Slog
News & ArtsMonday, October 5, 2009
Politics Susan Hutchison, the Municipal League, and the Partisan Label
Posted by Will Kelley-Kamp on Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 3:33 PM
The Municipal League of King County is one of those good government organizations that is generally well thought of in political circles. According to their website, they champion "open, effective and accountable" government, and endeavor to "improve ... the quality of public decisions." In other words, they believe voters should have as much information about the candidates so as to make an informed choice. Right?
Well, maybe not.
In 2008, the Muni League supported King County Initiative 26, which removed partisan labels from elected positions in county government. (The Stranger predicted it could allow stealth Republican candidates to fly below the radar.) And because it passed, candidates no longer have to state a partisan affiliation when running for office. This means that, because of I-26, voters will have even less information to consider before filling out their ballot.
Why would an organization that exists to give voters more information support a change in the law that would give them less of it?
Two Survey USA polls (here and here) have shown that Hutchison's support among Democrats is in the low 30s. Hutchison certainly deserves some credit, but how many of those Democrats simply don't know that she's a Republican? And if they don't, is the Muni League really improving "the quality of public decisions"?
3
"how many of those Democrats simply don't know that she's a Republican?"
probably the same percentage who are as dumb as rocks.
probably the same percentage who are as dumb as rocks.
4
..because obviously people voting straight down the party-line is what we need more of. Maybe those types of people will become so confused that they'll fail to vote altogether.
5
If she's winning them over with her rhetoric, maybe her opponent needs to point out the holes in it. Dems gotta take the gloves off and fight like they mean it.
7
Hey guys?
Has anyone actually dug through all the voter registration records for her lifetime to see if/when she has ever actually registered (even if lapsed now) with any parties?
Compare that to political contributions, do the same with Dow, and then do a side-by-side voter guide chart.
Has anyone actually dug through all the voter registration records for her lifetime to see if/when she has ever actually registered (even if lapsed now) with any parties?
Compare that to political contributions, do the same with Dow, and then do a side-by-side voter guide chart.
8
"how many of those Democrats simply don't know that she's a Republican?"
yes, people who are so dumb, maybe they shouldn't be allowed to vote let alone breed. God forbid, they might stupidly vote away their welfare benefits.
yes, people who are so dumb, maybe they shouldn't be allowed to vote let alone breed. God forbid, they might stupidly vote away their welfare benefits.
9
@7 you don't register by party in Washington. However, since 1988 you could see if she voted in a particular party's presidential primary.
10
Part of it is because the Muni League is non-partisan themselves. They probably think 'hey, it works for us so why not everyone else?". They probably thought it would be weird for an organization whose entire value seems to come from it's non-partisan stance to come out and say 'partisan races are good!"
11
Forcing people into political parties is what got us to where we are today: wildly partisan, unable to make judgements beyond D and R labels, voting strictly along party lines. As a result, it's virtually impossible to get legislation passed (witness health care).
Voters are not as stupid as you think. They'll figure it out. Just give them the information.
Voters are not as stupid as you think. They'll figure it out. Just give them the information.
13
Susan Hutchison is NOT a “right-winger” she has been endorsed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, and Attorney General Rob McKenna, a moderate Republican. Hutchison is also the executive director of the Charles Simonyi Foundation, a well-known $100 foundation that is highly esteemed by scientific and artistic professionals in Western Washington – look it up. Then vote for Hutchison.
14
Susan Hutchison is NOT a “right-winger” she has been endorsed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, and Attorney General Rob McKenna, a moderate Republican. Hutchison is also the executive director of the Charles Simonyi Foundation, a well-known $100 million foundation that is highly esteemed by scientific and artistic professionals in Western Washington – look it up. Then vote for Hutchison.
16
By the way, that poll shows that people who aren't White or Asian don't vote.
Or, and this is much much much more likely, they only phoned people with landlines and Black and Hispanic people didn't pick up when they were phoned, but are still going to vote.
Why? Because they know Susan Hutchinson is GOP and there's no way in heck they're going to elect her.
Or, and this is much much much more likely, they only phoned people with landlines and Black and Hispanic people didn't pick up when they were phoned, but are still going to vote.
Why? Because they know Susan Hutchinson is GOP and there's no way in heck they're going to elect her.
18
13 & 14--you are really trying way too hard. Your fake non-partisan rap is bullshit. Susan's values are not our values. She is running to the center to hide the fact that she only gives money to Republicans, is anti-choice, and is patronizing to minorities. And as for your fake Democrats:
Brad Owen--one of the most conservative Dems in the state, best known for his anti-drug rock band that tours schools.
Brian Sonntag--another noted conservative Democrat. He is a real tool because he is supposed to stay out of elections by his own ethics code, but he endorsed Susan early and then conducted a politically motivated audit of King County.
