She is popular with consumer activists and trial lawyers, but unpopular with some business groups, particularly the pro-Gorton insurance industry. I have never seen groups get organized so early. People are energized. McDermott and Smith also have acknowledged that they are looking at the race. McDermott is about to launch a statewide tour to talk about Medicare reform.
Republicans scoff at the Democratic recruitment efforts.
The candidates are calling us. He added that no final decision has been made. Eby was critical of Gorton's vote to acquit Clinton of the perjury charges, saying the president's conduct may give lying legitimacy in the court system. As the potential opponents scramble, Gorton is taking advantage of his head start. His staff has stepped up its courtship of the media, and has recently souped up the senator's Web site, which is now festooned with images of evergreen trees, a salmon, a mountain range, and a bird flapping its wings.