Over at the public blog, "Stewart_Street" is grumpy about the deeds of one reliably generous donor to Republican candidates in Snohomish County, Hank Robinett. "Street" thinks that because Robinett is taking a pass on supporting the Republican in the 2nd County Council District race that he's traitor to the party. Not exactly.
The Council District in question is dominated by Everett. The odds of the Republican candidate, Bill Cooper, winning the race are about the same as that of any Republican running in a Seattle-centric district for the King County Council: none, short of scandal or malfeasance by a sitting Democrat.
Hank Robinett has been giving generous contributions, directly and indirectly, to local Republican candidates, and related causes for years. On rare occasions he supports a Democrat when it make sense. In this case, Robinett cares passionately expanding commercial air service at Paine Field. It's near legend in local politics that the topic has been one of his pet issues for years. One Democrat in the race in question for a de facto Democratic seat supports his position. The other doesn't. Guess who he's given money to?
"Stewart_Street" asks if Robinett has sold "his soul to the Democrats"? This is the sort of mindless idiocy one can find lurking in the skulls of selected activists both sides of the aisle. Just because someone with a normally open checkbook doesn't automatically send a contribution when they see an "R" next to a candidate's name is no reason to question someone's character. One could ask similar question about the workings of "Street's" soul, but since the possession of a brain and a soul is usually simultaneous it's probably a moot point.
UPDATE: Doug Parris at #4 says Bill Cooper "is one of the best Candidates the GOP has fielded in many years." Maybe, I don't know him well enough to judge the claim. Steve Beren might be the best candidate the GOP has run in Jim McDermott's district too. But, I likewise wouldn't begrudge a loyal Republican donor who declined to give to his campaign either. In both cases, the district in question presents incredibly long odds to any candidate not left-of-center.
Now, it also seems I've caused some upset to "Stewart_Street" at #5. Let me see if I can cause some more. He/she asks "have you bothered to consider what Bill Cooper's viability would be if he were fully funded by the Robinett machine?" Yes, I have. Several thousand dollars in contributions from Hank Robinett and his related businesses isn't going to do a thing to change the fact it's an overwhelmingly Democratic district and Bill Cooper, whatever his personal merits, is a first time candidate in Snohomish County with little or no latent name ID. If "Stewart_Street" can't figure that out then I think even less of his/her political analysis.
Also, this claim of the "Robinett machine" is in error. Hank Robinett makes his own political decisions. His son Marty Robinett ("Martin Robinett" on most PDC reports) makes his own as well. And each tends to contribute both personally and through corporate donations when they back a candidate.
For example, in 2003 Hank supported my dad for County Executive in the general election, Marty supported Aaron Reardon, as "Street" indicated. As is usual, they both gave directly and indirectly to their preferred candidates, through both personal and business contributions. I have a darn good understanding of my dad's feelings on this. He, like most rational human beings, understands they are two separate individuals who made different decisions in that race. He might not have liked it, especially the hit pieces put out by a PAC Marty Robinett organized separate from Reardon's campaign, but he knows there are different cogs to this supposed "Robinett machine" that operate independently.
Lastly, "Street" implies I'm somehow deeply in debt to Hank for his supposed $300 contribution to my Charter Review race in 2005. Well, I suppose if you think a modest contribution to help me win an office whose unpaid term of one year has already expired somehow leaves me beholden to anyone then "Street" doesn't understand political contributions at all. And for the record, Hank gave me $200, Marty gave me a $100 (and played a key role in the Affordable Housing Council's $100 contribution as well). They were two separate donations, requiring two different phone calls, to two different people. Yet another example that "Street" doesn't get it.
Posted by Eric Earling at August 14, 2007 09:27 PM | Email ThisMany eons ago I sent a small contribution to support the campaign of Joe Lieberman because Lowell Weicker (sp) deserved to be removed from office. Just because there is a R after the name doesn't mean I automatically vote for the person.
Posted by: Burdabee on August 14, 2007 09:32 PMWe can encourage or discourage, but we can't actually DO much of anything. It's one of the biggest non-issue issues I've ever seen.
Posted by: pudge on August 15, 2007 12:08 AMThere is no question that anyone, with the ability to do so and an interest in the Council, who would refuse to donate to Cooper's campaign is not, philosophically, a Republican; but I wouldn't expect Eric to be able to discern that.
To Eric, unless he is connected with some personal or political gain, such a candidate is just another person "with an 'R' behind his name."
I would not judge a donor's soul by his inability to judge character, talent, management or legislative ability, political vision or ethical excellence. As Eric points out, Robinett is probably just, pragmatically, investing in candidates for his personal self-interest.
That's politics.
To Eric, anyway.
What I would expect of Eric, unprincipled pragmatist or not, is the ability to attempt to make his point without the vicious ad hominem smears, referring to "mindless idiocy" without a hint of an argument to support the assertion or questioning Street's "possession of a brain" as no more than a way to express Eric's inarticulate hatred of someone for expressing a different point of view.
