"Progressive discontent" against the speaker who has kept the minimum wage the highest in the country and just recently presided over the most significant legislative expansion of gay and lesbian civil rights in the state's history? You have got to be kidding me.

To say Frank Chopp is anti-higher education because of higher-ed cuts proposed during the worst recession this country has seen in decades is totally ridiculous. Frank was a huge advocate for reinstating the estate tax which raised taxes on the 200 richest people in this state to fund college scholarships and enrollment slots.
He also fought for and saved the GAU program from complete destruction when many legislators wanted to eliminate it. I have friend who works directly with GAU clients and he told me had those cuts been made people would have literally been thrown out in the streets.
This article seems pretty one-sided to me.

"His campaign coffers would be filled by Wal-Mart, BIAW, and other corporate entities." That's enough for me. Vote him out. We didn't elect Mallahan in Seattle, we can get this guy out too. It's not nearly as impossible as Chopp's supporters would have you believe. If you ignore the your constituencies and don't do something with the power you have, you deserve to lose it.

Last Legislative session Chopp promoted a bill that would decimate Initiative 937, the Climate Change Initiative.

I-937 was very popular and the signature gatherers were primarily volunteers (unlike Eyman Initiatives) - for 43rd District Representatives like Chopp & Murray to try and kill I-937 is a bad sign for their being progressive.

So-called political reality ain't what it used to be.

Let's not forget Frank Chopp's efforts to rob the light rail fund to pay for his highways.

I always find comments like this one--"This article seems pretty one-sided to me"--to be odd when tied to The Stranger. Do any of the Stranger's readers actually think that the Stranger even remotely attempts to be "fair and balanced?" (hmm, guess that comment answers my question)

The Stranger is a gadfly, a publication with a clear, consistent political agenda. It's deliberately and passionately Progressive, and there's no attempt to hide that like with Fox Noise or the Seattle Times. The Stranger's totally out of the closet when it comes to it's political leanings and agenda.

That's why I read the Stranger: I get my (supposedly) unbiased news from the New York Times. I get passionate political news from the Stranger that fires up my own political juices.

and MAN would I love someone to challenge Chopp. Just tell me who, I'll write a check. I hate it that that man represents me in Olympia.

Many of Frank Chopp's progressive successes are suspiciously absent from this article. What about his strong support of mental health parity and funding? Or how about his work on ensuring that toxic toys do not end up in the hands of our children? Or his efforts to pass a simple majority for school levies? Not to mention all that he's done for the environment. I agree that this article seems one-sided and I'd like to encourage other readers to find out the truth about all that Frank Chopp has done for our state and his district.

Yes. What we need is less moderates and more hardliners in the state legislature. I was just thinking today how much I hate compromise and love the far fringes of the two major political parties. Good grief.

This article is a sham. Eli proposes their is some underground movement to replace Chop, but only provides quotes from unnamed sources and low level members of the ACLU. Where are the facts? Where are the meetings being held to pick a candidate? Where is the political action committee that is raising money for the supposed upcoming campaign? Where are the advanced polls showing where this candidate would gather support?

Seems to me the only movement to replace Chop exist in the minds of the above cited labor union leaders, and in Eli Sanders mind. This is advocacy, "some would say", Fox News type journalism at it's worse.

While not commenting on the merits of the issue, any campaign against Speaker Chopp would have to be much better thought out and executed than the debacle against Helen Sommers a few years back.

Paraphrasing the old saying, when you strike at the King, you have to be certain of the kill.

Just to clarify my comments.....

I went out of my way to not include Frank Copp in my comments. The EXACT opposite of what Eli Sanders said "making it clear that Frank Chopp is included".

That is Bullshit Eli. You tried to get me to say that Labor would go after Frank and I did NOT. I told you what our criteria was and that was it. But I guess that I shouldn't be suprised that you had an agenda.

