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Three WA House Members Back McCain by Matthew Daly, Associated Press Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 15, 2008

WASHINGTON -- All three Republican congressional members from Washington state have endorsed Arizona Sen. John McCain for president.

Reps. Doc Hastings and Cathy McMorris Rodgers announced their endorsements Friday, six days after McCain defeated former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the state's closely contested GOP caucuses. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., who had backed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, endorsed McCain just before the caucuses.

McCain narrowly carried the caucuses, with about 25 percent of the delegates, just ahead of Huckabee's 24 percent and 21 percent for Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who dropped out of the race last week, came in fourth with 15 percent.

State Republicans allocated 18 of their national convention delegates in the caucuses and will award 19 more in the state's primary on Tuesday. Democrats are ignoring the primary and divvied up all their delegates through the caucuses.

McMorris Rodgers, who represents Spokane and much of Eastern Washington, called McCain a true American hero with the experience and convictions to lead the nation. McCain, she said, is a staunch and unwavering defender of America's national security who will continue to protect the country from threats at home and abroad.

Hastings, who represents central Washington, also praised McCain's national security credentials and said he would tackle the federal budget by cutting spending rather than increasing taxes.

Both stressed McCain's support for four Snake River dams that play a key role in the state's hydropower system. Environmentalists want to dismantle the dams to protect threatened salmon runs.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna and former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton also back McCain.