Comments on Nonpartisan, My Ass

I was asked to sign a petition to get this on the ballot and I declined because I had precisely these suspicions. I was thinking about the non-partisan school board members who at their first meeting start pushing creationist agendas and I just saw red. Nah, if I want to lie with dogs, I want to know where the fleas are from.

Thanks for the info. I was also asked to sign a petition, and declined because I didn't feel I knew enough to be sure how to vote. This is a convincing argument against it.

Non-partisan is the only way a Red Bushie has a chance at being elected around here, where they can pretend they aren't Bush comrades and then, once elected, run as GOP for a further seat.

Just look at the two King County Sherrifs we had last ...

Getting away from the GOP!!?? Those AMERICA HATERS!!!! The Republicans on the KCC are AMERICA HATERS!!!!!!!

This isn't a new idea from PvB -- he's been suggesting it for years. And considering the Council hardly ever votes along party lines and strives for unanimous votes anyway, I'm reluctant to read any nefarious intent into this proposal.

This is a very smart strategy by the GOP and is certain to win with "independently" thinking voters. As if not naming their party makes candidates more independent.
Even in Seattle, conservatives were able to slide stealth candidate Tim Burgess in the City Council. Having been very involved in politics back in the 90's I can assure you that the Republican voters know exactly which Judges are their friends and which ones are not and they don't advertise to the whole county like the Democrats do.

Good work shining the light on this, Josh.

On Broadway a couple of weeks ago - a woman was getting signatures.

She would not let me read the petition, her thing was it is about good govt.

Funny, how hostile she got when I politely declined to sign without knowing the content.

Dogs, all R's - remember no gay rights protections were passed at the county level until the Dems took control with Gary Grant and Cynthia Sullivan. R's talk nice, some of them, but it is always the same old dreary shit.

Think more Kathy Lambert clones ... horror that might be.

Will miss you're work after next month, Josh.

Wish it were Eli and not you. Good luck on endeavors and what not.

I believe that the House spread is 63-35, actually....

We will miss you Josh! No chance Erica could leave and you stay?

*Your.

wtf, my mistake @9

feit--

it'll be sad not to see your bylines in ye olde stranger. surely, you'll be missed.

if you're coming to the east coast, you'd do a disservice not to get in touch. xox

I have truly enjoyed your work and will miss you. Good Luck in the next chapter.

Seattle elections are also "non-partisan" and almost always result in two Democrats competing in the November run-off, at least in the contested races. Seattle voters KNOW who the candidates are. It's been over 20 years since they elected the last bona-fide Republican, Paul Kraabel, to council, and he was what the current GOP would call a RINO -- with little or nothing in common with the right wingnuts in charge these days.

Non-partisan elections also work the other way, allowing stealth Democrats to run in suburban county council districts.

Out of curiosity, I wonder how the initiative handles redistricting. The current county charter gives it to a partisan commission who basically divide the spoils between Democrats and Republicans. The only significant criterion in line drawing is partisan voting history; that and the wishes of the incumbents who pull the commissioners' strings. A truly non-partisan charter would have to give redistricting to a more independent body, if it is to make any sense at all.

Yeah, because the Republicans have totally used that camouflage to take over the City of Seattle- oh wait.

i noticed in 2006 the definite lack of defining Republican characteristics on their signs...no word, no elephant, like they weren't proud of it or something...i've pondered the whether they might need a little help this season...the scarlet R attached to their signs so everyone will know their shame

Sad to see ya go Josh. It's been a good ride and you've done a great job.