Is this the time? Is Mark Wilson the right candidate? Now is the time to answer these questions and then act.......or not.
With just seven months to go until Democrats in Washington State cast their primary ballots, now is the time for Progressives to determine if we will put Mark Wilson on our shoulders and make the all-out effort to get him over the finish line. Oh sure, you can say that the effort is his alone but, as soon as you say that, you must ask why he would bother if we are not ready to help with the burden that is unseating an incumbent US Senator.
For over a year now, Mark has been visiting any group that will give him five minutes to explain why he, and not Maria Cantwell, should be going to Washington DC to represent the interests of Washington State. For the most part, it has been pretty good red meat stuff about Cantwell's votes in favor of military force in Iraq, her votes for NAFTA (while she was in the US House) and CAFTA, her votes to confirm Condi Rice and John Negroponte, and her anti-consumer voting record (for top-tier tax cuts and moving class-action lawsuits into the Federal Courts). Wilson speaks the language of "Peak Oil" and talks about shifting budget priorities from the bloated military to more socially aware purposes. However, regardless of the welcome Progressive message, there seems to be a reluctance by many to make the type of commitment to Mark Wilson that these same Progressives made to Howard Dean or Dennis Kucinich during the 2004 presidential caucuses. Yes, many will say, "I intend to vote for Mark in the primary" or, "I sent Wilson a check last week and will vote for him as a protest vote in September" but where is the networking that was the hallmark of the Dean and Kucinich campaigns? Where are the "Mark Wilson Meet-ups"? Now is not the time to be timid about the effort.
It's as if there is some sort of hesitancy here. It's almost like there is a silent (yet devastating) BUT at the end of the sentence. "I like Mark...BUT..." "We would like to endorse Mark..BUT..." "Mark is the ideal candidate...BUT..." Of course we know that the State Party will never back (or even admit that there is) a challenger to an incumbent. Would we expect them to? But does it go deeper than that? We have all heard that "Electability Crap" before. Don't bring it round my door no more! Then there is some strange concoction about support for a primary opponent costing us a seat come November. Yeah, don't buy into that either. Whatever the answer, it is time to declare your position. To be blunt, it's time to put up or shut up. If you don't have it in you to support the Progressive candidate on the ballot in September, then don't complain when you end up with a less than Progressive senator in November.
Why is it so important today? Senator Cantwell is beginning to set up shop in LDs all around the state. The new State Party Chair is making the rounds to rally the troops to the good senator's campaign. I have yet to hear of one Progressive organization declaring an endorsement for Mark Wilson in the Democratic primary. The mark of credibility for any anti-incumbent candidacy is its volunteers and grassroots support. Mark is a founding member of Veterans for Peace. Where is that endorsement? How about SNOW or any of the many environmental groups that would normally be supporting someone with Mark's Green Party associations? Is everyone waiting for someone to break the ice? OK, here it comes:
The Left Shue Blog officially endorses Mark Wilson for the Democratic nomination for US Senate from Washington State! It's your move.
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue
Friday, February 24, 2006
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12 comments:
but where is the networking that was the hallmark of the Dean and Kucinich campaigns? Where are the "Mark Wilson Meet-ups"? Now is not the time to be timid about the effort.
Because Mark Wilson is a joke.
And, he's not a Democrat.
Also, he ran against liberal Democrat stalwarts Patty Murray (in 2004) and Jay Inslee (in 2002).
In the National Journal, Cantwell is listed as being on 4 points less-liberal than Murray, 81% to 77%.
http://nationaljournal.com/
voteratings/states/index.htm?state=wa#vr
Cantwell takes a hit on economic issues, but is actually more liberal on social issues than Murray.
To sum up: Mark Wilson is a joke, and is not a Democrat. Maria Cantwell is a Democrat worthy of reelection, and actually is a Democrat. I will proudly vote for the Democrat!
