Seattle PI editorial board calls out Sen Cantwell on her war position

[WebeBlue]

link to March 21, 2006 article; Iraq War: Cantwell's choice SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

also see link to article few days earlier Sen. Barack Obama and Sen Cantwell at fundraiser; Garfield School, Seattle March 18, 2006 Seattle PI - Cantwell's photo op in 'hood is ironic


also see at DU discussion thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=184x7908

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Iraq War: Cantwell's choice

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

It must have been a bit uncomfortable for Sen. Maria Cantwell to share the same Seattle stage with Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, not because he is among the Democratic Party's most telegenic rising young stars but because he is critical of the Bush administration's rush to war, while she supported it.

Cantwell has said she doesn't think her vote for the war was a mistake. A few months ago, she stunned the members of this newspaper's Editorial Board by talking of "our successes in Iraq."

Her Republican challenger, Mike McGavick, is unlikely to campaign against a war that is the cornerstone of a Republican administration.

But Cantwell can hardly campaign against a war her vote sanctioned, even though a large portion of the U.S. electorate and a decidedly larger portion of her own constituents are unhappy with the course of the war and President Bush's handling of it. It's a campaign issue that could bleed votes from the traditional Democratic base.

But Cantwell may be able to benefit both her re-election prospects and the nation's foreign policy. She helped lead us into this war; now it's incumbent on Cantwell to help lead us out of it.

If Cantwell is simply wedded to a stay-the-course strategy in Iraq, she's lost touch with her constituents on the central foreign policy issue.

If, however, she recognizes that we're in a quagmire that will continue to drain U.S. blood and treasure, Cantwell should bring a legitimate voice to the debate on how to best get out of Iraq.

[LisaM]

1. Well they threw her a lifesaving ring...

The question is, will she take it?

[Zimmy44]

2. Here in NY>..

...I wish the papers would be as straightforward in putting Senator Clinton on the spot like that. They make passing references to her refusal to call for withdrawal, but never challenge her on it. Clinton is committed to a stay-the-course strategy - and has lost touch with her contituents.

[spindrifter]

3. But in then you get this from a PI columnist:

Cantwell's vilification by left is bizarre

By JOEL CONNELLY

With President Bush sinking in the polls, and chances of an independent Congress on the rise, the left fringe in Seattle politics is noisily sniping at Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell.

<snip>

Several Democratic precinct caucuses have upbraided her for refusing to back a filibuster against confirming Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

<snip>

The senator was pilloried again in a profane article on The Stranger's blog for remarks after Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne was nominated as interior secretary. Cantwell told a news-service reporter that Kempthorne "knows the Northwest."

<snip>

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/264197_joel24.html

Of course, the columnist does not look beyond some of the obvious and most troublesome issues with this politician. He seems to believe that if you carry a card that says you are a Democrat, that is sufficient.

[SeattleGirl]

4. Awww, poor Maria. We're so mean to her!

She deserves to be sniped at, ubraided, and pilloried, as far as I'm concerned. When she voted for the war, I was so angry. I emailed her, and in response, got a canned email back, full of mutterings about how Bush needs our support, Saddam is a big meanie (well, okay, I can't disagree with her on that one), we need to do this, etc. She totally lost my support because of that.

I don't know what I'm going to do in November. I don't want to vote for her again, but damnit, I don't want McGavick either. I want Dems to PICK UP seats, not lose them, but with Maria, I feel there is no real difference between her and a Republican.

Crap. This is like having a choice between dog shit and cat shit. x(

[spindrifter]

5. Don't forget Aaron Dixon.

He may be a really viable choice.