Cantwell right to vote her conscience

Three cheers for Sen. Maria Cantwell, despite the cynical editorial by The Herald. It’s refreshing in this era of partisanship in our federal government to have a senator from my home state courageous enough to vote according to her conscience. That the editors accuse her of “perhaps” extreme partisanship – or even pandering – when they admit her vote may harm her in the next election seems disingenuous at the least. She is taken to task for voting against “an extremely well-qualified candidate” despite the fact that of all the members of the Supreme Court only Clarence Thomas had fewer confirmation votes than Roberts.

And for this conscience-driven vote, Sen. Cantwell, according to the editors, has “made a calculated move to the left” because she blew “a momentary chance to retreat from extremism and encourage bipartisanship.”

Thank you, Herald editors, for your encouragement of same-speak. And, by all means, let us vote out of office anyone who dares go against the team, who votes according to principle rather than self interest. They are indeed “pandering,” members of the “extreme left.” What a service you provide!

Chris Kane

Marysville

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