Funny thing--I'm pretty sure I was one of those 400 respondents. The poll I took was definitely by Gonzalez, but it was pretty balanced overall.

Re the Mayoral Polls, I think that Gonzalez is suffering from city council drag due to its perceived incompetence in dealing with homelessness, crime, and the CHOP protests as well as the chickens of neo-liberal economics and policy coming home to roast resulting in those aforementioned problems. Harrell's benefited from perceived competence due to being out of the political scene for a few years while the snowballing of the city's problems started to occur, without taint of scandal or a problematic decisions on the council when he was there.

Can't we just start referring to the GOP as the Greene party?

The Bothell link is wrong (goes to another story about the Idaho mask ban bullshit). Here's the correct Earl: https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/bothell-police-phone-scam-warning/

Derp... I tried to shorten the link to the bare minimum, and failed. This Earl should get you the infos: https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/bothell-police-phone-scam-warning/281-86a163c1-d6e8-4ed5-a64c-56f25a2def0f

Colombia not Columbia

RE: Phone scams

Without reading the full article, I'm going to guess that the scammers ask their victims to pay in Apple itunes gift cards.

The only time I ever hear about itunes gift cards is when someone gets scammed into buying them. I have never heard of anyone ever buying them for any other reason. For all I know, the only function they even serve is as a scammer's vehicle of fraud.

@6 Thank you.
@7 that's been what I've seen...

A "personal family matter" Patty? Caused you to skip an important high-profile, high-optics vote? Nothing that couldn't be handled by your staff or your family? Time to put away the bottle Patty - get thee to an AA meeting!

I suppose it's possible that a very few outlier police departments out there may solicit donations over the phone, but if so, it would be exceedingly rare. Every police department I've ever heard of has a policy of not telephoning people for donations.

As to the Governor of Idaho, a correction is in order. While he is bit Trumpian, he is orders of magnitude less Trumpian than the Lt. Governor, not just "slightly" less Trumpian.

@9 -- Holy Shit, you're an asshole. And an idiot. This wasn't a close vote. Her vote would have meant nothing. You are a stupid, fucking asshole.

@9: Yeah, it was a bit of a stretch. But what an 'eye-roll' excuse when a more candid explanation would have helped her image. Pardon my crass. But our senators are vapid, compared to Pramila Jayapal for example.

@9, Murray and Cantwell work quietly and efficiently; Jayapal works with lights, cameras and bullhorns ready.

@12 Oh no different districts elected different people to represent their different needs and preferences, and now they're behaving differently. What a scandal. How shameful.

raindrop, I've noticed lately that you've been drifting beyond your usual muddled priggishness and into Outright Asshole territory. I hope you can find a little more time to care of yourself soon.

@14:

Now that I don't have him to kick around anymore, it sounds like the lack of attention is starting to wear on his already quite disturbed psyche. I'm also guessing you're not the only one who's called him out for his idiotic pronouncements (for example, I can easily imagine @11 is a similarly scathing observation, given @9 is missing from my comment thread feed), but thankfully I'm no longer subject to his incoherent ravings. Seriously, comment filtering cannot come soon enough for the rest of you - I can't even begin to describe how much less stressful it is to not have to deal with this cabal of marching morons anymore.

The feeling is mutual COMTE.

@14: I refine my rhetoric (@12) when called on. But I suspect Murray is hiding something which is interfering her from being an outstanding senator. Better watch out for Tiffany Smiley, Patty!

@13: No, we want our dishwashers and refrigerators to operate quietly and efficiently. We want our legislators to operate efficiently, but not quietly. We don't pay them to be quiet. We need to see them engaged, reaching out, promoting their ideas, doing media interviews, rising in the ranks of Senate or House leadership.

@15 I hear you, but I personally can't hang with the disjointed threads I get when I greasemonkey out a list of users. Especially in a flat, unthreaded comment engine like SLOG's. And even more personally, when I can't get through a page of comments, even really nasty ones, without completely losing my head, well, I'm almost always better off if I treat that as a Me Problem and just not Go On The Computer for a couple days. Or weeks.

Note for SLOG 3.0 devs: On the odd chance you've made the regrettable decision to write a new system from scratch again instead of adapting off-the-shelf CMS software, then in addition to COMTE's "ignore" feature req, I'd like to submit a ticket for a "snub" button as well. I've never seen it anywhere, but it would be fun to have a list of users who aren't allowed to read my comments, in addition to the list of users whose comments I don't want to read.

@16 Good lord raindrop, the royal We already? No, you do not get to decide what sort of comportment the rest of America, or even your own district, wants from its legislators. That's hilariously presumptuous, even for you.

Some of your fellow constituents really, really prefer quietly competent bureaucrats, and absolutely loathe your fire-breathing orators (just lookit our Sawant rage-crush posters ferexample). And some are hopelessly fickle, shifting faster than spring weather. And you know what? That's fine.

Go out and get yourself a pedicure or a latte or a furtive handjob or whatever else it is you do to relax and reset.

