Rich Berkowitz, who is running against Lloyd Hara for an open seat on the Seattle Port Commission, sent out this hit piece against his opponent
Get it? Lloyd Hara "solicited endorsements from the King County Republicans". Yes he did, but woop-de-do. Hara is a Democrat, who sought and won broad support for his non-partisan candidacy. His endorsers span the political spectrum from Dino Rossi to leftie Democrat King County Councilmember Dow Constantine.
The craziest thing about this is that Rich Berkowitz also sought Republican support. I met him when he was campaigning at the King County GOP picnic in August. I spoke with Berkowitz today. He took responsibiltiy for the campaign piece and explained his presence at the GOP picnic that he "sought the support of voters but wasn't looking for an official endorsement". Um, whatever.
Terry Thomas, a member of the King County GOP Executive Board, e-mailed me:
Both solicited the KCGOP Executive Board for the KCGOP endorsement. Lloyd got it, Richard didn't.All I can say is "we deserve better" Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 04, 2005 03:22 PM | Email This
Hara is endorsed by a wide variety of individuals and organizations, of practically every political, partisan, and ideological stripe, because Hara is by far the best qualified candidate for the position.
Hara's endorsements include BOTH the King County Republicans and King County Democrats, the Sierra Club, John Carlson, Kirby Wilbur, Phil Talmadge, Gary Locke, Mike Lowry, and lots of other folks.
Berkoshitz has proven his complete unworthiness to serve on the port commission through his latest hit piece. Nothing good to say about himself, and a hypocritical attack on his opponent who is supported by practically everyone.
I wonder if Berkoshitz will send out a hit piece to Republican leaning voters, knocking Hara because of his support by the King County Democrats, Sierra Club, and Mike Lowry?
Posted by: Richard Pope on November 4, 2005 04:20 PMHara is endorsed by a wide variety of individuals and organizations, of practically every political, partisan, and ideological stripe, because Hara is by far the best qualified candidate for the position.
Hara's endorsements include BOTH the King County Republicans and King County Democrats, the Sierra Club, John Carlson, Kirby Wilbur, Phil Talmadge, Gary Locke, Mike Lowry, and lots of other folks.
Berkoshitz has proven his complete unworthiness to serve on the port commission through his latest hit piece. Nothing good to say about himself, and a hypocritical attack on his opponent who is supported by practically everyone.
I wonder if Berkoshitz will send out a hit piece to Republican leaning voters, knocking Hara because of his support by the King County Democrats, Sierra Club, and Mike Lowry?
Posted by: Richard Pope on November 4, 2005 04:21 PMOr perhaps he's the EVIL TWIN of Son of Sam!!
I believe this CLOWN is also supported by Daid CLOWNstein....
When CLOWNstein speaks....do the opposite. Posted by: Mr. Cynical on November 4, 2005 04:29 PM
Or perhaps he's the EVIL TWIN of Son of Sam!!
I believe this CLOWN is also supported by David CLOWNstein....
When CLOWNstein speaks....do the opposite. Posted by: Mr. Cynical on November 4, 2005 04:29 PM
"Berkowitz, who is a lobbyist on federal issues for the U.S.-flag steamship companies, knows ocean shipping and waterfront issues. He is backed by waterfront business and maritime unions. He would be an asset to the Port commission on waterfront matters"
Funny thing is, that this is from an article _endorsing_his_opponent, Hara.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=ported13&date=20050913
I don't even have to read Hara's positions - he's got my vote!
"Berkowitz ... is a lobbyist ... for the U.S.-flag steamship companies ... He is backed by waterfront business and maritime unions. He would be an ass ..."
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=ported13&date=20050913
And someone has started to do a good job of adding content to his Blog:
http://berkowitzforport.blogspot.com/
Thanks for affirming my choice on this one! You go, Mr. Hara! Beat the phoney guy.... Posted by: Misty on November 4, 2005 07:59 PM
I sent an email to him calling him on his lies. Haven't received anything back yet, surprise suprise. Posted by: Mark on November 5, 2005 09:09 PM
If Rich Berkowitz cannot say the same thing in a "non-partisan" race, perhaps he should reflect on why that is the case.
He might also consider that Lloyd Hara has worked his behind off talking to people of all political stripes and to seek their support. If Mr. Berkowitz had worked that hard campaigning, maybe he'd be able to do better than launch a pathetic, laughable attack on Mr. Hara.
All I can say to Mr. Berkowitz is, "get your concession speech ready." :-)
Posted by: Michael on November 6, 2005 04:32 PMSo one source is a story, right? One idiot emails you and his story is true. No proof or facts are necessary for conservatives.
This story is false. Berkowitz never solicited a GOP endorsement or claimed a relationship to the GOP.
You have no proof.
You are all liars.
'Nuff said.
Posted by: D on November 7, 2005 07:38 AMSo one source is a story, right? One idiot emails you and his story is true. No proof or facts are necessary for conservatives.
This story is false. Berkowitz never solicited a GOP endorsement or claimed a relationship to the GOP.
You have no proof.
You are all liars.
'Nuff said.
