I thought I would start a new series where I give a brief rundown on an election battle raging this year, and you, who probably know far more about the situation than I do, give your feelings, doubts, hopes, fears, predictions, etc.
The first will be the upcoming Senate election in Washington State. Incumbent Democratic junior senator Maria Cantwell is running for a second term. Cantwell has a strong record on issues such as choice and the environment, but is very controversial with progressives due to her vote in favor of the Iraq War Resolution, among other issues. Her opponent is so-called moderate Mike McGavick, a big-time businessman running for his first political office. Dino Rossi Gone Corporate, I suppose. She also has a Green opponent, Aaron Dixon.
In many ways this race seems similiar to the 2004 governor's election, as Cantwell is considered uninspiring by some, and McGavick is probably supposed to be some sort of outsider. Dixon is strongly to Cantwell's left, as Libertarian candidate Ruth Bennett was to Christine Gregoire in 2004.
What are your thoughts on the race? What do you think of Maria Cantwell? Would you vote for her if you were (or are) in Washington?