1. My wife is in academia at UW and when I am at gatherings, I constantly hear inbelievably rude things said about Republicans. I tell her to not tell anyone about my politics, because I don't want it to hurt her career, it certainly would. Once she has tenure, then all bets are off!

How is it that Republicans are too far to the right when we nominated the most middle of the road candidate in our party, but the Dems are more mainstream when they nominated the most liberal Senator in the country?

Odd political times we are living in!

Posted by: Thom on December 17, 2008 09:04 PM

2. Ballots in King County come pre-printed for Democrats.

Posted by: Jeff B. on December 17, 2008 09:21 PM

3. Thanks for clearing up that vote percentage total. I thought 7% was pretty low, even for Seattle.
And Thom, I discrimninations based on political orientation is illegal in the city of Seattle and hence, the UW. You're wife is probably wise in some sense to keep quiet but then again, as I eluded to in the report, I think that's a big part of the problem here in the tolerant northwest. Too few of us stand up for what we believe in. I definitely wish you luck once she gets tenure. Give 'em hell!

Posted by: Mark Griswold on December 17, 2008 09:46 PM

4. FOR PARTY ACTIVIST ROSS MARZOLF, THE DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN 2008 MAKES IT EVEN MORE ESSENTIAL THAT REPUBLICANS STICK TO THEIR CORE VALUES... WHICH HE SAYS ARE SMALLER GOVERNMENT, AND LOWER TAXES.

Too bad Marzolf did not decide to stick to the core values during the primaries and caucuses. Too bad he actively campaigned against them. Well I am sure he is changed now.

Posted by: Lysander on December 17, 2008 09:52 PM

5. #4 Posted by Lysander on December 17, 2008

" Too bad he actively campaigned against them. (smaller government and lower taxes) "

And Republicans.

But then Ross Marzolf has a queer way of doing things.

Posted by: Brian Thomas on December 17, 2008 10:10 PM

6. ...and the horse you rode in on Brian Thomas.

Posted by: Don Ward on December 17, 2008 10:43 PM

7. McCain didn't address the issues, like he was afraid of a challenge. If the Republicans are EVER going to win again, here or nation wide, they will have to locate their nuts. Right now, the Democrats have them in a sack and on display.

Sarah Palin has more balls than any Republican male.

Posted by: joebandmember on December 18, 2008 12:46 AM

8. Isn't Mark Griswold actually registered in Tukwila these days, and not in Seattle? Why did he let himself be identified as a "Seattle Republican", when he hasn't been one in several years?

Posted by: Richard Pope on December 18, 2008 03:51 AM

9. Just more affirmation of the rationale behind my personal boycott of Sodom City.

Posted by: Saltherring on December 18, 2008 06:56 AM

10. Just a guess, but I wonder if the 7% vs 14% is a case of the clever use of wording and statistics - note it says "7% of Seattle voters" - it doesn't stipulate those who actually voted.

Posted by: RookieRick on December 18, 2008 07:08 AM

11. Like Thom, when I come across a discussion against Bush or Republicans and the attacker is very engaged, I realize it is useless to argue or even discuss. What that means, however, is that those not so engaged just hear snippets and those have to settle in after awhile. Ergo, my analogy of death by a thousand sword cuts when referring to Cantwell and Gregoire campaigns.

Posted by: swatter on December 18, 2008 07:31 AM

12. Why did the Times get so off on the vote totals for McCain?

Posted by: Michele on December 18, 2008 07:37 AM

13. The Republicans need to connect to the CONSERVATIVE base. Without that they're out of the race. Small government, Lower Taxes (alot lower), Judeo/Christian ethics, Adherence to the Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. Stop this slide to the left. It was the "Moderates" who put that socialist in office "the messiah". The only thing that will convince them to vote otherwise is when they are paying $10.00 for a loaf of bread or when they reach for their latte mocha and it's not there. My point is that the moderates have no core principles, they just wait for some perceived majority then join it. We conservatives need to work within the Republican party and fight our way into the majority. We cannot hope our way in.

Posted by: TruePatriot on December 18, 2008 08:17 AM

14. #6. Posted by Don Ward at December 17, 2008

" ...and the horse you rode in on Brian Thomas. "

Don:

I, unlike Stefan Sharkansky's " good friends Mark Griswold, .... and Phil Bevis! ", actually live in the city and would not have a horse.

I would think you could at least get that right!

But then again Don, when have you been 'right' on anything.

Posted by: Brian Thomas on December 18, 2008 08:32 AM

15. "Embattled Seattle Republicans Hoping for a Comeback" by Stefan Sharkansky

" Among those interviewed ( on KUOW 94.9 FM ) were our ( Sound Politics ) good friends Mark Griswold, Ross Marzolf and Phil Bevis! "

KUOW FM. One of the few places where Mark Griswold, Ross Marzolf and Phil Bevis could say they were ' Conservative '.

I give Griswold, Marzolf and Bevis credit for knowing where to go to reach the King County Republican Party demographic.