(Also, Kucinich and Dean were actually Democrats. That helped them to get the endorsements of liberal groups)
Belltowner,
As you and I have exchanged on this issue on a different venue, I will try not to continue to re-hash to same old stuff. We obviously come at this discussion from differing points of view.
What I would say about the National Journal's (and most of the Cantwell apologists) rating system is that they do not seem to recognize the difference between a vote to send the country to war versus a vote to stop drilling in the Alaskan wilderness. It's more than an academic excercise for me.
If given a choice between someone who continues to support American imperialism versus a one-time Libertarian who has stood unwaveringly against pre-emptive unilateral invasions of non-threatening nations, as a Progressive, I have no option.
On a final note, it has come to my attention that your Democratic credentials may be a bit lacking. Do I understand that you are not a PCO or otherwise active in your LD? As an elected PCO and Vice-chair of my LD, I believe I have earned the right to determine for myself who truly represents what I believe are true Democratic values.
Peace,
Posted by request:
Democrat precinct caucuses will be held in Cowlitz County March 4. This is the best opportunity for progressives to demand our party quit supporting candidates who betray our principles.
I speak, of course, of Sen. Maria Cantwell. Cantwell failed to stand up for abortion rights during the Alito Supreme Court nomination. She supports the Iraq War. She votes against labor. Still, she garners support from party leaders who tout her incumbent status. They tell us she's the party's best chance to retain the seat. How ridiculous. Especially when other candidates support our ideals.
Poulsbo businessman Mark Wilson, Cantwell's primary opponent, has integrity rivaled only by Jim McDermott. But you'd never know it by looking at the state party Web site. Wilson, an anti-war, pro-choice, Democrat, isn't even acknowledged. How sad. It makes you wonder if the party really stands for anything.
I urge local progressives to attend the March 4 caucuses and demand support for Mark Wilson. Check out the Web site www.votemark.org and see who best upholds our values.
Dave Grumbois
Longview
On a final note, it has come to my attention that your Democratic credentials may be a bit lacking. Do I understand that you are not a PCO or otherwise active in your LD? As an elected PCO and Vice-chair of my LD, I believe I have earned the right to determine for myself who truly represents what I believe are true Democratic values.
Whoa! Way to pull rank on a 24 year old who just went to his first official meeting of his LD two weeks ago. That kind of attitude illustrates why people in their 20's tend to avoid the antiquated party structure. I may have yet to 'make my bones' in the Democratic Party, but I will continue to speak out against misguided anti-Cantwellism, and how liberals don't know how to get power and keep it when they have it.
"On a final note, it has come to my attention that your Democratic credentials may be a bit lacking. Do I understand that you are not a PCO or otherwise active in your LD? As an elected PCO and Vice-chair of my LD, I believe I have earned the right to determine for myself who truly represents what I believe are true Democratic values."
What complete and utter nonsense. To denegrate a person's political leanings based on your activism vs. your perception of someone else's is arrogant to the extreme.
Daniel,
I am sorry if you find arrogance in my post. Considering the continual references by my young friend, Belltowner, as he seems to be the ultimate decider of who is a Democrat and who is not, I feel that my comparison of credentials was only fair. Perhaps not. Who's to say?
Peace,
Wow, this is almost as much fun as the days when the Trots and Maoists would infiltrate SDS meetings to berate us for selling out to Gene McCarthy instead of assuming our roles at the vanguard of the Great People's Revolution of 1968 (how did that turn out again? Oh yeah. Nixon...)
(Since everyone's propers seem to be required in this one, I'm a past State Committeeman, County Committeeman, District Chair and I've been a PCO since before they were PCOs, and a bit before Belltowner was born, and if I had to pick the Democrat in this crowd, I'd pick the kid.)
Posted by request:
Chad,
I applaud "The Left Shue" for the endorsement of Mr. Wilson. I also applaud Mr. Wilson for stepping up.
I had the honor of meeting with him recently at a county party event. I also would add that of the federal democrat candidates and incumbents, he was the only one to even acknowledge the invitation.
Let me assure everyone, I'm not advocating for any candidate . I’d rather see us lose the seats.
