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(34 posts)

The Times County Exec Endorsement

Started 2 years ago by westseattledood
Latest reply from JanS

westseattledood
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It is Hutchison.

Edit: Missing the PI sorely right now.

Thx kbear.

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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No, it is Hutchison.

Posted 2 years ago #
marianne
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Yuck. Can she also see Russia from her window??????

Posted 2 years ago #
JEM
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The Stranger called her "Sarah Palin without the political experience" I enjoy their endorsements.

Posted 2 years ago #
Julie
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I guess that says something about how seriously to take the Times' endorsements into account....

Posted 2 years ago #
andrea
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seriously? wow. certainly calls into question the Times' credibility at endorsemsnts...

Posted 2 years ago #
MargL
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I just print out The Stranger cheat sheet
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/2009-endorsements/Content?oid=2472608
get out the ballot and ballpoint ;-D

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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I watched their "debate" last night. I'm sorry, but she just seemed to have little stories that she could insert to sound credible, i.e., "well, when I met with Gov. Gregoire last month", etc. It was like name dropping, and she'd smile that little smile of hers that seemed to say, see? I AM qualified. It was hard to believe her, I found.

Posted 2 years ago #
WSMom
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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010045585_execenvironment12m.html

"On environmental issues, voters face a clear choice in this race between Dow Constantine and Susan Hutchison for King County executive.

She supports the expansion of a gravel mine on Maury Island; he opposes it. He says climate change is a top priority for the executive, connected to local policies from land use to transportation. She says global warming takes a back seat to public safety and budget issues.

Environmental cred is key in a job where the executive must deal with everything from growth management and land use to endangered species and protecting Puget Sound. The two candidates bring very different work experience to the job — and have engaged very different approaches to environmental issues in the campaign.

Constantine is a lawyer with a master's degree in urban planning. He spent years both at the forefront and deep in the weeds of environmental policy, first as a member of the Legislature, and now on the Metropolitan King County Council, where he has made land use and environmental issues a central focus.

Hutchison is a former television anchor at KIRO whose most recent work is in leading a philanthropic foundation for the arts and sciences, and heading the board of the Seattle Symphony."

Obviously, this Seattle Times reporter finds it difficult to take Susan Hutchison's candidacy seriously. I'm again bewildered by the Times endorsement of a lackluster candidate.

Posted 2 years ago #
funkietoo
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The Times was trying to find a reason to endorse the Eastside, Republican Businesses' and Wealthy Individual's pretty puppet, Susan. The Times does not want to lose those that fund the advertising of their right wing, Republican newspaper. So be it--they just lost me and most likely a whole lot of others.

Susan is full of charm, smiles, some smarts (but not related to running King County Government), AND is heavily funded by wealthy, well known rePublicans. However, she skipped candidate forums, debates, and most recently was at an Eastside gathering (hosted by the Asian community) and was extremely degrading in her speech to the Chinese guests by sterotyping them during her speech--'I love Chinese food'--was just one of her statements.

Really, Seattle Times? You sold out and you know it. Dow does have proven record of reform, you just arent' paying attention; he took Ron Sims to task time and time again; he undertands and balances the need to support a vibrant, diverse, economy while protecting the environment.

Remember King County Voters: Susan supported Bush, Rossi, Huckabee---the right wing rePublican machine.

My vote is for Dow. I have worked with him on community issues; seen is honesty and integrity in action; and watched the positive changes he has made throughout King County.

If you support Dow's values and visions, vote for him AND talk with people that have not yet decided who they are going to vote for in the KC Executive race.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ken
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What funkietoo said.

:)

Talk to your friends and neighbors. You will be astounded how little thought and information has been absorbed by the average voter.

Some still think the non partisan race means the candidates are "non partisan" and will slip a stealth republican in the job just like was predicted when the "non partisan" county offices were voted on last year.

This is how republicans infiltrate elected office in overwhelmingly Dem areas.

Posted 2 years ago #
carter
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The Seattle Times endorsement of Hutchison is absurd. I dropped them in January after 17 years of subscribing and have never looked back. And they wonder why newspapers are going extinct. Ride on WSB . . . .

Posted 2 years ago #
WSB
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First, a reminder, we are involved in an experimental partnership with the Times and several other area neighborhood news sites, organized by a national journalism foundation. The make-it-up-as-we-go-along partnership so far has involved little beyond us flagging them when we have stories we think they might want to link on the Times' home page (recent examples include last weekend's orca sighting and the Tillicum Village storefront art theft, and the links go directly to the stories here on WSB - they do not repurpose our content on their site, nor vice versa), and them flagging us if they have a story of West Seattle interest in the works. Just in case anyone was wondering.

If our videotaped question(s) for the mayoral debate really does show up in next Wednesday's broadcast on KING, that's another result of the collaboration, as KING in turn is a Times partner and they are co-sponsoring the debate, so they came up with the idea to have us neighborhood-news partners (us, My Ballard, Capitol Hill Seattle and Rainier Valley Post) chip in questions.

