Give Cantwell another term in the Senate
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 7:42 AM PDT
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E-mail this articleWhile there is no shortage of serious self-inflicted problems in Washington, D.C., that need resolving, Sen. Maria Cantwell is not one of them.
Cantwell, a Democrat, has often been a moderate voice in shrilly partisan times and has shown she has reasonable and realistic ideas for addressing the biggest issues facing the country.
Her Republican opponent, former Safeco chief Mike McGavick, has run an impressive campaign that has taken the high road. At the same time he has demonstrated he is not afraid of bucking the Republican Party line. He is to be commended for both his statesmanship and independence.
Cantwell, however, deserves another term in the Senate, where regardless of where party power falls after the November election she will continue to be a strong voice for Washington state.
Should the Democrats gain control of the House, Senate or both, there is a danger of a partisan shift that simply continues or deepens the destructive and ineffective party-line bickering. Regardless of how the election plays out, however, it is the moderate voices that will eventually put forward ideas for positive change.
Both Cantwell and McGavick present themselves as moderate and the ideas they advance back those claims. Both Washingtons stand to benefit if either is elected.
But Cantwell is the best choice for the state because she has shown the ability to listen, learn and act. She has quickly become a savvy senator who recognizes the difference between high-minded ideals and practical application of those ideals within the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
She has been at the forefront of many issues key to our region, including energy, methamphetamine abuse and free trade. Her positions on free trade and the war in Iraq, in fact, have placed her directly in opposition with her party. It is a tribute to her fortitude that she has remained true to her beliefs.
As should be expected, Cantwell's first term in the Senate was a learning experience but she proved to be a quick study. We expect that given the opportunity to serve another six years she will be an even stronger and more effective voice for the state.
Though Mike McGavick is an attractive candidate as an alternative to the status quo in Washington, D.C., Maria Cantwell does not represent the problems he seeks to resolve and should be returned to the U.S. Senate.
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