Slog - Comments on I-26: The Republican Cloaking Measure http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure King County Council Member Larry Gossett—an opponent of Initiative 26, which would make all county elected positions nonpartisan—says he thinks "it will probably pass." “People think it supports good government, and voters don’t want people to be partisan,” Gossett says. The measure would make countywide races, including the council and executive, nonpartisan. But I-26 is an elephant in sheep’s clothing. The only chance Republicans have of winning countywide races is if voters don’t know that the schmuck they’re voting for is a Republican. An alternative measure introduced by the council would allow candidates to state their party preference. The primary... Copyright 2008 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:58:40 -0800 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:38:27 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Emmett I'm too lazy to check the PDC website right now, but was there a no campaign? Usually if someone throws enough "no" information out there, people will end up voting no, not necessarily because they're convinced its a bad idea, but because they're unsure.

]]> Emmett http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108852 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108852 Election Night Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:53:46 -0800 Comment by J. Whorfin Some questions I want to throw out there for the group:

If non-partisan races work for cities, why not the County?

Does Gossett really think that some not-labeled-as-such Republican will be elected in the 2nd District, or conversely, a Democrat elected in the 3rd or 9th?

Don't Councilmembers get elected pretty much on "slick advertising, pretty pictures, and name familiarity" now?

Even if some Councilperson who is 'out of touch' with their district is elected, won't that (in theory) self-correct in the next election?

]]> J. Whorfin http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108857 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108857 Election Night Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:03:22 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage Do non-partisan races really work for the city? Do non-district races? Does this wacked out system of having no districts, but seats, work for the city?

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108862 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108862 Election Night Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:21:40 -0800 Comment by Algernon No progressive thought I -200 was progressive. It was sold as an anti-affirmative action measure.

]]> Algernon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108879 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108879 Election Night Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:11:16 -0800 Comment by J. Whorfin Dan @ 4: I wasn't trying to be snarky; I truly haven't made up my mind. That said, I understand Gossett's point, but I don't see how passing I-26 will result in some Republican take over of KC government, given the make-up of the County.

]]> J. Whorfin http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108927 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108927 Election Night Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:44:07 -0800 Comment by Gay Seattle This is a big win for Republicans which stands to pick up future seats on the County Council with this bill. When there is no info about a candidate's political party Republicans will win countrywide elections almost every time. They are amazing at being able to get their info out about candidates to every R even in D districts but without the Dems being able to use it against the candidate. I am always amazed at their ability to do this with Judge candidates such as Jeanette Burrage who was rated Not Qualified but actually won because she was so conservative.

]]> Gay Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108934 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108934 Election Night Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:58:14 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle I would have said the Republican cloaked candidates are great at lying about who and what they are, GS.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108988 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/i26_the_republican_cloaking_measure#c1108988 Election Night Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:38:27 -0800