[img_assist|nid=733|title=Rick Bart (R-Arlington)|desc=Politicker photo|link=none|align=left|width=152|height=200]A number of Washington's congressional challengers have, in lieu of being able to vote, issued their own statements on Monday's failed bailout. Ironically, the only instance in which challenger and incumbent agreed was in the deadlocked 8th District, where Darcy Burner (D-Carnation) and Rep. Dave Reichert both opposed the bill.

Burner's statement focused on the need for accountability, and said she would refuse to hand over a "blank check" to Wall Street.

"If we are going to bail out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion or more, then taxpayers must get significant reforms and real protections in return. Congress needs to take the time to get this right. They should move forward in a calm and orderly way, and not be stampeded into endorsing a bad deal. First and foremost, we must not just hand over a blank check to an administration and a financial sector that has failed us. Again: no blank check."

Reichert, who voted "no", told PolitickerWA.com yesterday that the bill was put together too hastily.

"I just feel like this was a rush," he said. "I don't totally trust the process that we have gone through for the last seven to eight days."

Rick Bart (R-Arlington) also opposed the bill, saying it had quit a funny smell.

"I am opposed to the $700 billion dollar "bailout" plan as voted on yesterday by Congress.  My opponent voted for this bill and called the original bill a "fish wrapper."  This bill stinks even worse.  It smells like rotten fish.

"We need to protect American families with a more bottom up solution than this top down remedy.  Where is the much needed assistance to those families suffering from a bad loan and possible foreclosure as winter sets in?  It isn't anywhere in this bill.  I would rather see a solution that keeps them in their homes and props them up until our economy can work through this situation."

His opponent in the 2nd District, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Arlington) voted for the bill.

Michael Delavar (R-Washougal) also came out against the bailout. He told The Olympian's Adam Wilson that the government should not buy bad debt.

"What we're seeing right now is a correction toward the appropriate valuation of the collected assets. By ignoring the reason for this correction, we're simply prolonging the correction,"

The 3rd District incumbent, Brian Baird (D-Vancouver), voted for the bill.

But amid the sea of opposition, at least one challenger spoke out in support of the economic protections.

In Eastern Washington's 5th District, Democrat Mark Mays of Spokane lamented Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane) "no" vote on the bill, concluding that no action would have "tragic consequences."

"Today Congress voted against a ‘Bail Out' which would have done much to protect the American economy and our financial institutions through this current economic crisis. This decision on the part of Congress will have tragic consequences for each and every American. Had I been in Congress I would have voted for this 'bail out,' imperfect and unpopular with many though it may be.

Sometimes one needs to vote for something that is undesirable to avoid something that is even worse. Both Republican and Democratic leadership, economic experts such as Warren Buffet, financial analysts and bankers have all stressed that the consequences of this vote's failure could be catastrophic to the American economy. I had planned to support Representative McMorris Rodgers bipartisan and heroic vote for this proposal, and was dismayed that she voted against it."

Related: WA delegation split on failed bailout bill