Washington Dems 'smelling blood' for Bush defeat | Seattle P-I

[Ediacara]

Saturday, February 14, 2004 · Last updated 11:08 a.m. PT

Washington Dems 'smelling blood' for Bush defeat

By DAVID AMMONS
AP POLITICAL WRITER

OLYMPIA -- Confident Washington Democrats, energized by heavy caucus turnouts across the state, sense opportunity for their nominee, probably John Kerry, to bounce President Bush from office.

A surge that began with the scrappy contest for Washington's caucus delegates will boost the party's fortunes up and down the ticket, say Gov. Gary Locke and other party leaders and strategists.

The unifying factor that has kept charged-up Democrats from ripping the party to shreds during the primary season: a dawning realization that Bush is vulnerable.

"Democrats are smelling blood," says state Democratic Chairman Paul Berendt.

More at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[JailForBush]

1. Washington Dems versus George W. Bush

Like Cancer versus AIDS

God, I wish there was just one politician in this state who wasn't a total asshole.

[Liberal Veteran]

4. Speak for yourself...I am very happy with some of my politicians.

I could do without George Nethercutt in a heartbeat, but Patty Murry and our local representative Alex Wood are both pretty good people.

[Ediacara]

6. I agree

I really like Patty Murray, and generally like Maria Cantwell. The dem representatives are also generally good guys. Don't let the dislike of Locke flavor all the other dems in the state.

[JailForBush]

8. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell? You've got to be kidding!

"Don't let the dislike of Locke flavor all the other dems in the state."

So which Dems have spoken out against Gary Locke? Which Dems have lifted a finger to protect children from Boeing and Microsoft?

I've challenged people to name ONE politician in King County who's clearly working to help the public, one politician who isn't corrupt, and no one has ever replied, with one exception - someone once named a retired King County Councilmember.

[Liberal Veteran]

9. So we bitch when they complain and bitch when they don't....

...so for some with some dems it is a no win situation. We bitch about our democratic leaders when they don't attack other democratic leaders and then bitch about them for upsetting party unity by attacking other dems instead of attacking republicans.

Total no win situation. As I said before, speak for yourself, because not all Washington democrats have a chip on their shoulder about all democratic leaders in the state.

[JailForBush]

11. Huh???

We bitch when they complain and when they don't complain?

I bitch because they're corrupt. Period.

[Ediacara]

10. get out of Seattle

Why don't you move to, oh... Montana or Idaho, and then realize how good Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are. They're not the best, but they're better than 85% of the Senate.

[JailForBush]

12. Why should I leave Seattle when I'm not the one with the problem?

If I left Seattle, who would speak out against Bill Gates? Who would defend the children trapped in Seattle's derelict public schools? Who would blow the whistle on the Green Party of Seattle?

If you know any Seattle Democrats who are doing these things, please cite their names. I'm sure I'm not the only who's anxious to know who they are.

[Ediacara]

14. thanks for completely ignoring my post..

[JailForBush]

15. Well, that's real cute...

I ask you to name ONE King Count politician who isn't corrupt, and you say, "thanks for completely ignoring my post." In fact, I've read and addressed ALL your posts.

Now I'm waiting for you to reply to MY post. Please name some King County Democrats who aren't corrupt. I DARE YOU.

[Ediacara]

16. Look buddy

All I said was, "why don't you take your body, or just your mindset out of Seattle, and see how good Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are, compared to say Mike Crappo or Conrad Burns." I never said they were God's gift to liberalism (read 'em again, never said anything close), I just said that they're better than you think. You DID NOT address that point in any way.

Additionally, your version of corruption is obviously biased, as anyone I name, EVEN YOU, will be corrupt simply because you have an axe to grind.

So I name YOU, as a King County Democrat that isn't corrupt. Anyone I name would automatically become corrupt in your eyes, no matter what they have or haven't done, so I'd like to see you write that you are in fact corrupt :-)

[JailForBush]

18. Ha!

"All I said was, "why don't you take your body, or just your mindset out of Seattle..."