I'm a bit perplexed by the state party espousing the "big tent" attitude, all the while snubbing anyone other than the incumbents. Even before the primary. What hypocrisy! Not democracy!
Is it customary for parties to adhere to a deaf and blind allegiance? At all cost? Sounds like the GOP. If we continue along this line of reason, there shall never be any change. We are allowing a voter block choke hold, the fear of losing a democratic seat in the federal election. This certainly works to the incumbents advantage. Even if we , the party are not being fairly represented .
Can you hear it? Can you see it? The distant sound of the WA state party marching in lock-step with the "deer-in-headlight" look mumbling in unison , "who am I, where am I"............
I can.
Mona Marlow
http://www.unitedforhealthcare.org
I love this post and I love these comments! I have been trying to extoll the virtues of a challenge to Cantwell and I feel totally ignored!
Let's all follow Chad's lead and endorse Wilson in the Primary on our blogs!
The American Peoples' Congress - Tahoma Chapter
I am an active Democrat. I am an elected PCO, I'm on the exec board of the county party,I sit on three committees including elections at the county level, I do a liberal radio show I love our party, and I welcome young people and encourage them to be active. We had several Kucinich supporters who are still active(and effective) within the party structure. I encouraged them and mentored them. They didn't sit down and whine and cry that Cantwell didn't vote the way ralph nader would have if he ever got elected to anything.
We HAD Wilson at our county picnic and he was free to say whatever he wanted. He would have been impressive if this were 1969. He played to the more liberal among us and picked up a couple supporters. That's his right, and he got what he wanted.
Belltowner would be welcome with an enthusiastic handshake in our county party. He's right, the older more bitter among us would ignore him and shun him. BUT, he has already gained something that usually takes years to develope. Pragmatism. He's NOT going to sit down and pee his pants, he's going to work to elect a viable candidate.He wants to send a Democrat to the senate, not a rat and a message. The message? We're losers. Don't give up Bell, you're right!
Frank,
Thanks for your important contribution to the discussion. Obviously the intent of my comments with regard to Belltowner's lack of experience with the Democratic Party was lost for whatever reason.
I understand that many folks agree with his devotion to Maria Cantwell (or is it just the institution of incumbency?). However, It is his continual personal attacks on Mark Wilson and his determination of who or what is a Democrat as if he is some official authority when he, himself, had not even attended one LD meeting or participated in any capacity with the Democratic Party before last month that causes me problems.
I welcome reasoned debate with anyone and encourage all to participate in the process but simply repeating "Wilson sucks, vote for Maria" does not seem as much like genuine pragmatism to me as simple blind allegiance to an incumbent Democrat.
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue
A Democratic Black Eye
It’s time my fellow Democrats to take a stand! The Washington primary in September will give us an important choice of who will represent us in the United States Senate. Mark Wilson or Maria Cantwell is our choice.
Some say the incumbent (Cantwell) has done this, that and raised so much money. I say “So What!” I want a Senator Like Mark Wilson who will represent the issues that are most important to “We the People!” Elections have been all about money for years and it’s damn well time to change that!
This is “ All well and Good” but if we do not get our representatives in office who will bring public financing to the table and jam it through it will continue to be the vicious cycle which has been going on for years!
Lobbyists and special interests have corrupted the majority of our Congress with money and gifts which shows these recipients to be sellouts to the American people no matter what their party affiliation!
Sure, they make the excuse that they have to fundraise everyday to stay in office to do the public’s business but the reality is most of these public servants never bring up legislation to switch to public financing nor do they promote the idea to their base.
I encourage all who think their patriotism is unquestionable to get involved in the election process in all facets. Look at the Voting records, bills and legislation that they support.
It is your duty as an American Citizen to get involved and become educated in the political process. Knowing how your government works is vital in understanding how laws and legislation help or hurt you as citizens.
An informed public may stop voting for candidates who continuously work for corporations and special interest groups.
