So I have seen some diaries that have been complaining that Senator Cantwell voted to end the filibuster and so should be opposed in the primary. Now I think that this is a bad idea. Senator Cantwell had been a great Senator to me and my fellow Washington Residents. She should be given our support so she can continue to be a great Senator. Here are the reasons why she should be given our support and an argument against the criticisms about
- She lead the charge to stop the drilling in AWNR and so far it looks the Democrats have done it and drilling in AWNR is not taking place.
- She stands up for senior's rights to get health care benefits.
- She is against the cuts in student aid and wants to see more affordable tuition.
- On Progressive Punch she has a 88.57 ranking and is ranked 20/100. Not a bad ranking at all.
Now on to here criticisms
1. She voted to end the filibuster against Alito
Yes she did but in the end she voted to not confirm Alito and that is more important. I also wanted to see the filibuster and would have voted no to ending it if I was in the Senate but let's be realistic it was not going to happen. Senator Cantwell might also want to save the filibuster for a more important event such as one of the moderate or liberal justices has to be replaced, god forbid, during President Bush's term.
2. She voted for the Iraq War
So did many of the other Senators but she has realized that it is a mistake and it has been pointed out that a lot of the Senators felt that President Bush would go to the UN and get international support.
3. Here primary opponent Mark Wilson is unimpressive and will get crushed by Mike McGavick (the Republican running against Senator Cantwell) in the general election.
So while Senator Cantwell is not a true progressive she is no Joe Lieberman and should get our support in the 2006 midterm.
Thanks!