Because then there'd be no one standing up to the King County Democrats and Greens.

"...and see how good Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are, compared to say Mike Crappo or Conrad Burns."

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell may be better than Saddam Hussein, for all I know, but they're still corporate whores.

"I never said they were God's gift to liberalism (read 'em again, never said anything close), I just said that they're better than you think. You DID NOT address that point in any way."

OK, I'll address it now: I think Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are assholes. Their voting records suck, their refusal to take a stand against corporate corruption sucks. Even Seattle's leading left-wing media whore, Geov Parrish, won't defend Murray.

"Additionally, your version of corruption is obviously biased, as anyone I name, EVEN YOU, will be corrupt simply because you have an axe to grind."

How is MY version of corruption "obviously biased"? I think the big difference between you and me is the fact that I have standards. I don't subscribe to the general Seattle "Just Deal With It" or "Who Cares?" attitude.

"So I name YOU, as a King County Democrat that isn't corrupt."

I'm not a Democrat.

"Anyone I name would automatically become corrupt in your eyes, no matter what they have or haven't done, so I'd like to see you write that you are in fact corrupt."

That's simply ridiculous. Why can't you be honest enough to admit you can't name any King County Democrats who aren't corrupt - because there are none?

[Ediacara]

20. oh good god!

Geov Parrish is a bonehead and I can't believe you even take time to read what he writes.

Why can't you be honest and tell me that NO MATTER WHO I NAME (and there are close to 1.5 million names I could name) no one will be uncorrupt enough for you?

Like I said before, I never said that Murray or Cantwell were perfect, just that they're BETTER than most other Senators. Do yourself a favor, learn the definition of pragmatic, and you'll probably lower your blood pressure.

[JailForBush]

21. I'm very honest.

"Geov Parrish is a bonehead and I can't believe you even take time to read what he writes."

Give yourself a brownie point. Most Seattle liberals won't even admit that Geov Parrish is a bonehead. (He's actually an asshole.)

"Why can't you be honest and tell me that NO MATTER WHO I NAME (and there are close to 1.5 million names I could name) no one will be uncorrupt enough for you?"

Hmmmmm... Maybe I wasn't clear enough. I meant name one ELECTED OFFICIAL who isn't corrupt. This is your last chance; if you can't even name a King County Democrat you support, then you make my point.

"Like I said before, I never said that Murray or Cantwell were perfect, just that they're BETTER than most other Senators. Do yourself a favor, learn the definition of pragmatic..."

OK, I'm pragmatic enough to admit that Saddam Hussein may not have been as bad as Adolph Hitler.

"and you'll probably lower your blood pressure."

There's nothing wrong with my blood pressure. That's another old propaganda technique you're using carelessly.

[Ediacara]

23. oh nevermind

I can see how this will continue.

Ron Simms?

--CORRUPT

Greg Nickles?

--CORRUPT

Judy Nicastro?

--CORRUPT

Jim McDermott?

--CORRUPT

Ed Murray?

--CORRUPT

Pat Thibaudeau?

--CORRUPT

Adam Kline?

--CORRUPT

Eilleen Cody?

--CORRUPT

Peter Steinbreuck?

--CORRUPT

Tom Rasmussen?

--CORRUPT

Jean Godden?

--CORRUPT

etc etc ad nauseum.

Look man, I don't even live in Seattle anymore, and I'm growing tired of the silly game you're playing. You live in a nice city with liberal politicians, who although not perfect, are leaps and bounds better than most.

Get over your self-righteousness and please understand how good you have it to be arguing among liberals. None of the people I listed above are perfect politicians, but they are not in any way what I, or any sane person, would call corrupt.

[JailForBush]

24. Holy Cow!

You wrote, "None of the people I listed above are perfect politicians, but they are not in any way what I, or any sane person, would call corrupt."

