Democrats Hope to Reclaim Foley's Seat

SPOKANE, Wash. -- The upset defeat of Speaker Tom Foley a decade ago symbolized the Republican takeover of the U.S. House. Now Democrats feel they have a chance to win back the seat.

Democrats are pinning their hopes on Donald Barbieri, a businessman with a big campaign war chest and a long history of civic duty. Three Republicans hope to keep the seat in the GOP's hands.

The seat is open because Republican Rep. George Nethercutt, who ousted Foley in 1994 after 15 terms, is leaving his spot to challenge Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.

Barbieri, 58, comes from a family with multigenerational business interests in Spokane and has a long record of civic service on the boards of business, hospital and university bodies.

"I'm a business person, a centrist, who likes pulling people around the table," Barbieri told The Associated Press. "There is an accelerating partisanship in America, and we need to get back to people who want to address community needs."

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http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-foleys-old-seat,0,1583674.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

every House seat we can get our hands on to boot this evil and extremist cabal from power. Why can't the Democrats unite for once to push an agenda that benefits the Country and the People, it wouldn't be very hard. While at the same time explaining all the ways that the rethug agenda is bad for us and exposing them for what they are. So far I see NO sign of a coordinated effort.