider voting for McKenna, but Inslee's campaign is really slow off the mark. And I saw that he commented that he wouldn't be working on a more progressive tax system, but instead would be working to "close loopholes" for revenue. If there is a loophole left that would serve us better than a tax on the super-rich in Washington State, I'd like to hear about it. But in the meantime, Jay isn't delivering in a way that makes him stand out and not be considered a 'corporatist' Democrat.

@16 Im not a Democrat but I voted Democratic across the board last election and will do so this election unless they are Blagojevich class or Charles Rangal class.

I gave up trying to Change Americans minds long ago after I realized first aid and knowledge of EMT saves more American lives then any logic or wisdom or facts that you can spit at them?

Im a Indie-pendant Autocrat who wishes to rule the galaxy.

Maybe people have trouble seeing him because when he was running for congress this he said [paraphrasing] that he wasn't interested in running for governor -- he had important work to do in congress...

Then later, after saying he will run for governor, he said he would not resign his seat because he had important work to do in congress.

liar liar

That the only reason I can remember him?

I'm on his email list, and I'm under-whelmed every time he sends something out. I'll vote for a yellow dog if it's a Dem, but DAYEM!
Jay- where's the charisma? Where's the charm? Where's the force of personality that characterizes politicians? Where are some ads letting the rest of us know you exist already?
I agree with those above who compare Jay to Christine- they seem cut from the same cloth. Except that Christine was at least a familiar name state-wide. Jay- not so much.
If you are running for Governor, Jay- DO IT. DO IT NOW! Or lose to the snake-in-the-grass you are running against.

Slade, you fucker, you are not now and never have been to the left of anything, so we can safely ignore your shit.

That said, Jay has got to either get a new staff or take a week off to get up to speed on state issues. He has already shot himself in the foot at least twice (felon voting and marijuana) with people who are going to either elect him or stay home.

@22 http://www.wa-democrats.org/files/pdf/00…

Yup you and the mouse in your pocket can ignore me and I wish you would if your going to call me names and then tell the Washington State democratic Choice needs help to run for Governor?

But since you don't know my politics, I indeed believe you are lacking in the knowledge of fuckers and candidates for Washington State Governor.

Yup hes against pot and he is against Healthcare and he is more Republican then I am and I did vote for Ronald Reagan back in the 80s?

Jay sucks but he is a better evil then McKenna?
We at least sincerely hope

@21 my thoughts exactly but if Jay Inslee is in fact so conservative he is a moderate Republican

Gee wiz we are screwed.

The reason Inslee is not "out and about" is because come this summer, late summer that is, he is going to come out and say that, "I have been doing my job in Congress, like I was elected to do, not campaigning for Governor, like I was not elected to do". It does not bother me at all that he is not out currently "stumping"...it's the end of March and the election is 7 months away! Most people that vote already have their minds made up who they are voting for, and most people that don't yet know who they are voting for probably have a less-than-7-month attention span, so it really doesn't matter if Jay Inslee gets his mug in the paper every other day being quoted saying things like, "I opposed the Irag War", and, "I'm for the working class!" My prediction is that the economy is going to continue to improve, (yes, incrementally), and by the time election day comes around, the republican jack-asses will have no hope for winning because all of their "theories" suck, and always have. The question come election day is, "What have you done for me lately?" And the answer is, as far as the Democratic Party is concerned is, "A whole lot"! You can now opt out of your bank running through charges so they can overdraft charge you ten times for buying a five-dollar coffee, women still have the right to do what they want with THEIR OWN BODIES, the environment will only slowly be destroyed instead of quickly (neato, eh?), and that one thing that is really most important to me...The Democrats killed that fucking prick bin laden and dumped his greasy ass in the sea! Inslee is on the right track, he's not going to get in a pissing match 7 months before an election with a narrow-minded coont.

http://www.votesmart.org/candidate/key-v…

After a review I am more Republican then He is and as his voting demonstrates attention to details I like him better.

@26: Thank you, Trent1504. You pretty much covered it.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2…

Another line of crap. Federal judge "opens" his mouth so he can remain neutral as all of his good buddies praise him for doing so? Unfortunately Inslee is a Washington state Democrat and has been bought by mega company's for so long that he is a babe lost in the woods something a prosecutor could take serious advantage of in a election.

But the facts are the Republicans are promoting a platform that literally kills the poor with prejudiced?

Basically Slash the fat past the bone to pay for a mass amount of congressional approved debt that did not benefit one tax payer.

With no regard to the consequences as they don't know and don't care and don't give a shit as they advertise spending huge amounts of money to do so and flat out lie through their teeth payed for on tax payers money?

They make Vladimir Putin look like Gandhi and the fact that part of America is stupid enough to get close enough to even look like they support that crap is just a kick in the nuts.

Paper ballot Vs E-mail Ballot and every other cork screw twist from a State that has been paralyzed for so long it has no Idea what being able to function Intelligently political feels like. Inslee is just a snowflake on top of a Iceberg that has sunk more ships in Washington State then imaginable but at least he is not a Republican.

Anybody from the Freedom Socialist Party running for governer?Party for Socialism and Liberation?

Mckenna will win. Washingtonians dont want a Jerry Brown in office. Democrats always fail.