Slog - Comments on Nonpartisan, My Ass

Comment by WonderWilla

WonderWilla — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:00:09 -0800

I was asked to sign a petition to get this on the ballot and I declined because I had precisely these suspicions. I was thinking about the non-partisan school board members who at their first meeting start pushing creationist agendas and I just saw red. Nah, if I want to lie with dogs, I want to know where the fleas are from.

Comment by Levislade

Levislade — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:03:35 -0800

Thanks for the info. I was also asked to sign a petition, and declined because I didn't feel I knew enough to be sure how to vote. This is a convincing argument against it.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:07:33 -0800

Non-partisan is the only way a Red Bushie has a chance at being elected around here, where they can pretend they aren't Bush comrades and then, once elected, run as GOP for a further seat.

Just look at the two King County Sherrifs we had last ...

Comment by Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:13:31 -0800

Getting away from the GOP!!?? Those AMERICA HATERS!!!! The Republicans on the KCC are AMERICA HATERS!!!!!!!

Comment by joykiller

joykiller — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:17:38 -0800

This isn't a new idea from PvB -- he's been suggesting it for years. And considering the Council hardly ever votes along party lines and strives for unanimous votes anyway, I'm reluctant to read any nefarious intent into this proposal.

Comment by Gay Seattle

Gay Seattle — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:21:14 -0800

This is a very smart strategy by the GOP and is certain to win with "independently" thinking voters. As if not naming their party makes candidates more independent.
Even in Seattle, conservatives were able to slide stealth candidate Tim Burgess in the City Council. Having been very involved in politics back in the 90's I can assure you that the Republican voters know exactly which Judges are their friends and which ones are not and they don't advertise to the whole county like the Democrats do.

Comment by ivan

ivan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:46:49 -0800

Good work shining the light on this, Josh.

Comment by Jack

Jack — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:04:48 -0800

On Broadway a couple of weeks ago - a woman was getting signatures.

She would not let me read the petition, her thing was it is about good govt.

Funny, how hostile she got when I politely declined to sign without knowing the content.

Dogs, all R's - remember no gay rights protections were passed at the county level until the Dems took control with Gary Grant and Cynthia Sullivan. R's talk nice, some of them, but it is always the same old dreary shit.

Think more Kathy Lambert clones ... horror that might be.

Comment by Non

Non — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:10:33 -0800

Will miss you're work after next month, Josh.

Wish it were Eli and not you. Good luck on endeavors and what not.

Comment by Fonky

Fonky — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:21:24 -0800

I believe that the House spread is 63-35, actually....

Comment by Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:21:45 -0800

We will miss you Josh! No chance Erica could leave and you stay?

Comment by Non

Non — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:35:22 -0800

*Your.

wtf, my mistake @9

Comment by phillyjen

phillyjen — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:52:54 -0800

feit--

it'll be sad not to see your bylines in ye olde stranger. surely, you'll be missed.

if you're coming to the east coast, you'd do a disservice not to get in touch. xox

Comment by StrangerDanger

StrangerDanger — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:11:14 -0800

I have truly enjoyed your work and will miss you. Good Luck in the next chapter.

Comment by Perfect Voter

Perfect Voter — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:01:47 -0800

Seattle elections are also "non-partisan" and almost always result in two Democrats competing in the November run-off, at least in the contested races. Seattle voters KNOW who the candidates are. It's been over 20 years since they elected the last bona-fide Republican, Paul Kraabel, to council, and he was what the current GOP would call a RINO -- with little or nothing in common with the right wingnuts in charge these days.

Non-partisan elections also work the other way, allowing stealth Democrats to run in suburban county council districts.

Out of curiosity, I wonder how the initiative handles redistricting. The current county charter gives it to a partisan commission who basically divide the spoils between Democrats and Republicans. The only significant criterion in line drawing is partisan voting history; that and the wishes of the incumbents who pull the commissioners' strings. A truly non-partisan charter would have to give redistricting to a more independent body, if it is to make any sense at all.

Comment by Gomez

Gomez — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:18:07 -0800

Yeah, because the Republicans have totally used that camouflage to take over the City of Seattle- oh wait.

Comment by nottoscale

nottoscale — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:58:16 -0800

i noticed in 2006 the definite lack of defining Republican characteristics on their signs...no word, no elephant, like they weren't proud of it or something...i've pondered the whether they might need a little help this season...the scarlet R attached to their signs so everyone will know their shame

Comment by gnossos

gnossos — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:51:16 -0800

Sad to see ya go Josh. It's been a good ride and you've done a great job.