In a victory for sane grassroots Democrats over the corrupt Ron Sims machine, King County Councilman Bob Ferguson trounced Carolyn Edmonds at this evening's Democratic Party nominating convention. So reports a friendly Democrat who was there. It wasn't even close. Although Edmonds was endorsed by nearly every hack Democrat politician in the area including Ron Sims himself, and although she raked in far more money from the usual Democrat moneybag donors, Ferguson smoked Edmonds in the floor vote 381 -288.
As a current constituent of Bob Ferguson (though not after the redistricting), I have a high opinion of him. I'm encouraged that the grassroots Democrats used good judgment on this one. Edmonds said in this morning's KUOW interview that she would run in the primary no matter how the convention vote went and I would expect the Sims Machine to continue to back rubber stamp Carolyn Edmonds. But I also expect Ferguson to fare even better against Edmonds in a district wide election. He certainly has more to offer.
UPDATE: Wednesday's P-I has the story. I don't often agree with State Democratic Party Chairman Paul Berendt, but in this case I do:
"It's no great surprise to me that Bob won. He's smarter, he's harder working and Carolyn has made a lot of people angry."Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at June 28, 2005 10:57 PM | Email This
The plot thickens.
Posted by: Jeff B. on June 28, 2005 11:36 PMBlog fraud at its best.
Posted by: JDB on June 28, 2005 11:45 PMWill Edmonds drop out of the race? Will she run as a Democrat anyway? Will she run as an Independent?
This has got to be bad news for Ron Sims. But can David Irons take any advantage of a lot of the Dem rank and file not particularly caring for Sims and his allies?
Posted by: Richard Pope on June 28, 2005 11:48 PMThe corrupt political machine isn't 'all-powerful', unless you think that it's a diety. I wouldn't be surprised. Anyhoo, the corrupt political machine finally went too far with the past election, and the sane people spoke up. It's exactly what we've been hoping for. How dense are you? Do you unknowingly answer your own questions all the time? (Don't answer that - it's r-h-e-t-o-r-i-c-a-l.)
Posted by: Larry on June 29, 2005 12:13 AMEdmonds was endorsed by Sims.
Posted by: Joe on June 29, 2005 12:42 AMCarolyn has made a lot of people angry? Do tell...
Carolyn dear, if ONLY you'd gone on KVI...
As I recall Edmonds was a supporter of the "Bums on Wheels" Tent City placement in her district.
Posted by: South County on June 29, 2005 08:02 AMLast night's voting was done by 150 precinct officers. The votes of those who took part were weighted -- from one to eight per person -- depending on what share of each precinct's presidential vote went to John Kerry in 2004.
This strikes me as an odd way of doing business. I guess it is an attempt to dilute the representation of Republican precincts. Fair enough in a party primary. But has anyone heard of this kind of thing being done before?
I just e-mailed Edwards (I live in her district) and told her how happy I was that she will be gone. I also told her that I will "cross-over" if need be to ensure that she is in the same unemployment line as her pal Ron Sims.
Time to, "Kick The Bums Out!"
Posted by: jaybo on June 29, 2005 08:14 AMBring a notebook, No. 2 pencil, eraser, 1,000 Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a 25 pounds of ground coffee. Credit: 8 hours of CPcE. (continuing politically-correct ed.)
In lieu of attending, you can host a 'city' on your front lawn. Happy Neighbor marketing-counseling is available to you for a nominal fee.
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on June 29, 2005 09:47 AMhttp://www.freenation.tv/hotellostliberty2.html
Posted by: PeggyU on June 29, 2005 10:05 AMAh, but the power of shoe leather...
Grass roots organizing beats a bank account every time. That and, for Ferguson, the fact that Carolyn Edmonds is the worst elected public official in the history of King County (worse even than Charles O. Carroll, and you newbies can look him up). She has an unqualified talent for saying the stupidest things. Unbelievable!
And, yes, a rejection of Edmonds is a rejection of Sims since she's his personal Chatty Cathy. She can't speak unless he pulls the string.
Posted by: Scott, The Mad Piper on June 29, 2005 10:49 PMI've known him since he was the ASUW President in the late 80's, and I'm not surprised he's done well. I just think it's too bad he didn't run against Sims in the primary for King County Executive- because I think Sims is toast, having presided over too many screwups (King County's computers, light rail, the 2002 and 2004 elections). He's had the guts to say "it's on my watch", at least, but at some point, you can the CEO.
Posted by: eponymous coward on July 1, 2005 11:10 AM