Jane Hague must have thought this was too good to be true:
King County Councilmember Jane Hague will not have to face legal questions about her June DUI arrest until well after the Nov. 6 election.But today, Judge Pro Tem Richard Llewellyn Jones was removed from the Hague case, and yesterday's ruling might be nullified, the Seattle Weekly reports. Turns out Jones has a criminal record which he did not disclose to the District Court, but was discovered by none other than Hague's opponent Richard Pope! Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 02, 2007 09:40 PM | Email ThisKing County District Court Judge Pro Tem Richard Jones on Monday delayed a pretrial hearing until Nov. 28, putting off arguments over whether Hague's blood-alcohol readings should be readmitted as evidence.
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The pretrial hearing was set for Monday afternoon in front of King County District Court Judge Peter Nault in the Redmond courthouse. But Nault was absent, with Jones filling in as a substitute.
Yeh, kinda like Britney losing custody of the kids to K-Fed. What a choice.
Posted by: WVH on October 2, 2007 11:24 PMIt has become increasingly clear that Jane Hague, a 'good Republican' is imploding. The longer the Republican Party keeps supporting Hague, the more they look like idiots!!!! Jane Hague is increasingly becoming an albatross around the Rs neck, and may very well cost the Rs the Assessor and Prosecuting Attorney races with her antics. She needs to just face the music about her DUI arrest and all the rest of her mess, resign and let the chips fall. The R Party needs to get her name OUT of the newspaper day after day. If she has to quit the council to make that happen and Pope gets in, then so be it. The party needs to have the guts to ASK her to resign. To PUBLICLY ask her to resign.
It might be music to everyone's ears and refreshing besides to have Pope on the council. At least we wouldn't be bored, and we could rest assured that the whole council would mind their Ps and Qs so Pope wouldn't turn them in for bad behvior or any underhanded tactics. At the same time, it would be a hoot to see whether Pope could tone down his legalese to communicate with the ordinary citizen, and to see how he would vote. If the Rs don't like his votes, they can always vote him out in 4 years. The Rs don't have the votes on the council anyway, even if Hague were reelected, to it can't be any worse than this mess.
From everything Pope has shown past and present, I suspect that the man would at least vote honest, ethically and sober (and I mean stone cold non alcoholic sober - he doesn't drink,) and write brillliant legislation. He graduated third in his Law School class at the UW. I think that is the problem with him. He's so smart, that what he says goes way over our heads. He also seems to be able to find things in government that are blatantly wrong that the rest of us don't see, but he ferrets this information right out.
I doubt he would vote DEMOCRAT any more than he would vote REPUBLICAN. It is obvious that both parties are scared to death that he might get elected because he would be their worst nightmare and hold their feet to the ethical fire.
The Idiot Box
To be contrary, and I used to be a Pope supporter, other than nitpicking PDC filings and going through tons of minutiae research, what does the fella stand for? He is a Democrat, then he is a Republican and now he is a Democrat. That is even more flip-flops than John Kerry or Hillary Clinton.
Last week, the master of minutiae nit-picked the PDC filings of Hague, and speaking from experience, those things are impossible to get 100% correct. A person and their spouse can't give to their own campaigns? Right!! At least according to Mr. Pope or according to how the donations are given, he may be correct.
And once we get past what he stands for, then we get to ask the question of what he has done to deserve the position. If he were indeed a muckraker and not a cherry-picker, that would be deserving. But, what does he stand for?
Posted by: swatter on October 3, 2007 06:52 AMSame goes for the supposed campaign finance issue. My word, there was a certain county exec who did a double twist body slam on a good candidate through a phony 527(?) group. When challenged at PDC, said executive said, "duh, I can't control the group"; only later, we found out that said negative campaign group was funded by the guy's main supporters and the legal founder of the group turned out to be the parents of his campaign manager. Then, a year or so later, said manager gets a six digit salary from said executive. That, my friends, is a PDC violation. But, when the PDC acted, they found no violation. Oh, said executive was a Democrat.