You've got to be kidding! For crying out loud, I thought you might list someone who isn't OBVIOUSLY corrupt, forcing me to explain how one can know they're corrupt. Instead, you cited some of the biggest crooks in Washington State history!

Ron Simms - This jackass rivals Gary Locke as Paul Allen's best friend. The Seattle Times did a good job of covering Simms' ass during his big computer scandal, but how can the King County Executive preside over a county that's so filled with corruption? When has Simms ever taken a stand for the little guy?

Greg Nickels - This porker lost over $1 BILLION, campaigned for office with nothing more than a bizarre slogan ("The Seattle Way"), then morphed into George Bush, Jr. The guy's set himself up as a dictator, he hides from the public, he's in bed with Paul Allen and on and on.

Jean Godden worked for the SEATTLE TIMES. She was a MEDIA WHORE even before the Seattle Chamber of Commerce allowed her to hold an elected office. She's a friend of Seattle's favorite drunken hit-and-run judge, Bobbe Bridge.

Adam Kline - Did you follow his last campaign? On top of being a corrupt judge (married to another judge), this guy's a KOOK.

Judy Nicastro - Judy Fruitcake? She ought to marry Adam Kline.

Peter Steinbreuck - Ah, another graduate of the exclusive Lakeside School for Boys. Peter "Business as Usual" Steinbrueck sure has taken a gutsy stand against Greg Nickels and Bill Gates, hasn't he?

Jim McDermott - He's one of my favorites, simply because he criticizes George W. Bush. But he's still a loser. McDermott is a Microsoft whore, which probably explains why he'll never lift a finger to help childrlen.

Ed Murray, Pat Thibaudeau, Eilleen Cody and Tom Rasmussen have led the charge against the WASL and other corporate assaults on children and the environment. Just joking - they're corporate whores!

"Look man, I don't even live in Seattle anymore, and I'm growing tired of the silly game you're playing."

You're the only one playing games. I asked an honest and very simple question.

"You live in a nice city with liberal politicians, who although not perfect, are leaps and bounds better than most."

Nice? If you're referring to Seattle's surrounds and climate, then I agree. But we're talking politics. In that context, Seattle is hardly nice.

"Get over your self-righteousness and please understand how good you have it to be arguing among liberals."

I blow the whistle on corrupt politicians, therefore I'm "self-righteous"? Gee, I sure got sick of Paul Wellstone's self-righteousness, didn't you?

"None of the people I listed above are perfect politicians, but they are not in any way what I, or any sane person, would call corrupt."

Wow. That's an amazing statement.

[Ediacara]

26. Wellstone is corrupt

IMHO he was the worst of them all, he voted for the DOMA, so he should burn in hell!

See I can play your silly game too.

The only place I've been seeing you "blow the whistle" is on this thread. Maybe you should get off of DU if you want to become effective :-)

[JailForBush]

27. Wellstone Wasn't Corrupt

"IMHO he was the worst of them all, he voted for the DOMA, so he should burn in hell!"

You admire Patty Murray, but you think Paul Wellstone was corrupt???

Sorry, but your political astuteness leaves a lot to be desired.

"The only place I've been seeing you "blow the whistle" is on this thread."

I'be blown the whistle on Repuglicans, King County Democrats, the Green Party of Seattle, Bill Gates and others on many, many threads, as well as on my websites and during election campaigns. If you've donated money to DU, you could do a search and study some of my threads.

"Maybe you should get off of DU if you want to become effective."

I'd strongly suggest you NOT call Paul Wellstone corrupt if you want anyone to take you seriously. At the very least, don't label Wellstone corrupt in the very thread where you praise a corporate shill like Patty Murray.

[Ediacara]

28. Perhaps you really should lower your blood pressure

It seems to have destroyed your sense of sarcasm.

Re-read the post, I was calling Wellstone corrupt because of a past vote, while completely ignoring Wellstone as a whole. This is what you've been doing with regards to King County Dems.

