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News & ArtsFriday, August 21, 2009
Election Nickels Concedes Defeat
Posted by Dominic Holden on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Mayor Greg Nickels just acknowledged that he lost the primary election. "I called Mike McGinn and Joe Mallahan to congratulate them on advancing to the general election," Nickels said in the Norm Rice Room at City Hall, packed with reporters.
Nickels said that when he became mayor, he wanted his priority to be making difficult decisions, not appeasing people. "Based on Tuesday's primary election results, I have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams," he said. "Some of those decisions make everyone unhappy. The viaduct may be one," he said. Nickels was surprisingly upbeat, his voice light.
Nickels talked about his work as mayor: the street car line, light rail, and creating more affordable housing. "People should not denigrate what we have done. We have done those things together and we are not a broken city," he said. "Do not distort the picture of Seattle. We are an amazing place at an amazing time."
Asked how he's handling the poor support from voters, he said, "I thought I was doing fine until I was sending a message to my staff people but I ended it by telling them that I love them,” he said. “There are a lot of emotions. It is a hard day. I accept this as part of the deal.”
He said that he's withdrawing from the race now, even with more ballots to be counted, because, “I’m a pretty good vote counter.“
And, to Nickels's credit, he doesn't seem bitter about McGinn or Mallahan, or helping out the winner when the time comes. “I will even oppose things if they like.”
As people filed out of the press conference, several of them were crying.
7
"creating more affordable housing"? Right, Mayor, that's why there's a homeless encampment named in your honor...
8
Now I sorta miss him (sort of). More so, Nickles speech reminded me how much I love this city...hate this city sometimes...care about this city a great deal. Go McGinn!
9
Just watched McGinn react on King5. Not very impressed. He couldn't offer info on how he would stop the tunnel, or how he would balance the budget.
Nickel's speech was top notch.
Nickel's speech was top notch.
10
Wow was this posted on an iPhone? Needs some editing. ;-)
Nice how Nickels pats himself on the back specifically for being unpopular. We "get" difficult decisions, Nickels, and have no problems when they represent the people that elected you rather than the developers who are out of touch with the neighborhoods they go into.
Tearing down the architectural character of Capitol Hill?
Response to hate crimes/bashing?
We're looking for someone who can get things like light rail done while at the same time addressing neighborhood issues and *smart*, community-supported development.
Now let's get McGinn in office in Nov!
Nice how Nickels pats himself on the back specifically for being unpopular. We "get" difficult decisions, Nickels, and have no problems when they represent the people that elected you rather than the developers who are out of touch with the neighborhoods they go into.
Tearing down the architectural character of Capitol Hill?
Response to hate crimes/bashing?
We're looking for someone who can get things like light rail done while at the same time addressing neighborhood issues and *smart*, community-supported development.
Now let's get McGinn in office in Nov!
11
very classy, i am impressed. most cities in the USA would be lucky to have nickels as a mayor - and we were lucky to have him for most of the time - but we can do even better. onward - go mcginn!
13
I can guarantee the Walt Crowleys of the future are going to look back kindly at Greg Nickels's tenure for its monumental achievements, foremost among which was making light rail happen. Without Greg Nickels there as a relentless champion, there would be no Sound Transit 2, and I shudder to think what would have happened to Sound Transit 1. Sad to say, a McGinn or Mallahan administration will probably be a historical footnote compared to Nickels's administration.
I'm reminded of how Winston Churchill and the Conservatives lost the 1945 UK election to Clement Atlee and Labour, despite Churchill's heroic leadership during WWII. More than any other individual, Churchill saved Britain from fascism, and yet an ungrateful public wished less to reward him for his past successes than look forward to future challenges.
I don't know if the English were right in 1945 or Seattleites were right in 2009. But I do know one thing. I'll take a leader like Churchill or Nickels who takes on great and risky challenges and succeeds--and then gets rewarded by being voted out of office--I'll take a leader like that any day over someone who fixates on polls and their own popularity and contents himself or herself with safe nickel-and-dime initiatives.
I'm reminded of how Winston Churchill and the Conservatives lost the 1945 UK election to Clement Atlee and Labour, despite Churchill's heroic leadership during WWII. More than any other individual, Churchill saved Britain from fascism, and yet an ungrateful public wished less to reward him for his past successes than look forward to future challenges.
I don't know if the English were right in 1945 or Seattleites were right in 2009. But I do know one thing. I'll take a leader like Churchill or Nickels who takes on great and risky challenges and succeeds--and then gets rewarded by being voted out of office--I'll take a leader like that any day over someone who fixates on polls and their own popularity and contents himself or herself with safe nickel-and-dime initiatives.
14
I hereby call on all Seattle residents who recognize our choice in the fall is now between a one-issue candidate with no experience, and a candidate who declined to vote in the last six elections with no experience, to join me in writing in the one person who has proven he can bring prosperity to Seattle, increase our transportation choices, lower crime, and beautify our parks among many other accomplishments. If you care about our city, please join me and write in Greg Nickels for mayor in November.
