Cantwell Has The Edge In Key Skill

Sat., Sept. 9, 2000

By Ken Sands kens@spokesman.com

Education, economic development, health care, working with Indian tribes and saving salmon runs. The state of Washington needs leadership on these and other issues in the U.S Senate.

Washington voters have a choice between two Democrats - Deborah Senn and Maria Cantwell - in the Sept. 19 primary. The winner will face incumbent Slade Gorton in November.

Improved access to education is important throughout the state but nowhere is it more critical than in rural Eastern Washington. Federal money could be used to implement more distance learning programs and help modernize classrooms. Economic development also is critical as the traditional resource-based economy of Eastern Washington slowly begins to rely on new industries. Money for higher education and job retraining is important.

The increasing lack of affordable health care throughout the state is a huge problem, as is the escalating cost of prescription medicine. Our senator should focus on both issues.

A worrisome trend in our region recently is criticism of Indian tribes. The federal government has a vital role in upholding Indian treaty rights. A U.S. senator should work as a mediator to make peace on this issue.

Perhaps the most nettlesome issue of all is what to do to save salmon runs. Here’s where leadership will be needed most. Our U.S. Senator has to work with all constituencies to implement a reasonable strategy.

There are only negligible differences between the positions Senn and Cantwell take on these issues. The important differences between them have to do with style and background.

Senn, currently the Washington state insurance commissioner, has spent a large part of her career as a regulator and is known as a tough consumer advocate. One of Senn’s biggest battles was on health care reform and it’s a battle she lost.

Cantwell, who made a fortune in high-tech in the Seattle area, also served a term in Congress and served in the state Legislature. She is known as a negotiator. During her time in the Legislature, she convinced lawmakers of both parties to pass the Growth Management Act, which she sponsored.

Of the two candidates, we expect Cantwell would be a better consensus-builder. That’s a good leadership trait and we urge Democrats to support her in the primary.

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