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Seattle Election - The Smoke, Mirrors and Influence
The one candidate who clearly stands to be hurt by these two recent developments is Mike McGinn. He has run much of his campaign opposing the tunnel all together and recently conceding to the power of the unanimous city council vote to support the tunnel by saying he would not fight the city councils vote….but would fight against the Seattle residents being on the hook for the cost overruns. Overruns that will without a doubt be substantial. A recent study by the Sightline Institute sighted other recent Seattle tunnel projects like the downtown bus tunnel that was 56% over budget. There is no evidence based on past projects that the tunnel would come in on budget or on time for that matter. Unlike his opponent McGinn has a position and is against having the tax payers of Seattle pay for tunnel overruns. To McGinn’s credit he actually has a position on issues and policy where Mallahan seems to be agnostic. McGinn has also been constantly available for press comment acting as his own spokesperson. He has held numerous town halls listening to the public needs and concerns, while his opponent has declined invitation and abstained from attending. These recent events would appear to be an attempt to derail McGinn’s grassroots, low-budget, power to the people campaign. The candidate that stands to gain from these recent developments is Joe Mallahan. In his mayoral bid Mallahan has used his experience as a T-Mobile executive to somehow try to justify himself as the most qualified candidate to run the progressive city of Seattle. If you haven’t seen the last debate on King 5 you really owe it to yourself and the city of Seattle to watch it before you cast your vote. Lets just say Joe is not an eloquent speaker or for that matter thinker…as he laughingly admitted that he couldn’t count during the last debate. This coming from the guy that claims to be able to balance the Seattle budget. He seems to be a puppet for a cause other than mayor of Seattle. Joe supports the tunnel but has failed to take a position regarding the responsibility of the tunnel project cost overruns. He really hasn’t taken a position on a whole lot which is disturbing. Because Mallahan is the candidate supporting the tunnel, he is receiving the majority his support from the construction companies, engineering firms, labor unions and chamber of commerce that stand to benefit from this project…not to mention the support from the current Washington State legislators that want to see the tunnel quietly move forward. He has individuals from these companies sitting on his campaign advisory board. So it would make sense to bet…if you were the betting type…that the recent city council vote and release of the viaduct earthquake disaster video was likely made possible in part by Mallahan supporters. I am all for providing infrastructure jobs in Seattle. But they don’t have to be related to building a tunnel. They can be created by improving I-5, building more light rail and building it faster, adding bus capacity, building electric car charging infrastructure…and the list goes on and on. The recent polls show Mallahan up by 8% over McGinn 44% to 36% with a huge 19% undecided. The poll data has massively skewed results. These polls are conducted over land lines not cell phones. I don’t know a single person other than my parents that have a land line. Which means that the younger historically more progressive voter base of Seattle is not being polled. This is an advantage for Mike McGinn as he has secured a small army of volunteers that are using grassroots tactics from the Obama playbook to get the vote out. The idea that this election could be bought over an issue like a tunnel that the Seattle voters disapproved of on more than one occasion makes this is a really big deal for the future of Seattle. Allowing the state and city governments backed by big business interest groups to disregard what the people voted against is scary….whats next? Seattle does not need a CEO, it needs a community focused MAYOR. Mallahan is clearly out of his league with his attempt to enter the public service sector. The amount of influence that is pulling his puppet strings does not belong in city government. Seattle is in need of a leader who will listen to and advocate for the people of the city. Looking at the backgrounds of the two candidates, their positions or lack of, and after hearing them debate, the clear choice to lead Seattle into the future is Mike McGinn….get the vote out! 11 comments to Seattle Election - The Smoke, Mirrors and Influence |
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Seattle voters have already received their ballots for the all mail in ballot election this November 3rd. Most voters first saw these ballots several weeks ago. Since that time their has been an 
It is so diappointing first of all that once again the state has competely ignored the will of the people on the tunnel. Second the timing of the release of this video is more than a little disturbing. It is true that most landlines are owned by business and the older population which I am a part of. If the tunnel is a done deal which it appears to be then my main concern is the cost overruns which Mallahan seems to care nothing about and why should he the people who benefit financially from the tunnel have been funding his mayoral bid. As a Washington State resident and tax payer I am very concerned about the cost over-runs and McGinn supporters need to attach this front with all voters but especially the boomers and the elderly, whose tax burden could be effected in a big way.Even tax payers in other cities and parts of the state will end up sharing this cost burden. Come on Seattle, fight back against big business who don’t give a damm about the rest of us. Seattle does not need another CEO who can’t even count. Get out and vote for McGinn a change for the people is long overdue.
First of all I need to say that I don’t reside in Seattle but what I do know is that what happens in Seattle sets the tone for the entire state of Washington. If no one is watching and overseeing the cost overruns on this tunnel everyone in the state of Washington will pay through the nose for it. McGinn people hit this cost overrun hardbecause I don’t think the averag voter is thinking about this. Jobs are great but there are plenty of jobs that can be created without putting a huge financial burden on every taxpayer in the state of Washington. Think about it Seattle, use your brain and keep emotions out of it (jobs and traffic) there are other ways, better ways to deal with creating jobs and better traffic conditions. Vote McGinn
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After watching the last debate and seeing Mallahan appearing to be a child stuck in an adult body babbling incoherently there is no way in good conscience vote for him even if I wanted to. He is a terrible representative of Seattle.
McGinn on the other hand presented himself with confidence, speaking well about the issues at hand voicing his concerns and policies on issues. He has the public service background that Joe lacks.
Vote for McGinn people…seriously!
You nailed it on the head with this post! Big business is trying to call the shots and buy an election over a tunnel. Wow…the people of Seattle need to step up and nip this in the bud. McGinn’s our man if he cant do it no one can!
Great article calling out the less than ethical, politically motivated sabotage attempt by the Mallahan big biz machine. McGinn will win this election without the help of big business…he will do it with the help of the people in the community! Go Mike!
I just watched the debate video you included in the article…and all I can say is WOW…I had no idea how inadequate Joe Mallahan is to even be considered for Mayor of Seattle. He should start somewhere small if public service is his calling…Seattle is not the place to learn to count!
McGinn For Mayor!
Anyone that votes for Mallahan obviously has not has been paying attention. I am so sick of hearing people say it does not matter who you vote for now since both are supporting the tunnel. This is not true, McGinn is still standing up for the people of Seattle. The tunnel is not what McGinn wanted, but the decision has been made by City Council. This does not mean he will not back up his beliefs to do what he can and do what is best for our City.
This debate clearly shows McGinn is the candidate we should support. Vote for the future of the people of Seattle! Mike McGinn to win!
Mallahan needs to take a 4.5 billion dollar hike!
McGinn is the Gov 2.0 version of a Mayor and his opponent is more like a King. Honestly how can someone who won’t debate, who lacks any class at them (what is with the smiling all the time?), who won’t hold town meetings and hides behind a phlanx of consultants would make a great tunnel administrator but doesn’t have a clue how to build consensus or community to solve real world problems. McGinn’s opponent doesn’t even have an education plank nor any strategy to deal with the tunnel cost over runs (the recent Seattle tunnel was 56% over budget) and yet attacks McGinn for opposing it and the associated costs?