[Update: see below]

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (DFL-MN) has come under criticism (me for one) for her vote for the Iraq War supplemental funding, for her vote for the FISA legislation and now for siding with the Republicans in denouncing MoveOn.org's ad "Gen. Petreaus or Betray Us?"

On the Iraq supplemental she voted for a bill that had no timeline for withdrawal and joined the majority of Democrats in capitulating to the Bush Administration's bluff that they wouldn't have to intestinal fortitude to defund the war. Luckily she never made any strong statements that the war must end and we must bring the troops home immediately. I recall that she was always rather wishy-washy on the subject.

On the FISA vote, she and 15 other Democratic Senators caved to the Bush Administration's threats that American's would die if the bill didn't pass. She has given the Bush Administration unprecedented powers to secretly wiretap by voting for this bill. On this issue, she included it in her stump speech -- holding the Bush Administration accountable. Oops. The US Attorney General, then the most corrupt AG in American history Alberto Gonzales, and Department of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, a neo-con and Cheney acolyte, would provide the sole oversight over the wiretapping. In excusing her conduct and among several of her rationalizations, she claimed that Gonzales resignation made her vote okay. Ya think?

Finally, she's now using Republican talking points and siding with the Republicans against one of the main organizations that is opposing the insanity in Iraq. Why is it that Democrats always shoot their own? Why do the Republicans almost never shoot their own? She doesn't get it that we Minnesotans who want the war ended (a strong majority of us, BTW) want to like her, want to cheerlead her efforts to represent us?

Had enough, Senators? You were set up, again. As Jane keeps explaining, never support Republican talking points or attacks on Democratic allies. Never. And just in case you’ve forgotten what’s important here, I left a few reminders.

The Republican stunt distracted attention from Bush’s disastrous Iraq policies: massive human displacement has accelerated, and cholera is now spreading south, an indication of further collapse in basic health, water and sewage services.

Republicans must also obscure their obstruction of every Senate effort — from the restoration of habeas corpus to the Webb Amendment — to force changes in Bush’s destructive polices. Republican obstruction will be repeated over and over in coming weeks on everything from childrens’ health care to major budget bills.

Earth to Democrats: Republicans will not let you accomplish anything worthwhile if they can stop it. There is no responsible party across the aisle who will work with you in good faith. They’re at war with you; stop accommodating them.
(Scarecrow at firedoglake)

So has her first nine months really been all that bad?

Would she have been all that different than Mark Kennedy?

No it hasn't been all that bad.

She had the best quote about the I-35W bridge collapse:

"A bridge in America just shouldn't fall down."
(USAToday)

It both summarized our shock at this tragic disaster and hinted at the Republicans neglect of our nation's infrastructure in the same breathe. Brilliant, suscinct and heard by everyone. She has led the effort to secure funding for the bridge replacement and been a great ambassador for our state during the crisis. Kennedy would have worked as hard as Norm Coleman, but would have also worked just as hard to deflect any blame.

She has been fighting hard to improve toy safety. The Bush Administration has abdicated protecting our children from poorly made and often toxic toys. She has been pushing legislation through the Congress to improve regulation of foreign made toys. Mark Kennedy wouldn't have done this.

There's also little chance that Mark Kennedy would have worked so hard for legilsation to improve pool safety after the frightening and tragic pool drain injury a little Edina girl suffered.

"I look at this first as a mother," Klobuchar said in a telephone interview. "This is just every mother's worst nightmare. Your daughter is enjoying a beautiful summer day at the pool, and suddenly your life is changed forever. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this has happened. There are laws we can pass to strengthen the safety standards and prevent this from occurring again."
(MPR)

There's absolutely no chance that Kennedy would have taken on the telecom industry. Kennedy is a Republican toadie and would never cross his corporate donors. We all are suffering from poor cell plans, coverage and a host of other technological annoyances. Amy is definitely representing our wishes on this issue and providing excellent leadership on an important pocketbook issue.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar unveiled a new national proposal aimed at improving cell phone service and reducing fees, calling the initiative the Cell Phone Bill of Rights.

One example of the legislation is allowing people to face lesser fines if they want to break a cell phone contract.

"If you use their service for an entire year, you should only have to pay half that fee, so that they are pro-rating," said Klobuchar.

The proposal also addresses a major area of complaints, which are cell phone dead zones.
(WCCO)

Finally, I think she's represented us fairly well on renewable energy. As far as I recall, Kennedy is a global warming denier.

A comprehensive energy bill that would toughen fuel efficiency standards passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday night with broad support, including the votes of Minnesota's senators.
The CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 passed the Senate by a 65-27 margin. It now will go to a conference committee to be reconciled with the version that passed the House of Representatives in January.

The Senate bill provides for a variety of subsidies for renewable energy, as well as a 40 percent increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which will be phased in during the next 13 years.

It also increases energy standards for new homes and criminalizes price-gouging by oil companies, a provision that has prompted a veto threat from President Bush.
Republican Sen. Norm Coleman and Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar backed the bill, and both supported a number of amendments to increase funding for biofuels. Minnesota's senators diverged on some votes for the bill; Coleman voted for several amendments that would have allowed for the construction of more refineries and natural gas terminals, while Klobuchar opposed those proposals. Coleman also voted against an amendment offered by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., which provides for the study of the environmental impact of renewable fuel manufacturing. That amendment was adopted.
(Jeff Fecke at Minnesota Monitor)

The dreaded report card

How should we weigh her capitulation on the most imporant issues against her good work in other areas?

^* Pop Quiz

NOTE: I'm completely open to debate on the weighting system. How important is stabbing progressives in the back (MoveOn.org) compared to pool safety? I put renewable energy as an 8 because we won't be able to address it until the Iraq War is over and if we don't have a constitution (FISA bill), what's the point?

It's obvious that Kennedy would be dramatically worse, but in the Senate I think Amy is a C student. She's good on some issues, but horrid on the most important ones. Ending this war and protecting the constitution are paramount. However, it is also clear that Kennedy would have been atrocious. Not quite making out with the President atrocious, but still ... pretty bad.

Here's to hoping the good Senator can learn from her mistakes and improve her grades.

Update (9/22/07):

Amy was one of 28 Dems who voted to end the occupation of Iraq. This is a step in a more progressive direction for Amy. I hope this is a sign of her beginning to represent MN better on the most important issues facing our nation. Thanks for your vote, Amy.