Yawn...

Cantwell, McGavick agree on some Lebanon issues.

Debates anyone?

According to the P-I McGavick proposes nine debates with Cantwell. Cantwell, in turn, "looks forward to debating her opponents after all the parties have chosen their nominees," said her campaign manager Amanda Mahnke.

Hmmm. Wonder if that means Cantwell is willing to debate Guthrie and Dixon, who have already been nominated?

Guthrie interviewed on KUOW-FM

Given that media coverage of third party candidates is often scarce, here is the link to the Friday, July 21, 2006 edition of KUOW: The Conversation in which Libertarian US Senate candidate Bruce Guthrie is interviewed.

Please feel free to add links to other interviews of any other US Senate candidates to the comments section of this post.

Cantwell starts over

With minimal fanfare the Cantwell campaign has disclosed that it will "kickoff" her re-election bid with an 8 day campaign tour beginning August 13.

Cantwell's campaign manager also said she would agree to debates sometime in October.

Hmmm. Debates with whom?

Still More on Cantwell/Wilson

The fallout continues on the Cantwell/Wilson story. Here, David Postman spars with readers over his coverage of the story. Lots of interesting tidbits to be picked up here, like the fact that Wilson is now getting $8,000 a month from the Cantwell campaign, or nearly as much as her campaign manager is getting.

More on the Wilson/Cantwell merger

Here David Postman of the Seattle Times talks about the chain of events leading up to Sunday's press conference.

Here local Republican pundit Jim Miller adds his two cents.

...from the make your own news dept.

In its continuing election year barrage of press releases, the Green Party now wants the US to pressure Isreal to back off in the Gaza Strip.

"When Congress passed H.R. 4681, which severely cut U.S. aid to the Palestinian people as long as Hamas is in power, it rejected the right of Palestinians to elect their own government by democratic vote," said Aaron Dixon, Washington Green for U.S. Senate. "While Hamas observed a ceasefire for over a year and has taken steps towards recognizing Israel, the Olmert government repeatedly violated the ceasefire, assassinated Hamas leaders, bombed a power plant that provides electricity for hospitals and water treatment plants, and allowed sniper-shootings and imprisonment of Palestinian women and children."

By the way, the Dixon web site is looking slicker every day. Check it out.

The view from D.C.

In most states the left's anti-war opposition candidates seem to be dropping like flies. The Hill reports support from three former primary foes bolsters Democratic candidates, including Cantwell. Now, only Lieberman is still on the ropes within his own party.

So "unity" is now the buzzword in the D circles. "Never mind the law. Never mind the atrocities. We must win at all costs."

Lovefest already shows signs of foundering

Robert Jamieson of the P-I, who often has no trouble calling things exactly as he sees them, asked today Do hires make her Maria, Queen of Smarts?. As previously reported, Cantwell hired former opponent Mark Wilson and another anti-war activist in an attempt to appease the anti-war vote. Jamieson isn't so sure it was a good move. "Word around the liberal campfire is the two guys Cantwell just brought on board don't represent the heart or soul of the peace and justice movement," he said.

Meanwhile, the P-I also reports on the press conference itself. "Despite the orchestrated appearance of a united party, there still seemed to be differences between Cantwell and Wilson. In explaining his decision at the news conference, Wilson said he was satisfied there'd been an 'evolution' in Cantwell's stance. Cantwell, though, disagreed her stance had changed. She said instead that it had been clarified by two recent votes."

Really, how much integrity does Cantwell have now?

Wilson bows (sells?) out

Today Maria Cantwell and challenger Mark Wilson appeared at a press conference to announce that Wilson was withdrawing from the race for the Democratic nomination and joining the Cantwell campaign as a full time staff member.

Yep. Its true. Now to the post-mortem. Methinks Cantwell saw her numbers sliding badly and knew she needed to do something drastic. And so she made an offer to Wilson that he could not refuse. Sure, the Ds are crowing tonight. But the story ends on 11/7. And at the end of this day, this already stinks like old fish.

NPI reports Wilson To endorse Cantwell

Apparently, another candidate bows out. According to the Northwest Progressive Institute, Democratic challenger Mark Wilson will endorse Cantwell tomorrow. Meanwhile, the P-I reports it's a done deal.

Hmmm. I've talked to Wilson. There is no way he would do this unless he had a very good reason. Odds are he will NOT be talking about that reason tomorrow.

Where's Cantwell?

In today's P-I Joel Connelly asks that question. Seems Republican challenger McGavick is crossing the state in multiple appearances and Cantwell...well, hmmm...uh, lessee...didn't I hear she was in the other Washington? Or maybe she's visiting her friend Hillary in New York...or?

Meanwhile, where's Guthrie?

Answer: Next Saturday; Tacoma's Pridefest at Wright Park.

And where's Dixon, and Wilson, and Greene, and Tran, and Klippert?

C'mon! Tell us!

On Social Security...

The Seattle Times' David Postman has an interesting rundown on McGavick and Cantwell on Social Security.

Anybody know what the other candidates think? Hmmm.