Will Hillary Clinton help Dino Rossi?

Washington state Republicans have been looking for circumstances to assist Dino Rossi in his bid to unseat Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire this year. Some believe the slowing economy will favor the GOP by highlighting excessive state spending and high taxes. Another hope: that Hillary Clinton heads the national Democratic ticket. Why? Because, they believe, a Clinton candidacy will put Washington in play with John McCain as the Republican nominee. A new survey shows that they have a case for the latter hope. In fact, the results show that Washington and Oregon could both turn red in the fall. A 50-state poll by SurveyUSA looks at the two likely match-ups against McCain, who locked up enough delegates for the GOP nomination this week. The first pairs him head-to head with Sen. Barack Obama. In that contest, Obama wins the presidency and takes both Washington and Oregon. Obama beats McCain 53% to 38% in Washington, and 49% to 41% in Oregon. In a match-up with Clinton, the former First Lady still ekes out a national victory. She picks up some states (like Pennsylvania) but loses Washington and Oregon. McCain beats Hillary 46% to 44% in Washington and by a larger margin of 48% to 43% in Oregon. A strong run by McCain could help Rossi, who essentially tied Gregoire in 2004 even as John Kerry took the state. If Washington is in play, it will receive national money and attention. Washington's electorate is independent and despite its blue reputation, many voters, as the survey suggests, are really purple. In addition, Gregoire — who, like Mossback, has endorsed Obama — matches better with him on the stump. During the Illinois senator's recent Seattle visit, Gregoire seemed to glow on stage. He would be a boost to her. Clinton, on the other hand, might remind people of Gregoire's less attractive characteristics, namely that she's a lawyerly government insider. That image plays right into Rossi's hands.