Posted by: Brian Thomas on December 18, 2008 08:49 AM

16. RookieRick (10):Just a guess, but I wonder if the 7% vs 14% is a case of the clever use of wording and statistics - note it says "7% of Seattle voters" - it doesn't stipulate those who actually voted.

I wondered about that too at first, but it doesn't fit here. For one, Seattle turnout was 86%, for another, their figure of 84% for Obama corresponds with the 14% figure for McCain as percentage of total turnout. The claim of 7% for McCain doesn't make any sense.

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on December 18, 2008 09:41 AM

17. If anyone reading this thread has been able to successfully export the King County E-Canvass to Excel or other sortable format, please contact me at either liberty@berenforcongress.com or steveberen@aol.com

Posted by: Steve Beren on December 18, 2008 09:54 AM

18. I already e-mailed Steve Beren, but for the benefit of others: the King County E-Canvass file is too big for Excel. It's best to use a database application. Microsoft Access will do the job.

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on December 18, 2008 11:07 AM

19. Seattle would vote for a Moderate, hip, John Lindsay style Republican.

Not much else.

Posted by: John Bailo on December 18, 2008 12:05 PM

20. As a native New Yorker (I left the Big Applie in 1983), I recall that John Lindsay bolted the Republican Party and joined the Democrats. he briefly sought the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination.

Lindsay's election as mayor of New York in 1965 and 1969 did not advance the Republican party or conservatism. On the other hand, William F. Buckley's conservative candidacy in 1965 - against Lindsay - had lasting positive effects on hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and set the stage for future Republican advances and for future conservative successes (not necessarily limited to the electoral).

Posted by: Steve Beren on December 18, 2008 12:24 PM

21. As a native New Yorker (I left the Big Applie in 1983), I recall that John Lindsay bolted the Republican Party and joined the Democrats. he briefly sought the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination.

Lindsay's election as mayor of New York in 1965 and 1969 did not advance the Republican party or conservatism. On the other hand, William F. Buckley's conservative candidacy in 1965 - against Lindsay - had lasting positive effects on hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and set the stage for future Republican advances and for future conservative successes (not necessarily limited to the electoral).

Posted by: Steve Beren on December 18, 2008 12:24 PM

22. As a native New Yorker (I left the Big Applie in 1983), I recall that John Lindsay bolted the Republican Party and joined the Democrats. he briefly sought the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination.

Lindsay's election as mayor of New York in 1965 and 1969 did not advance the Republican party or conservatism. On the other hand, William F. Buckley's conservative candidacy in 1965 - against Lindsay - had lasting positive effects on hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and set the stage for future Republican advances and for future conservative successes (not necessarily limited to the electoral).

Posted by: Steve Beren on December 18, 2008 12:25 PM

23. Richard Pope, Yes, I do currently live in Tukwila and yes, I haven't resided in Seattle for more than two years. What of it? I never claimed to. I'm sure you know enough about media to know that reporters may sometimes mischaracterize facts in a story. Sometimes they're even important facts! Furthermore, I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between what I face as a Republican living a half-mile south of the city line and conducting much of my life in Seattle and someone who happens to reside there. Instead of nit-picking at miniscule little facts, if you have a problem with me why don't you come out and say what it is because I'd like to know. I don't have any wish to be at war with you so in the spirit of Christmas I extent the figurative olive branch of peace.

Brian Thomas, what makes you think I'm not a conservative? What statements have I made in the past two or so years that would lead you to believe I'm not conservative? I'm probably just as conservative as you are. And the same question I asked Richard above I pose to you. If you have a problem with me why don't you come out and say what it is because I'd like to know. I apologized for anything untrue I said about you a number of years ago and I'm happy to forgive you for any ill words you've directed at me. Doug Parris and I had a very amiable talk over coffee last week and were able to put the past behind us, bury the hatchet and move forward on friendly terms and in the spirit of Christmas (which I do celebrate as a Christian) I extend the same olive branch to you.

Posted by: Mark Griswold on December 18, 2008 03:52 PM

24. The last time Seattle had a Republican Mayor was in 1969. Boy, talk about embattled!

As Republican I think we can indeed win many political battles by sticking to our conservative principles.

What we likely can't do is battle the demographics of Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco.

I simply cannot imagine a way conservatives could appeal to these people. Unless they become something other than conservatives.

Posted by: Bill Cruchon on December 18, 2008 05:24 PM

25. There are Republicans in Seattle?
Isn't that illegal or something?

Posted by: Right Stuff on December 18, 2008 07:08 PM

26. Griswold (at 23):
Mark is correct that we had an "amiable" talk over coffee. As it happens, I'm always amiable. Many, here, assume that when I point out the abject corruption in the GOP, the liberalism, constant rules violations and sabotage of the conservative movement, that I'm angry. But I said all those things to Mark at our "amiable coffee" and his testimony, as you see, is that it was friendly.
He says that we "were able to put the past behind us," but, in fact, I told Mark that I harbored no personal animosity towards him to begin with. I was not carrying a grudge. But Mark is a political activist with close ties to the entrenched GOP Left. That should not be forgotten. During our talk, he said he intends to continue that association or what he now calls "working from within." I told him that I would believe he had truly repented for his past slanders, violence, rules breaking and advocacy for what I regard as evil when he decided to leave that faction, condemn his past acts (not just ask to have them forgotten) and "turn State's evidence," that is, disclose the back-room plotting in which he had been involved. He has not done that and has no current plans to "make a clean breast" of it all.

