Goodspaceguy is fun, isn't he. Tonight I will fill in the absentee ballot.

At least you received your voters pamphlet. I think the wind blew mine away. I will go online (and maybe even use your post too!)

HMCRich:(

you forced me to read my voters pamphlet. how could you? Oh.. the rhetoric:(

Larry Phillips...council member..hasn't done anything he wants us to know about..

Fred Jarrett... was a republican .. now a democrat... gets along with everyone.. he's bipartisan.

Stan Lippman... couldn't get past the rehetoric.. is he running for consitutional revision or ???

Alan Lobdell.. lots of experience, but he is an engineer... need i say more? btw.. i like engineers.. but they are generally better with systems than with people.

Susan Hutchison.. she's strong independent leadership and believes "county government should provide public services free of partisanship". She doesn't mention the name of the non-profit she was executive director of or any actual accomplishments... wonder why? But she does say lots of people like her.

Dow Constantine.. calls himself a no-nonsense reformer with vison.. and he backs it up with work on job training, middle class tax relief, protecting industrial lands, promoting light rail, state climate change legislation, protected open space and he challenged a mining company in puget sound... Sounds like a reformer to me.

Ross Hunter.. he's from the East side where they get things done.

Goodspaceguy.. says we are crew members on spaceship earth... if he was running for mayor i might be tempted... woop woop did wonders for Portland:)

On the basis of their voter's pamphlets, there is only one candidate who is not only experienced with the issues facing the King County executive but has actual accomplishments that back up both his commitment and his ability to get things done.

And isn't that where the shoe leather hits the road?

HMC...the closest answer I can come up with.,...Dow? West Seattle Water Taxi....the others? not so much....

What has Dow spearheaded that has benefitted you? For that matter any of the candidates. I am curious and not looking for a battle.

Vote for Dow Contantine, that's how!

there's the rub...

who has good managerial experience, know how, a grasp of the bigger picture, knows how to manipulate the political system to get things done AND will do so adhering to sound moral and ethical principles...

and if they can do so today..
how long will it take the system to corrupt them?

so :))) how do we prioritize those requirements?

Does anyone else have a sense of foreboding due to the language usage in items 3 and 4 of the priority list?

It's phrased like "Swine flu is a potential threat, but get out your inner tubes, kiddies, cuz Howard Hanson dam is gonna burst!"

In order to do the things on that list, a candidate wouldn't necessarily need governmental experience, but effectiveness would be greatly aided by managerial/administrative experience, private sector business know-how, and a sound understanding and adherence to moral and ethical principles.

I assume a few of the candidates can meet all three of those criteria, while some cannot.

I tried to find a job description for King County Executive...

an analysis of the candidates including who has endorsed them was the best i could find

http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=281906

Maybe that is all that is important when it comes to politics.. but i suspect there is real work to be done there somewhere and we might just care about whether or not it gets done.

From the current King County Executive's list of priorities

1. Transmit balanced budget using state tools while preserving our AAA credit rating.
2. Transmit Metro Transit solution that closes the gap and is supported by the region.
3. Prepare King County government and the region for Green River flood.
4. Prepare King County and the region for the potential return of the Swine Flu.
5. Complete draft of Countywide Strategic Plan.
6. Extend Jail contracts with cities.
7. Acquire the BNSF Eastside Corridor along with regional partners.
8. Propose 2009 ballot measure for public health, public safety and human services.
9. Transition KC government to the next Executive.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/triplett/priorities.aspx

budget? transportation? Jails? Swine Flu?

Geez.. some of these might just be important enough to want someone in there who could do more than make public appearances....

Just saying....

Hutchison (not Hutchinson). I have heard that she made a few on air gaffes when she was an anchor. When I was working for a cable company she slammed them and I didn't agree with her off hand remark. No one is perfect. She doesn't even have her own Telepromptor blog like someone I seem to recall.

I know that she is extremely well connected in charitable giving and fund raising. She helped me when I made the Salvation Army's Morning Breakfast video a few years ago. So did a lot of others in the media.

Just like people disqualifying her for working with the Discovery Institute, I do the same thing with say... NARAL members or supporters. No big deal. Vote for who you want.

Bottom Line... She has name recognition. That is more important than people know. It may not be RIGHT but it is a fact. Besides, she seems to have passed her first test. She lied, now she wants to be a politician. And you are surprised?

Jim, it does for me, yes. Maybe it's a plus for you. I personally think someone who promotes intelligent design is an idiot and wouldn't want her running my neighborhood potluck.

