Disgruntled former Republican legislator Rodney Tom has entered the 8th Congressional District Democrat primary for the nomination to challenge Congressman Dave Reichert in 2008.
This should be an interesting primary. Tom will undoubtedly run on his record as a disgruntled former Republican legislator. Tom's primary opponent, Darcy Burner, will undoubtedly run on her record as a disgruntled former law student who promises to stand up to future ex-President George W. Bush.
Tom has been endorsed by state GOP chairman Luke Esser and former Republican Congressmen Jennifer Dunn and George Nethercutt (although probably not for this particular race). Burner has been endorsed by a disgruntled former teenager who still lives with his parents in a different Congressional district.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 17, 2007 01:31 PM | Email ThisDoes he realize that most people still consider him to be large adolescent, particularly in today's society where Gen X and Y isn't considered to be an adult until nearly 30?
Perhaps in his grandparents generation he would have been taken seriously, but he most likely would have had a job, wife, kid, and mortgage by that age. Now, he's just a child with a computer and no brains.
Posted by: John Galt on July 17, 2007 01:40 PMI remember when Rodney used to bash "that liberal" Brian Derdowski for being a Democrat pretending to be a Republican. Brian then later turned to his roots and later Rodney turned liberal and Democrat himself. I just don't get it, the guy comes from a conservative family, espoused conservative values, and once elected becomes a new John F. Kerry, tax and spend liberal.
Holy crap, the guy lives in an 8,000 sq.ft. glass house on the water in Medina that uses energy like a Irish sailor drinking free beer. His website talks about global warming and the environment but the family cars are both gas guzzling Lexuses and their boat has a 7.4 liter gas engine pollutes heavily. This guy is out for nothing but power and will say ANYTHING to meet that end, including compromising the principles that have got him to where he is now.
Posted by: Dik on July 17, 2007 02:12 PMYears ago, politics used to be fun. Sporting, as it were. Now? Rage, scream, spittle and seethe.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Posted by: jimg on July 17, 2007 02:17 PMThe duplicity and sheer lack of self-reflection is nothing short of astounding. It takes an All-Star level of disingenuous to acheive the heights of silly they're on.
As for the primary: This should be a blast. We get to witness an experiment - which brand of nutroots darling is better:
*The dailykos, screamingly liberal nutball type who hates Bush with a religious fervor;
-or-
*The ex-Republican who left that eeeevil party because he couldn't stomach their HalibushCo ways anymore?
Should be amusing watching them go out of their way to say stupid things about Republicans.
Posted by: Steve in Queen Anne on July 17, 2007 02:57 PMBut aren't any of you Republican cheerleaders even a little concerned that a politician with more experience than Darcy (not very difficult), and what appears to be a more conservative record than Darcy (even less difficult), might be running against Reichert... who just narrowly won his seat last year?
Posted by: Splinter on July 17, 2007 02:57 PMNope. Because I think the dailykos-nutball-liberal-nutroots darling will prevail over the My-Republican-Party-Left-Me-For-ChimpyMcHitlerburton nutroots darling.
Posted by: Steve in Queen Anne on July 17, 2007 03:01 PMWow, that is pretty pathetic really.
Seems like someone could come up with a better strategy for the party than that.
Posted by: Splinter on July 17, 2007 03:15 PMIs that what I said? No, it wasn't. Strawmen work over on democratic underground. Here you have real Republicans to debate with, not the imaginary kind.
Besides, according to the koskidz types she's the future. Actually, given the accomplishment-challenged resumes of many of the dem Presidential candidates (guffaw), I'd say she reflects the your party's present pretty well.
Posted by: Steve in Queen Anne on July 17, 2007 03:19 PMWe need a good third party.
Posted by: Splinter on July 17, 2007 03:27 PMYep. The country isn't ready today. If Hillary wins and the dems keep Congress, you'll see them act as stupidly as the GOP did with Bush. Even worse, I'd wager.
Maybe then we can get a decent 3rd party.
Posted by: Steve in Queen Anne on July 17, 2007 03:30 PMAnd of course, you have never implied his youth "somehow disqualifies me from political activism." It only informs us as to his naivite. The only people who say age doesn't matter are young. :-) I used to say it too, and I was wrong.
And this is awesome: "I feel blessed to be part of a family that cares about me and supports my work. But my family life is none of your business. Do you understand?" Except, of course, that he doesn't get to say what is none of your business.
And those Online Integrity Principles are pure nonsense. I've been around forever online. Those principles have no rational basis in anything that can be claimed to stand objectively for integrity; indeed, anonymity is a direct assault on integrity. And no one is ENTITLED to privacy when they put themselves out there. But, we are talking about liberals here, who believe everyone is "entitled."
Of course, his mention of them is a question-begging fallacy anyway ... he says "The separateness of private persons’ professional lives should also be respected as much as is reasonable," but who is to determine how much is reasonable? (Also he doesn't get paid, I think -- or else he wouldn't live at home! -- so I don't think he counts as a professional, but that's another issue entirely.)
