News
Choice Chopp
Ever since he discontinued doing “Media Availabilities” several weeks ago, the Olympia press corps has been griping that they can’t get interviews or even basic comments from House Speaker Rep. Frank Chopp (D-43, Seattle).
Seattle Times writer Nicole Brodeur even wrote a column today about staking out Chopp’s office and getting zippo.
I’ve got a feature on Frank Chopp in this week’s Stranger.
And while I also ran into a brick wall trying to interview Chopp—eventually relying quite a bit on quotes he had given me earlier in the session, like this obstreperous model Chopp moment—”Do you want agriculture to go under in this state? I don’t. Hell no. It’s too important for our state. [Ending business tax breaks] isn’t as clear cut as you think”—I did ultimately get Chopp on the phone for about 10 minutes earlier this week.
It was more of a lecture from Chopp than an interview, but here are some new quotes from the recently reticent Speaker:
But he said, “The caucus was still working something out.”
“The Republicans try to bring division between voters with wedge issues between urban and rural voters, between the environment and business. Well, we’ve had enough of that. We want to bring people together and balance different perspectives.”
(Chopp says the BIAW had nothing to do with his decision. The bill wasn’t ready for prime time, he says.)
“One legislator [Representative Bill Grant from Walla Walla] asked me to keep it alive and I did.”
But he said, “The caucus was still working something out. “There is significant opposition in the house and senate,” Chopp says. “In the house I could work it, but obviously I haven’t figured out a way to pass it.”
“I’ll try to resurrect it next session,” Chopp says.
“Representative Grant has a beef manufacturer in his district,” Chopp says.
Chopp also told me, regretting that the condo conversion bill got killed this session, that he was close friends with Seattle activist John Fox, the leader of the Seattle Displacement Coalition. Chopp said he recognized that Fox’s bill had serious merit. Fox was the lead advocate for the condo conversion bill. The bill would have protected displaced tenants and given cities the right to cap condo conversions. There were 2,352 condo conversions in Seattle in 2006—average price: $250,000.
Comments (11)
However one might evaluate Speaker Chopp's performance, or Josh Feit's, for that matter, linking to anything written by the execrable Nicole Brodeur is truly the last feeble gasp of the hopelessly incompetent.
Posted by ivan | April 13, 2007 9:34 AM43rd District: "Frank, we've got to talk."
Frank Chopp: "Call my secretary and make an appointment."
43rd District: "No, Frank. We've got to talk. And now."
Frank Chopp: "What do you want?"
43rd District: "Frank, we've grown apart. We just don't see eye-to-eye about anything anymore. I want a divorce. Irreconcilable differences."
Frank Chopp (bursts into laughter): "You're joking, right?"
43rd District: "No, I'm not, Frank. I want a divorce. You don't listen to me anymore, and you've been spending all your time with that slut Olympia."
Frank Chopp: "Oh, really?"
43rd District: "I've got photos and call records and dinner receipts."
Frank Chopp: "So what! Listen, honey. You don't seem to understand. In this marriage, I'm the only one who can file for divorce. And if you don't like it, tough."
43rd District (bursts into tears): "You never loved me!"
Frank Chopp: "Listen, I've got to go. I've got an appointment with a lobbyist." (Hangs up.)
Posted by cressona | April 13, 2007 9:38 AMWow - I'm impressed. This post has been up for almost an hour, and Will (of the 43rd LD Dems) has not yet commented on how ludicrous it is for anyone to dare suggest Frank Chopp could have political problems in his own district.
Posted by Trey | April 13, 2007 9:44 AM3:
That's because it's so ludicrous it isn't worth commenting on.
Posted by ivan | April 13, 2007 9:57 AM@3,4 - Ivan's right. And Nicole's not so bad once you get to know her.
Posted by Will in Seattle | April 13, 2007 11:08 AMJosh,
I was quoted in your story about Speaker Chopp, and since some of my comments were a bit out of context, I have elaborated on and clarified my comments on my blog (The UptheBlog):
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=69535314
Posted by Rep. Dave Upthegrove | April 13, 2007 11:48 AMWill @ 5:
I *do* know her. And she knows me. She is yuppie trash, and you can tell her I said so.
Posted by ivan | April 13, 2007 12:59 PMRight .... well, you say that like it's a bad thing ...
Posted by Will in Seattle | April 13, 2007 6:42 PMWhy is it you Leftists go soft on Dem politicians who avoid the press, but go ape shit if Republicans duck you? Apply the same ape shit to Chopp. He deserves equal treatment. This guy is the most powerful person in the state. It's not the governor. Gregoire is a weak sister to Chopp.
Chopp is one amazing politician. From the other side of the aisle, my hat is off to Frank for building the dynasty through a lot of hard work. But he is in the shadows constantly ... always letting Lovick hold the gavel ... and he avoids the light of day by ducking the media. Josh, you've got access. Press him.
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Posted by Johnny | April 24, 2007 4:45 AMComments Closed
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