The west coast is definitely not a good place to be a Republican right now. First, Oregon Republican Senator Gordon Smith ran a TV ad trying to attach himself Obama’s coattails. Then California’s Governator made comments distancing himself from Republican proposals. Now this — Fox News reports several Republican candidates in the state of Washington are taking advantage of a new election law to remove the designation “Republican” from their name on the ballot:

Some conservatives are even declaring they will leave the party after McCain gets the nomination.