And why does a DUI mean you can't be a good representative? I can go into instances where I think it is an issue, but it hasn't risen to that status yet.
Posted by: swatter on October 3, 2007 10:19 AM"But the bottom line is how she votes and what she can get done working with her fellow council members."
And completely disregard that disgraceful episode where Hague was caught accepting $30,000 from interests coming before her and the Council, or that we, the taxpayers, were honored with the privilege of paying her private attorney $100,000 to represent her in her failed bit to sweep that charge under the carpet.
There is little doubt that Hague is successful getting results for those she represents, but it costs way too much for most people to buy that representation from this "bought and paid for" politician.
No one should overlook the character of any politician, especially one with documented evidence supporting both ethical violations and serious problems with truthfulness about such fundamental things as personal qualifications and campaign financing. Now she's added the allegation that she placed others at serious risk by driving intoxicated, and that she then showed complete disrespect for the law that she as a council member is sworn to uphold. For anyone outside politics, this record and broad pattern of wrongdoing would result in disgrace and disqualification from any position of authority or leadership. Her record "should be" an automatic disqualification for public service. But it politics, even for those who argue for increased accountability for one's actions, it all takes a backseat when party politics is paramount.
We get what we deserve.
Posted by: MJC on October 3, 2007 10:20 AMDon't forget his multiple sanctions imposed by any number of courts for not only failing in his duties as an attorney, but also engaging in unethical behaviors!
If Pope is so damn smart, why can't he make a decent living practicing law or get himself elected to any office anywhere?
The Piper
Posted by: Piper Scott on October 3, 2007 11:15 AMNo disagreeing that he's "book smart." He may even be bright, savvy and intelligent. But none of that changes the fact that, "He's a nut."
Posted by: ajopalm on October 3, 2007 11:16 AMDitto! And don't limit it to the Council. The continuous efforts by ever corner of this government to protect itself extends through every Sims' agency and the elected "government" court judges, as well as on the Council. As anyone defends Republicans because they are Republicans, they are helping to protect the corruption that permeates throughout King County government from both parties and throughout the allegedly non-partisan appointees and electeds. From Council to Executive, to Ombudsman, Ethics Board, and the myriad of department directors hired to give Sims and the Council what they want no matter what they have to do to get it done, the culture in King County is to maintain the facade, keep patting each other on the back, but do whatever it takes to keep its "friends" happy.
This government will not be "fixed" until citizens from both the Democrat and Republican viewpoints wake up and decide that integrity, accountability and honesty are paramount over party politics. And if that means that a website that generally supports Republicans must hold its own to the same standards it holds the Democrats, even if alone when trying to hold Democrats accountable, so be it!
When people defend Jane Hague for lying, ethics violations, or improper campaign finance reporting, not to mention their willingness to overlook a DUI and the circumstances that kept it hushed up so she wouldn't have a viable challenger, they are also providing current and future cover for Democrat wrongdoing and the whole corrupt stinking system that is the real thing that needs to be sanitized like the pool of festering scum it is.
Posted by: MJC on October 3, 2007 11:17 AMAnd the local press, that perceived investigative body holding government accountable, they didn't want to touch another story highlighting the cesspool in King County. They're just another part of the cabal.
King County government is a machine. It is like any other business, albeit an ethically and legally challenged one, that works for its friends and financial backers. And the message is reinforced frequently in cases like this one in DOT, that if anyone dares to stand up against the wrongdoing, their jobs and livelihood are forfeit, leaving people to decide whether to ignore it or quit.
I'm sure I'm a nut too. Pretty sad, though, that putting integrity and character above politics, as well as seeing politicians who sell themselves and their positions to get elected as the wrong people to vote for, makes you a nut.
Done with my rant...
Posted by: MJC on October 3, 2007 11:37 AMI would encourage all of you to look at www.thetruthonpope.com for the full story.
Jane has been delivering for the Eastside for more than a decade- we should be so lucky to have her for another four.