An example of what Public Financing can do for you is systemic. Take away the big corporate money and lobbyists then you will have honest Government working for the public, as they should! To hell with lobbying reform just eliminate it period. Lobbying is just another word for bribery! In that case I would consider that practice treason.
I live in Washington State. My United States senators are Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Both of these Senators are progressive in their voting. Murray at about 87% and Cantwell about 80%. Those are not bad percentages. When you look at the votes and legislation coming from these two senators you might say at election time, “I would vote for them again”.“ Good incumbents are hard to find”. Well you are partially right! Ask yourself the question “Did these two bring legislation to the table and vote for the best interests of the state and country every time?” The answer is no! Shocked, I’m not. We can’t have our way all the time now can we? We can do better!
The Washington State primary is in September in which Maria Cantwell is running against Mark Wilson. Cantwell has raised almost 7 million dollars for her campaign.
I am sure she wont bother to worry about Mark Wilson because she may feel her incumbency trumps Mark or anyone else who may challenge her. Corporate donations and special interest money seem to be what drives Cantwells Campaign. Then of course, she is proud of her voting record. I am not so proud of her record or the fact she is obligated to these corporations and special interests for their huge donations.
Primary elections are to make changes in representation and Washington State should Elect Mark Wilson and send Maria back to school.
Mark Wilson is the person who will represent the average working citizens of Washington State. Mark is concerned with big issues most important to the citizens of our state:
· Bring an immediate end to our nation's ill conceived war
· Protect Social Security
· Oppose: NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO.
· Direct spending to conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy
· Refocus our troops on national defense
· Enforce air and water quality standards
· Establish a National Peace Academy
· Support basic education, kindergarten through age 20
· Make sure health care becomes the right of all Americans
It’s an easy choice for me. I want a person to speak for me who knows what its like to survive in today’s world. Mark Wilson is that choice! I don’t believe for one minute that a millionaire like Maria Cantwell can relate to me or my needs much less speak on the behalf of the average citizen like Mark can.
Maria Cantwell Voted for the Iraq War, the Patriot Act, NAFTAand CAFTA.
She also voted for confirmation of Condoleeza Rice and John Negroponte and the destructive Bush energy bill and to move class-action lawsuits from state to federal courts.
One of Cantwell’s most heinous actions was to NOT supporting the Democratic filibuster of Samuel Alito then she turned around and took credit for voting against Alito’s confirmation as Supreme Court justice. If that’s not enough to make you gag then I will offer a few more items to induce vomiting. Cantwell voted not to repeal oil and gas tax breaks from the energy bill. To enable the President to place International trade agreements above worker and environmental protections, against a repeal of tax breaks which reward U.S. companies for moving their manufacturing plants overseas!
Is that how you want to be represented? The democratic voters are not behind these positions Cantwell has taken on these issues. She has failed her base and the citizens of Washington State. In fairness to Maria Cantwell, on other issues she has voted progressively. When you weigh the importance of her votes, I would say that the Issues which are getting troops killed, outsourcing jobs, changing the shape of the courts for decades and kicking the rotten Washington Lobbyists out on their butts. Maria fails miserably for the voters of Washington State!
Some have said we need winners in government and I agree. Mark Wilson is the winner we need in Washington who will support the big issues and the Democratic Party! On issues like filibusters, outsourcing of jobs and healthcare for all Mark is who I want standing up for me in Washington. Mark Wilson will not vote out of both sides of his mouth just to please special interests or big corporate campaign donors.
I am sure when we send Maria Cantwell back to the private sector she will be courageous in her support of Mark Wilson and transfer those democratic donations from her campaign to Mark Wilson against Mike McGavick.
Mark Wilson speaks for the Washington citizens and me!
VoteMark.org
Public Financing will bring real REPRESENTATION to our government.
Lets send all the Washington lobbyists packing back to Exxon, Enron, and the Drug lobby. Et al.
Washington State is a Progressive State. Let’s start voting that way and elect Mark Wilson to show our state is ready to bring the country back to the American People!
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