Posted by: pudge on July 17, 2007 03:36 PMI checked out the whiny rant in that link. Pretty funny stuff, in a really pathetic way. I also find it somewhat amusing that his website is called Northwest Progressive Institute. The word "institute" implies something other than a website operated out of your parent's basement.
Posted by: Palouse on July 17, 2007 03:49 PMWouldn't it be accurate to call you a disgruntled former teenager as well?
Since 80% of your posts appear to show signs of being disgruntled, and, presumably, you are a former teenager, the label fits well.
So, when you choose to endorse an inititative or a proposition, I presume you would have no issue with the press saying: "Disgruntled former teenager supports xyz...."...
Correct?
Posted by: Bill Anderson on July 17, 2007 04:01 PMWhat kind of logic is this? Can't goldy send trolls with talent over here?
Posted by: Steve in Queen Anne on July 17, 2007 04:10 PM... strictly assuming the 'former' part.
Posted by: jimg on July 17, 2007 04:14 PMWhat I failed to consider was 1) how certain readers wouldn't see the obvious point (which, by the way, hurts Stefan's cause) and instead go to even more juvenile lows ("bed wetter") and 2) that I would have to explain why I wrote what I wrote.
Posted by: Bill Anderson on July 17, 2007 04:18 PMThe postings on his blog suggest the opposite. Almost 80% of posts seem to be complaining about something.
Posted by: Bill Anderson on July 17, 2007 05:17 PMIn 2008 that won't be an issue, as Rodney Tom has more legislative experience than Reichert. If the political climate remains bad for Republicans, Reichert's in deep trouble. If the climate improves, then he'll have a shot but the best he can probably hope for is to win a race much closer race than year's.
Posted by: mr. smitty on July 17, 2007 05:21 PMJust for shits and giggles, surf on over to HA and see how positive those people are.
Its a pure lovefest, and curses and personal attacks are FREE if you disagree too!!!
Posted by: chris on July 17, 2007 06:20 PMI've been there and you are right.
But an independent viewer will see that both sides are equally culpable. The SP folks might think HA are over the edge while the HA folks think SP folks are over the edge.
Truth is: both are equally over the edge.
Posted by: Bill Anderson on July 17, 2007 06:56 PMI read Stefan's post and Andrew's response. It seemed straight forward. Make a derisive comment regarding someone's age and living situation, receive an angry/hurt response back. Where's the surprise? It's as if those name callers expect to be responded to differently.
While there may be more to this feud between Stefan and Andrew than the posts revealed, I can only opine based on what I've read. Andrew's grievances seem valid though his technique could use some refinement. That goes double for Stefan since he's older and should know better.
Posted by: redkittyred on July 17, 2007 08:00 PM
otherwise, you're all....well...a bunch of selfish faggots aren't you?
Good prose? Stefan uses the word "disgruntled" four times. What, no thesaurus available?
Posted by: Daniel K on July 17, 2007 10:08 PMBruce: exactly. It was good writing. Even if Stefan is disgruntled himself.
Posted by: pudge on July 17, 2007 10:55 PMDarcy Who?
Posted by: John Bailo on July 18, 2007 03:10 AMDarcy Burnout STILL hasn't gained any experience to be considered for the job. Rodney Tom is an opportunist who bolted from the Republican Party when he saw trouble. He'll do the same to the Democrats when they lose in 2008. A turncoat is a turncoat- no matter what.
Posted by: John425 on July 18, 2007 07:50 AMYeah, Rodney is famous for being a jerk about sharing his dock w/ neighbors (who have deed covenants to do so). Not a good guy.
Of course a guy w/ 2 first names is usually odd.
Posted by: righton on July 18, 2007 08:08 AMMost of their 2006 House victories were of the slimmest of margins and they 'won' by the skin of their teeth. The dirty little secret is that NOW they have MORE marginally held seats to DEFEND.
Tell me again, how IS that Congressional Approval Rating thing going for them?
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on July 18, 2007 09:35 AMWhat can such a person possibly know about having to pay the costs of government, having to pay the taxes or lose your home, having to pay the electric bill, the water bill or the sewer bill? In fact, living at home off the parents is a perfect metaphor for a liberal. What else could such a person possibly be?
Posted by: pbj on July 18, 2007 01:01 PMIn return, I would call the twerp out to show that he is nothing more than a boy/man website and has no other actual contributors writing for it. Other than Mom and Dad, of course!
Posted by: John425 on July 18, 2007 01:06 PM-------------------
Andrew J. Villeneuve (born January 12th, 1987) is a prominent American political activist and entrepreneur. He is the founder and owner of the privately held Villeneuve in Washington Association (TVIWA), which he created in 1996. Villeneuve is also the founder and executive director of the Northwest Progressive Institute (NPI), launched in August of 2003.
A lifelong Washingtonian, Villeneuve was raised by his parents Denis and Carol in Redmond, Washington, where he attended Norman Rockwell Elementary, Redmond Junior High, and finally Redmond High School before graduating from the Lake Washington School District in June of 2005.
