RSSDemocrat takes on Doc Hastings
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Jay Clough, a former Marine from the Tri-Cities, hopes to accomplish what no Democrat before him has been able to do: Defeat Congressman Doc Hastings.
Clough, 33, kicked off his 2010 campaign Monday by accusing the incumbent congressman of being too comfortable and too complacent in his job.
“I think he’s been in there too long and has gotten used to it and people are tired of it,” the Democratic challenger said of Hastings during a news conference at Millenium Plaza.
Accompanied by a handful of supporters, Clough focused his message on foreign trade and renewable jobs, saying that, if elected, he would work in both areas to help the local economy.
Clough, who has lived in China, Korea and Japan and now works for a Hanford cleanup company, said he’s interested in expanding overseas fruit markets for local growers and bring more jobs to Central Washington.
“You don’t see a Washington apple in a supermarket in Japan,” said Clough, who taught English there for three years. “I think that would be a great help to growers here.”
He also said bringing more production of wind turbines, solar panels and other renewable energy resources would help create more jobs in the region.
“This is the emerging technology that I believe is going to help us bounce back from the economic slump,” he said.
Clough also expressed support for health care reform and said he would seek positive changes to make coverage more affordable but he did not dwell on the issue.
He contended that Hastings, a Republican from Pasco, has not been working hard enough on jobs, health coverage and trade.
“We need a representative that is proposing new ideas and new solutions,” said Clough, who has never held or sought political office. “The important thing in a representative is they know where to look for answers — they surround themselves with people who have the answers.”
Clough grew up in Kennewick, graduated from Central Washington University with degrees in Pacific Asian studies and Chinese, and served in the Marines from 1995 to 1999, attaining the rank of corporal. Now married, he’s helping Washington Closure Hanford develop record keeping and storage methods for cleanup of the nuclear waste site.
Yakima County Democratic Chairwoman Mary Stephenson, Paul George, Ron Bonlender and George Fearing, a Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Hastings in 2008, were among those waving signs of support for Clough.
Hastings, who wrested the 4th Congressional District seat from Democrat Jay Inslee in 1994, has never come close to losing it. He has taken at least 60 percent of the vote in every election since 1998, including a 63 percent to 37 percent win over Fearing last year.
Despite the odds of beating a Republican in rural Washington, Washington state Democratic Party officials say they are excited about Clough’s candidacy.
“Great guy — he’s a fresh voice for the people of the district,” said state Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz. “He’s the front-runner from the Democratic Party right now, that’s for sure. In a few months, I think we’ll consolidate behind him.”
Clough said he has about $6,000 in campaign funds, and about another $20,000 in promised money.
Hastings, who is in his eighth term, has more than $202,000 in cash on hand, according to financial reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
He has not formally announced a re-election bid but is the Republican Party’s presumptive candidate in the 4th District.
Hastings is used to having a Democratic opponent when seeking re-election and it doesn’t sidetrack him from working for his constituents, said his spokeswoman, Jessica Gleason, in Washington, D.C.
• Information from Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Pat Muir was used in this story.
• Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.
A Dem who thinks he has a chance to beat a republican? He must have the mindset of Palosi, who after two Governships went to the GOP declared the DNC won. This guy should save his money and invest in some serious counseling. This country will be throwing out the Dems not bringing them in. Doc has voted against all of this wasteful spending, this Dem would be voting for more. A Marine Dem? Can't buy that.
Report ViolationThis man is a young, energetic, worldly wise, highly intelligent, college grad, ex-Marine. Everything that "Doc" is not. What "Doc" is is a career politician who took $15,000 from Jack Abramoff, was involved in the U.S. attorney firing scandal, did nothing as as Chair of the House Ethics Committee in the case of Rep. Tom. DeLay (surprise!). "Doc" is one of the instrumental players in holding the Medicare prescription drug bill vote open for the longest time in House history while congressmen were intimidated and bullied into voting yes. Remember the Medicare prescription drug bill? The bill that was written by the pharmaceutical lobbyists? The bill with an estimated cost of just under $400 billion over 10 years, and was the largest entitlement program maybe ever? Is that how a guy with no college degree gets to be called "Doc"? Anointed by big pharma.
Ethics, yeah right.
Irregardless, it's time for Doc to go!
Report ViolationTerm limits. Doc has been in DC for 12 years. Time for some new blood, Dem or Rep.
Report ViolationTime to get rid of the dinosuars blocking progress in this country.
Report ViolationSo you may be wondering: “Why did Doc violate House rules by holding the vote on the Medicare prescription drug bill open while those few Republicans that had backbones were bullied into changing their vote? Isn’t $400 BILLION a lot of YOUR TAX MONEY to spend on an entitlement program like Medicaid? Isn’t Doc an anti-tax conservative? Did he do it out of the goodness of his heart, you know, for the old people and the poor?” Think again. At the time the bill passed, there were over 1,000 pharmaceutical lobbyists pushing for passage. Why was big pharma so interested? It prohibited Medicare and the federal government from using its purchasing power to negotiate lower prices directly from the drug companies, leaving drug companies free to continue to charge high prices and to keep raising prices. The result? Medicare pays almost 60% more for the top 20 drugs than veterans pay under VA coverage. Who was squarely behind this giveaway of BILLIONS of your tax money to the drug companies? “Doc” Hastings.
Report ViolationJay - my advice is to stay away from Bonlendar and George - find some solid and helpful democrats - Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell, Vickie Ybarra, maybe some moderate local republicans like Maureen Atkinson, and Micah Cawley. You may want to be in touch with Aaron Case, who worked on Sonja Rodriguez's campaign - he may know some democrats that can help in Central Washington. Good luck - I think you've got the credentials - now we just need to sell them to the moderates here.
Report ViolationDoc Hastings has got to go! I'll be enhusiastically supporting Jay Clough, even though I currently live in Everett I care about my home town and believe it is poorly served by the Republicans and conservative nuts.
Report ViolationJay, if you want any chance of winning, you should avoid getting endorsed by the Yakima Herald. It's like the kiss of death.
Report Violation“You don’t see a Washington apple in a supermarket in Japan...”
I am confused. Where are our apples going when the warehouse sends them to Japan? Do we have ANOTHER story teller up and coming?
I am tired of politics as usual. It's time to take a look at the constitution, as it was originally written, and abide by it.
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