15
okay people, we gotta make sure mallahan doesn't win this thing tho..........
we'd be FUCKED if mallahan wins.
we'd be FUCKED if mallahan wins.
17
I think I might miss this guy, and am really impressed by how he is handling his defeat... by a couple of newbies with no experience. I know he made some very visible (but not devastating) mistakes, but he did a bunch of great things for the city. And he was a hell of a lot better than his predecessor Paul Schell!
18
Mc Ginn has not a chance - sorry for all the lost political newbies - Nickels voters and Drago voters will go to Mallahan.
Mallahan is the winner in all of this NOT Mr. Mc Ginn.
Hope the Sierra club will take him back, Mc Ginn will need a job after November.
Mc Ginn can't tell anybody how he will stop the tunnel because he can't. It is a STATE OF WASHINGTON project, not a city of Seattle project. Campaign wash and blather, nothing more. He is an attorney, he knows better.
High voting in Settle will help queers if ref. 71 goes to a vote, that is an upside.
Greg Three
Mallahan is the winner in all of this NOT Mr. Mc Ginn.
Hope the Sierra club will take him back, Mc Ginn will need a job after November.
Mc Ginn can't tell anybody how he will stop the tunnel because he can't. It is a STATE OF WASHINGTON project, not a city of Seattle project. Campaign wash and blather, nothing more. He is an attorney, he knows better.
High voting in Settle will help queers if ref. 71 goes to a vote, that is an upside.
Greg Three
19
@7: the perfect is the enemy of the good. nickels doesn't make people homeless or make them stay in seattle in a tent.
getting affordable housing built is really fucking hard, esp. in the middle of a housing bubble. maybe things will get easier now that the bubble's popped, but i doubt it.
getting affordable housing built is really fucking hard, esp. in the middle of a housing bubble. maybe things will get easier now that the bubble's popped, but i doubt it.
22
I'm with montgomery sun @15. I'm not with crazycatguy @14. As much as Greg Nickels may have been the best candidate, he's no longer in the running. The sooner we get over it, the sooner we can focus on what a stark contrast there is between McGinn and Mallahan.
And crazycatguy, your characterization of McGinn as "a one-issue candidate with no experience" is so far removed from the truth, it can't even be called a caricature. McGinn may be harping on the tunnel, but he's also made the public schools and broadband two other core issues. And more important, McGinn has about as much relevant experience for public office as one can have without actually having held public office. He's a lawyer. He's run a nonprofit, Great City, that has focused on Seattle development. He's been head of the Sierra Club and the Greenwood Community Council and has been instrumental in countless political campaigns.
Just about anyone who has been involved in Seattle public life in the past decade has had some contact with, or has been aware of, Mike McGinn. Joe Mallahan? When it comes to Seattle public life, he might as well have just landed from another planet this year.
Yeah right, no experience. The more you say that about McGinn, the more foolish you look.
And crazycatguy, your characterization of McGinn as "a one-issue candidate with no experience" is so far removed from the truth, it can't even be called a caricature. McGinn may be harping on the tunnel, but he's also made the public schools and broadband two other core issues. And more important, McGinn has about as much relevant experience for public office as one can have without actually having held public office. He's a lawyer. He's run a nonprofit, Great City, that has focused on Seattle development. He's been head of the Sierra Club and the Greenwood Community Council and has been instrumental in countless political campaigns.
Just about anyone who has been involved in Seattle public life in the past decade has had some contact with, or has been aware of, Mike McGinn. Joe Mallahan? When it comes to Seattle public life, he might as well have just landed from another planet this year.
Yeah right, no experience. The more you say that about McGinn, the more foolish you look.
23
@9 & @ 18 for the honest win
You gotta hand it to Nickels for staying classy thru all of this...
But long term this is a huge W for Mallahan
You gotta hand it to Nickels for staying classy thru all of this...
But long term this is a huge W for Mallahan
25
@18 - You are dead wrong. Mallahan might get most of Drago's 7%, but the Nickels vote will be split. Among the two remaining candidates, McGinn has FAR more experience engaging in and leading the civic discussion and deeper connections with the community. He is also more articulate and likable. McGinn has already proved in the primary that Average Joe's deep pockets are not going to save him. It might be a close one, but Mallahan goes down in the general.
26
"Ceis and desist..." @20, now that is hysterical. A very witty summation of Zander's point @16 that it was largely Nickels' senior staff that done him in.
Gotta do a little gloating here. Just a few days after being inaugurated Nickels was on KUOW and proclaimed that mismanagement at Street Outreach Services had created the largest outdoor drug market in Seattle.
Anyone even remotely familiar with Seattle knew that the Second and Pike area (or, Penney's corner for old-timers) had been the city's largest outdoor drug market going back to the 70s at least. But that wasn't the real point.
This was just the opening salvo of the Nickels administration's efforts to eviscerate programs and people that it viewed as a threat. This was followed up with getting rid of Jim Diers as head of Dept. of Neighborhoods and driving the widely respected Director of the Health Dept. Alonzo Plough out of town.