See I was playing your game.

Understand?

And damn.... damn that Pete Steinbreuck for DARING to go to private school and not doing a damn thing about a software company that's IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CITY.

See the Green city on the left? That's Seattle. See the pinkish city on the right, that's Redmond, home to Microsoft. There's two whole other cities, and a very large lake between them, but I guess you think it wouldn't be corrupt of Steinbreuck to expand his jurisdiction there....

[JailForBush]

29. As I said before, I don't play games.

:I was calling Wellstone corrupt because of a past vote, while completely ignoring Wellstone as a whole. This is what you've been doing with regards to King County Dems."

No, it isn't. Paul Wellstone made up for his bad choices (which were few and far between) by speaking out and sticking up for the little guy. The bums I cited do virtually nothing but sit on their fat butts.

"And damn.... damn that Pete Steinbreuck for DARING to go to private school and not doing a damn thing about a software company that's IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CITY."

Microsoft effectively owns the Seattle School District. Do some research on the Seattle School Board's bid for a new headquarters. Peter Steinbrueck certainly rose above the fray on that one. LOL

"See the Green city on the left? That's Seattle. See the pinkish city on the right, that's Redmond, home to Microsoft. There's two whole other cities, and a very large lake between them, but I guess you think it wouldn't be corrupt of Steinbreuck to expand his jurisdiction there...."

You have it exactly backwards. Microsoft expanded its jurisdiction to Seattle. Microsoft is a major factor in Seattle politics. Bill Gates' partner in crime, Paul Allen, is probably Seattle's biggest landowner.

This stuff really isn't hard to figure out. Then again, you said you don't live in Seattle, so that may explain your ignorance of local politics.

[Ediacara]

"The bums I cited do virtually nothing but sit on their fat butts."

Then run for city council.

Stop bitching on DU about how "corrupt" they all are, and get off of YOUR butt and do something about it.

Next election's in 2005, plenty of time for you to start up a campaign.

Seriously.

If you really think that every single Democrat in King County is corrupt then take over the job of at least one of them. HECK, none of the city races are by party, so you wouldn't even have to be honest to the voters and say you're not a Democrat, they'll just assume you're one.

So go out there, and kick some corrupt ass!

[JailForBush]

32. You're Funny.

"Then run for city council. Stop bitching on DU about how "corrupt" they all are, and get off of YOUR butt and do something about it."

I've run for public office three times. How many times have YOU run?

I maintain several political websites. Where's your website?

"Next election's in 2005, plenty of time for you to start up a campaign."

Wrong again. There's going to be a rather big election in the fall of 2004. You really ought to pay attention to these things.

Seriously.

"If you really think that every single Democrat in King County is corrupt then take over the job of at least one of them."

I'd love to. There's just one tiny problem: It's virtually impossible to get elected with the Seattle Chamber of Commerce running the show.

"So go out there, and kick some corrupt ass!"

You really ought to learn how to IDENTIFY corrupt ass before you advise people who are leading the charge to kick it.

[Ediacara]

33. There's a city council election in 2004?

That's odd, you may be the only one voting in it.....

Like I said man, if you're that pissed off about "corrupt" politicians like Peter Steinbreuck (who has no jurisdiction over Microsoft or the school district), then do something about it.

If you've run, then run again and learn from your mistakes. If you're being hobbled by the COC then smile and lie to them.

[stevedeshazer]

41. You're wasting your time and bandwidth, my friend

This poster has some kind of grudge about Seattle, unions, and some other deep-seated angry rantings, but won't provide any specifics.

Instead, this poster will continue to challenge you to come up with links to prove his/her/its own points without bothering provide any supporting information.

Zero, zip, nada.

Prediction: this post will be followed by an angry rant with still no specifics and a demand that I help prove the poster's point.

Don't waste your time.

[mondo joe]

39. Who the heck are you "leading"?

"I've run for public office three times. How many times have YOU run?"

