No need for the dual endorsement

I take issue with some of The Times’ statements in the recent dual-endorsement in the Washington Senate race [“Baumgartner and Cantwell for Senate,” editorial, Opinion, July 19]. In The Times’ effort to compare state Sen. Michael Baumgartner favorably to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, it stated that he would be a solid vote against drilling in the Arctic Refuge until there was a safe and responsible way to do so. In fact, Baumgartner is campaigning right now using exactly the opposite stance.

Judging by his Facebook entries and recent television interviews, he seems to be using every chance he gets to point that out; Cantwell would protect the Arctic Refuge, and he would be drilling right now if it were up to him.

The Arctic Refuge is a place near and dear to my heart, and the hearts of Washingtonians from all walks of life. The Times clearly understands that by using drilling in the Arctic Refuge as one of its litmus tests for endorsement — but it should get the information correct. If The Times is going to endorse the candidate who wants a smart energy policy that protects special places like the Arctic Refuge, then it only needs to endorse one candidate — Sen. Cantwell.

— Dan Ritzman, Seattle