Thank you for the ease of entry into your blog.

For the record, I am thinking of running against Darcy Burner and Dave Reichert. A lifelong Democrat now living in Sammamish, I have contributed to both the McCain and Clinton campaigns this year.

I am a lawyer admitted to practice law and licensed in and before Illinois and Washington State, the US Supreme Court, and many US Courts of Appeals. An American Bar Foundation Fellow, I have been ranked in the past in a peer-reviewed publication called "Best of the Best - 2000-02, 2002-2004, 2004-2006 - IT Advisors" which includes around the top 25 worldwide, and in the "Guide to the World's Leading Information Technology Advisors." A military policeman from 1969 to 1971, I was awarded the American Spirit Honor Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. I have practice extensively in the information technology, intellectual property, and antitrust fields. I am also a Realtor.

I am a firm believer in free enterprise, subject to some important guarantees that our companies face level playing fields wherever they compete. As an antitrust lawyer for many years, I have reviewed companies and their competitive environments. Through this work, I am a firm believer that government intervention and intermeddling ends up hurting the smaller competitor more often than not. Some of our laws remain archaic and need change. Others are handled from political rather than economic perspectives in ways that harm our US industry. Part of my approach will be to bring these points home in an effort to make our country a better place for our domestic companies to operate.

I am a staunch supporter of all our Washington-based companies who compete from Washington and the United States. They need more support and less government intrusion in many ways. They also need to be strongly assisted in Washington, something I pledge to do for every constituent.

I am against the current opposition of corporate America. We have a need for some regulation, such as our securities laws. But we should not browbeat and cajole the corporate members of our Washington economic engine. Without our corporate strength, we become less than an also-ran in the US and world scene. With them, we are important players in today's and tomorrow's economy.

Comments would obviously be welcome.

Best wishes,

Cliff Potter
Sammamish