I think it’s probably a good long term strategy for the Republicans to run people in Seattle (not that they’re taking my advice). I mean you’ve got to talk to people who hate you if you want to expand beyond your base. And while the ‘burbs are probably riper for pick up, it isn’t like either enjoys the crazy talk coming out of the Republican quarters. Still, the decision of who to run against (and it may be putting the cart before the horse, if they can’t find anybody to run) speaks volumes to the potential pitfalls of the plan.
Who’s the most vulnerable Seattle City Councilmember?
I suspect it’s one facing a strong credible challenge from the left. In fact if the Republicans can get someone past the primaries, it’s pretty solid incumbency protection. Hell, if I was on the Council, I’d try to figure out ways to get the Republicans to run against me.
Yesterday’s article about local GOP plans to challenge incumbents on Seattle’s dysfunctional City Council, has prompted some speculation:
Article, really? 4 original paragraphs, three of them one sentence and one of those just, “Indeed.” That’s so bare bones that I’m making fun of it. Or rather I’m making fun of calling a short post an article. And yes, I guess, Sharkansky is probably talking about the PI article, but he linked to his own post.
Who are the most vulnerable incumbents running for re-election in 2007?
I already said, the ones running against serious people, not Republicans trying to waste everyone’s time.
Peter Steinbrueck?
Sally Clark?
David Della?
Tom Rasmussen?
Jean Godden?
I don’t understand the order of this list? It’s not alphabetical. It doesn’t spell anything out, but that would be tough without any vowels. Maybe it’s in the order he thinks is most likely, or most hopeful to see a challenge. Let’s see if the next paragraph gives us any clue.
Personally, I would be least inclined to challenge Della, who has displayed more fiscal responsibility and common sense than anybody else running this season. I think that Steinbrueck is the worst member of the Council and also probably the most vulnerable. He’s made a fool of himself with his ill-conceived anti-automobile crusade (while himself driving more than anybody else on the Council). At this writing he has the smallest campaign chest of everybody excluding Clark, who just had a campaign. But that’s just me. Who do other folks think is most vulnerable? most deserving to be unseated?
Nope just random. And he doesn’t even mention them in the order he listed them.
But this paragraph does inform us on a few pitfalls for a Republican to get any traction even if they are a wonderful candidate. I mean, Della is probably the council member that most Seattleites are willing to throw overboard. He’s too car centric for even car centric Seattle. He’s definitely a Democrat, but probably the most conservative on that list.
And really, Sharkansky thinks that Steinbrueck is vulnerable for being good on the environment? In Seattle? It’s true he’d probably make a vulnerable city council member in Tonasket. But Republicans are already doing OK in rural Eastern Washington.
Steinbrueck is well loved. Stefan is talking out of his ass.
Interestingly, you can do that when you’re the assfaciest blogger.
Why doesn’t Sharkansky run? He lives in Seattle.
Anyone else remember Steinbrueck–and only Steinbrueck–throwing a temper tantrum a few years ago when council members lost their FREE reserved spaces in the city garage? Oh, the humanity!
Asks Thehim:
Simple … Stefan is an Operation Yellow Elephant King County Republican.
You know, I was pretty anti-Della before reading Sharkansky’s post, but knowing now that he dislikes Della less than he dislikes the rest of the council makes me dislike Della more (how’s that for a convoluted sentence?).
Long story short though, Della lost my reelection vote when he turned down the Energy Committee Chairmanship (and remember, he ran his entire freakin campaign against Heidi Wills touting the story that she ruined City Light, and he was going to fix it). Instead we have the completely unqualified Jean “Cute License Plates” Godden heading up the Energy Committee. Awesome!
I think Godden and Della will both get good runs for their money, the problem is that Seattle voters are timid, and not likely to toss an incumbent (and 2003 was an outlier, and you all know that).