Slog - Comments on If at First You Don't Succeed http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed In her column last week, Erica C. Barnett looked into a story Venus Velazquez's campaign was shopping around that Velazquez's opponent, Bruce Harrell, has a neglected son from a previous relationship. ECB wrote: VELAZQUEZ'S CAMPAIGN has been shopping around the story that Harrell has a teenage son who is not featured in his family-centric campaign ads. Harrell's ads do include many photos and mentions of his family—mentioning three children with his wife, Joanne—and his experience as a "youth mentor" and Sunday school teacher. Harrell says he sees his son frequently and has "never missed a child-support payment in my life."... Copyright 2008 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:22:35 -0800 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:33:19 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Seattle Voter And from what I've heard, Harrell's kid is on state-funded basic health plan.

Anyone know if this is true?

]]> Seattle Voter http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822328 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822328 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:32:29 -0800 Comment by whatever Glad the Stranger isn't giving this any "ink".

]]> whatever http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822335 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822335 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:38:03 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe B - F - D.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822339 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822339 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:39:23 -0800 Comment by Original Andrew Velasquez is running an unusually nasty campaign for Seattle.

Seems odd, given that she already had so much support from insiders.

Whether these allegations are true or not, it sure makes me not want to vote for her. Harrell's family is none of her business.

]]> Original Andrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822346 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822346 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:46:26 -0800 Comment by Greg Look, I don't give a fuck about this story. Can't we compare the candidates on the basis of which one would be better for public policy? You know, the job we intend for them to do?

]]> Greg http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822347 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822347 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:46:35 -0800 Comment by SP Indicative of Venus' character or lack thereof. She's divisive in nature. Because of that, I can't imagine she'd be too productive on Council.

]]> SP http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822360 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822360 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:54:46 -0800 Comment by SeMe I dont know if that story is relevant or not and is ECB's choice wether she thought it was Stranger worthy. Personally, I agree that has nothing to do with wether Harrell would make a good candidate or city council man.
But if I were The Stranger, I would ask Harrell why he gave money to nutty right winger, homphobe, christian- right newt protege Christensen from Nebraska back when the Republicans swept the house. I would like to know why I should elect a guy who thinks is ok to give money to a right wing homophobe like Jon Christensen who was opposed by the Log Cabin Republicans for being too extreme. Im just saying yo. Thats what you should be asking him.

]]> SeMe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822370 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822370 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:01:00 -0800 Comment by Gomez Venus is an opportunistic bitch, film at 11.

]]> Gomez http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822372 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822372 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:02:03 -0800 Comment by SeMe Gomez is a misoginist blogger, no film available.

Hey, but Harrell helps elect right wingers to the house so he has your back Gomez.

]]> SeMe http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822384 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822384 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:12:05 -0800 Comment by infrequent @5 it is not newsworthy, Harrell's relationship with his estranged son. nor what the biological mother has to say, really.

it IS newsworthy that velasquez is shopping the story around. and it would make me not wnat to vote for her, like @4 and @6 commented.

is is also at least interesting that the seattle weekly both took the bait, and is supporting velasquez's attempt to try and make Harrell's extended family life an issue.

]]> infrequent http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822393 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822393 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:18:03 -0800 Comment by Perfect Voter On the contrary, how Mr. Harrell treats his firstborn son IS relevant to his character, or lack thereof, and it's at least partially indicative of the values he carries with him into office, should he be elected.

Venus' no-nonsense style is just the breath of fresh air the Council needs, to balance (or hopefully overcome) the endless naval-gazing that so consumes the current Council.

]]> Perfect Voter http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822417 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822417 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:36:02 -0800 Comment by infrequent and tell us, perfect voter, how does mr harrell treat is firstborn son? actually, nevermind. i don't think i want to hear anything else from you.

]]> infrequent http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822434 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822434 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:54:37 -0800 Comment by Luigi Giovanni You know what else seems weird? ECB didn't seek a comment from Sharkansky before slogging about him.

]]> Luigi Giovanni http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822437 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822437 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:56:14 -0800 Comment by lostboy Could Perfect Voter @11 be any more obviously a Venus staffer?

Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just someone copy/pasting from Venus campaign materials. Either way, that text reeks of PR.

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822459 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822459 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:12:36 -0800 Comment by gnossos lostboy @ 14, well it shouldn't be much of a surprise if there was a Venus staffer posting here.

As far as I can tell, Slog has been somewhat overrun with Godden, Della and Burgess staffers/apologists for the past couple of months.