The Discovery Institute is the driving force behind this movement and she served on the board of directors for 10 years.

This tells me she puts irrational (IMO) beliefs before science and facts. I would like my King County Executor to deal in reality.

If you feel the opposite, that this is an asset to her character and qualifications, shouldn't we both know about it? Why was her name scrubbed from the website the minute she announced her candidacy? Apparently she doesn't understand google cache either.

In my mind, her lying and calling in sick when they wouldn't give her the vacation she requested is reason enough not to vote for her. There are more qualified and honorable candidates than her. I don't even need to get any deeper than that to know that I won't be voting for her...

"If you're looking for an evangelical candidate who supports intelligent design for our science curriculum and spreading Christianity to countries who already have religion, she's your candidate."

I don't think the King County Exec would have anything to do with Science curriculum in Schools or spreading Christianity. So just because someone supports these automatically disqualifies them from a job that has nothing to do with those issues?

Jim

Ken..

i want to believe that my fellow democrats have my best interests at heart... it would make voting so much easier...

but... i met too many of the young progressives at the primaries to believe they do.

No position on the bag tax?

Not a happy camper..

The discovery institute job should be the major disqualification factor.

Keeping young earth creationist out of public office should be Job ONE.

I know Dow and he listens to what you have to say and if he disagrees, he will tell you so and why.

He has always been up front about what he believes and what he advocates. I have also admired his ability to out organize his opposition in a few political in-fights he has taken a side in. (midterm replacement rep for example)

Partisan elections was all that protected the Vast Democratic majority of Seattle and King county from the professional liars in the Republican party. Now that that is gone, each voter has to inform themselves. That is why Hutchinson is being advised to keep quiet and let the professional PR flacks do the lying for her.

Take a look at the endorsements page of the 34th district Dems and if you don't see an endorsement in a race, make a topic and we will gather the research for ya.
http://www.34dems.org/endorsements.htm

You guys are missing the point. I don't know how good her(Hutchinson's) ratings were, but I think the Asian news anchors are dominating the news in Seattle because of that. Its all about ratings in this business.

Someone needs to find Gary Justice. Bet he has some stories.

She was a director for the Discovery Institute for ten years. Her name was still listed until she announced her candidacy. She also is very involved with Young Life International (mission is to convert teenagers in other countries to Christianity).

If you're looking for an evangelical candidate who supports intelligent design for our science curriculum and spreading christianity to countries who already have religion, she's your candidate.

Her involvement in the arts consists of handing out checks on behalf of a billionaire philanthropist. If you're looking for someone who knows how to spend other peoples' money, she's your candidate.

Her other listed experience is the newscast. It doesn't say if she was an investigative journalist, or even a journalist at all. So, if you're looking for someone with a pleasant TV persona who can read, she's your candidate.

RSN, I've googled away and that's what I can find. If those are your candidate requirements, you've got a winner. I do plan to cancel out your vote, however.

Edit: She does have a degree in broadcast journalism.

responsibleseattlenative...

my choice for the presidency was a woman... so i don't think i have a gender issue here ;->

but i still require my candidates to demonstrate they are up to the job...

Palin and Hutchinson seem to be cut from the same cloth.. all appearance and no substance. Being female doesn't help that much.

Board member of the Discovery Institute?

That's enough to disqualify her in my book.

hahaha, that's rich; you're making your own assumptions, aren't you? (the eloquent and convincing part)

oh, and yes, I've googled too; please point us to any online evidence that she's qualified

RSN, I must have missed the "eloquently and convincingly" part. And who cares what gender you are. You sound just like the person on here who requires PROOF for every statement that is disagreeable to your beliefs.

Will you please prove she is qualified and list your reasons with sources.

Interesting that you assume I am a "Mr.".
Let me see, Susan Hutchinson (woman) and not qualified. Sarah Palin (woman) and not qualified and then you assume that I am a man because I wrote so eloquently and convincingly. Now I see what your REAL problem is with Ms. Hutchinson...

From the recently opened documents, she appears to be a chronic liar and whiner.
She should be perfect for politics.

No cover, Mr. responsible! I'm a LEFTY and proud of it! I have googled Hutchison, and I don't see anything that makes her a qualified candidate. One shouldn't need to hire a private detective to discover a candidate's views. She has a voice, all she needs to do is show up at some venues and tell her potential constituents why the heck they should vote for her. And p.s. No need to make assumptions about what I or anyone else expects the government to do for them.

