Scanning through the latest vote tally for same-sex marriage in the state senate, where we're only one vote shy of passing marriage equality, I noticed last night, once again, the two Democrats who plan to vote against gay rights: Jim Hargrove (D-24) and Tim Sheldon (D-35). I was planning to write something about how progressives ought to respond, but it looks like gold-star commenter rob! beat me to it. So take it away, rob!:

Even though they've apparently sworn to vote NO on marriage equality and are beyond being swayed, how about letters to the two anti-marriage, reactionary Democrats (Tim Sheldon of Kitsap County and James Hargrove of the Olympic Peninsula) politely expressing disappointment and a deep sense of betrayal? Even—and perhaps especially—if the measure squeaks by, just to remind them they were on the wrong side of progress in civil rights.

The thing is, no one is surprised that these guys are on the side of restricting gay rights. Even though they've got those "D"s after their names, they've always been anti-gay. Both Hargrove and Sheldon voted against all three domestic partnership bills and against a bill to expand the definition of parenthood to include domestic partners.

Admittedly, I've said before that the Democratic Party should be a big enough tent to include lawmakers who don't support gay marriage—there are plenty of other issues where their votes are crucial. But with Hargrove, he's not just anti-gay; to name a few positions, he's voted against against a bill to stop mining on Maury Island, against medical marijuana patients, against beer and wine tasting in grocery stores, and against sexual health education. (Sheldon's record is nearly identical.) Hargrove's also been caught ballyhooing about bi-partisan budgets, perpetuating the systemic revenue shortfalls that play into the state GOP agenda to starve education and slash the social safety net. So there may be a big tent for Democrats, but are "Democrats" like Hargrove and Sheldon even in it? And now that it's 2012, supporting marriage equality—a basic civil right—should probably be the new cost of admission.

So what should the penalty be?

Folks should be respectful if they contact Hargrove's office or Sheldon's office, but if we're gonna run around praising the moderates and praising the Republicans who come out for gay rights, there ought to be some political price for the Democrats who come out against them.