To Be Faxed to Maria Cantwell

[akirlu]

I find it difficult to adequately express my disappointment in your vote on the cloture motion to halt public discussion, and thus the filibuster, on the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito. A vote for cloture is equivalent to a vote for Alito. Once cloture passed, the passage of the nomination was assured. And you voted for cloture. You effectively voted Alito onto the Supreme Court.

Over the past six years the Administration has been steadily expanding the powers and privileges of the Presidency and the White House at the expense of the Constitution, government transparency and accountability, and the very democracy this country is founded on. And rather than acting as an opposition party, rather than taking the separation of powers and the charge of advise and consent seriously, at virtually every juncture Congressional Democrats have pandered to the right, given way, voted along, without even a token fight, without a rhetorical shot being fired. Yet you come to your constituents with your hats in hand, expecting votes and campaign donations, soliciting our support with high flown phrases about how important Democrats are to opposing the Republican agenda, in particular to protecting the Supreme Court and the lower courts from right wing appointments. You yourself send out fundraising literature claiming that your seat is a Republican target because of your integrity. How on earth do you imagine we will see any importance in voting for you if you cave when it counts? Why vote for a Democrat who will not stand against such pernicious right wing judiciary nominees when the time comes? What difference did you make in protecting the bench from right wing appointments? Where is your courage, Senator? Where is your touted integrity?

I see your website is already touting your vote against Alito, as if that meant something. But the fact remains the vote on cloture was the one that made the difference. It was a vote that the country will likely be paying for for decades to come. You failed your challenge, Senator, you showed neither courage then, nor honesty now, and that being the case I cannot in good conscience support you, either with my money or my vote.

Edit: Various pertinent hotlinks added. Also elevating link to Canwell's Democratic challenger