While at Redmond Junior High, Villeneuve was a member of the National Junior Honor Society and served as leader of the school's web team, responsible for designing and managing the school's website. Villeneuve received the Webmaster 2002 Award in recognition for these efforts, as well as a Presidential Scholar Award for academic performance.
At Redmond High School, Villeneuve was instrumental in helping to form the Eastside Liberal Students group, which he served as President of during his senior year (2004-2005). Villeneuve was also a member of Redmond High School DECA, an active chapter of the national business and marketing association, where he served on the Executive Board as Webmaster (2003-2004) and Public Relations Officer (2004-2005). During his junior year he was also the Chief Financial Officer of the Redmond Affinity Group, a Junior Achievement Company.
An honors student, Villeneuve holds a AP Scholar with Distinction Award from the College Board for exemplary college level achievement on Advanced Placement examinations.
He is currently attending Bellevue Community College.
Villeneuve's interest in politics began in 1999 (while he was at Redmond Junior High) when he first became concerned with the consequences of Initiative 695, a ballot measure sponsored by Tim Eyman which sought to dramatically cut Washington's motor vehicle excise tax (MVET).
Three years later, in February of 2002, Villeneuve formed Permanent Defense to publicly oppose Eyman's initiatives, which continues to fight against senseless tax cuts to this day. Permanent Defense subsequently became a key part of the Northwest Progressive Institute when NPI was launched in 2003.
Villeneuve has led or worked on opposition efforts to several major Washington state initiatives, including campaigns against Initiative 776 (2002), Initiative 892 (2004), Initiative 900 (2005) and Initiative 912 (also 2005).
He has appeared in or on almost all of Washington State's major media outlets, including guest columns in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Everett Herald (both published in 2005) among dozens of other radio, television, and newspaper appearances to his credit.
Under Villeneuve's leadership, the Northwest Progressive Institute's network of websites (including its flagship website, Pacific Northwest Portal) has become one of the largest and most well known in the region.
Villeneuve is an active and proud member of the Democratic Party. In February of 2006, the King County Democrats honored him with their Rising Star of the Year award to recognize his accomplishments.
Villeneuve has long been active in his community; he twice participated in the City of Redmond's Youth in Government Day and has worked on the city's Transportation Master Plan. For his community involvement, he received the Mayor's Circle of Leadership Award from Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives in 2005.
Villeneuve is also the nephew of Kim Villeneuve, the President & CEO of Villeneuve Associates, Inc., a boutique firm specializing in officer-level, retained executive search in the retail, e-commerce, and foodservice industries.
Posted by: Dutch on July 18, 2007 02:56 PMAndrew seems to have a better resume than Darcy Burnout. Maybe he should consider jumping into the 8th CD race, instead of supporting the wannabe politician. Oh, that's right, I forgot, his Mommy and Daddy's house isn't in the 8th. BTW, last Sunday was the 3 year anniversary of Darcy running to hope to snag what theoretically is a 2 year job. She obviously wants this really badly. She now has been a candidate longer than she worked at Microsoft as the self proclaimed "businessperson".
Posted by: ameslaker on July 18, 2007 04:45 PMNow if you know Andrew J. you'll just fall off your chair laughing reading this.
C'mon people, if you really do believe that Andrew is the "juvenile", "twerp" that you call him out to be, aren't you doing yourselves a disservice with comments such as those? Nothing like kicking the lame puppy in the street to make yourself feel big. Shouldn't you wait another 15 years before revisiting his accomplishments to measure against Stefan's?
So in the meantime, how about spending keystrokes on a more topics like the how the new narrows bridge is too noisy for some.
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/8586037.html
or something, (anything) else?
http://www.komotv.com/news/local/8578782.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003795048_webbridge18m.html?syndication=rss
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/APWires/wastate/D8QFBA301.html
I'd love to read Andrew and Stefan go into a head to head debate on any of these. How about it?
I can fully understand your desire to change the topic from the qualifications of 8th district candidates (and their juvenile backers) to the sound a rubber tire makes going over the expansion joint in the new Tacoma bridge.
Darcey and Andrew vs. a 'fwop, fwop, fwop' sound with an accompanying metalic ringing tone.
Admittedly a tough choice but I'll stick with the 8th CD candidates and their backers, thanks!
Oh and BTW, I'll wait the requested 15 years to critique Andrew's achievements if he'll wait the same to actually achieve them before boasting of them.
My only question is, CAN'T THIS KID GET A DATE????
I can pretty much guarantee that at that age my sons were more interested in
1. Girls
2. Partying
3. Girls
4. Cars
5. Girls
6. Figuring out how to pay for all of the above
7. Graduating from WSU
49. again, sarcasm missed.
50. so where are "current events" and "local politics" on the top 7?
-Always with love.
Posted by: redkittyred on July 19, 2007 06:14 PMDoes that mean they will endorse Rod Tom against Reichert if he wins the primary ? WA politics are strange !
Posted by: KS on July 19, 2007 09:10 PM