By HEATHER BOSCH
KIRO Radio

Senator Murray's likely opponent in November says he's not worried about the Presidential visit. But Republican Dino Rossi is glad the President isn't on the ballot this year.

Rossi narrowly lost the Governor's race to Democrat Chris Gregoire in 2004. He lost again in 2008. Rossi thinks the strong turnout, by voters who supported the Democratic president nominee, gave Gregoire the edge.

"This is really the first time I haven't had to run in a Presidential year. That makes a big difference. I ran 8 points ahead of President Bush, ran 11 points ahead of McCain. You're just not suppose to run 11 points ahead of your [own party's] presidential nominee. We don't have such an issue, this time."

Polls show a Murray-Rossi race would be close.

Rossi has momentum from an anti-incumbent wave. He's also hoping to get support from "Dino-crats," Democrats who've supported him in the past.

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