Good news: Today, Attorney General Rob McKenna's office announced its decision to appeal a February 22 Tacoma federal court Judge ruling that a pharmacy and pharmacists couldn't be forced to stock or sell the emergency contraceptive Plan B, as it infringed upon their religious freedom to treat women as second-class citizens and/or ovulating furniture.

Future ex-Governor Chris Gregoire applauds the decision: “My position has always been clear: patients should be provided with lawful and lawfully prescribed medications in a timely manner," she said in a statement. "Some time sensitive medications become less effective with each passing hour, so I am especially concerned about those living in rural areas who have few options and could suffer lengthy delays in receiving medication... I fully support the decision to appeal the lower court ruling.”

But Gubernatorial hopeful Jay Inslee, who's currently pillow-fighting McKenna for Gregoire's still-warm seat, takes this opportunity to criticize McKenna for greenlighting the appeal without issuing a public statement. "With nearly a month to weigh in since the ruling was announced, McKenna's silence is an alarming signal that he can't be trusted to stand up for women," says Jaime Smith, press secretary for Inslee's campaign. "At a time when there are attacks on so many services and programs that affect women's ability to access family planning and health care, we need to trust that our leaders will be there for us."

Frankly, I think the attack is pretty weak. Not that McKenna is the strongest advocate for women's reproductive rights (he never weighed in on the Reproductive Parity Act, for example), but he shouldn't be dinged in this case—not when his office is doing the right thing.

Not to mention, he's basically screwing himself, here: His conservative base will be unhappy about the appeal, and since he's not bragging about it, he won't get any credit tossed his way by progressives.

And his office deserves credit. An appeal is the right move to make.