I have just spoken with Mark Wilson and he has confirmed reports that, after a face to face meeting with Senator Maria Cantwell, he has decided to end his challenge in the Democratic Primary and endorse Cantwell's re-election bid. He said that, with so much at stake and his chances of actually defeating Cantwell in the primary being so slim, it was critical at this time for him to "work to bring the Washington State Democrats together to keep this senate seat in the Democratic column."
There will be an official announcement on this tomorrow afternoon so I will respect Mark's option to speak to the Progressives who have stood with him during this challenge before I offer my own view. I will also do my best to get a more in depth interview with Mark as soon as he has a couple of minutes to put his views on paper.
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue
Mike's Blog Round Up
51 minutes ago
6 comments:
I hope Mark Wilson gets a fulltime job on her Senate staff, and moves to DC for awhile. It would be terrific experience for him, and I have no doubt what he would do: find the militarists and anti-labor and other rightwingers among the Cantwell organization and make life difficult for them. Anybody could find them and hobble them pretty quick, but few do.
Another thing Wilson would do is sharpen the rhetoric of the Cantwell organization. Cantwell's speechwriter on down the line, they are all so busy trying to be centrist that they're indistinguishable from Republicans.
It is good and necessary to compromise, in politics but there is a fundamental problem of communication-- nobody knows what you're talking about if its all hedging and centrism.
We want to attack and defeat the thieves in high places, impeach the president who is a blatant lawbreaker, GET OUT OF IRAQ NOW, and roll back the tax cuts on the rich, and build a national healthcare system.
Todd
Mark Wilson has shown himself to be an incredible statesman in making this move. I am sorry to learn that he will probably be dropping out of the race but thank God he put himself out in the heat to raise issues that are important to Democrats. Now, let's see if Cantwell can demonstrate her statesmanship and prove to us that she is really a Democrat. I will hold my nose and vote for her in November, but it would be nice if the stench of Republican lite could be removed from her.
Dakota says, he'll vote for Maria. Just for the record however, I will not, unless there is ACTION RIGHT NOW on the following grievances:
1. IMPEACHMENT -- Bush started a war of aggression, the highest crime against humanity and directly violated treaties binding on the U.S. and every American under Constitution art. 6. We should be IMPEACHING the SENATE for their incredible irresponsibility allowing this to continue. Either change the law or obey it.
2. OUT OF IRAQ NOW -- there's no more talk. We been talking for 4 years. Totally fed up with this and Cantwell: you are goin' down, baby.
Maria can't do enough in this short of time before the elecion to earn my vote. No war. No more.
Aaron Dixon for Senate. I would have voted Democrat had Wilson won the primary (yes, unlikely).
I was at the Air America event at Town Hall on 6/17 with Randi RHodes, Ron Reagan Jr., and Dan Savage of The Stranger. I asked them directly why Democrats are not voting in unison against this war. They spoke about candidates voting locally - this I can understand, but it does nothing to explain Maria's position and votes on the war (or Larsen's or Inslee's - my god the only Dem with a sack is Jim mcDermott, not to be sexist or anything with that comment). All of these Democrats could continue to win, even strengthen their positions with antiwar votes at this point, yet they cower and let fear of the Republican smear machine drive their policy. I call bullshit on that. No war. No more.
Todd, you got your wish. Mark told me yesterday that the Cantwell campaign will pay him $2,000 a week to represent her.
Dave
The truth is, I can't blame Mark. He spent his own money to finance the campaign - he had very little ``big dollar'' help, and that is unfortunate.
I wasn't surprised that he dropped out of the race - after sitting with him in the wee morning hours following the state convention, I could see the fatigue on his face, and perhaps a look of satisfaction and contentment (resignation?) that the odds were too long, the party too strong, and that the good fight was now over...
Nor am I totally surprised that he's going to work for Cantwell. Mark confirmed to me yesterday that she will be paying him $2,000 a week as a consultant... hey, after all the money and time he spent with little more than lip service by the masses, I can't blame him for taking the money. Plus, factor in his family. He hasn't seen his wife in 16 months, his three-year-old son has some major health issues... hey, Mark deserves a break.
Cantwell was smart to get him on the payroll, but that said, unless she puts her mouth where her money is... that is, makes public commitments to Iraq withdrawal and apologies for her past votes... well, it's hard to see this as anything but a corporate buyout.
Hell, up until last week, Mark was still asking the question about real differences between multi-millionaire insurance guys and multi-millionaire internet gals...this tune hasn't changed.
Unless Cantwell starts making some amends with us progressives, she doesn't deserve our vote.
Post a Comment