Benjamin Lawver

I am sure that there will be some who will set my comments aside for any number of reasons including that I live in Olympia, that I was a lobbyist for 36 years and that I have known Frank Chopp for over 25 years and count him as a friend. On the other hand I was the Chair of the King County Democratic Party from 1968 to 1972, was a Gene McCarthy delegate to Chicago in 1968, a founder of "VietNam Summer" in 1967 and the Washington Environment Council in 1969. I lobbied for all the Teamsters in this state for 32 years, The Fred Hutchinson Center for 30 years, Hands Off Washington, The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for 25 years and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition for 17 years.
I have seen many Speakers and Frank is not only the best, but by far the most progressive Speaker we have had since at least during the 1930's. I was the lead lobbyist for adopting California Vehicle Standards and setting minimum standards for governmental usage of bio-fuels. Both top goals for the Environmental Lobby. Neither would have been adopted if not for Frank. I was the lead lobbyist for the Creation of the Housing Trust Fund, working with Frank while he was the head of the then Fremont Public Association. The Trust Fund would never have been created with out the work of Frank and Mike Lowery (before he was governor.) I was the lead lobbyist for having funds for Parks, trails and open spaces doubled to $100 Million in 2007-09, which would never have happened if not for Frank. Moneys for K-12 education increased more during Frank's tenure as Speaker than during any time since before WW One. At the end of the 2007-09 budget cycle, higher education was celebrating the best budget they had seen in 25 years. Yes it was cut in this biennium, but then so was everything else. In every area that progressives usually use as place markers for a humane society, Frank Chopp has lead, including in education, affordable housing, health care, children's programs, civil liberties, nutrition programs, worker's rights and workplace safety, preserving the environment and livable cities. But I guess if your only issue is legalization of pot, then, no, he has not taken care of your issue. Mike Ryherd

The fact that this guy is in favor of the death tax means that you should vote him out. All that the death tax (Estate Tax) does is line the pockets of large insurance companies like AIG and kill small businesses. For the real story on this tax, visit www.estatetaxtruth.org

Oh, for chrissake, not the "death tax" twats. GO AWAY. The estate tax is a beautiful thing, and the only thing that needs to be changed is a provision to raise the rate to 100% for anyone named Blethen.

Frank Chopp has built as powerful a legislative coalition as exists anywhere in the country under very difficult circumstances. If you replace him with a hard lefty, guess what? Your hard lefty isn't going to be Speaker, and he's going to preside over fuck-all. Lefties in the 43rd appear to be desperate for irrelevancy.

Get rid of Chopp and the Republicans take over. It's as simple as that.

The speaker has been aggressive on many issues that are important to progressives. He, along with key Seattle legislators, helped pass first-of-its kind legislation regulating toxic chemicals in children's toys. This was the year after toxic chemicals were regulated in consumer electronics. Business came out in full force on BOTH of these issues and the house Democratic caucus took strong, unwavering stances to ensure these laws protecting children and consumers were enacted.

Frank Chopp's resume of legislative accolades is unparalleled. If critics in Seattle were ever to step out the area code they would understand why the Stranger doesn't run the agenda in Olympia.

@16 - yeah, right. ROFLMFAO.

I'll say this - if the Seattle delegation doesn't man up soon, there's going to be blood on the floor in a lot of districts. Nobody elected them to roll over for the rest of the State and the America-hating Republic Party of No comrades - they elected them to DO things.

And, no, that doesn't include an overpriced Billionaires Tunnel that nobody except insiders wants and that couldn't get funded with a public vote if it wrapped itself in a flag and whistled Dixie.

Wrapping itself in a flag and whistling Dixie would hurt it in Seattle, Will.

The fact that Ben Lawyer has to go into comments and state that he said the exact opposite of what you quote him saying is pretty damning.

Frank Chopp is a great Speaker that deserves the support of the progressive community.

@13, Benjamin Lawver: In our conversation, you did in fact make it clear that Frank Chopp was included.

