8/07/2003

OLYMPIA -- U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, a conservative who made his mark by ousting a liberal icon, House Speaker Tom Foley, has picked up the endorsements of Republican moderates for his U.S. Senate bid.

The Group Mainstream Republicans of Washington, which includes many members who support abortion rights and environmental activism, and the Washington, D.C.-based Republican Main Street Partnership gave Nethercutt their blessings Wednesday.

The endorsements touched off a partisan tiff.

The moderates' blessing shows that Nethercutt appeals to a broad range of voters, while Democratic Sen. Patty Murray "caters to the left wing," said state GOP Chairman Chris Vance.

But Democratic spokeswoman Kirstin Brost said the endorsements are "a cynical move to put lipstick on a pig, because a pig's all they got."

Nethercutt is no moderate, she said.

Vance said Nethercutt is a gifted politician who is conservative enough to hold activists on the right while also appealing to moderates and independents, including the key swing voters in the suburbs.

"George has been an independent voice and is closer to the mainstream of Washington politics than Patty Murray is," he said, referring to the two-term Democratic incumbent.

By contrast, he said, Murray is a down-the-line liberal who showed her colors by hosting Sen. Hillary Clinton in Seattle on Wednesday.

"Patty tried to tell us she would be independent, but she votes with Hillary Clinton 90 percent of the time, and you don't get to be chairman of the Democrats' campaign committee unless leadership can count on your vote," Vance said.

The state GOP previously endorsed Nethercutt, who was heavily recruited by the White House and national Republican campaign groups. Murray also enjoys united party support on the Democratic side of the ticket.

Vance is trying to clear the way for an uncontested primary for Nethercutt next year. Tuesday, Vance distanced the party from the bid of self-starter Reed Davis, a Seattle Pacific University professor and former chairman of King County Republicans.

Main Street , which describes itself as the largest group of moderate GOP elected officials, counts Nethercutt as a founding member.

"He would be an excellent fit in the Senate," said the group's director, Sarah Chamberlain Resnick . "Nethercutt's candidacy presents an excellent opportunity for Republicans to pick up another Senate seat in 2004.

"He defeated a political giant in his first race for Congress (in 1994) and Main Street is confident he can win in 2004."

Mainstream Chairman Phil Robins of the Tri-Cities said the group is enthusiastic about Nethercutt.

"We think Congressman Nethercutt is eminently qualified and would make an outstanding contribution as a U.S. senator representing the state of Washington ," he said.

Nethercutt was delighted to pick up the endorsements, said his spokeswoman, April Gentry.

"This shows his support is broad and his appeal extends throughout the big tent of the Republican Party," she said. "He gets along with groups from across the spectrum, and he works with all of them. It shows people believe he's the candidate to beat Murray ."

Murray 's office didn't immediately return a request for comment.

The state Democrats said the endorsements don't change the fact that Nethercutt is very conservative.

"There is nothing moderate about voting to close down the Department of Education, to cut funding for veterans or to oppose unemployment benefits for laid-off workers," Brost said.