News

Five to Four

by Josh Feit

For someone who campaigned against influence peddling at city hall, incoming city council member Jean Godden is acting like a world-class hypocrite. On the campaign trail, Godden pointed to Strippergate as the determining factor in her decision to run, condemning council members for accepting money from people with controversial business before council. Fast forward to today: Godden hasn't set up shop at city hall yet, and she's already taking money from someone who has more controversial business before council than anybody in Seattle--Mayor Greg Nickels.

Nickels is sponsoring a December 10 fundraising party at Marler Clark's law offices in the Bank of America Tower for Godden and fellow incoming council member Tom Rasmussen ["Influence Peddling 101," Josh Feit, Nov 27]. The third incoming newbie, David Della, turned down Nickels' tacky offer.

Why would Nickels waste time raising dough for Godden or any local politician but himself? Simple. Nickels is hurting for council support. Just two weeks ago, the council startled Team Nickels by lining up five votes against his Northgate plan. A week later, the council rewrote his budget.

Team Nickels laughs off the notion that the fundraiser is politically motivated: "We wanted to welcome the new council members and do something nice," Nickels spokesperson Marianne Bichsel told me. And is there anything nicer than a handful of checks?

Godden and Rasmussen's new colleagues are suspicious about the fundraiser. Council president Peter Steinbrueck says: "I've said this to [the new council members]: Be careful about being perceived as lapdogs for the mayor. Whenever people round up money for you, being bag men to get around contribution limits to curry favor, those kinds of things will further the perception that there's a relationship of mutual support there."

Steinbrueck is right. Obviously, Godden ($28K in debt) and Rasmussen ($40K in debt) need to do fundraising, but they shouldn't turn to Nickels for help. It creates an appearance of debt to Team Nickels--if not a literal one. Both incoming council members should opt out of the Nickels party.

Don't count on it. "I appreciate the mayor's support tremendously," Rasmussen says, pointing out that Nickels endorsed his opponent--Margaret Pageler. (And now the mayor wants you to forget he endorsed her when it comes time for you to vote!)

"You have to raise money," Godden adds. "There's no quid pro quo. It's not comparable to Strippergate."

Well, sure there are no women in G-strings, or investigations into concealed donations. However, it shouldn't have to be sexy to raise alarm bells. When the mayor makes a point of rounding up money, he's going to expect something in return. (That's when the quid pro quo comes in, Jean!)

Godden and Rasmussen shouldn't put themselves in that position--particularly Godden, considering her self-righteous campaign rhetoric. If they don't want voters to wonder if the mayor is buying their votes, Godden and Rasmussen should cancel the party.