Moreover, as you know, Washington State Labor Council spokesperson Kathy Cummings listened in on our Nov. 16 telephone interview. Later that day, I spoke to Ms. Cummings and read her the sections of the story you are now disputing. She had no quarrel with them.

Eli, that response you put up on Slog from shaneleopard is a fantastic example of someone not knowing how to read a newspaper.

You wrote: "His campaign coffers would be filled by Wal-Mart, BIAW, and other corporate entities."

The comment quotes you and states: "That's enough for me. Vote him out."

There isn't even a fact in your assertion, and yet this guy is ready to vote out his own Rep, the State Speaker.

You wrote "would," a weasel word. There isn't even someone from the BIAW or Wal-Mart to voice support for Frank. I suppose someone that closely followed local politics would know that the BIAW and Chopp have a better relationship than may be expected.

But Chopp and Wal-Mart? Really? That lefty punching bag? That's like dog whistle politics for progressives, a code word for the base such as "states rights" to run shivers down the spine of a certain set of activists. At least quote a lobbyist or PR person on this. Do you really believe Wal-Mart likes paying the highest minimum wage (Thanks, Frank!)?

I know Frank Chopp personally, and one thing I know about him is he doesn't take Walmart, BIAW, or Tobacco money. That information is readily available at www.pdc.wa.gov.

A little fact checking before deciding to use a quote would be nice.

I'm not sure how @21 took what I said as being about Frank ... I just said the delegation as a whole.

My laughing is for the comment that we'd get a Republic Party of No comrade if Frank didn't win. Historically, we'd probably get someone even further left, as anyone knows. They only put up GOP Sacrificial Lambs in this district, cause they have no hope in heck of making it thru the Primary.

Will @28, you are a stone-cold halfwit.

I didn't mean the 43rd would get a Republican rep -- I meant the STATE OF WASHINGTON would get a Republican majority, and thus Speaker.

We've got a pretty good thing going here. It would not be smart to fuck it up. But, of course, it's dipshits like you, who think that everybody in the whole state is exactly like you, who are hell-bent on doing exactly that.

"Right winger" my big fat shiny gold-plated knob. Chopp is the ONLY thing standing between the 43rd and total irrelevancy.

he may not be as lefty as we in the 43rd would like, but we should also consider the question, "who would replace him as speaker, and what effect would that have on politics at the state level?" i'm not certain what the answer is, but i do know that lynn kessler (d-24) is his #2 and therefore a strong contender. the 24th comprises the northern and western olympic peninsula-- do you think a rep from there would be a stronger advocate for a highly progressive agenda in a high profile position?

@27 - um, no. 2010 is going to be the year when the Whig Party falls apart.

let me get this straight lkjh + solidgroundisadumbname: you would vote out chopp, the speaker of the house, a leader who:

1. helped to double the investment in the WWRP for environmental + recreational projects
2. created the opportunity grants program to help students go to community college
3. prevented the elimination of the GA-U program
4. doubled the housing trust fund
5. initiated a building communities fund to construct community centers
6. enacted the puget sound partnership to clean up our sound
7. mandated bans on toxic substances like mercury and pbde's in consumer goods

for... a newbie "progressive" democrat to represent the 43rd? would they be lucky enough to get a vice-chair position on some powerless committee their first term? how well do you think they can represent the 43rd then?

Yes, Will, that's why a Republican just very nearly took the King County Executive, and a total slimeball, Dino Rossi, came within a few votes of the Governor's office. Yes, the state legislature is currently 61-37. Why do you think that is? Frank Chopp, in large measure. Just a couple of years ago it was 49-49.

Can you imagine how much better off this Country would be if we could trade every Wall Street Banker and Downtown Seattle Lawyer for a Socialist Frank Chopp?

Frank Chopp, besides being a good manager, is also an honest man - something in very short supply in Seattle. You need to get rid of the rest of the fools, not Frank - replace them with any political stripe you choose, but keep Chopp.