Posted by: Ben Franklin on October 3, 2007 12:20 PMShe's a good person- an old fashioned establishment Republican. She's actually pretty dependable in behind the scenes negotiations to push for more conservative positions- although she is less willing to make a public fight of things. She likes to to keep things "nice" with the Democrats and so has often been able to get them to bend a little.
She has also is very careful not to offend people- even when she thinks they are corrupt or self-interested. She's a different flavor than the crusader alot of us want, but that doesn't mean she isn't an ally.
I also know that she is utterly opposed to vote trading. She has often refused the old "vote my way on my issue, and I'll vote your way on yours" deals. I find this admirable as I think those kind of dealings have led too many idealistic conservatives into corruption and bad deals.
She is a social drinker, and I have occasionally wondered if it was really wise for her to be driving home afterwards- but I have never seen her smashed or with a loss of motor control. So I suspect that she was over the limit, but probably not by much. (Not that this is an excuse, but it makes it more of a wake up call to Jane instead of a revelation of her personal character flaws).
As for Pope- I don't know him personally, but I found his position on the SouthWest move to Boeing Field to be particularly opportunistic, and his several party switches has continued to leave that impression with me.
Posted by: Cicero on October 3, 2007 12:26 PMAre you kidding me? Pope is a DANGEROUS kook. Do you really want your County government tied up for years just so you can have some personal entertainment? I resent the fact that you characterize anyone critical of Pope as lazy- many of us, myself in particular, have been working for our candidates on the ground for years and years. The fact that you won't address the issues with Pope and simply dismiss those who think it's of interest shows how feeble minded you really are.
Posted by: Ben Franklin on October 3, 2007 12:48 PMNow THAT is an outrageous claim... ever think that maybe Richard Pope is highlighting other people's faults to cover up a LLOOOONNNGGGG list of his own!?!!
I am sorry you think Richard's "qualifications" are impressive... If you think a JD from UW is that impressive, there are thousands of others with those same exact qualifications...thousands who arent insane.
Posted by: Pichard Rope on October 3, 2007 01:37 PMMJC, in the past you have come across as a great writer with good thoughts. So, I thought you were on to something important regarding the campaign contributions for votes claim. Then, I remembered the situation. That particular situation isn't and wasn't a black and white deal. So I can't go along with those assertions just by themselves. I would need more information.
The rule of thumb, though, is that if you get a DUI you gotta problem. It is too easy to let the culprit off with the excuse they are social drinkers. But, the legal limit of intoxication is a lot lower these days.
Posted by: swatter on October 3, 2007 01:43 PMFrankly, having Kounty Government tied up for several years ain't all that unappealing when you think about it. The bureaucracy hasn't gotten so large, costly & cumbersome.....what is it really producing for taxpayers.
At least Pope is willing to step up to bat.
Anyone else have the guts???
Just from Pope's past history:
Rated "Not Qualified" by the King County Bar Association
Threatening a female domestic abuse client such that she has to get a restraining order against him.
Removal from cases by judges and referred to the bar for disciplinary measures due to his "disturbing" behavior.
He is a nut! Yeah, perhaps a nut with a college degree or two. But that really only puts him in the same company with people such as Hannibal Lecter.
Incumbents go home.
Posted by: incumbents go home on October 3, 2007 03:51 PMAnd your evidence of that is what precisely? Did you poll all of them?
I have done ALL those things. Have you?
We don't need people in power who are simply chasing the brass ring for their own career enahncement. How can anyone with a brain conclude that someone who flip flops from one party to another and back has any sort of guiding principle motivating their quest for public office? Certainly not his current political party of favor at the moment. They refused to endorse him from what I heard. At best one can only conclude such a person would say or do anything to grab power.
Such a person is not civic minded individual but a lowly power seeking narcicist. It seems to me we have too many of those in office already. The last thing this country needs is another, let alone one who exhibits behavior so disturbing that a jduge has to remove him from a case.
On the other hand, it would make for very entertaining television. Viewers could tune in each week to see what outrageous antics the nutjob politico would pull that would out do the previous incident. I am not saying their aren't benefits to him being in office. But wrapping him up in a flag as as some civic minded individual like you did Cynical desecrates a flag I swore to give my life defending.
