The Targets of 2006

Cantwell, from all reports, is a wonk. She loves public policy, and that might be one of the problems in the Social Security debate for her. The Democrats show no interest in developing a position on how to deal with Social Security's demographic problems. As Murray says, when Bush is willing to withdraw the privatization nonsense, then the White House and bipartisan members of Congress can sit down and figure how to keep Social Security solvent. It's easy to imagine Cantwell digging into those policy choices and explaining them to constituents.

Washington State Republican Party chair Chris Vance, who makes no secret of his desire to be Cantwell's GOP challenger, says Democrats will lose the Social Security debate unless they offer specific reforms.

Cantwell by Jay Vidheecharoen; Reichert by Pete Kuhns

Cantwell (top, at right) was somewhat upstaged last week by other women senators. Reichert (bottom) showed himself to be a better congressman than candidate.

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More About

• George W. Bush
• Maria Cantwell
• Terri Schiavo
• Privatization and Nationalization
• Economic Issues

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Cantwell and the Democrats are counting on an unpopular Social Security scheme and a midterm election to carry them to victory. The midterm is when a president's party often loses support, particularly if the commander-in-chief has overreached, and that's something many think Bush has done with Social Security, among other things. "There is nothing more powerful than the American people when they are heard," Cantwell told the crowd. "If you speak loudly and powerfully on this, we will not have the privatization of Social Security."

ghowland@seattleweekly.com