Who I'm Voting For

(Because "endorsements" seems a little grandiose for a one-woman blog.) Hey you, possibly voting person!  Whoever you plan to vote for you need to register online (or change your address) by tonight or you don't get to complain about the election results.  And complaining about elected officials is an important American tradition that no one should have to go without.

In case you missed it, last week I wrote about "What" I'm voting for, and did my best to make some sense out of the dizzying array of super intelligent propositions on this year's ballot.  (Yes, I'm still mad about the candy thing.  Did you clean your room yet?)

Taking the candidates in order on the ballot:

US Senators

On the ballot:  Patty Murray (D), Dino Rossi (R)

Who I'm voting for:  Patty Murray

Why?  Senator Murray has served in the US Senate since 1992.  In that time, she has developed a reputation as a vigorous advocate for Washington State's interests.  She serves in a variety of key committee positions, and was named one of 2010's "Best of Congress" by Working Mother Magazine, for her positions on issues effecting working families and veterans.  Her work on education issues has been particularly impressive.

In contrast to Senator Murray's long and well thought out statements on a variety of issues, Rossi's campaign appears to focus on just a few, mainly in the areas of tax reform and national security.  While his campaign website states that he would "stop new broad-based taxes like a European-style consumption tax" I would note that he signed (but may or may not have meant it) a pledge promising support for a flat tax, which would place about 30% markup on potentially everything including rent and groceries.  Maybe (as the Seattle Times seems to be saying) he didn't actually mean it, but it's probably a good idea to read these things before you sign them.

Other spit coffee out your nose inconsistencies from Rossi include claiming to be against the stimulus while campaigning in favor of stimulus money for Washington jobs, and claiming not to know what the unemployment benefits extension was while claiming to be the candidate who is all about the economy.  Check out this man of the people moment from KIRO:

Don't know what the unemployment extension was all about? That's ok,  you're not running for congress.  It was only the most hotly debated economic issue in congress at that time, no reason Rossi should have had any big thoughts on it.

But enough on that race...

US House of Representatives (6th Congressional District)

On the Ballot:  Norm Dicks (D), Doug Cloud (R)

Who I'm voting for:  Norm Dicks

Why?  I admit, Norm Dicks is not the most accessible of congresspeople.  Over the years I've called his office a few times about various things and his staff are always happy to tell me why those things aren't within his purview  (You think this will end my phone call?  Mwahahahahah) a reaction I don't generally get from other legislative staffers.  However, he delivers the votes on the issues I care about, in particular education, civil rights, (especially LGBT rights) and environmental issues.  He's been serving in congress for long enough to make Patty Murray look like a newcomer (since 1976!) which is perhaps why he doesn't seem to even have a campaign website.  The Norm Dicks campaign website can be found here.

Doug Cloud on the other hand does have a campaign website, which uses a lot of pixels to bash Norm Dicks.  I saw Cloud speak at the North End Neighborhood Council Candidates Forum (Dicks sent a representative who delivered a short speech and took no questions - facepalm -).  Given that his opponent was absent he could have really used that moment to win a few hearts and minds, but unfortunately all he seemed to be able to say in response to questions was "the first thing we have to do is get rid of Norm Dicks." (OK I paraphrase, it was a while ago, but that was the gist.) Anybody can be against something (or someone) but a real leader has actual ideas.

___

This is officially getting too long, and I want you (all 5 of you) to read it, so we'll get to the state/local offices tomorrow.*

*if I feel like it.