Possible showdown looms over oil tankers in Sound

Just when everybody thought the idea was dead for another 20 years or so, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens announced he has introduced a new bill to allow oil tankers in the Puget Sound.

Cantwell says she will fight it with everything she has. Let's see who has the leverage. Obviously, if she wins this one she is a virtual shoo-in for 2006.

Here's the extra credit question: Suppose Cantwell looses this fight with Stevens. Does that help or hurt her reelection chances?