Barbara Mikulski rocks SocSec Meeting in Seattle

I knew nothing about Barbara Mikulski before today but she's now My New Favorite Senator.

I went to a Social Security Town Hall in Seattle today.  When the speakers finally took the stage nearly an hour late, I recognized Senators Murray, Cantwell and Landrieu.

I didn't know what she looked like, but when she took the stage, she could have passed for one of us.  She would have been at home at a MoveOn event.  Quite unusual for the normally staid Senators.

Barely five feet tall, she projected a much bigger aura.  While Maria Cantwell barely elicited polite applause (anyone else worried about her chances in 2006?), Mikulski was clearly the crowd favorite - even more so than the popular Patty Murray.

She riffed about the President's deceptive Privitization plan.  You wouldn't have wanted to get too close to the lectern for fear of flying spittle.  Both barrels were blazin'!  Too bad I can't remember any of her statements (anyone else?) - but suffice it to say - she would have made you proud.

So I wasn't surprised to find out about her activist roots in Baltimore on her website.  Oh, to have more like her in the Senate.

As for the event, the biggest criticism I'd make (aside from their not being on-time) is that the other Senators sounded a little too timid in making their arguments.  They pulled up some numbers - a little shakily - to prove their points.  This was the easiest audience in the world - so they've got to get this down cold in front of us.  (Mikulski's the only one I'd put on TV : what she lacks in photogenicity, she more than makes up for with pugnacity).

(OT - Landrieu got in a good dig on the loyalty oaths at GOP events).