That's some painful video to watch. Not one straight answer, just pivoting and squirming like a weasel. But it sounds like the plan is to co-opt the the opposition by listening to them to death. And then letting progressive legislation die or get sandbagged out of any shot at passing.

I don't credit Chopp with the Democratic supermajority. Demographics handed that to him and he squandered it. I mean, has anyone stood in awe of the brilliant political moves by Chopp and the WA Dems? Whatever stroke of genius it was that they did to get where they are, they sure kept it a secret.

Considering that 2 or the 3 sources cited to demonstrate this 'progressive discontent' are an anonymous legislator and someone who had to clarify their words in a comment section, you can see why I think that this article is just another cheap shot at Speaker Chopp on a slow news day.

Can we see some discussion about some of the PROGRESSIVE actions that have happened in our state because of Frank? Just one example is kids health insurance - because of his work on Apple Health for Kids, nearly all kids in our state have good, affordable health care. This brings millions of federal dollars into our state, and gives families losing jobs one less thing to worry about. When's the last time the author could say something like that?

Shorter pro-Chopp people on this blog: Things can not be one iota better than they are. If you try, Sarah Palin will become governor AND occupy all 147 seats in the legislature.

@40 - Yeah, Chopp is in for life and Val Stevens is teetering. Genius.

@45 for the win. Why, because it is only by letting the right wing define the battlefield that the left wing can succeed ... NOT.

As a teacher in Seattle, I am happy with all of Frank Chopp's support throughout the years--for students and teachers. Let's remember who created the Education Legacy Trust Fund in an effort to increase financial aid for college students (yes those precise students in his UW district) and he got the simple majority for school levies passed which I'm sure no Republican nor Democrat without the thoughtfulness and skill set Chopp has as Speaker could do.

Washington is a progressive state for many reasons, particularly the accomplishments during his tenure--let's not revert back to the 1990 way of thinking.

I consider myself a progressive and can point to numerous things that have been accomplished under Frank's leadership that we in liberal Seattle ought to be proud of. I'm consistently baffled by who these malcontent "progressives" are. Not only does the Apple Health for Kids program cover tens of thousands kids in our state, but does so regardless of citizenship status. When Frank said our state ought to provide health insurance for ALL kids, he meant that. Frank's also been a stalwart champion of services that disproprotionately impact low-income people of color, like the fully state-funded GAU program. (Hello people, under Clinton and Bush eras, elderly immigrants were pushed out of the federal SSI and other welfare programs, so programs like GAU were literally the last safety net)

Frank can't take credit for all progressive legislation that's passed in Olympia but he certainly can't take the sole blame for what HASN'T passed either. At the end of the day, I'll have down on my scorecard that this Speaker has done more for communities of color and low-income communities than what most of the malcontent progressive/liberal community could ever dream of, much less accomplish. That's pretty progressive in my book.

Frank is powerful and has done many good things as a speaker. Yet he also shows his arrogance by advocating positions like an elevated viaduct on the waterfront that are clearly out of step with the 43rd.

He deserves a strong opponent to challenge him on values. Frank can still be speaker and also be more responsive to the district. He deserves a strong challenge after his votes on several key issues. No Seattle area legislator should feel safe. By and large they are a underwhelming and uncoordinated bunch with a few exceptions. They don't even meet on a regular basis to discuss Seattle's agenda like their counterparts in Tacoma, Spokane, and Clark County.

Why are people afraid of competitive races? Elected officials are better when they have a challenge.

It seems to me we are extremely fortunate to have a champion for so many health and human service issues as Speaker of the House. I hate to think where we'd be without the leadership Frank Chopp has provided.

So based on these comments, Chopp has pushed for the highest minimum wage in the nation, the best children's health care coverage in the nation, some of the best domestic partnership laws in the nation, one of the best affordable housing funding sources in the nation, one of the toughest toxics in toys laws in the nation, collective bargaining rights for just about everyone, saved GAU for the helpless when "progressives" in Olympia were going to axe it...and he's a shill for conservatives?