]]> gnossos http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822493 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822493 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:41:56 -0800 Comment by Tybalt @11, you must be joking. VV isn't gazing in any navels, it looks more likely she'll be snooping into our bedrooms and kitchens, telling us how to conduct our private lives. No thanks.

]]> Tybalt http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822516 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822516 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:07:41 -0800 Comment by Gomez SeMe, I'm not gonna deny that the Venus/Harrell race is a choice between two pieces of shit. Neither candidate is worth a vote.

]]> Gomez http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822735 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822735 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:43:00 -0800 Comment by Jackson Browne It's despicable of Venus to shop a story like this. I'm not voting for her again.

Harrell handled this right by not commenting. There are two sides to every story and I don't want to hear this one.

It reflects badly on Venus that she'd go this low.

]]> Jackson Browne http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822810 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822810 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:46:58 -0800 Comment by Wellington SeMe is a Venus staffer posing. I don't care about who he gave money to eons ago. I don't care to know about his children and a disgruntled mother.

I care to know why Venus makes statements like the one on YOuTube and why the Weekly has an article about her being racist. She needs to answer that for us and sell herself rather than finding dirt on somebody else.

Keep doing this Venus and you'll lose. And this is from one of your supporters.

]]> Wellington http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822811 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822811 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:52:39 -0800 Comment by Justine poor venus is getting desperate looking for dirt. she lost the endorsements and now we're seeing how nasty she is.

shopping a story like this shows shes on a downward spiral. venus keep digging in the weeds and throwing up dirt and you'll lose. you've only been here for a little while so you don't knwo that we seattlites don't appreciate your nasty ways on this story or your racism and divisiveness either. go back to brooklyn, st louis or wherever the hell you're from.

]]> Justine http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822815 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822815 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:58:59 -0800 Comment by applepie + cheese venus needs to explain herself and the bad news coming out about her. I like her but worry she's going down focusing on what's not important. venus get yourself in gear! tell your story not bruce's! let's see the woman i the primary--the positive girl who grew into the fiesity strong woman. stop dealing in this crap that only makes you look bad for bringing it up. it makes you look desperate. please stop it!

]]> applepie + cheese http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822817 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822817 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:06:59 -0800 Comment by henry 612 this story is sickening. VV must be on a road downhill. i don't care about this. let's hear about the issues! why'd she claim endorsements she doesn't have? what about the develpers supporitng her? what about harrell's track record in the community and how are they going to fix my potholes or fund the viaduct?

]]> henry 612 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822827 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822827 Politics Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:48:08 -0800 Comment by Johnna777 come out the gutter and get to the issues. if venus is better she can do better than this to let me knwo.

many of us have blended families and know that the whining woman quoted in the article has issues. i hate to hear my husbands ex trash him so this is a one-sided story. im glad harrell knew not to comment.

i like venus because shes better to me overall but her going this low makes me angry and considering switching to harrell.

]]> Johnna777 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822873 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822873 Politics Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:51:14 -0800 Comment by lostboy And yep, there's the onslaught of Harrell volunteers.

]]> lostboy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822918 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c822918 Politics Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:44:30 -0800 Comment by Chris 6190 on every blog where people call venus on her behavior her staffers tell us we're harrell people and i'm sick of that. I DONT CARE ABOUT HARRELL! i write about venus's behavior which is awful on many fronts.

many of us have blended families and know there are multiple sides to the story. it seems the same here and i agree that harrell seems to have drawn the right line.

venus and her team should realize that most voters will see through her nastiness in shopping this story. i'm glad bruce has drawn a line on this issue. i respect him more for having the courage to leave family out of it.

]]> Chris 6190 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823117 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823117 Politics Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:30:49 -0800 Comment by Margaret truly disqusting story i dont care about in choosing a candidate. this negativity is bad--makes me want to puke. slap VV for me please.

]]> Margaret http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823130 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823130 Politics Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:40:02 -0800 Comment by OH HAI Yeah @11, really well done. You totally come off as a regular slog reader posting a comment.

This is evidence of how divisive, childish and ill-prepared VV is for leadership at any level, let alone elected. And no, I'm not with Harrell's campaign although beginning to think I ought to be

]]> OH HAI http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823182 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823182 Politics Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:17:58 -0800 Comment by pings crappy story i don't give a shit about

]]> pings http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823607 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/if_at_first_you_dont_succeed#c823607 Politics Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:33:19 -0800