That said, I do have to say, I don't think news organizations should waste their time making endorsements. Spend as much time as you can gathering information to present to your "readers"/audience/whomever. THEY make the decisions.

If you read the main news page here avidly, you probably know we have made an exception to our policy and endorsed approval of Referendum 71. But as I said someplace, probably Facebook when we first "announced" that weeks ago, to me that's not even a political issue ... it's a civil rights issue and I am with those who think it's astonishing that we are still in a time when rights can be taken away by a vote.

Of course, it hasn't even been a century since those of us with XX chromosomes even GOT the right to vote (in the US), and the constitutional amendment that was supposed to make sure we would never again be second-class citizens never made it into law. But I digress, as usual.

Posted 2 years ago #
HMC Rich
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Some of you seem to define Susan as not having enough experience and just having a pretty smile. Did you steal that from the Republicans who said that about our current President when he was a candidate? The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Either you are for a candidate, indifferent, or against. Vote and you get a say. Although until the election takes place, it does make for some interesting commentary until after the votes are counted.

In the voter's pamphlet, she sounds like a blue dog democrat or moderate republican on most issues and he sounds like a fiscally conservative republican with the ability to "cross the aisle".
Weird.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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HMCRich..

Yes, Susan Hutchinson sounds like a blue dog democrat or moderate republican until you start to dig a little deeper into her political associations... like the group currently opposing Referendum 71.

It's what Susan Hutchinson doesn't disclose that is troublesome. Do i think she is just another pretty face? No. I think she hides some pretty extreme views behind a pretty face, smooth moves and innocuous comments.

I would have more respect for her if she campaigned honestly with full disclosure of her political viewpoint.

She would have a difficult time winning in Seattle if she did.. but that's another story isn't it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Magpie
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Yikes, If Mike McGinn and Susan Hutchison win, I can't even imagine what kind of relationship they would have and how it would affect Seattle and King county. I might have to move to another country.

Posted 2 years ago #
austin
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Big thanks to the guy who crammed a bunch of election endorsement crap into the space between my front door and the door frame so it would fall onto the ground when I opened my door. Now I have a bunch of wet junk paper to recycle.. Here's to a productive afternoon. :/

Posted 2 years ago #
dhg
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Hutchison and Constantine were on King5 last night. Matsukawa seems to really like Hutchison but I thought Hutchison really had nothing to say. She was asked again and again what she would do to reign in the budget and her response was always: eliminate waste. That is something we all want. Let's eliminate waste. But is it enough to close the budget gap? I doubt it. Unless you define health services as waste, or bus routes. I find her answers to be vacuous.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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Someone who dodges questions while campaigning isn't likely to give better answers once elected.

Posted 2 years ago #
HMC Rich
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And you believe what a politician says?

Posted 2 years ago #
Leroniusmonkfish
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HMC - Of course we believe what politicians say. Why shouldn't we? They've proven themselves time and time again to be on the up and up...Just like Richard Heene and his "balloon boy" son(s).

Now, gotta get back to listening to Pink Floyd's - The WALL.

Posted 2 years ago #
HMC Rich
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Hello, hello... Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?

Fish you are so right and I love The WALL.

Posted 2 years ago #
cakeitseasy
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DOW NOW!

It's like the example of Sarah Palin activated these stealth right wing "Fem Bot" candidates who will keep popping up in elections from now on, making a mess of things, and revealing how very uninformed much of the electorate is. Actually, I think it all started with Mrs. Dole.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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At least Mrs Dole exhibited some intelligence

Posted 2 years ago #
Trisket
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Tonight's debate is just 15 minutes away! I'm with DOW!

Posted 2 years ago #
Buddy
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Not sure who I'm voting for but, Sorry, Dow seemed sooo uncomfortable - looked like he wanted to faint. He doesn't seem "real" to me. Everything that comes out of his mouth sounds rehearsed and with a lot of generic-one size fits all statements.
But he is a career politician, and that's always "a good thing" :)

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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Buddy...

your comment interests me. Did you really think Dow looked less "real" than Hutchinson?

I admit, she has a lot of experience looking comfortable in front of the camera, but for me when she opens her mouth she reveals her lack of knowledge. I haven't watched any of the debates but i have listened to a couple on the radio and never heard her actually answer a single question she was asked.

if appearances bother you it might help to look at what he has done instead of what he says... and then look at what Ms Hutchinson has done and who she has done it with ... That should make the choice more clear.

As for his political experience... we are going to have an inexperienced Mayor this term.. so perhaps an experienced King County Executive would be a good thing.. someone needs to know how to get things done.. especially now when the resources are less available.

Political "debates" as they are currently framed do little to illuminate the issues.

