To follow up on yesterday's comments about replacing Jim McDermott, the basic problem is that he has no credible Republican opponents. This allows him to pander to his base on the far left and never be held accountable. There are no elected Republicans in Seattle (if there are any in non-partisan positions, they are keeping a low profile).
The partisan races in the city that make good feeders for congress are for state representative and county council. In 2003, none of the county council races were contested. In 2002, about half of the legislative ones were.
So the party needs more candidates. Where to find them? The most credible candidates will be engaged in the community and be known to their constituents before running, so that they can build an organization and use their connections to overcome the inertia that keeps most people voting Democratic. This implies that Republicans recruit from the community councils, chambers of commerce and local charities.
However in my four years of activity with those groups, I have not met an avowed Republican. I suspect a few people, especially the ones who rolled their eyes when one member of the Ballard District Council suggested the city council should impose a "maximum wage." But I don't know for sure.
By contrast, the Democrats and Greens are well represented. Several BDC delegates are Democratic precinct leaders. Both the 36th district Democrats and Greens sit on the council.
So what to do? I suggest that a small number of Republicans working together could raise the profile of the party greatly. If a couple of dozen joined local community councils in a legislative district and the district party established membership on the district councils, after two years they would have legitimacy and great influence in processes of neighborhood government. It would take that long: the first year they would learn the rhythms of the councils and the second they would begin to enter positions of influence. By the end, there would exist a group of activists well known to the community, able to capture publicity from the local papers, and able to organize around a candidate. That might just tip a few elections to the Republicans.