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News & ArtsMonday, September 21, 2009
City Mike McGinn: Soothsayer
Posted by Dominic Holden on Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn issued an unusual statement this afternoon that makes several predictions about challenger Joe Mallahan's campaign activities in the next two days. Among them, Mallahan's campaign will begin criticizing McGinn's plan to extend light rail.
"We will criticize him for a lot more than that," says Mallahan spokeswoman Charla Neuman. She says the campaign has already taken odds with intent to scrap plans for a tunnel, thereby giving up billions of state funding for city infrastructure. Mallahan has also said he doesn't support the First Hill streetcar line approved last fall by voters, which McGin supports.
McGinn's campaign also predicts Mallahan will begin issuing one policy paper a week, announce a social-media strategy, and "will argue that the 70% 'no' vote on the tunnel in March 2007 wasn't really a 'no' vote."
Neuman shoots back: "No, we will tell him he has his plans mixed up and the hybrid [tunnel] option that was agreed on was not what was voted on. Tell him to read his ballot more closely next time and pay more attention to the collaborative process to reach a solutions." She adds, "His fringe positions might be why there aren't many people lining up to back him right now."
As for social media, she says that Mallahan ran viral videos in the primary election and "it wouldn't surprise me if we put up more in the general." And she says the campaign will begin issuing more positions papers.
McGinn also predicted that Tayloe Washburn, chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, will head the Mallahan advisory team. Neuman couldn't confirm the charge, saying, "I don't think there is a designated head person."
1
God damn that "advisory" vote. It was craven then and now it's just muddying the waters. 70% no to the tunnel is not equal to 70% yes to rebuild or the surface option. Extending light rail is an interesting idea, but if people are scared off by the potential cost overruns of a tunnel, they ought to be scared shitless what dealing with a west side line will entail.
2
@1: That's why they all voted down Prop 1 last year, which stripped out all the new roads and bridges and tunnels and opted for billions in rail investment!
READ THE SIGNS, MCGINN! NOBODY WANTS YOUR STUPID TRANSIT OR YOUR STUPID ENVIRONMENTALISM HERE, THIS ISN'T SOME GREENY LIBERAL CITY.
READ THE SIGNS, MCGINN! NOBODY WANTS YOUR STUPID TRANSIT OR YOUR STUPID ENVIRONMENTALISM HERE, THIS ISN'T SOME GREENY LIBERAL CITY.
3
More proof that Mallahan hates West Seattle, Ballard and Magnolia.
We said No Billionaires Tunnel - and we MEANT IT!
We said No Billionaires Tunnel - and we MEANT IT!
7
McGinn has great ideas, but he's starting to play nasty with these self-fulfilling narratives.
First, he claims Mallahan is an insider, then "neglects" to get key endorsements. Now Mallahan is an insider. And not the sort Mallahan acknowledges he is.
Next, he claims Mallahan is against transit, then forces Mallahan into outright opposing a voter-approved transit enhancement.
Then he claims Mallahan is neglecting West Seattle/Ballard, then proposes a LRT plan that Mallahan subsequently blasts, thereby showing neglect toward West Seattle and Ballard.
Mayor Daddybear is getting downright dirty.
First, he claims Mallahan is an insider, then "neglects" to get key endorsements. Now Mallahan is an insider. And not the sort Mallahan acknowledges he is.
Next, he claims Mallahan is against transit, then forces Mallahan into outright opposing a voter-approved transit enhancement.
Then he claims Mallahan is neglecting West Seattle/Ballard, then proposes a LRT plan that Mallahan subsequently blasts, thereby showing neglect toward West Seattle and Ballard.
Mayor Daddybear is getting downright dirty.
8
(Alternately, Mallahan could just have a poorly run campaign that keeps on hitting lucky strikes with a few gaffes, like Mallahan being pulled into a civic rope-a-dope when he accused McGinn of trying to scuttle a levy reauthorization by putting the W. Seattle/Ballard LRT on the ballot in 2012. A levy Mallahan had previously not bothered to vote on -- in which case, Mallahan needs Washburn ASAP)
9
If Mallahan releases policy papers, will he be able to understand the substance behind the policy? He seems to have a hard time drilling down beyond his talking points.
11
@2,3, who's the real hater here? The guy who wants to scuttle the most vital through city transportation corridor between West Seattle and Ballard and offers a pie in the sky rail alternative in exchange for killing a done deal? When it comes time to vote, I'm going with the guy who supports a solution that was 10 fucking years in the making, has the support of Olympia, and is actually moving forward. I'd love light rail in West Seattle, but I'm not willing to wait 20 fucking years for the "Seattle Process" to deliver it.
12
Kudos to Mallahan if he does start releasing policy papers. I want to know what these guys are really about.
Seattle should be a 5-star city. You don't get that by acting cheap.
Yes to the tunnel.
Yes to light rail.
Yes to a proper downtown arena.
Yes to tourist tax, gas tax and tolls.
Seattle should be a 5-star city. You don't get that by acting cheap.
Yes to the tunnel.
Yes to light rail.
Yes to a proper downtown arena.
Yes to tourist tax, gas tax and tolls.
13
@11 "I'd love 'X' but I'm not willing to make calls to my representatives demanding real long term solutions."
You're probably one of those people who thought we had to vote for the Roads and Transit packages because Transit on its own would never make it.
The majority of Seattle voters don't want more roads. "Investing" in a tunnel is short-sided and hurts our region. I'm happy someone running for office seems to actually support a long-term vision and can't wait until the greeny beats mister clueless business.
You're probably one of those people who thought we had to vote for the Roads and Transit packages because Transit on its own would never make it.
