Slog
News & ArtsThursday, August 30, 2012
Stranger Election Control Board Kshama Sawant Explains to Frank Chopp the "Problem" with Democrats
Posted by Goldy on Thu, Aug 30, 2012 at 3:03 PM
House Speaker Frank Chopp and Socialist Alternative Party challenger Kshama Sawant met with the SECB yesterday to ask us for our endorsement in their 43rd LD House race. Above is the first of several clips from the hourlong interview.
1
1. If the Stranger can afford to send Paul to Tampa, please buy better microphones.
2. She sounds like a crazy person. She'll get far!
2. She sounds like a crazy person. She'll get far!
6
Yea, either better mics or subtitles. Otherwise, all we hear is fast talking and a "room-y" sound, but can't quite get it all. Ask Tim K to splurge a little for nicer equipment.
8
She sounds entirely rational, but passionate. I could be wrong, but it sounds as if she's trying to be a gadfly for progressive taxation--hardly a "nut" in my book. (As a Slogger from outside of WA, I could be missing something.) We need more people pulling the Overton Window to the left, at the very least to give the mushy centrists cover when they get charged as "Socialists."
9
I think there is a good chance she could get lots of (R) votes becuase they'd LOVE to talk about the 'socialist from seattle' in the house. That said, she's got my vote, money and efforts. Frank has completely rolled over and let the GOP own the tax debate.
Plus, think of the eastern washington heads that will explode to have a non-white woman who stands her ground in the leg.
And he looks tired.
Plus, think of the eastern washington heads that will explode to have a non-white woman who stands her ground in the leg.
And he looks tired.
10
Everything she said was absolutely right. The parts I could make out, at least. Add my voice to the "you need better recording equipment" chorus.
Pointing out the state Dems totally and completely rolled over in the 1098 fight is not crazy, it's a simple statement of fact.
Pointing out the state Dems totally and completely rolled over in the 1098 fight is not crazy, it's a simple statement of fact.
13
@2, 6 and 10: Use your ears. Replay if necessary. The problem isn't the sound equipment, it's that she talks a bit fast.
(Sorry, but this is a personal peeve. I had an Indian physics professor in university some years ago; she was perfectly understandable to me after an initial hour, but I had to listen to other students whining about her accent for the entire semester. Not everyone has the classic flat California accent. Deal.)
(Sorry, but this is a personal peeve. I had an Indian physics professor in university some years ago; she was perfectly understandable to me after an initial hour, but I had to listen to other students whining about her accent for the entire semester. Not everyone has the classic flat California accent. Deal.)
15
She's saying that Democrats like Chopp haven't stood up to Republicans to defend progressive causes (i.e. initative 1098).
OMG, SHE'S LIKE TOTES CRAY, YOO GUYZ!!
OMG, SHE'S LIKE TOTES CRAY, YOO GUYZ!!
16
where can we donate to her campaign? I dont live in her distict, so i cant vote for her, or i would!
post a link please!!
post a link please!!
17
Hard to understand her, she keeps puttING the emPHAsis on the wrong sy-LLA-bles.
WHy hasn't she explained how she'll nationalize Starbucks and have state workers make our lattes?
WHy hasn't she explained how she'll nationalize Starbucks and have state workers make our lattes?
19
@18 Um, care to explain your thinking?
It seems to me the choice is between an enabler of regressive policy (Chopp) and a fierce proponent of progressive policy (Sawant).
Only Chopp and Sawant will be on the ballot for this position, so all that hackneyed fear-mongering about third-party candidates being "spoilers" won't work here.
It seems to me the choice is between an enabler of regressive policy (Chopp) and a fierce proponent of progressive policy (Sawant).
Only Chopp and Sawant will be on the ballot for this position, so all that hackneyed fear-mongering about third-party candidates being "spoilers" won't work here.
20
Lovely, just lovely to hear someone finally pointing out how useless WA Democrats have been with majority after majority.
I voted for her twice in the primaries (one in each 43rd LD seat) and will be happy to vote for her again in November.
I voted for her twice in the primaries (one in each 43rd LD seat) and will be happy to vote for her again in November.
21
19: Chopp is the Speaker, so even if he's only getting half of the agenda done, that is more than Sawant will be able to do with no caucus and no power. Politics is the art of the possible, which means building coalitions and majorities, and *gasp* compromise.
Lurching the Democrats to the left will only peel away the purple districts and you'll have a repeat of the Republican "takeover" in the State Senate by way of defecting Democrats in swing districts.
This whole discussion is academic anyway, as I'll be shocked if Chopp doesn't get anything below at least 70% in the election.
Lurching the Democrats to the left will only peel away the purple districts and you'll have a repeat of the Republican "takeover" in the State Senate by way of defecting Democrats in swing districts.
This whole discussion is academic anyway, as I'll be shocked if Chopp doesn't get anything below at least 70% in the election.
22
As a point of fact, I'm forced to agree that Chopp is a pussy. You can debate the merits of this kind of thing but everyone, absolutely everybody, agrees that Frank Chopp is an indisputable pussy.
23
Frank Chopp and Sally Clark should investigate their futures in private industry and leave the political arena for folks who GIVE A SHIT.
27
@26: then why did i understand every one on the 1st listen? again, 1. yes, she talks too fast, she's new at this, and excited, and 2. it's the stranger's equipment.
28
People have short memories. There are few people in the history of this state who have done more for public housing of the poor than Frank Chopp.
29
@28 (c'mon girlfriend): Yeah, Chopp's a prince. Maybe if Washington's poor weren't paying over 17% of their incomes in state and local tax while the rich skate along paying less than 3% of theirs, fewer of them would need public housing. When you look at Washington Democrats' timorous hedging and feigned pragmatism in the face of the country's most egregiously regressive tax system, at a certain point you have to begin questioning who they're really working for.
30
@27, I was agreeing with @13 (and with you). Her speech is elegant and totally, perfectly, 100% crystal clear.
I haven't a clue what @1, @2, @3, @6, and @17's problem is. A Texan purple-drank drawl is hard to decipher; Sawant is not.
I haven't a clue what @1, @2, @3, @6, and @17's problem is. A Texan purple-drank drawl is hard to decipher; Sawant is not.
31
If i could vote for Kshama I would. Great job at explaining the contradictions in capitalism in a way that is clearly understandable. And excellent quick explaintion of socialism. i predict she will get a lot of votes. She's right. The economic situation that young people are experiencing now is causing them to really see capitalism for what it is, without the illusions that older generations had.
32
I met her at a few socialist alternative meetings... She is highly intelligent progressive activist, with great leadership and communication skills. and gets my vote five times over! I just wish I was not so busy with grad school and could spend more time supporting her. Maybe I could run for office too one day? I really hope she wins this one!
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