Posted by: D on November 7, 2005 07:38 AM"Dear Mr. Griswold,
To say that pointing out something clearly factual is an ugly campaign tactic shows a scant knowledge of politics, Republican politics in particular, and the truth.
Mr. Thomas has offered no proof of his allegations and, although the conservative blogging community rarely demands facts, one would suppose that a person in your position of responsibility might, assuming that being that a GOP Chair in the 43rd legislative district makes you responsible to any but a tiny minority.
While Rich Berkowitz has, for 20 years, been representing the interests of both the labor and industry groups who actually use the Port for maritime commerce, Mr. Hara has no significant backing by anyone who uses the Port for anything but politics and possibly real estate development. His political outreach to party functionaries seems to be the sum total of his effort to validate his campaign and it is right, proper and entirely correct for our campaign to point this out. It may well be that you think that it was a wise choice for Mr. Hara to reach out to Dino Rossi but I think the voters of the 43rd district may disagree.
Obviously it is beneath dignity to respond to rumor-mongering, particularly when the rumor is absurd and one is, by all appearances, addressing the rumor-monger himself.
I would suggest that, as a Hara supporter, you campaign for Mr. Hara in the 43rd legislative district ACTIVELY and AS A REPUBLICAN. In fact, I could not encourage you more enthusiastically to do so. If you like, I will happily provide you lists of doors to knock.
Yours,
David Bailey
Campaign Manager
Berkowitz for Port"
Mark Griswold wrote me:
Not sure who Mr. Thomas is but that is beside the point. If I really didn’t like want to vote for your candidate before I REALLY, REALLY don’t want to vote for him now after receiving an email that questions my knowledge of politics, my responsibility within the Republican Party and my dignity.
You’re obviously have a poor grasp on what ugly is. Saying that someone has the support of one party (and, of course, not pointing out that Hara was also endorsed by the King County Democrats) is NOT FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES. That’s sinking down to a low, ugly level. AND THAT’S NOT EVEN THE REASON I THINK IT WAS UGLY! My only question for you is, if the KCGOP had decided to endorse your candidate over Hara, what would your mail pieces and newspaper ads have said then?
As for me being the rumor monger, watch what you say. I haven’t spread that rumor that I heard to anyone other than my fiancée and you (because I wanted to let you know that it was going around so you could take whatever actions you cared to.)
You are truly the most despicable politician I’ve ever run across (and, before you question me again, I’ve run across quite a few)."
To which I replied:
"Mr. Griswold,
Indeed I am sure that you are not at all sure who Mr. Thomas is and that you don't care. He is only the source of the story you tout. Why would even bother to read the story? You don't need the facts, as I indicated in my previous writing.
Not only is Rich focusing on the issues, Mr. Hara would, to judge from his utterances, be singularly hobbled if he were not able to access Mr. Berkowitz's informed opinions in order to harvest credible language with which to address questions about Port issues.
If you are not a rumor-monger then how would you describe a person who publishes an absurd and utterly untrue "rumor" on a popular Internet blog? You are the ONLY source of that so-called rumor, not surprising since it bears the indelible watermark of private fantasy. You say you only discussed it with your fiancee (pity the woman) and me. Is the SoundPolitics blog your fiancee or is there no lie too blatant for you and your ilk? You "wanted to let [me] know," is that it? Do you expect me to believe that for one single moment or is there some other explanation for your callow, nonsensical excuse?
You are, personally, a fount of smear and yet you would accuse me of being a "despicable politician?" If, indeed, you had any political relevance whatsoever that might be something more than laughable. It is not.
Spread all the rumors you want and everyone will know from where they came as indeed they must already. If anyone cares to listen to your lies, he is a fool.
Again I encourage you to campaign ACTIVELY for Mr. Hara AS A REPUBLICAN. I cannot encourage that strongly enough. Please endorse him as personally and as loudly as you can. I believe his campaign richly deserves your particular brand of loudness.
Yours,
David Bailey
Campaign Manager
Berkowitz for Port"
The Seattle Times did endorse Hara but also had glowing things to say about Rich Berkowitz, which should be noted. Also,the PI and the King County Journal endorsed Berkowitz, and the Seattle Weekly SWITCHED from Mr. Hara to Mr. Berkowitz based on his experience and passion for these issues. There is nothing more telling than a publication switching after supporting someone in the Primary.
On Tuesday, Berkowitz is the SOUND choice for Port Commissioner.
Posted by: BH on November 7, 2005 11:45 AMSince the Port of Seattle is the only major West Coast port that loses money, isn't it possible that the Port of Seattle needs Lloyd Hara's auditing experience more than Mr. Berkowitz's "maritime experience"? Isn't it possible that Mr. Berkowitz's ties to labor will prevent him from taking the modernization efforts needed for the Port of Seattle to survive (let alone thrive)?
Mr. Berkowitz has more than adequately shown his [lack of] managerial talent and character by hiring Mr. Bailey as his Campaign Manager.
Lloyd Hara has worked hard to garner the broad based support needed to improve the state of the Port of Seattle. Mr. Berkowitz has not. The choice is obvious.
Posted by: Michael on November 7, 2005 08:49 PM