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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Politics Sims Spokeswoman Didn't Know He Was Leaving

Posted by Erica C. Barnett on Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 9:35 AM

Even as everyone in the city was chattering about the rumor that King County Exec Ron Sims planned to leave his position for an appointment at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, one person—Sims's spokeswoman, Natasha Jones—seemed absolutely, unequivocally convinced that Sims had no plans to leave. Last Friday, January 23, Jones told me categorically, "It's not true. I don't know where [political consultants, other county executive candidates, and journalists across the city are] getting that." Later that same day, she told Jim Brunner at the Seattle Times, "He's not taking a job with HUD," Jones said. "No parsing. It's not true."

Was she lying? Not intentionally. According to Jones, whom I talked to yesterday, she simply had no idea Sims wasn't telling her the truth. Like a good spokeswoman, she said what Sims told her to say. And yesterday, she got burned for it.

"I did not know he had been asked" to take a position at HUD, Jones said. "I gave you the information I had at that time."

Although the Obama Administration clearly told Sims not to blab about the appointment, he obviously told enough people that the rumor spread like wildfire. Once that happened, the responsible course would have been to tell Jones what was going on—or at least direct her to equivocate when media types like me and Brunner came sniffing around about the rumors. Instead, he ordered her to go to the media and tell them the opposite of the truth. Sims hung his spokeswoman out to dry, and he should take the responsibility for that.

Comments (19) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Awww.

Posted by There, there ... on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 AM

Wrong.

Posted by DOUG. on February 3, 2009 at 9:45 AM

Withholding information? Well, if he didn't pay his taxes he will be a great fit in the Obama Administration.

Posted by Had to say it 'cause you know it's true! on February 3, 2009 at 9:45 AM

I think the County has other problems to focus on.

Posted by @ on February 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM

Jesus. Who gives a shit?

Do "spokespeople" ever have the real story? That's not their job.

Posted by meh on February 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM

Spokespeople are hired to say whatever the person they're representing wants them to say. She was just doing her job, it's not a big deal.

Posted by Hernandez on February 3, 2009 at 10:01 AM

IF Stone's first maxim of journalism: all governments lie.

So... do your job instead of whining about getting played!

Posted by Trevor on February 3, 2009 at 10:04 AM

Not a classy move on Sims's part. We should expect better from somebody going to work for the Feds.

Posted by Greg on February 3, 2009 at 10:04 AM

@8: Ha ha! Ha!

Posted by tomasyalba on February 3, 2009 at 10:16 AM

She didn't get "burned" for it. She did her damn job. Good on her.

Posted by sdf on February 3, 2009 at 10:37 AM

"Media types like me and Brunner?" Up yours, Erica. Brunner is a real journalist. You're the "media type."

Real reporters don't beat their readers over the head with ejaculatory self-congratulation just for doing their jobs. Only pathetic, posturing little drama queen wannabes do that.

So you got one right. Big whoop! Brunner does it every day, without forcing himself down our throats.

Just get the story and report it, and STFU with this tiresome "Look at me!" shit, would you? Can you? Probably not.

Posted by ivan on February 3, 2009 at 10:40 AM

we should get rid of all these high paid professional liars and require the principals to speak for themselves

Posted by McG on February 3, 2009 at 11:07 AM

ummm.... isn't this the same Natasha Jones who worked for the Monorail, afterward disclaiming any knowledge of what was going on at the sinking ship. Honest, she really didn't know!

Posted by ho' know on February 3, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Every smart political type knew the rumor was true - it made such good sense and the FBI was checking out stuff.

Who cares what the lady said as the official line.

Oh, Erica cared. How Strange is that?

Posted by Larry on February 3, 2009 at 11:32 AM

Kelly O and Ari Spool give Theodore Roosevelt can of Rize, Theodore Roosevelt drink Rize, freak out, Prez out, THEODORE ROOSEVELT BECOME WILLIAM MCKINLEY!

WILLIAM MCKINLEY ISN'T GOING TO BE PRESIDENT ANYTIME THIS MONTH!

And no, I don't feel like letting it go.

Posted by The Incredible Sulk on February 3, 2009 at 11:40 AM

Extra Extra: Paid Professional Liar DOES JOB! Read All About IT!

Posted by ... on February 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM

So, when will Seattle get the 40 percent of new transit revenue for bus service we pay for?

Posted by Will in Seattle on February 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM

But has he paid his taxes?...

Posted by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me on February 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM

It really is odd how she continued to deny the idea of him leaving despite everyone else knowing.

Either she:
A)Is clueless and never asked one tough question of her boss as her butt was on the line

B) She was lying
Either way, not a great jump into the current job market.

Posted by TheTruthHurts on February 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM