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The dance of labor relations: For both Boeing and the Machinists, it's about the cost of peace
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2008 Election »The Washington delegation's final tally: Obama 68, Clinton 26
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Crosscut's 2008 election predictions, UPDATED
Death by a thousand (paper) cuts
Lake Union Park: a first assessment
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Crosscut's 2008 election predictions, UPDATED
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Crosscut highlights
To appeal to moderates and independents in the next four months, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain will seem closer on the issues than they really are. Here in Washington, the desire for change, which comes in the form of a Democratic presidential victory, could bode well for incumbent Gov. Chris Gregoire.
The governor releases her IRS return; Dino Rossi still won't
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has released her IRS returns for the past three years. Gregoire’s Republican challenger, former state Sen. Dino Rossi, continues to decline to release his.
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Sausage Links, tears for Obama edition
Who says there's no crying at conventions? Michael at NW Progressive, a delegate for Sen. Hillary Clinton blogging from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, says he "broke down and cried" when the former first lady moved to suspend the rules of the convention and nominate Obama by acclamation yesterday. "That was the low point of the entire week for me — emotionally and physically drained, and a bit numb," wrote Michael. Not exactly a rosy picture for party unity. But after more tears, hugs, handholding, and a classic Bill Clinton mid-speech lip-bite, most Democrats, even die-hard Clinton supporters, rallied behind Obama. Speaking of tears, Eli Sanders at the Stranger wonders why this convention has been awash in them. ...
In his acceptance speech, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden commenced the assault on Sen. John McCain with an effective, point-by-point deconstruction of the GOP candidate. But possible McCain running mate Mitt Romney is in the wings and already on the offensive. It's going to be a hard-fought battle between now and November.
Nickels peeks under the Cascade Curtain and gets pissed off
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Joel Connelly, blogging from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, had a nugget from Seattle's strongman mayor, Greg Nickels.
Sausage Links, 'piece of cake' edition
So. What did you think about Hillary Clinton last night? Most opinion writers in the media say the former first lady's speech at the Democratic National Convention was one of her finest moments. As Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly put it, the speech "erased the bad blood of a lengthy nomination battle ... and raised the party's blood for the fall campaign." Eli Sanders at the Stranger said she was "magnanimous," also calling it her "best, most selfless moment." I'm not sure I buy it. But I'll leave it up to you. Discuss. ...
Hillary delivers, but it all could have been avoided
After intense and non-stop media speculation, Sen. Hillary Clinton Tuesday night gave a Democratic National Convention speech that was no surprise at all.
Sausage links, Clinton overkill edition
Michelle Obama's speech last night at the Democratic National Convention has the pundits praising — and rightly so. Like Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial cartoonist David Horsey wrote: She "hit it out of the park." But as Camp Clinton prepares to take the stage in Denver tonight and Wednesday, the convention buzz has turned to back to speculation about Hill and Bill. And I'm getting tired of it. ...
The Democratic first lady candidate sets a high bar with an intelligent speech at the Democratic National Convention.
How to consume the Democratic National Convention
Are you wondering what time Barack Obama will address the world from Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver on Thursday? Me, too. The Democratic National Committee hasn't disclosed the exact time Obama will take the stage with former Vice President Al Gore, but the coverage starts at 4 p.m. Seattle time. As for the rest of the week, here's a glimpse of what's happening and where to watch the action.
Sausage Links, convention caucus edition
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) starts today, and the nation's focus will turn from the Olympics in Beijing to Obama in Denver. But if you're not into Obama-palooza, there's plenty of local political news to keep your whistle whetted. ...
Rebellion and repression sure can ruin a party
Forty years ago this week, a KNXT-TV camera crew and I were on the run from the Chicago police. Three guys from Los Angeles running as fast as we could with camera and sound gear, a jump ahead of the night sticks. We were by no means the only targets, but the guys with clubs were yelling, "Get the f***ing press!" and we were the effing press they had in mind getting.
Biden, a smart, predictable choice by Obama
So. Joe Biden.
Sen. Barack Obama's ultimate running-mate choice was one he needed to make. As I have written here previously, he needed a No. 2 experienced in foreign-policy who would compensate for his own relative lack of time in the field and, thus, reassure voters who at present express greater confidence in Sen. John McCain on foreign policy/national security issues.
Crosscut's 2008 election predictions, UPDATED
We asked our pundits to weigh in with their predictions for the general election, considering what can be discerned from the primary vote earlier this week in Washington state. Composing the Crosscut Index for this survey were Knute Berger, David Brewster, Jim Compton, Clark Fredricksen, Pete Jackson, Jerry Grinstein, Floyd McKay, Jeff Reifman, and Ted Van Dyk. We give you their consensus predictions in key races, and some reasons from the pundits. More votes have come in since the first post, changing the prediction for the governor's race.
Sausage Links, Obama waiting game edition
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Has Barack Obama texted you yet? He sent me a text message two days ago that read: "Barack Obama is proud to announce Wash. Sen. Patty Murray will be his VP nominee in the November elections. Yes We Can." But it was not to be. ...
Sausage Links, 'be nice to reporters or else' edition
The Seattle Times editorial board slams Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi today for what it calls "artfully misleading" campaign ads. At Horse's Ass, liberal blogger David Goldstein says the ads reflect "Rossi's artfully misleading personality." But as Democrats bemoan the tactics of the Rossi campaign, Republicans say there's a new liberal bully in town — and this one is taking more than just lunch money. Chris McGann at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports the newly formed Evergreen Progess PAC has "emerged with more than $2.4 million in spending power" and is giving "Rossi a drubbing." Eric Earling at Sound Politics has a breakdown of that story. ...
Recent probes into what forces and experiences shaped our presidential candidates offer an opportunity to analyze them more closely. What they have in common is an aggressive ambition that makes them less than perfect but human.
Sausage Links, primary hangover edition
So, who were the big winners and losers in last night's inaugural "top-two" primary? On the winning side were incumbent Supreme Court Justices Mary Fairhurst and Charles Johnson, who virtually guaranteed their re-election by winning more than 50 percent of the vote. Along with incumbent Justice Debra Stephens, they'll run unopposed in the general election. Last night's losers, however, were easier to spot. ...
Why emulate one of the most politically corrupt states?
Top-two. Ho-hum.
Top-Two changed — almost nothing.
The top-two primary system was supposed to be the beginning of the end of politics as we know it in Washington state. Both chairs of the state's political parties (Luke Esser, Republican, and Dwight Pelz, Democrat) spent much of the last several months warning about the perverse outcomes that would result from our new system. The most perverse of all, of course, was the scenario in which two members of the same party would advance to the general election instead of the top Democrat and the top Republican.
Where the Dems are
In sorting tea leaves, take a look at the very close primary race between state Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland, a Republican, and his challenger, Peter Goldmark, an Okanagan Democrat. Sutherland looks like the only statewide officeholder, aside from Gov. Gregoire, in a tight race for reelection. The race will be a barometer of the greenward tilting of the Evergreen State. As a relatively low-profile, down-on-the-ballot race, it's also a good measure of where the Democratic voters are.
The post-partisan electorate
Reform of King County county government is popular but is almost always painted as a Republican plot. Nevertheless, the generally liberal electorate has embraced change. Last night, they gave the nod to I-26, which would allow a vote in November on whether or not to make county elected positions non-partisan. It will join another measure passed last year as
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Nickels peeks under the Cascade Curtain and gets pissed off
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Joel Connelly, blogging from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, had a nugget from Seattle's strongman mayor, Greg Nickels.
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An all-737 fleet now: Alaska Airlines retires its last MD-80
A soda company's porn-star-studded past: what the P-I didn't mention
Boeing sends the Machinists a final offer they can't refuse (without a strike)
'Promise': Barack Obama comes out swinging
Hastings, Reichert, and Rossi will skip the GOP convention
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No longer in the garden: pesky starlings
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Ty Willingham doesn't want to meet the press
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Showdown vote in Alaska over fisheries and mining
It's a beautiful deception
A Stumptown weekend
Portland is one cool town. As a lifelong Washingtonian, I've always considered Seattle my city, whether growing up in the rural community of Arlington or living on Whidbey Island for the past 33 years. But after spending a weekend in Portland, defection is not out of the question. I'm not surprised that a growing number of our South Whidbey "kids" have decided to make Portland their new home town.
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A Stumptown weekend
Portland is one cool town. As a lifelong Washingtonian, I've always considered Seattle my city, whether growing up in the rural community of Arlington or living on Whidbey Island for the past 33 years. But after spending a weekend in Portland, defection is not out of the question. I'm not surprised that a growing number of our South Whidbey "kids" have decided to make Portland their new home town.
An all-737 fleet now: Alaska Airlines retires its last MD-80
Mountain meadow
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