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Saturday, September 25, 2004 - Page updated at 12:40 A.M. Senate hopeful attempts airport "debate" By Jim Brunner
When Nethercutt's campaign learned he was on the same flight as Murray returning from Washington, D.C., two dozen Nethercutt supporters staked out Seattle-Tacoma International Airport waving signs, and the Nethercutt campaign invited reporters to show up and see a "a fair, unscripted debate on the issues important to Washington state." Murray, however, left by another exit. Nethercutt, a five-term Republican congressman representing the state's 5th District, which includes Spokane and Walla Walla, is trailing Murray in fund raising and in polls. He has called for at least nine debates, one in each of the state's congressional districts. Murray, a two-term Democrat, has agreed to two debates, on Oct. 15 in Spokane and Oct. 20 in Seattle. A Murray spokeswoman called Nethercutt's airport publicity stunt "childish" but said Murray didn't purposely dodge it. "It's a big airport," said Alex Glass, the spokeswoman. With Murray nowhere in sight yesterday, Nethercutt said he still hoped for more chances to debate her. "This would have been a good spot," he said, standing near the baggage claim. When it became obvious Murray had eluded them, disappointed Nethercutt aides scrambled around the airport looking for the senator. For a while, they staked out a black sport-utility vehicle they thought was Murray's ride. After about 10 minutes of waiting, they left, clearly aggravated. Exactly how Murray eluded the Nethercutt throng was not clear. Nethercutt said the Democrat exited the plane before him, and he didn't see where she went. Democratic Congressmen Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, and Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island, also on the flight, did pass by the Nethercutt crowd, smiling. Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company
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