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U.S. Congress

Crosscut highlights

Puzzling bailout votes by the Washington delegation

Posted Fri, Oct 3, 3 p.m.

The House finally passes a porkier version of the measure. Meanwhile, we head into a recession.

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The progressive case against Jim McDermott

Posted Tue, Jul 8, 5 a.m.

Seattle's most popular politician hasn't served his constituents well. In fact, he's done little more than attract national ridicule. Meanwhile, he's taking up space — preventing the rise of potential new leaders of the Democratic Party.

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Crosscut most recent

Dear Sen. Murray: Please don't feed the rats

Posted Sat, Oct 4, midnight

Here goes a rant about the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Washington Sen. Patty Murray voted in favor, and this scribe is not pleased.

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The bailout rejection sets the stage for a tough week

Posted Tue, Sep 30, 7 a.m.

It will be a few more days before either the House or Senate take another stab at saving the American economy. Meanwhile, markets will be in turmoil and two vice presidential candidates face a challenging national debate.

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Suddenly, a flurry of pressing money matters

Posted Tue, Sep 9, midnight

Rounding up the news about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Washington Mutual, the Boeing strike, and other issues related to your wallet.

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The real games are in Alaska

Posted Thu, Aug 21, 4 a.m.

How to keep up with all the scandals rocking Alaska's government? A veteran Juneau politics reporter offers this primer. Part 1 of 2

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The future of 'nowhere'

Posted Mon, Aug 18, 5 a.m.

Urban planners love to hate the suburbs, but what's going to become of them? Will Bellevue eventually become a post-carbon ghost town or a new urban hybrid? Some reflections on the urban/suburban debate.

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Foreign policy comes crashing back into the campaigns

Posted Tue, Aug 12, 3 p.m.

Neither Obama nor McCain seems prepared for the post-post-Cold War realities now rearing their heads. New presidents rarely come into office knowing enough, or knowing that they don't know enough.

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Trader woes

Posted Wed, Jul 30, 3 a.m.

The next president will inherit a tough U.S. economy in an increasingly complicated world marketplace. Both candidates have done their share of pandering to ailing industries and workers, but simplistic campaign rhetoric about protectionism isn't going to help the man who wins the White House. Here's why.

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Gauging the biofuels backlash

Posted Sun, Jul 13, 8 p.m.

Some would have you believe that making fuels from crops and other biomatter is responsible for food shortages. Probably not, but there are legitimate questions about the net gain — is there one? — of producing and using biofuel versus conventional petroleum.

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Campaign strategy session

Posted Wed, Jul 9, 5 a.m.

To appeal to moderates and independents in the next four months, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain will seem closer on the issues than they really are. Here in Washington, the desire for change, which comes in the form of a Democratic presidential victory, could bode well for incumbent Gov. Chris Gregoire.

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Salmon on the Columbia: See you in court

Posted Mon, Jul 7, 4 a.m.

The federal agencies are back for a fifth round in federal court, still cooking up very strained arguments for minimal efforts to save the fish. Two things might change the impasse: a new case for saving dams due to climate change, and the bestirring of Congress. Here's a survey of the high-stakes issues.

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Conservation groups buy pieces of Montana — a lot of pieces

Posted Thu, Jul 3, 5 a.m.

The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land are buying 500 square miles of western Montana from Plum Creek, the timber real estate investment trust, for $510 million. It involves a federal financing mechanism, to the consternation of conservatives, and compromise, to the displeasure of some environmentalists. But it is preventing development of forest habitat.

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Seven premonitions you can take to the bank

Posted Sun, Jun 29, 10 p.m.

Predictions at mid-year regarding sweet deals for developers, a Sonics boon, the precarious viaduct, a Boeing handout, Sound Transit, Pat Davis, and cleaning up Puget Sound.

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Sparks in Spokane: a GOP odyssey

Posted Sat, Jun 28, 10 p.m.

The definitive report on the Washington State Republican Convention, as witnessed by Crosscut's resident elephant. There was a little friction, and it will be a tough autumn, but the GOP looks forward to a competitive gubernatorial race.

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Wilderness redefined

Posted Fri, Jun 20, 8 p.m.

Wild Sky in Washington's Cascades is just one of a number of areas designated for protection that are not, in the strictest sense, primeval environment. But they are wild, and in modern times they're worth preserving, say environmentalists — even if unprecedented compromise is necessary.

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Fired up and ready to go — home

Posted Tue, Jun 17, 7 p.m.

The state Democratic convention in Spokane was both inspiring and stultifying. Among the delegates who bothered to show up, there was passion, tedium, booze, sunshine, and a desire for change.

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Locals in an Obama administration

Posted Wed, Jun 11, 2 p.m.

Not likely at the higher levels, despite some flattering political gestures, in large part because Washington Democratic leaders could not bring much to the table.

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Wanna rent a ranger station?

Posted Tue, Jun 3, 6 p.m.

America's national forests are in the middle of a "heritage" crisis as historic structures fall victim to budget cuts, vandalism, and neglect. Northwest forests are not immune, but citizens can help. How about vacationing in a fire lookout this summer?

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With Hispanic help, Democrats hope to win in Eastern Washington

Posted Sun, Jun 1, 11 p.m.

They have a lot of faith in Vickie Ybarra, who would be the first Democrat since 1992 to be elected to the Legislature from Yakima County. Meanwhile, Democrats also have their eyes on Doc Hastings' congressional seat.

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What's wrong with this carbon footprint?

Posted Fri, May 30, midnight

It was, the Brookings Institution admitted, a flawed study. But it's the best data we have on the impact of urban areas on climate. This business of quantifying carbon emissions is as complicated as technological urban life itself.

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The ghost of Mike Lowry

Posted Wed, May 28, midnight

At Seattle's 7th District caucus, the elder statesmen of the Democratic Party seemed oddly out of place. The youthful grassroots have displaced the bosses of old, and white guys in ties smell like yesterday's news.

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Other media

Global financial system is on the brink of collapse

Despite reforms, most Defense earmarks still elude public exposure

The Seattle Times endorses Dave Reichert, Jay Inslee, and Rick Larsen for U.S. House

A bicycle-commuter tax break passes, though an Oregon backer voted against it

Politicians, federal officials, and lobbyists helped enable Wall Street by limiting lawsuits


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