Raindrop is a sociopathic asshole. That being said, you guys so often sound like Republicans in that you'll take the opposite stance of any issue put forth no matter how out-of-touch or self-defeating, just to “own” the opposition.

Suggesting that US senators should be "engaged, reaching out, promoting their ideas, doing media interviews, rising in the ranks of Senate or House leadership" sounds like a pretty reasonable job description. You're really going to argue otherwise? How's the "quietly competent bureaucrats" working out for us? Because last time I checked, everytime Democrats get the house back in order, Repubs reclaim the keys.

Where are Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell? What do they do all day long? Where's their leadership? Where was their outrage as half a million Americans were left to die and the Repubs nearly pulled off a presidential coup? Washington state is one of the largest economic engines in the nation, yet they're virtually invisible on the national stage. They're virtually invisible on the state level for that matter. I had to look up their names, it's been so long since I've seen them in print.

Working behind the scenes is not enough anymore. The soccer mom shtick of over two decades ago is a bygone era. Democrats just don't get it. We need leaders who can suck the oxygen from the Repubs.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22432229/democracy-america-democratic-party-reform

@19 Read my comment again friend, I'm not suggesting the Mumbly Sausage-Making Bureaucrats are better than the Shouty Big-Idea-Havers, I'm saying there's a lot of voters in a district, and some will like one flavor while some like the other. As it should be.

As for me, yes, I do hold the infuriating opinion that we kinda need both types in government, though I'll allow maybe the Spreadsheet Wizards have been at the wheel too long and need to take a rest and let someone else drive the Democratic Party Van for a bit.

Raindrop is a delightful change of pace from the echo chamber of The Stranger comment sections. He's not always right but he's always forthright, and usually polite Most of the rest of you are just a bunch of sour grapes.

@21:

Raindrop is, and always has been, a mealy-mouthed, fence-sitting equivocator of the nth degree; he's never met a position he can't resist trying to cleave straight down the middle. He's like the King Solomon of Anonymous Troll whataboutists.

I can only imagine how keenly RD feels the LOVE in the room. Swiftress has a half-hearted chubby going on for him, but that's about it, and as they say: beggars can't be choosers...

I hear an echo......

@9, @16: I guess it never occurred to you that our state's senior senator, who recently started her 29th consecutive year (!) in that office, might -- just might -- have something more important to do than show up to cast a vote which would not affect the outcome. Your wild claim she's hiding alcoholism was either your unfunny attempt at a joke, a cruel jab at persons who actually do suffer from the serious disease of substance abuse, or both. Whatever your motivations, you're certainly not disproving the many other commenters here who routinely describe your comments as adding no value.

dewdrop's the savvy Italian in 'Catcha 22' who LOVES Who Ever's (currently) in power, except for he hates them too with Equality.

also Great
Comment PiP.

without Theater Dems are (mostly) ineffectual.

time to toss the
Shackles of 'normality' folks

like it or not THIS
is the Age of trump.

@24: 29 years! My god. Get her out!

As to my regrettably over-the-top quip, I have experience in the category for which the joke is about and am a teetotaler and we're the first ones to tell it like it is, so spare us your pious babble.

Bob Ferguson would make a far more effective US Senator than Patty Murray. Her time is done.

@27: Seniority is of great advantage in the Senate, so I'm fine with her staying where she is. Ditto Washington State's junior senator, who has been there a mere twenty years. For example, by this point, both of our senators have learned which votes they can safely skip.

Nobody cares about your drinking habits, or lack thereof. It's your unfunny stabs at cruel humor which annoy us readers here. (On the flip side, you do provide some humor value via your persistent whining whilst making serial failed attempts at justifying your inane and vicious commentary.)

@29: Well, glad you're pleased with these old waxworks whether they're hung over or not.

I think I was in that poll too. As I recall I said I liked four of the candidates and didn't know much about the other two, and was probably going to vote between Gonzalez and one of the others

Wait until the August poll

@30: Repeatedly criticized for making cruel and unfunny comments, you respond by first disparaging a woman's age, then by including a dig at her personal appearance, doubling it for bad measure, and finally by referencing your original cruel and unfunny attempt at a joke.

The learning is slow in this one.

So Lorena's numbers are slipping and now she's trying to release numbers that are 2 month old to justify why she's still leading the pack? Jessyn's updated poll must have really hit a nerve within the Gonzalez camp. Love the pettiness!

@34 -- thank you.
Dear 'doktor' Nelson

can you Cure our lil dewdrop?

it seems in Life the sole Attention
it recieved was when it acted Poorly
and now it needs its Humanity
restored Pronto & quite sorely

we've tried and tried and tried some more
but Nothing seems to work
so
please Help us 'dok' and fix our jerk
and we'll Reward* you sir with Glory.

*Statues are always nice….
how’d you look on a horse
totin’ your little Black Bag?

'Legit,' I'd reckon.

@32: Politicians aren't God's gift to Earth tensie. Disparaging? I was being charitable. Waxworks is an endearing moniker for them. Cruel? Balderdash. Not like what we see here with Republicans.

@35: Who are you talking to kristocrazy?

@36 -- to whomever'll
Listen dewey why
do you ask?

