The Cantwell-McGavick race for U.S. Senate finally got front-page treatment in The Seattle Times, which it calls a “contrast of moderates.” True, the contest pits middle-of-the-road Cantwell with reasonable, smooth-talking McGavick. But isn’t the real test how they would handle backroom negotiations and how they would vote — not how they campaign?

The story includes some feel-good detail: The paper says McGavick, who lives in The Highlands, drives a Mini Cooper (list price: about $20,000). Until recent months he was seen driving a decidedly pricier SUV and a sports car.