Politics Last gaffe
posted by on November 8 at 17:24 PM
So you may or may not have heard about the minor gaffe at the Maria Cantwell speech at the Sheraton last night.
During her victory speech, a few chants of “no more war” could be heard. That was a few of my friends and me.
It only lasted until the obviously prepared security guards started chanting “six more years,” causing a few people who were standing on stage behind Cantwell to murmur along until Cantwell just plowed forward with her speech.
Just to be clear, I’ve spent this whole summer, all the way until November, canvassing for the Democratic National Committee. Here in Washington, I have had many people neglect to contribute due to their opposition to Cantwell’s less than strong stance against the war. Repeatedly, I’ve had to move away from Cantwell’s anti-grassroots position and back to the national platform but often to no avail. Hell, I even sucked it up and voted for her. But I was not about to let her have her victory without being reminded of what her constituency really wants.
“This election, even though my name was on the ballot, was about ideas,” Cantwell said last night. True enough, but we cannot let slip that rhetorical phrase without calling attention to these ideas. Considering the supposed nationalization of issues, it is should be apparent that many (if not the majority) of Cantwell’s constituents expect her to get us out of this war.
Shortly after our shouts of protest were silenced by the democratic majority, one of my fellow chanters had a Cantwell sticker ripped off of his shirt by an angry dem as she slapped the sticker on her own chest. Arguments ensued and I was picked out by security as a protestor. Ironically, it seems as though the dems present last night would rather relish in hard fought win itself rather than the issues the grassroots movements hoped to campaign on. I have had to dredge up a shred of reformism and scurrying sort of idealism in order to follow through with my canvassing for the DNC this year. I knew that Howard Dean’s role as an organizer and not a policy maker for the DNC was a critical loss for the progressive elements of the party, but I pulled through it anyway.
As one protester at the Sheraton said, “Maria Cantwell is an emotional being just like you and me and if this can get her to follow through, then we’ll do what it takes.”
Meanwhile, I swam my way through the crowd as Cantwell exited stage right. I quickly realized the security consisted of the two tall guys in blue hoodies standing like brick walls in front of me. I gave them the slip and was able to move to the left of them before they could block me again. They followed but I pulled my girlfriend close behind me to block them from grabbing me. Cantwell made her way through the adoring crowd, glad-handing everyone she met. Finally, she began to shake my hand and leaned closer to me as I began to talk.
“Hi Maria, my name is Brandon and I work for the Democratic National Committee. When are you going to get us out of this war?” Cantwell sneered as her eyes lit up for a moment.
Quickly, she composed herself and put on a more cheerful face, then gave a dismissive, “thank you,” before she let go of my hand.
Now this event in itself should not really count as much of anything really. We must remember though, as the people who elected Cantwell again, that she needs to stick to getting us out of Iraq. The people on the ground should know more than anything. An overwhelming majority of US troops and Iraqi civilians agree that we should be out by the end of the year. How else to ensure that Iraq’s government will be sovereign, rather than imposed?
-Brandon Eng
In Washington, voters split half and half on withdrawal within 18 months (poll taken mid-August).
Who better to decide than the troops on the ground? Well, duh. The troops on the ground want to get out because THEIR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE. Who wouldn't favor coming home? And I personally doubt the ability to conduct effective polling on the ground in Iraq.
If anyone's opinion counts, it's the American voters.
What "gaffe"? The only gaffe I see is your confusion over whether you or Cantwell won the Senate race.
Sorry Brandon, you were simply drowned out by people who rightfully felt differently than you that your disruption was ill-timed.
72% of troops favor withdrawal
http://www.zogby.com/NEWS/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075
Iraqis favor pullout
http://www.poe-news.com/stories.php?poeurlid=64638
there is a time and a place for everything. with so many reasons to celebrate last night and today, your outburst was inappropriate and disrespectful.
God, it's amazing we won anything at all last night. :P
I disagree, Kerri. Senators are rarely available to average voters and Dems, and Brendan had a right to approach her, and tell her how he felt. He did it respectfully. He worked hard to get her elected, and he has a right to do more than stand there and clap like an idiot at her party.
I went to Nickels' re-election night party a couple of years back. He saw me, shook my hand, and I told him that I wished I could have voted for him. He asked me if I still lived on Vashon. I said no, I had moved back to the city. But I voted for Runte because of his betrayal of mass rapid transit. I was calm and polite—and he wasn't happy to hear it. Sucks to be a pol sometimes.
Right on, Brandan, and great post.
B: One understands your sincere stance, but that sort of in-your-face behavior is like farting in church - everyone smells it, but no one will speak. Time and place: everything. Having class: priceless. The person whose re-election you were celebrating is not your enemy. Am surprised she didn't "Streisand" you. See above advice - repeat.
I doubt that "Appropriate and Respectful" would get noticed among the asskiss rodeo parade. There may be many other ways to spread the word, with 'class' maybe, "at the right place and the right time", but unfortunately the majority of people can't afford that. Let alone the fact that standing up for something that is right against all odds is not among humanity's defining attributes these days.
Thanks Brandon
Now THAT'S what America needs -- more grandstanding pissants!
did you use your girlfriend as a human shield?
Well, I think that "Time and Place" is the best polish one can have, but it's still trumped by "Free Country". What are ya gonna do?
your outburst was inappropriate and disrespectful.
I second what Savage said.
Harrop, your Miss Manners act is becoming exceedingly tiresome.
Gosh, I'm suprized she wasn't more grateful that someone finally gave her the scoop on how people feel about her vote on the Iraq war.