The majority of Seattle voters don't want more roads. "Investing" in a tunnel is short-sided and hurts our region. I'm happy someone running for office seems to actually support a long-term vision and can't wait until the greeny beats mister clueless business.
15
@11 - done deal huh? Where's the EIS? Where's the $930 million in Seattle taxpayer money and all the cost overrruns going to come from? How 'bout those $400 million from tolls? Where's that MVET taxing authority for transit? Where's Greg and Ron? Spending billions on a tunnel that won't serve 60% of current users and will bankrupt us for generations, that's not a done deal, that's a dumb deal.
16
@13, yea, you got me. I did believe that transit on it's own wouldn't make it, and I was pleased to be proved wrong. But I don't have much faith in "making calls" to our elected leaders when they don't lead. Instead they punt and set up votes that are not intended to clearly offer the public a real choice. I was a believer in the monorail, I voted yes every damn time the thing was put to a public vote and I learned my lesson with that experience.
And how is replacing the viaduct with a tunnel adding NEW roads? I also don't accept a long term vision that will essentially run every manufacturing job out of this city.
And how is replacing the viaduct with a tunnel adding NEW roads? I also don't accept a long term vision that will essentially run every manufacturing job out of this city.
17
@15, and the alternative that McGinn is flogging doesn't have the exact same issues? Where's he going to get the money, MVET taxing authority, toll revenue, all with a hostile Olympia in the background? It'll have to come from Seattle tax payers. There is no free lunch.
18
Baconcat, I think you're right both ways. McGinn's starting to spotlight Mallahan's weaknesses, if in a tentative way for now; it at least shows Mallahan's not especially apt at quick defense.
So it's a good bet Tayloe and the gang will start Joe pushing back meaner to see how Mike handles it, and how it plays.
Could get at least a little ugly, and I can't help hoping it does. We haven't had a lot of below-surface intel on either guy other than speculation, so a bit of brouhaha may be our only chance to see what they're made of before we vote.
So it's a good bet Tayloe and the gang will start Joe pushing back meaner to see how Mike handles it, and how it plays.
Could get at least a little ugly, and I can't help hoping it does. We haven't had a lot of below-surface intel on either guy other than speculation, so a bit of brouhaha may be our only chance to see what they're made of before we vote.
19
@18, yep. Mallahan was extremely mean and low-down with the anti-Nickels commercials. His message was in vague sound bites with little in the way of details. Probably we should expect more of the same.
20
Can somebody ask Charla/Joe about Seattle's share of the tunnel project? She is touting the state's generosity in building the mega-tunnel with no downtown exits but...
What is Mallahan/Neuman's plan to pay for the expected $1.2 billion dollars in cost overruns and the $930 million in set costs that our generous state legislature has granted us?
What is Mallahan/Neuman's plan to pay for the expected $1.2 billion dollars in cost overruns and the $930 million in set costs that our generous state legislature has granted us?
22
We're about five weeks away from the general election, and McGinn is "predicting" his opponent will continue to campaign? The audacity!
I'm really shocked that McGinn continues to be stupid enough to bring up the muddled 2007 vote. Sure, his rabid supporters (see Will@3) are willing to trumped bad analysis, but I don't think the voters at large will buy the hyperbole and mischaracterization. Never mind that the two tunnel plans are completely different, how many people who voted for a viaduct rebuild would choose the surface plan as their second choice? The correct answer is that nobody knows... and why McGinn is full of shit on this issue.
I still haven't seen anyone explain why McGinn thinks he can fight the tunnel in the same way he's fought ballot initiatives, but still get Olympia to listen to him on other issues.
I'm really shocked that McGinn continues to be stupid enough to bring up the muddled 2007 vote. Sure, his rabid supporters (see Will@3) are willing to trumped bad analysis, but I don't think the voters at large will buy the hyperbole and mischaracterization. Never mind that the two tunnel plans are completely different, how many people who voted for a viaduct rebuild would choose the surface plan as their second choice? The correct answer is that nobody knows... and why McGinn is full of shit on this issue.
I still haven't seen anyone explain why McGinn thinks he can fight the tunnel in the same way he's fought ballot initiatives, but still get Olympia to listen to him on other issues.
23
I think this is a smart move on McGinn's part.
Mallahan has been a series of sound bits and nothing more. Mallahan cannot give specifics or details to any plans, and he even needs Carla to speak for him (or he comes across like an idiot).
As long as McGinn dictates the talk, Mallahan will continue to look way out of his league. But then again, making Mallahan look way out of his league isn't too difficult.
Mallahan has been a series of sound bits and nothing more. Mallahan cannot give specifics or details to any plans, and he even needs Carla to speak for him (or he comes across like an idiot).
As long as McGinn dictates the talk, Mallahan will continue to look way out of his league. But then again, making Mallahan look way out of his league isn't too difficult.
24
Mallahan mouthpiece to McGinn: "Read your ballot!"
McGinn to Mallahan: "Fill out your ballot!"
And one of these men is going to mayor. Thanks Steinbrueck.
McGinn to Mallahan: "Fill out your ballot!"
And one of these men is going to mayor. Thanks Steinbrueck.
25
It is getting more and more pathetic by the hour. I think we need to start the poll....
"what will be the date that the sad luck winner will be recalled" My bet November 3, 2011.
Windows are open for the recall race.
"what will be the date that the sad luck winner will be recalled" My bet November 3, 2011.
Windows are open for the recall race.
27
With Mallahan we'll get overpaid czars/consultants - each one with one idea.
With McGinn we'll downsize the upper echelons and actually get a city that works for the citizens.
Hmmm, which to choose ....
With McGinn we'll downsize the upper echelons and actually get a city that works for the citizens.
Hmmm, which to choose ....
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