PATTY MURRAY IN TROUBLE: “In 2008, President Barack Obama received 17% more votes than Senator John McCain, a landslide by political standards. Fast forward two years, and incumbent Democrat Patty Murray is facing fierce competition from Republican challenger Dino Rossi. According to a new poll released yesterday, Murray and Rossi are now tied 47%-47%. In 2004, Murray received 55% of the vote; in a often-considered blue state, 47% is starkly low.”