Primary Election Day 2010 in West Seattle: The Fauntleroy scene

Polling places may be history but one Election Day tradition lives on … signwaving at busy intersections. We checked out 35th/Fauntleroy and the Fauntleroy overpass to get a Primary Morning overview, and, in addition to State Sen./King County Council candidate Joe McDermott, we found three candidates in the election’s most-watched race, with a sign-waver on behalf of the fourth:

At left, that’s Marcee Stone at 35th/Fauntleroy – while on another corner at the intersection, Mike Heavey had a costumed campaigning companion:

(Why a lion, you ask? It was a little loud for conversation along the bridge entrance, but we’ve got a message out to inquire.) Then to the north, on the Fauntleroy pedestrian overpass, Joe Fitzgibbon swiveled for a smile while maintaining the wave:

The overpass also held a signwaver on behalf of Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy:

If you’re a candidate and plan to sign-wave during the pm commute – let us know – we’ll likely be back out on patrol. Meantime, MAIL YOUR BALLOT (procrastinators that we are, we are heading to the Post Office right now ourselves)! Infolinks, including the online voters’ guide, are here. (Advertising disclosure: The Heavey, McElroy, and Stone campaigns are running paid political ads on WSB.)

beaglenut August 17, 2010 (10:49 am)

Sorry to say it but I really hate this kind of thing. Nobody cares… And they’re distracting drivers. It’s dangerous.

Really? August 17, 2010 (12:16 pm)

If it’s distracting to drivers then they shouldn’t be driving; they should be watching the road. Besides, it’s no more distracting than a driver texting or with a cel phone on their ear.

‘Freedom of speech doesn’t protect speech you like; it protects speech you don’t like.’ – Larry Flynt

And yes, I do realize I’m being hypocritical.

Digidoll August 17, 2010 (12:33 pm)

The link is wrong for Mac: http://www.vote4mac2010.com
.
Beaglenut… seriously? Nobody cares? Obviously these people do. As well as 38% of the population who are predicted to vote in this primary. Nice of you to just dismiss these people and their hard work out of hand. I am speaking from experience.
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Do you simply dismiss airline pilots because you don’t fly, and therefor assume nobody cares about them, either?

WSB August 17, 2010 (12:43 pm)

thanks Digi – vote4mac ‘s the Twitter account, not the website; fixed.

beaglenut August 17, 2010 (1:25 pm)

@Really – Um, yes, and while I’m watching the road I also have watch out for these people jumping up and down trying to get the attention of the drivers in front of me. And where exactly did I advocate driving while texting/talking?

@Digidoll – Calm down, I’m not dismissing anyone’s hard work, what I’m saying is that this particular tactic is inappropriate as it puts drivers at risk. Furthermore, I do find it sad if someone earns a vote simply because they held up signs and waved at someone…

Really? August 17, 2010 (1:49 pm)

Not to beat a dead horse but I feel I need to clarify myself.
Beaglenut, I didn’t say you advocated texting/talking while driving (or even implied that it was safe) but I think there are bigger distractions for drivers than people holding signs. And why are you watching people “jumping up and down” instead of worrying about where you are going? What are you going to complain about next? The scenery is distracting?!
And no, I don’t foresee voters necessarily changing their vote based on someone holding a sign but it does show positive support for a canidate.

austin August 17, 2010 (8:45 pm)

If people on the side of the road doing anything is enough to distract you from driving, please trade in your drivers license for a bus pass. It’s not a joke and you’re putting people’s lives at risk every time you get behind the wheel. There are too many incompetent drivers as it is. Again, if basic vehicle operation is confusing or scary to you or you find your environment to be distracting, just give it up. Your personal convenience isn’t worth it.

Sorry, comment time is over.