Coyotes 1, candidate 0

So Team WSB set out a couple hours ago with the following intention: Drop by the Magnolia open house on “coexisting with coyotes and other wildlife” just long enough to get info to bring back to report here, then move on to the Sen. Clinton rally at the Pier 30 Event Center. No, not that we are officially endorsing anyone here, but it seemed like history to us, and we would check out the Sen. Obama KeyArena rally tomorrow morning too if not for a conflict with a meeting we have to cover. Anyway, we’ve got the coyote scoop – it wasn’t just an open house after all, there was a rather engaging/informative presentation and we will write that up for tomorrow morning – but no candidate. For all the fuss about Hillary lukewarmness (as compared to Obama-mania) — it was a ZOO down there for MILES around. People were walking all the way from the ferry dock to the north, and from the WS Bridge to the south. (Tow trucks were starting to target those who dared to park in no-parking zones.) And the people we saw from our vantage point in the Alaskan Way traffic jam weren’t just the “old Democrats” ridiculed by The Stranger and others as the alleged Hillary base, but plenty of young adults, and young families with kids in tow. We shot some vid from the car:

Click To Play

Meantime as expected, she’s running late; we’re watching for the promised webcast of the speech, hasn’t started last we heard. (And as we typed that, we heard scanner traffic indicating she hasn’t landed yet and is expected to start speaking around 9:30. Oh, plus the PD is launching a major parking-enforcement effort because “parking is so bad that some people have parked on the railroad tracks.”) 9:05 PM ADDENDUM: Scanner now says the Hillary venue is full and “they’re turning people away.” 9:30 PM UPDATE: If you’re interested, looks like the rally’s under way. Live on KING5.com.

k February 7, 2008 (11:27 pm)

made it into the rally and so glad we did! she was fantastic! she is the next president! obama would be ideal as VP. a true dream team! she had me before the rally and now she has me shouting it to anyone who will listen! traffic was a mess and cars were towed left and right. the port takes parking in THEIR lot and in front of hydrants seriously. at least 5 tow trucks in one area moving cars out, with more to come. we parked on the opposite side of the train tracks 2 blocks south of home depot and got in and out quickly despite a brisk and windy walk! history in the making!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WSB February 8, 2008 (12:12 am)

Thanks for the report, k. We watched online (and then I got to see the “big TV” once the guys finished watching “Lost”) – it was an excellent speech, much better than the one on Super Tuesday that she seemed to be reading from cards on the podium. Sounded like she was really energized by the overflow crowd. As for the towing – sounds like all that is STILL happening even now, per the scanner. You had the right idea re: parking to the east.

Jody February 8, 2008 (1:11 am)

It was a horrible idea to have an event this big down there! Any event where public transportation from the local neighborhoods is not available is a poorly planned event. The staff at Pier 30 were rude and obviously weren’t ready to deal with a large crowd. Sorry Hillary that you couldn’t afford the Key.

Nevertheless, Hillary gave a good speech but did not convince me to not caucus for Obama! It’s the old guard vs. the new and I’m sick of the old establishment.

Mikal February 8, 2008 (1:21 am)

Hillary is as polarizing as George Bush. Republicans hate her. She can not pull the moderates and other republicans to vote for her the way Obama can. The only history she might make is to put a Mccain into the white house after this last eight year disaster.

Tish February 8, 2008 (10:15 am)

I agree with Jody and Mikal. After all the scandals that occured during the Clinton admistration (travelgate, chinagate, whitewater, the list goes on and on) I simply don’t understand why people support Hillary. She won’t unite both parties, she doesn’t have the experience she touts (being first lady doesn’t count), and she hasn’t displayed the type of character or judgement I can stand behind (as evidenced by her blatent misreprentation of Obama’s record as of late). Hillary and McCain on the ticket is a timetravel ticket back to the 1990s. I don’t know about others on this list, but I aim to walk towards the future.

beachdrivegirl February 8, 2008 (11:16 am)

Well stated Tish.

Neighbor February 8, 2008 (4:03 pm)

After hearing both, here’s my report.
I’m completely won over by Hillary.
Obama is just all pop and preach to me… Sure it feels good, but I like my politics with real substance: and Hillary’s the one who delivered it.

WSeattle_sept2006 February 9, 2008 (12:30 am)

I hope that all of you who intend to caucus for Obama understand just how hopeful the Republicans are that he will win the Democratic nomination!!! They understand that moderate conservative women will vote for Clinton over McCain. Their only hope at this point is for Obama to win. Why, you ask? Because as well behaved as their party and spin machine has been so far, they are ready to unleash on Obama with attacks on his lack of experience vs McCain (that WILL come back to haunt our Democratic nominee), and his religious background and church affiliation WILL be swift-boated faster than you can say Yes We Can!
Then when they have scared people about the lack of experience, the lack of moral (read, religious) leadership they will play into the hearts/hatred/ignorance of voters across the country…and gain votes for McCain. The Republican establishment is fully prepared to resort to their fear tactics again.
So, please keep these notions in mind when you wish for change…Obama will have to make friends with the “establishment” in Washington in order to bring about this change. This same establishment he is alienating in his campaign rhetoric right now.
Also, with America’s damaged reputation worldwide, I defer to perhaps one of the most brilliant cabinet members ever to serve in the White House, Madeleine Albright, whose belief that if anyone can repair the damage done worldwide, it is Hillary Clinton.
Thanks for your consideration.
I will caucus for Clinton.

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