Mary Jean Hrbacek of Shelton, nom de plume "Hoodwinked," sends word she has started a poli-blog titled "Hoodwinked At The Hood Canal," focusing on entrenched incumbent Democratic State Rep. Bill "Ike" Eickmeyer of the 35th District. Hrbacek supports Eickmeyer's GOP challenger Randy Neatherlin, and is a member of the Mason County Republican Central Committee to the 35th District Republican Committee. Good for her. At her blog, there are some interesting posts, including this one about some of Eickmeyer's campaign expenses, and another about local Ds circling the wagons in an attempt to bump off State Sen. Tim Sheldon, a conservative Dem who gives the party heartburn.

It's quite true the D "nutroots" bloggers nationwide have so far done little to advance the fortunes of their preferred candidates for U.S. Senate and House, As this analysis in New York Magazine points out, these D poli-bloggers have no oomph largely because the party suffers a leadership vacuum and has no compelling platform other than opposing the Iraq war and President Bush. At the local level however, or where a challenger has a clear and compelling message, grassroots poli-blogs and campaign blogs can be more influential. A lot depends on getting voters in the district to tune in online, and hitting all the other campaign targets.

According to this April analysis in the Olympian, Washington House GOP campaign strategists don't see this seat as among the most crucial or winnable. Obviously, Neatherlin will need more than some supportive blogs on his side, and the local base. Yet it's nonetheless encouraging to see this sort of political "blogtivism" if you will, on behalf of Washington GOP candidates. The whole ballgame in the Washington GOP poli-blog realm is not Sound Politics, nor should it be. To take back the state house, to hold or improve their count in the state senate, and to win back one or two Congressional seats, Washington Republicans will need a tool kit that includes expanded poli-blogging by independent supporters and campaigns, focused on specific districts, candidates and issues.