EVERETT – Vice President Dick Cheney is coming to Everett with ideas of seeing U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen replaced by a Republican in this fall’s election.
Cheney is coming for a $250-per-plate fundraising luncheon April 17 at the Holiday Inn in Everett on behalf of Larsen’s potential Republican opponent, Doug Roulstone, a retired Navy captain from Snohomish.
Cheney initiated the visit even though the vice president and Roulstone do not have a personal connection, said David Hoffman, Roulstone’s campaign manager.
“This doesn’t happen for everybody,” Hoffman said.
“I would say (national Republican leaders) are focusing on our race because they think we’ve got a good chance,” Roulstone said. “It’s an honor.”
Larsen, the Democratic incumbent who grew up in Arlington, said that Cheney’s visit might not be the boost Roulstone is hoping for.
“Frankly, it just proves that my opponent is Cheney’s handpicked candidate,” Larsen said. “And if he wants to tie himself to the Washington, D.C., insiders, I encourage him to continue to do that.”
Since 2005, Cheney has attended 47 political fundraisers, including 25 for House of Representatives candidates, said Jennifer Mayfield, a spokeswoman for the vice president.
“The vice president is committed to maintain a majority in the U.S. House and Senate,” Mayfield said.
That majority in the House stands at 231 Republicans to 202 Democrats (plus one independent and one open seat), said Jonathan Collegio, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, D.C.
Cheney and President Bush tend to focus their fundraising visits on the most competitive districts, Collegio said.
“The National Republican Congressional Committee views Washington (District) 2 as one of our prime opportunities to pick up a district,” Collegio said. “It’s a swing district. We’ve recruited a very strong candidate in Doug Roulstone.”
Roulstone retired after a 27-year career in the Navy, ending as the commanding officer of the USS John C. Stennis, an aircraft carrier now based in Bremerton.
Collegio said Roulstone should be a good fit for the 2nd District.
“He’s a Republican conservative on the fiscal issues but a little more moderate on the social issues,” Collegio said.
Roulstone said his post-retirement business running a machine shop making Boeing parts also helps him understand the district’s economy.
Larsen said the 2nd District has swung between parties in the past but still tends to lean Democratic. And recent low poll numbers for the Republicans nationally has Democrats hoping to take back the House, Larsen said.
Cheney’s visit has motivated many independents and Democrats to call Larsen’s office in support, Larsen said.
“This shows this administration wants another lapdog to do its bidding,” Larsen said.
Instead, he said, the administration should be held accountable.
“The 2nd Congressional District has never taken barking orders from any administration and we’re not about to start,” Larsen said.
Larsen touted his record fighting to keep local military bases open, working for pipeline safety and passing an anti-methamphetamine law.
The vice president’s office is coordinating with local police but has not contacted Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson’s office, said Kate Reardon, the mayor’s spokeswoman.
The exact times of his arrival and departure are not being released for security reasons, Reardon said.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a really quick thing,” Reardon said.
After leaving Everett, the vice president is scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Mike McGavick, the Republican trying to unseat Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.
Everett residents might see quite a few more limousines than normal that week.
The day after Cheney’s lunch stop in town, Chinese President Hu Jintao will fly into Paine Field April 18. The next day, April 19, Hu will tour Boeing’s Everett factory.
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
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