I just called Sen Cantwell's office. Apparently she is rethinking her stand on the PO.

[rhett o rick]

She made a big deal of coming out in favor, but now she is reconsidering. We desperately need a progressive challenger for her seat.

[rhett o rick]

1. Update. I just called a different office and they said she is strongly committed to voting

for the public option, even under reconciliation. I respectfully requested her to sign on the Sen Bennett letter.

[The empressof all]

2. I didn't think she had come out in favor

My understanding was that she had her own "scheme". I've been calling her offices every other day and it's pretty much been no decision mode. I doubt we'll get a challenge for that seat. When she first ran, the party pretty much squashed Jay Inslee's interest and turned full throttle for Cantwell's money. It's a shame but I think we're stuck with her. All we can do is keep the pressure on her, remind her of who elected her and let your donations do the talking. I send my donations to Jay's campaign or to other more dicey progressive runs elsewhere. We could do worse than Cantwell. (My secret hope is that she'll be offered a cabinet post next term and move along)

[quiller4]

3. No. She came out strongly in favor of public option and when I

called her office yesterday I was told her pro public option position hasn't changed.

I also have a letter from her where she expresses firm support for public option.

I don't feel "stuck with her" at all. I am happy she is our senator. I'm much more concerned with financial system reform and she is so right on that issue. Public Option is not a must for me.

[The empressof all]

4. Yes you are correct she is pro public option

As of last week she had not come out for reconciliation and her office was wishy washey on her support. I know many good Dems are fond of the Senator. I agree she is smart and tends to generally vote in the direction that I would prefer. We could do far worse. She just has never been my first or even second choice for that job.

[rhett o rick]

5. Update. Sen Cantwell just signed on to support PO.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/04/public-option-picks-up-35_n_485369.html