Pro-surge Democrat to sit out Saturday caucus in Washington state  Rep. Brian Baird has taken heavy criticism from fellow Democrats and progressive activists for a stance on the Iraq war that is more pleasing to President Bush than to Speaker Pelosi. And now the Washington state Democrat has decided to sit out Saturday's Washington Democratic nominating caucuses, opting to endorse neither Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama.
A spokeswoman for Rep. Baird confirmed to RAW STORY by phone on Wednesday that the congressman has "no plans" to endorse either of the two Democratic candidates competing for Washington's 97 delegates on Saturday, Feb. 9. And while some progressive activists have said that Baird is the House's version of Senator Joe Lieberman, it remains unclear whether the congressman will go so far as to come out in favor of a Republican candidate like John McCain who wants to continue the Iraq War as the Connecticut lawmaker did last year.
The Congressman did not make himself available for further comment on Thursday or Friday as requested, and was unwilling to provide a statement on his opinion of the election to RAW STORY.
Congressman Baird shifted his position in favor of President Bush's troop surge in Iraq this summer. He argued that the new tactics were creating space for a political solution to emerge in the country and continue to reduce the level of violence.
The move prompted swift criticism from progressive activists. Progressive blogger Matt Stoller asked whether Baird was becoming "the next Lieberman." And MoveOn.org began running TV commercials in the congressman's district pushing him to change his position and vote against continuing the war.
As Washington state's selection of delegates for the Democrats' August nominating convention has come closer, Baird has stayed away from the fray. As a superdelegate, Baird may have been courted by the candidates. However, it is unclear whether he would easily swing his support behind one of the candidates, given the daylight between them on a major issue like Iraq. For instance, Baird critic MoveOn.org has come out in favor of Sen. Obama.
The Congressman has rarely commented on the presidential candidates directly, although he did implicitly criticize Sen. Hillary Clinton last August.
"Well I'll leave Ms. Clinton, Senator Clinton to describe her own position," Baird said when asked by MSNBC's Tucker Carlson why he didn't agree with the New York senator when she said the surge might be working, but US troops should still come home from Iraq.
While Baird won't endorse any candidates before the Saturday contest in Washington state, other members of his state's Democratic delegation to Congress have made their preferences clear.
Rep. Adam Smith of Tacoma alone among Washington state Democrats has endorsed Sen. Obama.
And Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Jay Inslee have all spoken out in favor of Sen. Clinton. Rep. Norm Dicks, who had been holding out for a Gore candidacy, came out in favor of Clinton on Thursday.
Rep. Jim McDermott implied that he could support "either one." Rep. Rick Larsen has not spoken out on the election.
 
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