Senator Maria Cantwell hosted Senators Murray (D-WA) and Clinton (D-NY) at a Seattle fundraiser for her re-election campaign today. The only mention on stage of Judge Alito was Sen. Murray's regretful sounding comment early on that he would likely be the next Supreme Court Justice. Both Senators Clinton and Murray praised Cantwell for her nationwide leadership on clean energy policy and holding back drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, though she has yet to commit to opposing a judicial candidate who has refused to prosecute environmental offenders.
When I shook Senator Cantwell's hand at the rope line and asked her very politely to please filibuster Judge Alito, she froze, went blank and turned away to the next person without saying anything. She said on stage that she admired Senator Clinton, so with any luck (and perhaps more constituent phone calls), maybe she'll take a cue from her and decide to filibuster Alito, whether it works or not. I hope she'll decide to fight.
Update: Just as an additional note, the fundraiser was supposed to have been in December, when 800 people were signed up. It had to be postponed until today, when attendance was around 1200. If it's support Cantwell wants, she's got it. She isn't exactly running for re-election in Texas.