Rob McKenna--he may have spent the last few years hiding his record by doing commercials on consumer protection, but he is no moderate. As a King County Councilmember he was anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-light rail, and against funding human services. He was so conservative his fellow Republicans rejected the budget he put together and sided with the Democrats. Beware--McKenna is just another Trojan Horse Republican like Ms. Hutchison.
And last but not least, Mr. Simonyi. He is a very wealthy man who gives heavily to Republican causes and candidates. Susan is his only employee and gives money mainly to mainstream, already well funded arts organizations.
Find me a real Democrat supporting Susan and then we will talk.
Brad Owen--one of the most conservative Dems in the state, best known for his anti-drug rock band that tours schools.
Brian Sonntag--another noted conservative Democrat. He is a real tool because he is supposed to stay out of elections by his own ethics code, but he endorsed Susan early and then conducted a politically motivated audit of King County.
Rob McKenna--he may have spent the last few years hiding his record by doing commercials on consumer protection, but he is no moderate. As a King County Councilmember he was anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-light rail, and against funding human services. He was so conservative his fellow Republicans rejected the budget he put together and sided with the Democrats. Beware--McKenna is just another Trojan Horse Republican like Ms. Hutchison.
And last but not least, Mr. Simonyi. He is a very wealthy man who gives heavily to Republican causes and candidates. Susan is his only employee and gives money mainly to mainstream, already well funded arts organizations.
Find me a real Democrat supporting Susan and then we will talk.
19
Hutchison supports Ref. 71 giving equal rights to gay families. She also attended the 43rd district Democratic event, she was sincere and she connected with all the participants. She also supports Bob Ferguson on the King County Council - a Democrat (who endorsed Obama during the primary).
Susan Hutchison is NOT a “right-winger” she has been endorsed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, and Attorney General Rob McKenna, a moderate Republican. Hutchison is also the executive director of the Charles Simonyi Foundation, a well-known $100 million foundation that is highly esteemed by scientific and artistic professionals in Western Washington – look it up. Then vote for Hutchison.
Susan Hutchison is NOT a “right-winger” she has been endorsed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, and Attorney General Rob McKenna, a moderate Republican. Hutchison is also the executive director of the Charles Simonyi Foundation, a well-known $100 million foundation that is highly esteemed by scientific and artistic professionals in Western Washington – look it up. Then vote for Hutchison.
20
@ 19, It doesn't really matter whether Hutchison is a "right-winger" or a moderate Republican or a Democrat, Vashon...
Stand her next to Dow and it's clear she hasn't much of a clue about the key political issues facing our county.
I happily invite everyone to check out one of their debates (there will be some on TV) and decide for yourselves. The decision shouldn't be too hard.
While you're at it, check out a Seattle mayoral debate. There's a similarly clear distinction between one candidate who seems to actually understand how politics works and what the issues are... and one who only has a pleasant-sounding, corporate buzzword vision for what our City should be like.
Dow votes. Dow Now!
Stand her next to Dow and it's clear she hasn't much of a clue about the key political issues facing our county.
I happily invite everyone to check out one of their debates (there will be some on TV) and decide for yourselves. The decision shouldn't be too hard.
While you're at it, check out a Seattle mayoral debate. There's a similarly clear distinction between one candidate who seems to actually understand how politics works and what the issues are... and one who only has a pleasant-sounding, corporate buzzword vision for what our City should be like.
Dow votes. Dow Now!
22
@7 - good idea. It'd be easier to do that if Hutchison actually bothered to vote, which she quite frequently doesn't. (She's missed something like 50% of elections in the last 12 years or so.)
23
Susan Hutchison voted in EVERY general election. EVERY one!
Hutchison supports Ref. 71 giving equal rights to gay families. She also attended the 43rd district Democratic event, she was sincere and she connected with all the participants. She also supports Bob Ferguson on the King County Council - a Democrat (who endorsed Obama during the primary).
Susan Hutchison is NOT a “right-winger” she has been endorsed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, and Attorney General Rob McKenna, a moderate Republican. Hutchison is also the executive director of the Charles Simonyi Foundation, a well-known $100 million foundation that is highly esteemed by scientific and artistic professionals in Western Washington – look it up. Then vote for Hutchison.
Hutchison supports Ref. 71 giving equal rights to gay families. She also attended the 43rd district Democratic event, she was sincere and she connected with all the participants. She also supports Bob Ferguson on the King County Council - a Democrat (who endorsed Obama during the primary).
Susan Hutchison is NOT a “right-winger” she has been endorsed by State Auditor Brian Sonntag, a Democrat, and Attorney General Rob McKenna, a moderate Republican. Hutchison is also the executive director of the Charles Simonyi Foundation, a well-known $100 million foundation that is highly esteemed by scientific and artistic professionals in Western Washington – look it up. Then vote for Hutchison.
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