Salazar Steps Up

A few weeks back, I criticized Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) for helping the GOP confirm Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General. It was a troubling sign from the freshman Senator that I fear boded poorly for his first term in office.

But there has now been a very encouraging development - Salazar is out leading the fight against President Bush's extremist judicial nominees, despite being courted heavily by the White House. Specifically, CNN reports that Salazar "urged President Bush to withdraw all of his renominated judicial candidates, a blow to Republicans who had hoped to get the lawmaker's support to break possible filibusters."

This is a terrific sign from a "red-state" freshman Democrat, especially considering the courage it takes to make this kind of stand when his state is the headquarters for right-wing groups like Focus on the Family. Let's hope Salazar's example is an inspiration for other Democratic freshman whose voting records so far have been less than stellar.