Hey, Eli! Can't wait for your next insightful piece: "Rob McKenna: Standing up for the liberal agenda."

Hey! There's a baby in that bathwater!

Rather an amazing commentary and series of comments. Left out of this discussion is the fact that there are 49 districts in the state and the role of the speaker is much greater than simply being a Rep from their district. Also missing is the fact we are in the world historical Great Bush recesssion. That does create some problems.

Look at the long litany of accomplishments under Frank Chopp that are very progressive successes, and try and imagine any other speaker coming close. None ever have. Anyone think of that? Included in addition to what I have read above, are great progress on environmental issues, amazing progress on Labor issues (more workers comp protections for injured workers than any legislative stretch in history, collective bargaining for state employees, expansion of organizing for child care workers, etc, etc.) many consumer protections ranging from the consumer protection act itself being historically expanded, measures on specific mortgage rescue protections, the best protections for insurance consumers in health care and auto and home in the country, etc,etc, etc. This list goes on and on.

To target Frank Chopp would be the most single idiotic waste of resources and money I have ever seen, in a year when Democrats and progressives need to stay focused and energized to protect what we have.

For those who made comments above who want to dump him, let me ask- who do you think would then win the Speaker's position? Do you think it would be better than what we have? Put down the crack pipe and think about that for a moment.

We need to quit whining and get after the folks who are making great progress tearing down the progressive movement while we yell at each other.

@39 - um, a 2:1 loss for the Republic Party of No candidate for KC Exec does not equal "almost took control of King County".

Maybe in the fantasy world of the Beltway, where 40 senators represent 10 percent of the US population and determine most of the policy.

But in the real world, the Speaker of the House is elected based on ... population. There are way more Dems than there are America-hating Republics in this state.

The only time we lose control is when we don't fight for our rights.

oh, and @53 - half of the voters in the 43rd wanted an elevated viaduct - the other half wanted the surface plus transit option - so, in a way, Frank is supporting the views of his district on that issue.

Personally, I think an elevated viaduct rebuild is better, but am willing to accept a surface plus transit option as well, so long as it isn't a global warming increasing freight-reducing Billionaires Tunnel with no downtown exits that nobody other than the "elites" wants.

Speaker Chopp has been a tireless advocate for his community and District, for the State, and for the Democratic Party.

As has been stated previously, he presides over a House of Representatives from all over the state, many of whom he helped get elected. When he was elevated to co-Speaker, there was a 49-49 split in the State House. He turned that into a huge majority by working with local LD Parties and County Parties to find strong challengers to GOP incumbents.

All of the progressive accomplishments that have happened since the Democrats took over the State Legislature have happened because of Speaker Chopp.

Sure, he doesn't always have the luxury of bringing up super lefty legislation, but of the 49 districts, only 6 are actually in Seattle. So that Domestic Partnership bill that we love so much - that's because he has been able to provide political cover for Democrats in more conservative districts over the years.

The fact is that Frank Chopp is very smart politically, and any talk of unseating him is asinine at best. Taking out Chopp means that we get a speaker from a more conservative district, who's not as good at recruiting and helping to elect strong Democrats around the State, and we start losing seats.

And end up back in the minority again.

Chopp is the only reason there are democrats in office in Olympia.

If not for Chopp, people would not have voted for Gregoire! And we'd be sending republicans to Olympia in our very own city of Seattle.

How dare you suggest we unseat him! He's in this for life, because otherwise, we'd become another red state, handing the GOP crushing majorities.

Think about that one before you suggest we look at other candidates.

Besides, we'll all get redistricted in 2012, when once again the 40 percent of the population in King and Snohomish will retake it's rightful place of dominance ...