Mark asks why he should be considered "not conservative." That's a little like me asking why I should not be considered a "professional-quality golfer." Can anyone prove I don't play golf at a professional level?
I didn't think so. As far as anyone knows I sneak off occasionally to be a professional golfer while Mark is being a conservative.

But Mark is not considered a conservative because:
1. he has never lifted a finger, that I know of, for the movement,
2. he has been a Dan Evans liberal in the past and has done significant things for that movement,
and 3. he told me in our recent amiable coffee that he would continue all his associations and loyalty to the GOP Left, the promulgators of the Star of David Strategy .

Mark also said to me, "I'm probably just as conservative as you are." As he just did to Brian. Well the proof of the pudding is in the eating and there are always ways to tell, not what label you claim with your mouth, but what you actually work to accomplish.
Mark, do you support the conservative candidate for King County Director of Elections, Pam Roach, or the candidate of the GOP unprincipled Left, SDS co-producer, David Irons?
By their fruits shall ye know them.

Posted by: Doug Parris on December 19, 2008 10:52 AM

27. Reasons to be Thankful for Doug Parris at Christmas:

Doug, we can always count on you to:

1. Find fault with Republicans as a self-appointed critic;

2. Be the victim;

3. Blame people who volunteer their time and donate THEIR money for not doing it in the way you see fit, while you do nothing but criticize;

4. Confuse Nastiness with Conservatism;

5. Do more damage to the Republican Party than Frank Chopp has ever managed;

6. Lose a vote and never look at yourself for the reason, but blame conspiracy;

7. Endlessly attack the KCGOP - a volunteer organization you do no work for, and do not financially support, while of course still demanding full participation;

8. Never thank anyone for their hard work or generosity in supporting that same organization;

9. Never raise the spirits of anyone;

10. Walk into a room, poison it, and feel GOOD about it instead of ashamed.

And with ALL that, Doug, there are still a great many people who wish you well this Christmas season.

Think about the miracle, Doug. Let Him be praised, and your spirits be raised.

Posted by: Now That's The Spirit! on December 19, 2008 02:50 PM

28. I have always appreciated Doug's comments. I disagree with many but never confuse critism for attacks or poison.

And I can hardly blame Doug for not wanting to spend too much time or money on the KCGOP. The way it is run and the agenda it pushes is not consistent with the platform it holds and Doug shares.

Posted by: Lysander on December 19, 2008 03:32 PM

29. To Lori Sotelo (at 27);
(Ever notice how vicious liars always try to be anonymous?)
All ten of the points are specifically and literally untrue with the partial exception of #7. I do not financially support their destruction of the GOP and there can be no mistaking that is exactly what it is (look at the record). The reason Lori calls my factual reporting on the KCGOP "attacks" is because the behavior they engage in, virulent hate-speech and slander, constant rules violations, the intentional destruction of Republican candidates for office, to name but a few, are reprehensible. I have been exposing the truth about the KCGOP (a long-term agenda to make us a liberal Party and destroy everyone in their way) for years now and they've never once disproved anything I've said. Not one thing.
Their response is, instead, to engage in endless vicious ad hominem smears, accusing me of what they do and calling me names. The post at 27 is typical.

Posted by: Doug Parris on December 19, 2008 06:12 PM

30. You should know by know - leftists do not know how to count.
Obama 84% and McCain 14% and McDermott gets 75% + of the vote. That should tell you all you need to know.

The use of the word liberal is becoming increasingly trite - progressives or leftists in more effective. No wonder Republicans are floundering.

Posted by: KS on December 22, 2008 08:50 PM

31. You should know by now - leftists do not know how to count.
Obama 84% and McCain 14% and McDermott gets 75% + of the vote. That should tell you all you need to know.

The use of the word liberal is becoming increasingly trite - progressives or leftists in more effective. No wonder Republicans are floundering.

Posted by: KS on December 22, 2008 08:51 PM

32. You should know by now - leftists do not know how to count.
Obama 84% and McCain 14% and McDermott gets 75% + of the vote. That should tell you all you need to know.

The use of the word liberal is becoming increasingly trite - progressives or leftists in more effective. No wonder Republicans are floundering.

Posted by: KS on December 22, 2008 08:51 PM

33. My apologies, folks. Stefan pointed out the error in my calculations. 14% for McCain is correct. I've posted the corrected copy:

http://kuow.org/program.php?id=16540

And to KS, you should know that we are not all leftists here.

Posted by: Deborah Wang on December 23, 2008 10:20 AM

34. Before we can defeat the leftists in the Democratic party we must first defeat the leftists in the REPUBLICAN Party.

2008 should have shown that as much as anything.

Posted by: Ida on December 24, 2008 10:09 AM

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