Andrew's half right, anyway…

…when he writes...

It's high time that Maria Cantwell took a look around and realized that her support of George W. Bush's costly war is having costly repercussions that are hurting her reelection campaign.

Maria's taking a hit, alright, but it's not because she supports "George W. Bush's costly war." While her position isn't mine, it isn't his either. In fact, the Seattle Times guest editorial Andrew uses as a take-off point for his piece makes that pretty clear. While Maria remains in the "we broke it, we bought it" camp, she's pretty uncompromising in her criticism of Bush's efforts, writing that...

President Bush has not provided all the leadership necessary to build international support for stabilizing Iraq and getting the Iraqi troops trained.

She calls for exactly what Bush has failed to deliver...

The formation of the Iraqi government offers a new chance to succeed. But we need to set clear objectives and hold President Bush, Congress, U.S. military leaders and the Iraqis accountable for meeting them.

…and takes him to task for his go-it-alone attitude (with a not too subtle jab at the Veep's old pals)...

The president also needs to recognize that the U.S. cannot and should not rebuild Iraq alone. We can and should enlist international cooperation in that effort. Getting the rest of the world more involved in Iraqi reconstruction may cost Halliburton and others some contracts, but it will benefit Iraq while saving American taxpayers billions.

So, when Andrew writes that…

We will continue to support Maria Cantwell, but unless she changes her views on the administration's handling of the Iraq conflict, that support will be given reluctantly.

…what changes, exactly, is he looking for?

Should Senator Cantwell change her view that the President as offered inadequate leadership? Or her view that the administration should establish clear goals and be held accountable to them? Or should she give up on the idea that the President should be building a stronger international coalition and soliciting greater international investment for rebuilding Iraq?

I'll continue to support Maria, too, but with enthusiasm inspired in part by her ability to bring home the point she's been working tirelessly to make (my emphasis)...

President Bush must act with urgency. He must provide the leadership necessary to make sure that 2006 is the year that the new Iraqi government succeeds and our troops can begin to come home. We must work harder to get that done and we must also develop a long-term strategy to curb our nation's dangerous dependence on foreign oil.

As for State Chairman Pelz' concerns, well, the single issue anti-war crowd may never come around, but "passionate Democrats" need to get over it.

Passionate Democrats support the ticket, and the ticket is Maria.