First entry for the Kos from my new location in the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula -- Port Townsend -- Jefferson County -- otherwise known as CD6 and currently represented by one Derek Kilmer, first elected in 2010 after much talk about his progressive values on the campaign trail.
In full disclosure, I must admit that I was sucked in, actually believed him, and even worked for his election with his top staff heading up a phone bank for calls his campaign wanted to be made. But, it was not long after he arrived in D.C. that he joined up with what is called the "New Democratic Coalition" -- aka DINO's to those of us on the true progressive side of the table-- and described as "moderate and pro-growth" in https://en.wikipedia.org/...
Written in response to an article this morning in Peninsula Daily News with headline, "Kilmer Looks for Details on Iran Nuke Deal." As in, NO, not taking a position. Sitting on fence once again. But we've been through this movie before as detailed in the extended diary below (sorry, only in print edition at time of this writing).
PDN Tues 8/25/15 print edition -- NOT online: KILMER LOOKS FOR DETAILS ON IRAN NUKE DEAL (headline). Reporter Charlie Bermant interviewed Congressman Derek Kilmer AFTER the Jefferson County Democrats Annual Fish Feast about the Iran Nuclear Deal that is before Congress for a vote. This was one of the many serious topics Kilmer avoided in his happy talk and joke sprinkled speech to over 200 Jefferson County Democrats on Sunday.
"I want to be in a position to support it but I need to do my due diligence before formalizing my position," Kilmer is quoted as saying. That's it. For longtime Derek watchers, this has the eery ring of so many past issues where he's sat on the fence and NOT taken a strong position his constituents want.
Many attendees at the dinner had NO TPP stickers on their shoulders. Yet, this important topic was ignored. Given his vote FOR FAST TRACK (TPA), a trade agreement that gives unprecedented powers to corporations, this vote negates his stated position in favor of the very popular constitutional amendment against the Citizens United decision of the Supreme Court.
In addition, it was noted that he talked warmly about his grandmother who is now 105 and loves her Social Security. How many people know that he voted to take funds OUT of Social Security when he voted for TAA (Trade Assistance Authority)?
Lastly, there's the very important issue on the North Peninsula of the Navy's proposed electromagnetic warfare training range over the Olympic National Park and Forest. NOT A WORD spoken about this. See Protect Olympic Peninsula Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/... or website http://protectolympicpeninsula.org for more background.
Derek did mingle with the crowd, and it would be great if people would publish their comments on what was said to them. I was non-plussed by his refusal to talk about his votes when he opted to berate me for complaining strongly to one of his very thin-skinned aides about his YES vote for Fast Track (TPA). This bill not only applies to TPP, but also to other trade bills in the future that have not yet been introduced.
It would be GREAT if we had more Jefferson County Democrats tuning in and monitoring his voting record. From the crowd response on Sunday, I have to wonder how many know these votes. http://ballotpedia.org/...
A Facebook WATCH page that follows Derek Kilmer is https://www.facebook.com/...
May be time for other Congressional districts with this type of representative to establish a WATCH page also.