How long before the internet grass roots dorks realize that Dem politicians respect their opinions as much as the Republicans respect the evangelicals. they'll take you money and votes, but think you are a bunch of idiots.
"I disagree, Kerri. Senators are rarely available to average voters and Dems, and Brendan had a right to approach her, and tell her how he felt. He did it respectfully."
Shouting out during her victory speech is not my definition of being respectful. But then again, The Stranger has never quite understood that kind of thing before and I don't suspect you will now.
I want us out of Iraq as much as anyone. However, it's time for lefties to realize that ideals are useless in politics without a strategy. Cantwell's moderate stance on Iraq turned out to be right strategy. Like it or not, her position (along with the ensuing protests by the Seattle left-wing activists) only increased her appeal to moderate voters and gave her a landslide victory.
While she likely won't be leading the charge to bring the troops home, she'll step in line.
I think it illustrates the fundamental disconnect between a pol and said pol's constituents, ESPECIALLY Cantwell. Don't forget the flap with the protesters who sat in, and Cantwell holed up in her office and would not speak with them for days.
Did anyone listen to Cantwell's remarks during her victory speech regarding McGavick who she would not name and labeled only as "her
opponent?
It was puerile and should provide
brief insight of Cantwell's nature.
Frankly, I found her very disturbing and
offensive.
---Jensen
i agree. it was not an appropriate time or place, and yet you feel that this makes her the villain? i wouldn't say that cantwell is my favorite candidate, but she certainly isn't bad. what exactly would you have her do? adopt every half-assed, juvenile liberal idea that comes along? i want peace and love and all that hippy stuff too, but that's not the way the reality works. do not turn into the left's version of the christian right. celebrate the diversity of opinion in the democratic party and look for common ground instead of shrilly attacking your own.
if she acted put off and bitchy, well i would be too if some fucktard accosted me at my victory party to give me their unsolicited opinions.
I think that it would have been appropriate and respectful to the 2,839 service members, and to the 655,000 Iraqis who lost their lives, for the entire crowd of Cantwell supporters, as well as Cantwell herself, to join in a celebratory chant of "No more war!"
Who in their right mind wants more war?
Half of the country. Although, I wouldn't assume that they're in their right minds.
The chanting was juvenile and inappropriate. Could we please enjoy our goddamn victory for one day?
Confronting Cantwell in person was right on, expecting anything more than a dismissive response was not. Virtually all politicians behave that way when confronted. Get used to it and enjoy knowing that you made them uncomfortable. They deserve it.
BIG 'gaffe'. I say Brandon won. I think until he told her, she had no idea her constituents want us out of Iraq. Thanks for passing on the info. I was going to write a letter.
P.S. you didn't happen to tell her her constituents want Coke in the city drinking fountains, did you?
I was standing near the aborted "No More War!" chant. I think every politician, especially the R's, are very aware most Americans want us out. So trying to drown out her victory speech was rather useless (ie, preaching to the choir) and annoying. What if everyone chanted their own political viewpoint? We'd have a huge room full of boobs saying "No more war!" "Save the environment!" "Tax the rich!" "Save the whales!" "Save Puget Sound!" "Impeach Bush!" "Etc. etc. etc.!". That would be fun for about 10 seconds, then turn very annoying and pointless.
dan, i take no issue with brandon asking the senator a question when he had the opportunity. i think that is a correct and somewhat noble thing to do.
i do, however, take issue with his outburst during the speech. there wasn't a single person in that room that isn't well aware of the very public (and much deserved) criticism directed toward cantwell's sorry stand on the war and patriot act, to name but a few legitimate beefs.
but, as sean @18 points out, there is far more to politics than meets the eye. a year ago, cantwell's race was one of the most hotly-anticipated and her seat was a top target for the republican party. this is fact, not opinion.
she did what she had to do to ensure her re-election. does it suck? yes. does she know it? loud and clear.
with such resounding victories, i think the ends justify the means in this case. politics is all about strategy.
and, some deaths @14: it's not an act. manners and conduct are important. sadly, this notion is seemingly lost in many public situations, particularly on internet forums where folks hide behind pseudonyms.
There are ways and ways to get your point across to politicians. Chanting slogans is quite possibly the least effective of them all; it feels good, but all you do is annoy the people around you, who may in most cases actually AGREE with your point, but dislike intensely the method you choose to drive it home.
You know, if we could, for just a short time, stop forming circular firing squads, with everyone deciding that their chief issue is the ONLY issue, perhaps we could hold onto control long enough to actually achieve some of the goals which nearly all of us agree should be achieved.
Cantwell is not just the senator for Seattle. She is not just the senator for King County. She is the senator for ALL of Washington state, including Yakima and Twisp and the Tri-Cities as well as the bluer regions. As such, she has a responsibility to those whose opinions differ from yours, too.
Now that we have a Democratic Senate, she actually will have some ability to influence policy. Now she has a responsibility to pay attention to her constituents - ALL of her constituents. Sometimes, she will look at the evidence presented and come to different conclusions than you will. That does not make her wrong, or stupid, or evil. That makes her DIFFERENT from you.
Under Geni's logic, Republicans could be seen as not wrong, but just different. Useless relativism.
Anyway, Murray is different from us too. And she managed to get elected/ be popular in the same state with the same constituency during a more conservative election year without being as lame as Cantwell. Cantwell's pro-war positions weren't done out of political necessity. Iraq was THE issue of the election, and she won because her party was associated with change, even if she isn't. I hope she get's the message.
First test of her (and the Dems) new term: will she/ they vote to approve Bolton as UN ambassador?
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