This administration was characterized by a my-way-or-the-highway approach that would have made Bush jealous. It was characterized by autocratic bullying and a bunker-like paranoia that tolerated no dissent.
When Nickels took office, Seattle was widely regarded as a model for innovative programming and ideas in areas like harm reduction and drug policy reform. For eight years they have stood in the way.
Let them be gone and woe unto Dow if he actually hires from that cesspool.
Gotta do a little gloating here. Just a few days after being inaugurated Nickels was on KUOW and proclaimed that mismanagement at Street Outreach Services had created the largest outdoor drug market in Seattle.
Anyone even remotely familiar with Seattle knew that the Second and Pike area (or, Penney's corner for old-timers) had been the city's largest outdoor drug market going back to the 70s at least. But that wasn't the real point.
This was just the opening salvo of the Nickels administration's efforts to eviscerate programs and people that it viewed as a threat. This was followed up with getting rid of Jim Diers as head of Dept. of Neighborhoods and driving the widely respected Director of the Health Dept. Alonzo Plough out of town.
This administration was characterized by a my-way-or-the-highway approach that would have made Bush jealous. It was characterized by autocratic bullying and a bunker-like paranoia that tolerated no dissent.
When Nickels took office, Seattle was widely regarded as a model for innovative programming and ideas in areas like harm reduction and drug policy reform. For eight years they have stood in the way.
Let them be gone and woe unto Dow if he actually hires from that cesspool.
27
That was graceful and classy.
I hope he steps onto the national and international stage, because the external-facing aspects of his Green City and Green Tech programs were always good ideas, even if he flopped on the local issues.
I hope he steps onto the national and international stage, because the external-facing aspects of his Green City and Green Tech programs were always good ideas, even if he flopped on the local issues.
29
I personally am looking forward to a mayor with zero experience in city government taking the reins during the worse economic crisis since the 1930's. I mean really what could POSSIBLY go wrong??
30
@29, I assume you're thinking Mallahan's going to win. McGinn has a lot of experience working with city government, just not elected experience.
31
Nickels wasn't perfect but Seattle could do a whole lot worse.
And will, whichever of the two who are left wins.
And will, whichever of the two who are left wins.
32
The rash of shootings and other violence, coupled with the snow storm disaster in December did Nickels in. Retailers and other businesses got crushed with the holiday shopping season effectively cancelled by lack of access. Someone had to pay the price for the poor response to a (partly) natural disaster, and in this case it was Hizzoner. Pile on no-win issues like the viaduct and the economy, and he was toast.
33
I think it's also due to the 8 year itch...I think the electorate just gets sick of seeing the same leader on tv day after day and it gets to be easy to blame them for everything wrong about a city/state/country and not give them any credit for the good stuff...that's about the same shelf-life for most music/tv/movie stars...very few stars have the wattage to last longer than that, though some do have comebacks and others coast into elder statesmen/legendary status. It's likely you haven't seen the last of Mr Nichols....and honestly, I'd vote for him over Maria Cantwell in 2012.
34
No, Cressona, I will not get over it. And as much as you might believe McGinn is not a one issue candidate, I don't. He is nothing but a repeat-after-me-tunnel-bad-robot. His whole campaign was built around his no vote on the tunnel and the only thing he mailed out was that anti-tunnel, lying, bullshit flyer. It clearly demonstrated he will say anything to get elected. And I'm sorry, I expect my candidate to have more experience than community councils and political campaigns before he runs for mayor.
And Mallahan? He's a joke. When people find out how ignorant he is they will puke.
Nickels was and is the only guy who is qualified to run this city, and I will write him in the fall. If you don't like it - tough.
And Mallahan? He's a joke. When people find out how ignorant he is they will puke.
Nickels was and is the only guy who is qualified to run this city, and I will write him in the fall. If you don't like it - tough.
35
" we gotta make sure mallahan doesn't win this thing tho"
Are u kidding? Like most Nickels voters, I'll vote for Mallahan. Sorry but fighting global warming and ending homelessness are not the mayor's job. No way a bunch of northside, all-white, bike riding greenies, who think carbon emissions are the greatest threat facing ordinary middle class voters in Seattle, will win.
Are u kidding? Like most Nickels voters, I'll vote for Mallahan. Sorry but fighting global warming and ending homelessness are not the mayor's job. No way a bunch of northside, all-white, bike riding greenies, who think carbon emissions are the greatest threat facing ordinary middle class voters in Seattle, will win.
38
@14 --You mention parks as a legacy for Nickels... he voted no on the parks levy last year while McGinn ran the campaign and the only "transportation choices" the Mayor gave us was roads with our light rail and a costly tunnel to carry cars through downtown. I agree the Mayor was classy but that race is over and now it is between McGinn and Mallahan. The Mayor is right, this race was about a new generation of leadership, one that won't compromise our future for political expediency.
40
Trying to figure out how Mallahan's being a VP for a telecom gives you no experience in running an government. Lots of folks in both telco and government get paid lots of money for doing nothing. Both have likely the same amount of regulatory and legal red tape.
No more community organizers please...
No more community organizers please...
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