Sometimes it seems like people think Chopp sits in Olympia as King and could do everything progressive all by himself if only he would. Chopp has succeeded in organizing progressive and moderate Dems like no previous Speaker ever could -- organize them into winning elections and organize them into passing legislation -- and as a result has accomplished more of the progressive agenda than any Dem ever has. He holds power in the legislature as long as the majority of Dems in the State House thinks he should have it, and most of their districts don't look anything like the 43rd. If the hard left prefers ideological purity to forward movement on education, housing, affordable health care, and a bunch of other issues, it's welcome to it. .I'll give my 43rd district vote to Chopp everytime.

@66 - yeah, but George was (and is) as dumb as a rock.

Even if he is unbeatable, a little progressive pressure wouldn't hurt.

58 and 65 hit it on the head.

As Speaker, Chopp can and does push legislation as progressive as he can get passed by the nervous semi-Dems from outside the Emerald City. He is not remotely perfect, [insert your personal list of legislation never to leave committee here] but he is a brilliant political strategist and gets done a lot in a state still full of right-wing mouthbreathers.

I would much rather vote for a Speaker who does get a lot done and is a populist/realist on spending (ie, this is what there is, here's where we'll spend it to do the most real people the most real good), than vote for the legislative equivalent of Dennis Kucinich (who, btw, I backed)--tons of ideals, little results. Chopp actually still has ideals, he still tries to bend the shrinking inflexible budget to help actual non-rich people--and he actually gets results.

Do I love him? No. [Again, insert grievance list here.] Do I appreciate how much he *has* done and can do? Yes.

Eli, how about pointing out Chopp's failures on nuts-and-bolts, bread-and-butter issues instead of your pets? Forget weed and people who shouldn't have broken the law in the first place. How about $0 in stimulus cash for transportation in Seattle? I realize you've discovered that it's easy to move the needle on ACLU issues in Seattle, but they don't pay the bills. Dig deeper, both in your reporting and your activism.

Is Chopps that bad? I don't think so, even movers in Washington can attest to that.

Dunno if Wal-Mart will contribute, but Anheuser-Busch, Weyerhaeuser, and an insurance company already have - check out the PDC. This is MY representative?

This reminds me of when the Seattle P.I. broke the story that Dixy Lee Ray said the press can go to hell. It wasn’t too long afterwards that John Spellman was singing “My Wild Irish Rose” in the State Capitol, and Scoop Jackson died when the KAL 007 was shot down. Newspapers make a difference.

The 43rd District needs to watch out, because when the wolf’s got the sheep’s clothing on, that’s when the Trojans keep slipping off the horse. The Emperor’s new clothes ain’t what she used to be. The Stranger, NORAID, and the SIFF are forming an Iron Triangle of the far-left. We could end up like Portland. But there’s more than one way to ride a bicycle. . .

There are some interesting and conflicting points evoked in this thoughtful article.

What is the real value of a House Speaker from the 43rd when he won't even fiercely oppose Dino Rossi and the BIAW?

Those calls for tax increases championed by some "progressives" are VERY unpopular to people barely making it, and could realistically put the Republicans in the majority in the next state election. Perhaps it was wise counsel to oppose them.

Speaking of progressives and tax policy: If regressive tax increases on the poor and working classes are considered by progressives to be immoral, why then do they jump on every tax increase on liquor and tobacco that comes along?

The Governor and the legislature were completely outplayed by Boeing negotiators (again!), making the state look like a chump. Where was the brilliance that was needed to avoid taxpayers getting snookered?

If Frank has his reasons for these and other apparent lapses in leadership, he's doing an awful job of communicating it to the 43rd in particular, and the state in general. It seems a few strategy meetings are in order.

And Labor should tread lightly on Chopp. If the Dems lose statewide because of ill-place loud mouthing from Labor, you'll have staunchly anti-Labor Republicans running Oly.

If that happens, it will be observed in a Texas saying:
"You done pissed in your own chili."

Thanks for this article Eli! The comments generated by your ill-informed hatchet-piece were well-written and informative. I learned a lot about Frank Chopp that I never knew and have gained a new appreciation for him. Maybe the Stranger should hire some of these writers; it might be relevant and worth reading again!