You must not have made a very compelling case then.

And frankly it's not hard to imagine that - you've been pretty inarticulate about the specifics, with just a lot of bizarre cries about how evil the elected officials are.

You say you're leading some sort of charge, but I have to ask: if there's no one behind you, can you really call yourself a leader?

[stevedeshazer]

45. Do you have any supporting evidence? n/t

[jsw_81]

25. Wash. Dems = cancer?!?

No offense, but fuck you. We have some of the finest Democrats in the country here in Washington. Let me guess...your little feeling are still hurt because Kerry trounced Dean?

[JailForBush]

31. LOL

Yeah, we have some wonderful Democrats here in Washington, alright.

They were selling us out to Boeing and Microsoft even before George Bush got elected. They were screwing children even before Bush hit them with his No Child Left Alive campaign.

At least the environment's in good shape. Just joking! Actually, it's pretty scary, if you took the time to check it out.

One of the few things the Democrats and Republicans in Olympia have ever agreed on is was that the late Seattle Schools Superintendent John Stanford - the George Bush of public education - was some sort of hero.

Washington State is overdue for regime change.

[stevedeshazer]

42. Do you have any supporting evidence? n/t

[aquart]

2. It's good they can smell because they've been deaf and blind.

[KissMyAsscroft]

3. I really dont think Locke cares who wins...

Either way, he is still a repuke asshole...

[twilight]

5. that ain't blood they're smelling ...

its * and it is rotting in hell!!!!! :evilgrin:



:dem: :kick:

[NashVegas]

7. Psssssst. Speaking of those Caucuses

3k delegates still unaccounted for. What gives?

[JailForBush]

13. Gee, did those King County Democrats lose some votes again?

Campaign 2003 was probably the most corrupt election in Seattle history. King County Executive Ron Sims was up to his eyeballs in a computer scandal even earlier. There have been many other warnings.

It's time to face reality: Democracy is dead in Washington State.

[stevedeshazer]

43. Do you have any supporting evidence? n/t

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[keopeli]

19. Please, some sanity in here!

King County is a very safe county for Democrats, by and large. So safe, in fact, that like many West Coast metropolitan areas, it is most often a contest between different factions of the Democratic Party. Even conservatives, like former-Senator Slate Gordon, are of a liberal ilk. If you take him and plant him where I grew up, in Texas, he'd be way too liberal for the Republican party. In Washington, he was and is a good example of Conservative politics.

In the 90's, Governer Gary Locke ran a successful campaign to become King County Executive. He was endorsed by one of the most aggressively liberal organizations, born for just this occasion: Hands-off Washington. (Note: I endorsed must of what Hands-off Washington advocated.)

Regardless of your views today of Gov. Gary Locke, he has been far from the 'bad guy' for most of his career. I think it is important to keep Washington State, and especially King County politics in perspective. Here, Democrats fight Democrats, with Republicans representing the vocal minority. In that context, I understand the argument you people are having. I just want everyone to understand the context.

Keo

Edited for grammar.

[JailForBush]

22. Locke is a Pig

"Even conservatives, like former-Senator Slate Gordon, are of a liberal ilk. If you take him and plant him where I grew up, in Texas, he'd be way too liberal for the Republican party. In Washington, he was and is a good example of Conservative politics."

Could be. Likewise, King County Democrats are very Republican - i.e. corporate.

"In the 90's, Governer Gary Locke ran a successful campaign to become King County Executive. He was endorsed by one of the most aggressively liberal organizations, born for just this occasion: Hands-off Washington. (Note: I endorsed must of what Hands-off Washington advocated.)"

What did Hands-off Washington advocate? Were they anything like "Choose an Effective City Council," or whatever that lame effort was called?

"Regardless of your views today of Gov. Gary Locke, he has been far from the 'bad guy' for most of his career."

