Seattle Times picks Suzan DelBene, Tim Dillon over entrenched incumbent Dave Reichert

Like most good-natured people, we very much like to be on the receiving end of a pleasant surprise, but this news is more than that. It's definitely a contender for Shocker of the Year. The Seattle Times — yes, that Seattle Times — has given up on Dave Reichert and is endorsing two of his challengers instead:

Difficult times call for more than a capable caretaker of a political seat. The 8th Congressional District needs a representative with vision, a sharp grasp of the issues and the ability to lead. The task is considerable.

With that in mind, The Seattle Times editorial board takes the unusual step of endorsing two challengers to U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, who is seeking a fourth term in the district spanning eastern King and Pierce counties.

The editorial continues:

We do not do so lightly. Former Microsoft executive and Democrat Suzan DelBene and Tim Dillon, a Republican and member of the Yarrow Point Town Council, demonstrate a depth of knowledge and have compelling ideas.

On issues ranging from the wars to the economy, three-term Republican incumbent Reichert is unstudied and comes up short. After six years in office, this is unacceptable.

Actually, it was unacceptable four years ago, when the Times first endorsed Reichert for reelection over Darcy Burner. Reichert himself proved that he was "unstudied" at a Seattle Times-sponsored debate between himself and Darcy Burner, when he neglected to answer a question about media ownership (one of the Times' key issues), saying he didn't know enough about the issue, so he would have to pass.

The Times overlooked — er, sorry, ignored — his shortcomings twice, but apparently they just can't make excuses for him any more.

Reichert opposed financial reform, but was unable to explain what he did or did not like about the legislation. The 8th District deserves someone who is faster on their feet.

Reichert voted against a new small-business lending fund, dismissing it as another bailout. But it is not. The fund is smart leveraging of $30 billion of public investment into $300 billion of credit through community and smaller banks that lend mostly to small businesses.

Dillon and DelBene zero in on a lack of access to credit as a key obstacle to creating jobs. Both support expanding loans and credit to small businesses. Both would have voted to extend unemployment benefits but are not cavalier about deficit spending.

On Afghanistan and Iraq, Reichert likens himself to a sheriff trusting his SWAT commanders. DelBene and Dillon speak more cogently about the enormous cost of the wars and the pressing need to end them.

Can't quibble with that rationale.

For once, the Times is actually making sense... a lot of sense. They seem to be setting themselves up for a general election endorsement of Suzan DelBene. If that is their intention, then they are to be commended for changing course. As the old adage goes, better late than never. The 8th deserves better representation than what Dave Reichert is providing. He isn't a leader; he's a follower.

Which means he's not qualified to be a member of Congress. Elected leaders are supposed to lead. Getting out in front is not only in the job description for an elected leader; it's part of the job title.

Typically, when the Seattle Times issues an endorsement in a key race, people like David Goldstein, Eli Sanders, and I end up having to fisk it.

Fortunately, this time there is no badly justified, poorly written editorial to deconstruct. Kudos to the Blethens for waking up and coming to their senses. I didn't think it was possible for them to let go of Reichert, but it looks like they've severed ties at last, and they've restored a bit of their prestige as a result.