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1

The most striking thing about your original article was just how much power Chopp does have. Is the Speaker's power codified in WA state law, or does his power derive from good old fashioned reputation and politics?

Anyway, the current democratic majority is about disillusionment with Bush, just as 1994 was about hatred of Clinton. Neither has anything to do with Chopp.

Posted by Sean | April 19, 2007 4:21 PM
2

One gets power by using it wisely, and not using it in situations where it will backlash without progressing in a forward direction.

Frank is a master at this. Which is why we love him.

And he knows how to surf the wave.

Posted by Will in Seattle | April 19, 2007 5:27 PM
3

Postman remains standing. Feit lost the smackdown.

Posted by Give it up, Josh | April 19, 2007 5:28 PM
4

I disagree. It's as if Postman didn't read Josh's story.

Posted by EXTC | April 19, 2007 5:30 PM
5

I read Postman's story and here's what I think:

Right off the bat, he states that Chopp has immense power these days. Well, that immense power reaches into the furthest corners of the state's Democratic party. Nothing passes in the legislature without Chopp's blessing, and Chopp can get a bill moving in either house. So critiques of the party are legitimate criticisms of Chopp. Postman knows this.

Although the Dems have been lily-livered for years, that's no excuse for Chopp today. This session, he has failed to seize a super majority -- handed to the party mostly by circumstance of national politics -- and pass progressive legislation in what may be a brief window before the majority shrinks. The excuses for Chopp are: a) he isn't really the progressive candidate he portrays to his constituents in the 43rd District; b) he isn't the leader the state Democrats need; or c) both. Regardless, Chopp is polishing his sword when he should be leading his army. I'm willing to compromise for the team but I'm not willing to elect a captain who's afraid to play ball.

Postman mentions that he can't get a call returned from Chopp, though. That's gotta hurt. Maybe, just maybe, if he writes a flattering defense of Chopp, he'll get calls returned next session...

Posted by House Party | April 19, 2007 5:46 PM
6

Here's something I find scary. Look at who Chopp picked as House Transportation Chair to replace Ed Murray. Judy Clibborn of Mercer Island. What the heck is Judy Clibborn's distinguished record when it comes to transportation? Please, someone tell me.

But check this from this story in today's Times about legislative leaders second-guessing the Sound Transit 2/RTID ballot: "Clibborn said she'd like to see the Sound Transit light-rail portion of the ballot measure scaled back and the roads portion redone so that more money goes into projects such as Highway 167 and, in particular, Highway 520."

Yeah, Frank Chopp's hand-picked transportation committee chair wants less rail money and more roads money. To me, Judy Clibborn's getting that plum seat is a classic case where you have to ask, "What does the Democratic caucaus really gain by making a status quo roads-first person your top transportation legislator?"

All she's doing now is meddling in a regional light-rail project paid for with regional money, voted on by regional voters, and which is popular in the region. It's not like we're asking state taxpayers to pay for light rail. BTW, Link light rail is supposedly the only light rail project in the country that hasn't received any state money.

Posted by cressona | April 19, 2007 6:00 PM
7

Run, Josh, run!
Then you could quote yourself quoting yourself. And get bonus points for mentioning jazz, basketball, and your other stret cred credentials.

(Postman clocked you.)

Posted by Bring back Walter Cronkhite | April 19, 2007 6:48 PM
8

You know, the gun show loophole bill started in the Senate and it didn't have the votes there. It made it out of committee, yet no one pulled it in Rules. Maybe, we should pile on Sen. Lisa Brown for her failure to push her caucus.

People know Marilyn Chase is crazy right?

At the end of the day, the most important bill yet to be passed is the budget. The House budget was considerably better than the budgets produced by the Senate or the Governor. On all fronts - education, health care, human services and the like the House did better.

So lets wait and see what's in the conference budget.

Posted by Only Three | April 19, 2007 6:49 PM
9

Josh,

You're like a dog chasing after a parked car. Give it a rest. I thought when you were sent down to Oly that you were going to do a bang up job but all you seem to down is show you have the Ruderman syndrome (can't play well with others). Come on back to Seattle and cover City Hall. That seems to be more your speed. Oh and Postman did give you a journalistic bitch slap.

Posted by The Hateration Continues | April 19, 2007 10:48 PM
10

Josh's Chopp story rocks. Josh's anonymous critics suck.

Posted by J.R. | April 20, 2007 4:04 PM

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