I think it's laughable that you are talking about Susan Hutchinson's lack of qualifications to lead King County! Look who was elected President! Less than ZERO executive experience. Why is it that you are only concerned with experience when someone is moderate and not a left-winger?
(Your bringing Palin into the conversation blew your cover. ONLY lefties do that!)

Voters owe it to themselves to find out about a candidate and not leave it to the candidates publicity machine or biased reporting. But figures you wouldn't consider that, you expect government to do everthing for you. Try a simple google of Susan and you'll she why she IS qualified.

King County has been left (no pun intended) in the hands of political "experience" for too long and it is a MESS!

I grew up here and am tired of polictics as usual.
She's got my vote!

Charles Royer was elected mayor of Seattle, previous experience being a reporter on KING 5 news.

kg

Having political experience isn't the only way one can show competence and experience.

This thread concerns Susan Hutchinson, whose total campaign in the primary has been the name recognition she gained as a local news reader. Is she a Ted Baxter or a Walter Cronkite?

The Baxter character from the Mary Tyler Moore show was the epitome of an empty suit, not someone I'd want running the county. Walter Cronkite was the most trusted man in America, probably could have been elected to much higher office.

Where's Hutchinson in that field?

kg..
there is something to be said for understanding the system... career politicians generally do.
how they use that understanding is often another matter:(

clark5080..
i confess the need to educate myself before i send that ballot back in:( right now i honestly don't know enough about any of them.

but on a general level.. i am not so into the elevation of ignorance as a qualification for any elected position.

JoB I never said that but I won't rule out voting for someone who I disagree disagree on an issue with when in fact the KC exec job really has nothing to do with that job. I look to see if that person can do the job. Actually I am leaning to Fred Jerrett or Ross Hunter or maybe Goodspaceguy :-)

If career politician = competence and experience then that makes me a sad panda.

clark5080...

really? you would rather elect someone who knows nothing about the job and therefore is unable to be effective?

doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of paying for a kc executive?

It's a sad state of affairs when the ability to read a teleprompter and a pretty face are considered the major qualifications for public office.

Yeah, competence and experience are things that should be completely overlooked; in fact they're signs that the person might actually want to work to get things done. We certainly don't want any of that.

Let's elect a bunch of know-nothing @$$holes who make us all feel good about ourselves. And benefit the Building Industy Association of Washington and Tim Eyman, of course.

It's a sad state of affairs that you have to be a career politician to be considered qualified.

PSPS I might remind you that the ones making this a partisan race are none other than Dow and Larry I haven't really decided who to vote for yet but I agree the lying bothers me a lot. The only thing I have decided is that I would rather see someone elected who has not been part pf the way KC has been run the last few years.

Jim

This isn't the first election in our "non partisan" folly. That one was for KC Elections Director, and KC residents were smart enough to blow off the plethora of unqualified candidates running against Sherril Huff in that race.

Maybe they'll still be as discerning this time.

To answer the OP's question -- absolutely nothing :-)

'What exactly qualifies a former news reader to be the King County executive?'

The fact that we can have a rational discussion about Hutchison's candidacy scares me. She's not qualified. She knows it. She may win. (She'll definitely be on the November ballot.)

"Nonpartisan elections" came to King County because the rep* couldn't get elected county-wide if people knew what they were. Some of us "good government" types bought it and we're left with people who think they can run by not telling us anything about themseles.

I trust candidates who are clear about their goals, political views, and have experience, rather than a faceless candidate who tries to promote herself without declaring her agenda. Trojan horse come to mind?

Of course she has a lot to hide. What right-wing freak doesn't?

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/04/09/susan-hutchison-partisan-republican

Hmm, she called in sick when they didn't give her the vacation she requested and then a co-worker saw her canoeing..then she gets suspended from work for it. This might just sink her...You can certainly see why she wouldn't want to have the files opened up. I wonder what else they are going to dig up. This certainly doesn't make her look like a person we can trust.

Yes, Jan. This is the worst of it, IMO. Expecting to step into an office without letting anyone know what her positions are? What the h&@**!!

I've asked myself that,too, acemotel. I have misgivings about Ms. Hutchinson for a few reasons. She and I don't see eye to eye on some things, but more worrisome to me is her lack of participation in candidate forums, her lack of openness with the public. King Co. Exec. has got to be able to communicate better than she does at the moment, IMO.

must agree with you on this one!!

What exactly qualifies a former news reader to be the King County executive? I'm all for women, but an unqualified woman (i.e. Sara Palin) is a tool of the party, not a viable candidate. I hoped I would never see this in Washington state.....very worrisome!