Stabenow's growth, passion have earned her a 2nd term
2006-10-23
Source: The Flint Journal
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rss feedU.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is a high-energy, strident Democrat, but there's no doubt where she stands and whose side she's on: Stabenow fights for Michigan and its work-a-day residents.
At a time when many people have seen the American dream slip away, Stabenow puts ameliorating their plight at the top of her agenda.
She's a tireless advocate for fairer trade to help U.S. employers, cheaper prescription drugs and better educational opportunities for young people who must compete for jobs globally. She seems ready to pounce on every federal dollar that might help Michigan's economic recovery.But to characterize Stabenow merely as a big spender does not do her justice. During her first six-year Senate term she has grown enormously, becoming comfortable discussing complex policies and more mature in her politics. It is this latter development that has especially increased her value, as members of the Senate, more so than those in the U.S. House where she was previously, form bipartisan relationships to get anything accomplished.
Because Democrat Stabenow, 56, has been so willing to learn and grow - as well as work hard for Michigan - she deserves a second term. There's no case for voters on Nov. 7 to replace someone of her abilities and passion.
Certainly Republican Michael Bouchard, 50, the Oakland County sheriff and her main opponent, hasn't built one during his campaign. Stabenow is not ineffective as he claims by pointing to a single bill passed with her name. That fails to take into account that she's a member of the minority party with negligible seniority.
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