Democratic congressional candidate Don Barbieri gets an awesome write-up in one of the local papers:

Cathy McMorris, Shaun Cross and Larry Sheahan are trying to outdo each other in hitting the hot-button issues that appeal to the right wing of their party. A McMorris radio ad, for example, promises that she "will take a back seat to no one" in fighting gay marriage. Meanwhile, Barbieri talks about issues that really matter to most district residents.

He talks, for example, about fixing a health care system that not only leaves many people uninsured, but stifles many small businesses that need a way to provide insurance for employees without bankrupting themselves.

He talks about retaining a quality of life within the extended inland Northwest region that will attract people and spur growth.

He talks about a nation that pays its way, as opposed to building a huge debt by cutting taxes while increasing spending.

He talks most of all, however, about collaboration, among people of different backgrounds and political parties, to resolve common problems. And he has demonstrated his commitment to collaboration by working with everyone from chamber of commerce members to environmentalists on protecting the aquifer serving the Spokane region. He has friends in both major parties -- he has even held a fund-raiser for Idaho Republican Rep. Butch Otter -- and says he will spend little time criticizing whoever wins next week's GOP primary to oppose him in November.

That time instead will be used to highlight his own qualifications, including his record building the West Coast Hospitality chain of hotels. The company now owns the Red Lion chain represented by the Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston, and employs about 5,000 people.

How refreshing it would be for this District in Washington State to once again be home to a moderate, Democratic Congressman.