I can't believe i remember the debates of the Nixon years fondly.. but at least they had substance.

Posted 2 years ago #
marianne
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I think I'll be Susie Hutchinson for Halloween.
One right wing, name tag saying "Hi, my name is Susan Hutchinson" and inside my jacket I'll have campaign stickers for Bush, McCain, Rossi, Huckabee - revealing my true self.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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:)

Posted 2 years ago #
HMC Rich
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Dow is missing the "n". He's going Dow"n". Or will Susan be losin'? Bad humor, I know.

Marianne, If you do please take a picture and share it. We need more humor in politics.

Buddy's comment made me wonder what political affiliation most of the people who post on here have. My guess is 5 percent Republican, 65 percent Democrat with the rest non-affiliated or other.

Posted 2 years ago #
Buddy
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HMC Rich...I Agree. I consider myself pretty much down the middle politically. I certainly don't vote based on weather canidates are Democrat or Republican....that being said, I watched the Mayor's debate last night, and clearly I tend to go with how I "feel" about someone. I know, not very objective, but it works for me......
Joe Mallahan TURNED ME OFF!!! Was it me or was he an arrogant-you fill in the blank?????
HMC, I wish more people would jump in and speak their political mind. ESPECIALLY those that may lean a little more to the right. I think the democratic voice is well represented and appreciated here (at least by me)
I have read some really interesting thoughts on these forums..and it does make me re-think a position(somethimes)
OK, this is way too long, but I did want to say/ask does anyone listen to Schram/Carlson on the radio? I really enjoy them. I just started listening...Each day there's a topic and they debate it from the left and from the right.I love, love hearing both sides of an issue. When people debate with respect, conviction, facts & feelings :)? I become a much more receptive listener vs. someone shoving their opinion down my throat...770AM & 1090AM....not so fare and balanced :(
OK, off my soap box and ready to take on the day!! tah, tah

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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if her lips are moving...

She says she is non-partisan

but she has given money to George Bush, Dino Rossi and Mike Huckabee. She says she paid to hear Mike at a fundraiser and never went ($500).. but she hasn't addressed her contributions to Bush and Rossi. There is no record of any contributions to democratic candidates.

I wouldn't spend $1500+ to support candidates i didn't believe in. And i sure wouldn't send $500 for a seat at a fundraiser to go hear someone if I wasn't curious enough to attend... Would you?

Dow, on the other hand, has admitted to contributing to the campaigns of local republicans that he knew well and believed in.. and to many democrats.

she says she will uphold the law of the land when it comes to women's right to choose...

but.. she is on the Board of the Stewardship Foundation.. http://www.stewardshipfdn.org ...
a group that has donated nearly half a million to anti-choice causes since 2005... including Americans United For Life.. a group devoted to overturning Roe vs Wade.

She says she supports sound transit..

but.. her biggest contributor is anti-light rail crusader Kemper Freeman and she admitted on the King TV debate on wednesday that she supports the lawsuit to block light rail across I-90 and opposes last year's voter approved light rail plan.

seattletransitblog.com/2009/09/15/kemper-fights-to-keep-rail-from-bellevue

electing Susan would create echos of the West Seattle monorail plan.. approved by voters and derailed by politicians..

She says she hasn't given money to the Building Industry Association of Washington PAC..

but.. She personally gave them $1000 in 2005. This is the group that spent over 7 million trying to defeat Gov Gregroie.. and is the most extreme anti-environmental organization in Washington...

rightwing.wikia.com/wiki/Building_Industry_Association_of_Washington

non-partisan? pro women's rights? pro environment? pro public transit?

Her political stance might be understandable if she was running for a state-wide office.. but she is running for King County Commissioner.

While she may view that as a step on the road to state and national office, the residents of King County expect their commissioner to reflect their needs and desires.

No wonder she has to lie to get elected here.

Posted 2 years ago #
Yardvark
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I went to the environmental debate at the aquarium.

I have to say, I spent the evening feeling rather bad for Hutchinson. I definitely gave her credit for showing up, though. She seems a very nice person.

Polically, though...I have no idea why she showed up. It was a disaster for her.

At the end of the evening, the moderator asked the audience how they'd arrived there that evening and I didn't even have the heart to say that I'd taken the water taxi.

I felt so bad for her.

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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Ms. Hutcison really got me this time with the "light rail on 520" thing. Kemper Freeman et.al need to understand that the world doesn't begin and end at Bellevue. There are points beyond. Light rail along I-90 was/ is meant to provide service ultimately to Sammammish and Issaquah. How the hell can that happen if it's along 520? How would it effectively and economically hook up to 405 to get to those places that need to be gotten to? What kind of diversion is this? Yes, ultimately a plan to kill it totally? This woman is playing games. We don't need that. We need someone who will keep ALL of King Co. in mind when they take office. If she can't be honest with us, I can't give my vote to her.

Posted 2 years ago #