Have you bothered to consider what Bill Cooper's viability would be if he were fully funded by the Robinett machine? Have you bothered to see what impact Jean Berkey would have on other matters before the county? Don't you wonder why Renee Sinclair has received less than half the money Berkey has, if Mr. Robinett is such a strong GOP supporter?
I have a couple of friends who are elected D's. They know that even though we are friends I cannot and will not give them any election support, financial or otherwise.
You know, Eric...I wonder if your dad feels the same as you do...seeing how the Robinett machine gave him $2000 in 2003...and at the same time gave $8500 to Aaron Reardon?
And in the interest of openess, Eric...did you thank Hank for the $300 for your charter review campaign? (Thanx to the PDC) No wonder you sing his praises...
Posted by: Stewart_Street on August 15, 2007 05:33 AMOne unfortunate thing as shown in the thread now is that you are not even allowed to be wrong without suffering horrible character slurs.
Let's say Eric E. and this Republican donor are just plain wrong in their judgment of the possibilities of the GOP candidate here. So, they declien to support him.
They can be wrong and have good reasons, wrong and not be ngligent, wrong and be ngligent, and none of that callsinto question their character.
WE should lighten up and that includes both sides.
Ciao righties--
Posted by: Seattle Democrat on August 15, 2007 07:02 AMAs far as "quid pro quo", not exactly sure what Hank would be gaining other than the ability to walk onto a plane at Paine Field and save 2 hours of BS getting to wherever he is going. Last time I checked, the taxpayers owned the airport--and to the best of my knowledge, I havent received a payout lately. If bringing commercial air service to Paine Field will get me some "quid pro quo" payments as well, I'm all for it. "Stewart Street" is probably the highest level of braindead poster I have seen on here in quite some time. Are we sure he isnt a Democrat?
Posted by: JKL on August 15, 2007 08:06 AMAnd as far as putting my money where my mouth is...I have given a little under a grand to GOP candidates and GOP friendly NP candidates this season. What have you given, JKL?
You (and Eric, et al) say we can't win the 38th? That sounds like a lot of Goldyspeak to me. My response is: Jack Metcalf and Gary Strannigan. When the GOP rank and file get properly motivated and support their candidates, Republicans win. You can call it drinking the kool-aid, or jumping off the cliff, or whatever, but I will always support GOP candidates wherever and whenever possible.
Posted by: Stewart_Street on August 15, 2007 10:31 AMWhy are county races party races?
I would think that with all the BS the Feds and States ram down local government, there would be no need for party affiliation. After all, at the local level, government is about streets, sewers, landfills and zoning. It has nothing to do with issues of the R nor the D party.
On this issue, I thought Stewart's comments were out there and I found Eric's responses not necessary.
But, you knew that already by my comments above.
Posted by: swatter on August 15, 2007 10:42 AMTo justify a claim of "mindless idiocy," (the adjective "mindless" aparently to distinguish it from "thoughtful idiocy") one must, meet a very high burden of proof: that there is no truth behind the statement that is being indicted, AND that there is no appearance that could have been mistaken for evidence AND that the individual being tagged with the appellation had not made a mistake, or even engaged in a willful slander, but, instead, made his claim from a serious lack of intelligence or blatant disregard for fact.
Did Eric do all that? I don't even think he refuted Street's claim, much less impeached Street's reasoning process.
It certainly appears to me that the phrase "mindless idiocy," its redundancy alone calling it into question, was used INSTEAD OF a case to the contrary, BECAUSE OF a lack of evidence for Eric's position.
Posted by: Doug Parris on August 15, 2007 01:37 PMWhy would I want Bill Cooper to win? We have two Democrats running that would be far better suited for the position based on their resumes and experience. I'd certainly take a pro-growth, former Mayor and City Councilman over a Republican who is stupid enough to run in Democrat central. I applaud Bill for running, dont get me wrong. But you feel free to support who you want, and I wont make fun of you for being stupid. Sound like a plan?
Posted by: JKL on August 15, 2007 02:06 PM1. Why is everyone so concerned about what the Robinett's do with their money? Do the Robinetts tell you what to do with your money?
2. If you think Bill Cooper is a quality candidate then write him a check and/or volunteer for his campaign.
3. Don't attack others for not sharing your enthusiam for Bill Cooper's campaign. If you want folks to join the campaign, then explain why donating and/or contributing would be a good use of their money/time. Criticizing someone for not being involved in your campaign is not a very good way to increase your volunteer list or grow your campaign account.
Posted by: Mitch on August 15, 2007 03:40 PMJust as Ds are moving into the traditional R district- the 8th- and are making inroads, it always amazed me why the Ds were so dominant in parts of Snohomish County when SnoCo's workforce has changed so dramatically.
Keep up the positive PMA.
Posted by: swatter on August 16, 2007 07:01 AM