Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, October 13, 2009
Politics Dept. of Unsubstantiated Rumor
Posted by Brendan Kiley on Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 4:55 PM
A rumor has been flying around political circles in the last few days. It goes like this:
On October 3, at a fundraiser hosted by socialite and man-about-town J.J. McKay—at the home of T-Mobile executive Denny Marie Post—mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan had a "meltdown." He was (allegedly) being asked questions about culture issues and/or youth homelessness and gang issues, started crying, said he was in over his head, and Tina Podlodowski had to take over and answer questions for him. Then people in the room said they wanted to hear from Joe and he began crying again.
This rumor sounds ridiculous, but it's coming from several different directions, so I checked it out.
Says J.J. McKay (in his lovely grew-up-40-miles-from-Mobile-Alabama accent):
Apparently someone Twittered a nasty little rumor that Joe had a "meltdown," which is impossible. We were talking about homelessness and youth, which is a very passionate subject for Joe. He teared up and choked up, but no. He's not in over his head. I never heard anything like that. Plus, I think his wife and daughters had been sick that week and he was kind of tired. It's just a terrible game of telephone.
Says Tina Podlodowski:
There's nothing to talk about and I'm tired of talking about it. We were talking about the arts and he started talking about his childhood in Everett and the things he hadn't been able to attend and his parents and he just teared up a little bit. It was a real reaction from a real person.
So there you have it. The Mallahan Meltdown rumor, perpetuated by nobody who was there (that I could find) and denied by the people who were.
Slog: Not too proud to root around in baseless bullshit.
1
I think both of these guys are working very hard, and it has to take a toll on them and their families. I'm sure McGinn has shown signs of fatigue from time to time as well.
2
I like that this went from entertaining rumor to debunked in no time flat. I got to enjoy it guilt-free!
3
Um, is it just me, or do the witnesses accounts differ strikingly? Were they talking about homeless youth or the arts? Did Mallahan tear up or start reminiscing? Or maybe Joe is losing his composure and bawling over everything?
4
any man who "tears up", even at the end of E.T. or The Iron Giant, must be shunned by society. there is no room for male emotion in the modern sparta. tim eyman could stab a baby bunny in the face and wouldn't cry.
5
I can't keep it in...It's too much...I keep saying I'm for the People, but I'm just another scam candidate for the Insiders who want to steal your tax money and build crazy stuff! Boo Hoo...there, I've come clean...now I need a real job!!!
6
As someone who grew up 55 miles from Mobile (and went to college there) what exactly does someone who grew up 40 miles from Mobile sound like?
8
Good for Mallahan. Everyone remembers how well crying on the campaign trail worked for Hilary last year. She's president now, right?
11
It's odd that J.J. McKay adds, "Plus, I think his wife and daughters had been sick that week and he was kind of tired." It sounds like he's excusing a meltdown that he says didn't happen.
I, for one, question Mallahan's commitment to being mayor. This is a man who hasn't been engaged in Seattle's civic life--not even voting in a large number of elections or holding any office--who suddenly decides he deserves a promotion from middle-managment in a corporation to running the largest city in the state. I am reminded of Jim Compton who resigned from the city council mid-term. Will Mallahan promise to serve a full term if elected?
I, for one, question Mallahan's commitment to being mayor. This is a man who hasn't been engaged in Seattle's civic life--not even voting in a large number of elections or holding any office--who suddenly decides he deserves a promotion from middle-managment in a corporation to running the largest city in the state. I am reminded of Jim Compton who resigned from the city council mid-term. Will Mallahan promise to serve a full term if elected?
12
I heard another story from a Mallahan supporter who was there - that Joe was talking about his dead parents or something like that, and then teared up. But from an undecided person who was there I hear he had a meltdown as reported.
Seems there is one consistent story about the meltdown, and three versions of it not happening. Might be as JJ says a bad game of telephone, or might be a bad spin job. It's looking more and more like a bad spin job. So far there's enough credibility to the report for two news outlets to publish it, even as a rumor.
Seems there is one consistent story about the meltdown, and three versions of it not happening. Might be as JJ says a bad game of telephone, or might be a bad spin job. It's looking more and more like a bad spin job. So far there's enough credibility to the report for two news outlets to publish it, even as a rumor.
13
I think there is a hint of "more to the story" in the statement: "He's not in over his head. I never heard anything like that." J.J. never *heard* that? Or it wasn't said? Sounds like he's leaving himself some maneuvering room in case video turns up...
16
This "story" is so damn worthless. Are you McGinn people so freaked out by Mallahan winning that you have to resort to shit like this?
It's obvious that McGinn can't win on the issues, Joe has him KO'd in that fight with one hand tied behind his back after cutting two dozen onions.
It's obvious that McGinn can't win on the issues, Joe has him KO'd in that fight with one hand tied behind his back after cutting two dozen onions.
17
@16
Did you not notice that this post was debunking the rumor? Or did you not even bother to read it before you saw red and just had to crap out a troll turd?
Did you not notice that this post was debunking the rumor? Or did you not even bother to read it before you saw red and just had to crap out a troll turd?
19
I was there. Tina and I had to haul him into the powder room and give him a few snorts of Coke so he could get his head back together.
OK, I am totally kidding. It was meth, not coke.
OK, I'm really lying now. I wasn't even there. And I'm not sure what meth even looks like. I just wanted to fit in.
OK, I am totally kidding. It was meth, not coke.
OK, I'm really lying now. I wasn't even there. And I'm not sure what meth even looks like. I just wanted to fit in.
20
@12 hahahahahaahahahahaahahahahahaha.... you called the SLOG and Publicola "News Outlets" !!!???? hahahahahaahahahah
24
@17
"Slog: Not too proud to root around in baseless bullshit."
My point is why even post shit like this? I don't know, I guess I just enjoy more policy and fact based discussions and reporting.
"Slog: Not too proud to root around in baseless bullshit."
My point is why even post shit like this? I don't know, I guess I just enjoy more policy and fact based discussions and reporting.
25
14, no, 16, yes, 17, was referring to the comments, and way back up to 4 "tim eyman could stab a baby bunny in the face and wouldn't cry" that really happened but it was Sandeep Kaushik during the Primary returns.
26
Oh, well you're DEFINITELY in the wrong place then.... But we're not bad, once you get to know us. Except for Loveschild and Lord Basil, of course. They're dreadful people.
28
don't all you readers just tear up at the thought of The Stranger shifting from potty talk to real journalism? Sniff. It's such a nice thought, but a fantasy...over the rainbow.
29
27, A lady never talks of such things. Suffice to say, I would leave you sobbing and violated on your kitchen floor.
31
"I'm sure McGinn has shown signs of fatigue from time to time as well."
He sure is…I saw fat boy huffing up Greenwood Ave on his bike last week and nearly called the paramedics.
He sure is…I saw fat boy huffing up Greenwood Ave on his bike last week and nearly called the paramedics.
32
Of course he is over his head! He just came to realize it. His midlife crisis is about to become Seattle's midlife crisis.
Another reason, why I am writing in Nickels.
Another reason, why I am writing in Nickels.
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