@35 edited*

can you Cure our lil dewdrop?

it seems in Life the sole Attention
it recieved was when it acted Poorly
and now it needs its Humanity
restored Pronto & quite sorely

we've tried and tried and tried some more
but Nothing seems to work
so please Help us 'dok'
and fix our jerk
and we'll Reward
you sir with Glory.

I kinda like it better.
what do you think?

*gotta thank gawd
for the edit Button!

@37: You're the only one who talks to spam. Enough said.

ok final edit
[apologies]

it seems in Life the sole Attention
it recieved was when it acted Poorly
and now it needs its Humanity
restored Pronto & quite sorely

we've tried and tried and tried some more
but Nothing seems to work
Please -- Help us 'dok'
and fix our jerk
& we'll Re-
Ward you
SIR With
Glory.

think the Staue'll
Persuade 'im dewey?

I'm bettin' on it.

Oh I think you should do one more, just be be sure.

well there Is one
but nah. Thanks!

@36: "Not like what we see here with Republicans."

Awwwww, what did the poor dears ever do to anyone here? Fight to eliminate the American woman's right to choose? Fight equal rights for LGBTQ Americans? Fight marriage for LGBTQ Americans? Why mention the very real harm they've tried to inflict on so many innocent persons, anyway?

"Waxworks is an endearing moniker for them."

So you seem to believe. (Keep on digging, that hole you're in will get smaller, trust me on this...)

"Politicians aren't God's gift to Earth tensie."

Neither are you, raindrop. Neither are you.

Gluedrop and Swifty: WowEE--- the usual trolling incels are out and ready to rumble! Are your onesies riding up yet? Did Wal* Mart run out of toilet paper? Were you stuck at a gas station pay stall with diarrhea and no dime?

@42 pollysexual: Don't get hoodwinked by ol' gluedrop. He's in it for the trolling.

@23: No, that's just white noise.

@44 So, I'm a trolling incel because I would prefer Bob Ferguson in the Senate rather than Patty Murray and find Raindrop's posts even-handed and entertaining? Well, fine, except your opinion counts for exactly nothing. Enjoy.

@46 No, no, of course not.

You're trolling trolling for the same reason any of us troll-- because you're not getting enough social stimulus in your everyday life for whatever reason, so your brain gets itchy and you Go On The Computer to scratch that itch, and find you can't quite reach the spot but you keep scratching anyway because it just keeps getting itchier.

As for "incel" though... yeah no I don't think there's much need for a word that implies an act of non-celebacy is somehow an Individual Choice. Like, that's too stupid to use even as an insult. Just ditch it already, auntie.

@46: So I nailed it then, and you're too chauvinistic and chickenshit to admit it. Just as I have no value for your hotshot opinions, either, Swifty. Enjoy.

@47: Swifty has been mean-spirited towards me for quite a while, bandwagon, bragging and boasting about Bellevue, and his prized infantry gun collection. I'm wondering if one his guns suddenly won't fire. And that's why he's....here.

@48 Bellevue is delightful. I have no infantry weapons. I have a shotgun. I did graduate from the Branch Immaterial Officer Candidate Course at the Infantry School, so I do know a thing or two about them. If I'm mean to you it's because I find you to be an idiot.

@46: Which parts of raindrop's recent comments here did you find most "even-handed and entertaining?" Was it his insinuation Sen. Murray is a secret alcoholic because she missed a vote where she knew in advance she could not affect the outcome? Was it when he called Sens. Murray and Cantwell "waxworks" -- and then insisted it was a compliment? Was it when he whined (yet again) that an anti-choice, anti-gay political party receives heavy criticism from a news outlet in Western Washington? Or was it all of these? Do tell.

Still ruminating over this tensie? awww, lol

@52: I was just curious. Notice how Swiftress hasn't answered? Seems your #1 fan here has little in the way of specific praise for you. Wonder why that might be?

Nope, didn't think so.

Now, back to your job, sweeping up the wax museum...

@49 Professor_Hiztory: BINGO!

@50: Awwwwwww, are youse afraid of educated female veterans, Swifty? Well, tough shit. I wouldn't be so mean to you if you weren't routinely shooting your mouth off like one of your prized squirrelly rifles halfcocked.

@51 & @53 tensor: Methinks the usual trolling incels' mommies called them in for wieners and tater tots before their usual nap time.

@54: So, since @46 hasn't returned to answer my questions, how about you try? Which of these did you like the most?

Was it raindrop's insinuation Sen. Murray is a secret alcoholic because she missed a vote where she knew in advance she could not affect the outcome? Was it when he called Sens. Murray and Cantwell "waxworks" -- and then insisted it was a compliment? Was it when he whined (yet again) that an anti-choice, anti-gay political party receives heavy criticism from a news outlet in Western Washington? Or was it all of these?

Do tell.

@55 tensor re @46: "Which of these did you like the most?" D: None of the above.
I consider anything posted by raindrop or Swiftress is as equally pointless as anything Trump has spewed 24/7 on Twitter.

@56: Thank you for your honest answer.

(Poor raindrop dear. Can't ever get much love here.)