Posted by: pbj on October 3, 2007 03:53 PMCome on Stefan, you were at her kick-off. You saw Larry Phillips and Larry Gossett there. I am sure you must have.
I am just asking for a little honesty here. Just a little. Is that really too much to ask?
Posted by: Matt T on October 3, 2007 05:02 PMI feel the best comment on Jane's performance is that she is very good for the citizens of this county. I have watched Richard Pope torment this community for years but he has never gone up against a contender like Hague. She will make sure this violent and incompetent mud slinger gets put in his place.
Can anyone argue Jane was president of the National Association of Couties?
Legislator of the year 2006 for families and children?
The individual who championed the elected auditor position?
The one who made sure performance audits were held for every administration agency in the county?
The nationally recognized director of elections?
Matt T you must have been appointed to all of your positions because you are an incredible republican, citizen or neither.
Oh yeah and she fought for roads funding in the new transit plan.
Pope has a lifetime of screwing up cases and acting so insane in courtrooms he is fined, sanctioned and told to find a new profession.
Jane made a mistake, she's paid a heavy price, now lets move on focus on who we want on the council.
Jane gets my vote.
Posted by: sophistcure on October 3, 2007 05:51 PMI feel the best comment on Jane's performance is that she is very good for the citizens of this county. I have watched Richard Pope torment this community for years but he has never gone up against a contender like Hague. She will make sure this violent and incompetent mud slinger gets put in his place.
Can anyone argue Jane was president of the National Association of Couties?
Legislator of the year 2006 for families and children?
The individual who championed the elected auditor position?
The one who made sure performance audits were held for every administration agency in the county?
The nationally recognized director of elections?
Matt T you must have been appointed to all of your positions because you are an incredible republican, citizen or neither.
Oh yeah and she fought for roads funding in the new transit plan.
Pope has a lifetime of screwing up cases and acting so insane in courtrooms he is fined, sanctioned and told to find a new profession.
Jane made a mistake, she's paid a heavy price, now lets move on focus on who we want on the council.
Jane gets my vote.
Posted by: sophistcure on October 3, 2007 05:51 PMHague is more qualified than her opponent. You can have that one all day long. The problem is that the KC and Seattle machine is SLIMY! And slime rises to the top of this pond. It floats all the way up to the council. Hague's arrest was newsworthy, so were her ethics violations, and so is the story about the Pro Tem judge trying to quietly delay her trial until after election time. The latest story is so typical of how the KC machine runs, they scoot Judge Nault off the bench, bring in a hack to make the ruling, and then bring Judge Nault back for the rest of the trial. IT IS SO TYPICAL OF THIS RAT INFESTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT. I don't think they ever realized it would blow up like this, and even though I am anti Seattle liberals, I don't mind seeing this happen to a Republican. Hague is someon I would voter for--even now. However, this type of exposure is necessary. The rocks need to be turned over and lights shined on the creepy crawly things. No I don't think Hague is evil. I think the whole machine needs to be exposed on how they cover things up and steer things. If Republicans get caught in the exposure, oh well. To me the issue is not Hague getting arrested it is how they all act about it.
Posted by: Mike on October 3, 2007 11:19 PMI, though, still am not a believer in the value of the PDC as it seems to have become political when it punishes one party over another. From what I read the PDC issue was nitpicking over how money was reported; there didn't seem to be anything wrong with the money that was there, but the way it got there. Pretty minor if you ask me.
Posted by: swatter on October 4, 2007 07:01 AMPope will persevere.
Posted by: Organization Man on October 4, 2007 09:41 AMI didn't even know that cooties had a national association.
Posted by: pbj on October 4, 2007 10:32 AMBeing President of that group is a big negative...not a positive.
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on October 4, 2007 11:40 AMNATIONAL association of counties... that is what she was the president of. Why are you talking about the WAC????
Nice try at the switch though.
Posted by: GUIdev on October 5, 2007 05:25 PM