Cantwell buys up democracy, refuses to share

[TechBear_Seattle]

Last Cantwell rival gets call
Tran says she believes campaign offered job to end all opposition

By NEIL MODIE, P-I REPORTER

Sen. Maria Cantwell's only remaining Democratic primary election opponent wonders if the senator is trying to eliminate her rivals by putting all of them on her campaign payroll.

Hong Tran, who is opposing the senator largely as an anti-war critic, said she was urged to join the senator's campaign Monday by Dal LaMagna, who until last week was a vocal Cantwell critic and potential election opponent but now is a Cantwell campaign co-chairman.

LaMagna's invitation came a day after Cantwell silenced another primary opponent and harsh critic, Mark Wilson, by announcing she was putting him on her re-election staff at a salary that neither her campaign nor Wilson would divulge.

LaMagna "said something to the effect that 'We want you to come on board, too,' " Tran said, recounting their telephone conversation. In the context of their discussion and Cantwell's hiring of Wilson, Tran said she interpreted it, too, as a campaign job offer.

The article continues at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/277260_senate12.html

[Union Thug]

1. If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em. n/t

[Daniel K]

2. Shocking - A candidate paying for campaign support

Mark Wilson has shown himself to be a wandering independent, whether as a Green, Libertarian, or Democrat. Claiming that his deciding to end his hopeless campaign, in favor of ensuring McGavick doesn't win, which would be catastrophic, is all about Cantwell buying out opponents is mis-representing the matter.

[Cascadian]

3. Yet another reason why I have trouble with Cantwell.

This is dirty dealing. I am happy to see Hong Tran not fall for this. Cantwell does not really have the interests of Washingtonians in mind. Like the people she got to get in line with she was bought and sold by the same people that are ruining this democracy we have. She is beholden to the multinationals and it is wrong and very criminal. I hope Hong Tran will keep up the fight.


John

[rhett o rick]

4. Cantwell's behavior is unacceptable. Does the Wash State Demo Party

think it is acceptable to buy off opponents prior to the primary? She is acting like a republican with no regard to fair play. She is messing with the system using money to get her way. Does this sound like a Democrat? Instead of taking a stand, she buys off those that might force her too. Mark Wilson is dead politically to me. If he can be bought off soooo easy, he isn't a good democrat either.

[rhett o rick]

5. Anyone have a good email addy for Mark Wilson? I'd like to send

him a note saying that I hope he doesn't think he can run for office in the future.

[LeFleur1]

6. Agreed

Agreed. I guess we're lucky that Maria bought Wilson now. We know just what kind of person he is. He could have waited until after the primary to join Maria's campaign... if she beat him in the primary. Does anyone else shudder to think that their campaign donations are being spent thus?

I wonder if McGavick had offered him $9000 a month would he have worked for him? It looks as though he's for sale to the highest bidder.

What could Maria have been thinking? Certainly not that she'd gain the respect of the public with this action. With this buying of the competition, she's become a bit of a laughing stock in a climate where politicians are already seen as opportunists. I believe it will hurt her in the general election.

There are still people out there who refuse to recognize the devastation that the Republicans have caused this country. They will ride the train of their party right into hell.

[rhett o rick]

7. She knew there were many of us that wanted to send her a message

in the primary. She didn't want the message. She showed us that she can buy off anyone. She doesn't need our support.

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. I think you hit the nail on the head there

She doesn't want to face the extent of voter outrage. That will make my vote for Hong Tran all the more important.

[rhett o rick]

9. I am with you. nm