If true, then he more than made up it during the last six years of his career. Selling out to Paul Allen alone was one of the biggest scandals in Washington State history. Ditto for his whoring for Boeing. Public school students couldn't ask for a worse enemy than Gary Locke.

If there was any justice, Gary Locke would spend the rest of his live behind bars.

[JoFerret]

35. You know Jail For Bush

get on with nailing/ jailing Bush. There is no such thing as a pure politician. It's rather like military intelligence as an oxymoron. I am sure you are more or less right about life in your backyard but c'mon....get some perspective.

[JailForBush]

36. You aren't addressing anything.

Who's talking about "pure"? I'm talking about CORRUPT - as in frightening!

Sheez, do you have any concept of Gary Locke's crimes? Seriously, take a close look at his record. Whoring for Boeing, Microsoft and Paul Allen, appointing a panel charged with PUNISHING children - his words - selling out the environment at least as fast as George W. Bush.

Gary Locke is an ASSHOLE, and I'm not aware of any members of his administration who have spoken out against his crimes. Christine Gregoire and Terry Bergeson are just as scary. Never forget who these people are working for - it ain't us.

[Ediacara]

37. Crimes you say?

Is whoring a crime? It's not great, and like I said, your concept of corrupt and whoring is different than even most DUers, but it's not a CRIME.

You spend so much time here harping on about how bad Locke and Murray are, but damnit man, focus on the real enemy.

[JailForBush]

38. A Little Perspective

A Seattle woman was sentenced to life in prison under our three-strikes-and-you're-out law for theft. How much money did she steal altogehter? Less than $1,000 - but it was considered a crime.

Gary Locke has cost us untold millions of dollars, probably hundreds of millions, maybe over $1 billion. Even worse are his assaults on his children. People have died on his watch. His assault on the environment is equally frightening. If you don't consider that a "crime," in the broad sense of the term, then you need to do some serious thinking. Raise your standards.

"Is whoring a crime? It's not great, and like I said, your concept of corrupt and whoring is different than even most DUers, but it's not a CRIME."

It's criminal, in the broad sense of the word. By your logic, Gary Ridway wouldn't be a criminal if he had never been convicted.

"You spend so much time here harping on about how bad Locke and Murray are, but damnit man, focus on the real enemy."

The real enemy is CORPORATE AMERICA and, by extension, everyone who whores for corporations. That includes George W. Bush (see my website, jail4bush.org), Gary Locke, Bill Gates, most Republicans, most Democrats, the corporate media, the Education Mafia and on and on.

Virtually EVERYONE here at DU attacks George Bush, myself included. But I also take aim at people that most others ignore. If we go into battle thinking George Bush is the only enemy, we're screwed even before the election.

[Ediacara]

47. what CRIME has Locke committed?

Answer the question, and stop dancing around semantics. Locke may have written bad budgets, but that isn't a CRIME.

Ridgeway committed a crime regardless of his conviction status, and what you're doing is building a strawman, nothing more.

Please, cite a CRIME Locke has committed (no vague stealing or budget accusations, no spurious murder charges) and I promise, I'll donate $1000 to your '05 city council bid.

[mondo joe]

40. Please cite the crimes

"Sheez, do you have any concept of Gary Locke's crimes? Seriously, take a close look at his record. Whoring for Boeing, Microsoft and Paul Allen, appointing a panel charged with PUNISHING children - his words - selling out the environment at least as fast as George W. Bush."

Please cite his crimes.

[stevedeshazer]

46. Do you have any supporting evidence? n/t

[stevedeshazer]

44. Do you have any supporting evidence? n/t

[DU GrovelBot]

30. ## Support Democratic Underground! ##

RUN C:\GROVELBOT.EXE
 
This week is our first quarter 2004 fund drive.
Please take a moment to donate to DU. Thank you
for your support.
 
- An automated message from the DU GrovelBot

Click here to donate.

[LiberalFighter]

34. Fee fi fo fum I smell the blood of an Idiot going down