Washblog

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Every time I get together with the WPC staff, volunteers, and pro-WPC elected officials, I'm reminded this is an extraordinary bunch of people who are working their butts off to effect a dramatic change in our political system--which we hope will spread across the country. They heap compliments on me too, so it's a warm and fuzzy Mutual Admiration Society.

Left: This is former state legislator Geoff Douthwaite, who told of an example from his years in the House, and repeated the story at the committee hearing. A legislator who wanted to vote with Douthwaite admitted that he quailed at the sight of the insurance lobbyist-contributors lined up to observe the vote. He ended up voting against the bill and killing it.

I'm not good at wonky details and get confused myself, at the several different bills now being introduced in both houses. One has to do with judicial campaigns only; one applies to all campaigns; and one changes restrictive rules on local public campaigns. If I'm wrong, please correct me. WPC describes the bills on this page:
Bills in the 2007 legislative session

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Left: This is me with the tireless Bill Moyer. The Backbone Campaign is having an event on March 4th called "March Forth!!" It'll be a costumed reminder of our committment to democracy.

Seems the Backbone logo, the Clean Elections buttons, and moi were among the few spots of color in a sea of black, navy, brown, and olive outerwear. As a photographer I find that very frustrating. C'mon Seattleites, brighten up a drab winter day!

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THE PUBLIC CAMPAIGN BILLS HEARINGS

Above, House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs. Repubs at left, Dems at right.

Above: Mark Miloscia and my very own Rep, Joe McDermott, are among our supporters, in fact Mark introduced at least one of the bills. The rest of them--not so much.
Above: This is about two-thirds of a crowded hearing room. All but one signed in as a public campaigns supporter. Among many testifying were WPC Director Craig Salins (checked shirt); Gentry Lange, who recently campaigned as a Green; three lawyers; the president of the WA State League of Women Voters; Antonio Ginatta, from Governor Gregoire's office (she's remaining neutral) and (left) our friend Chad Shue of The Left Shue.

Most notably, Rep. Shay Schual-Berke spoke in favor of judical public campaigns, and Rep Miloscia (a member of the committee) and Senator Jim Kastama spoke passionately in favor of general public campaign funding. Schual-Berke seemed deferential to the sensitive egos of her colleagues, while Miloscia stepped on their toes.

He stated [paraphrasing] that "the public perception is that lobbyists' contributions affect public policy". A Republican committee member said ominously: "You're very close to being out of order, Mr. Miloscia." Mark repeated that he agreed with the public perception.

He was then asked point-blank: "Which of your colleagues do you think are influenced by lobbyists' money?"

A brief pause, in which I imagined Mark was formulating an answer such as "None of them are, but the potential exists" or something like that. Instead he said, "I'd rather let someone else come up with the names."

"You are out of order!"

After another brief pause, Senator Kastama stepped in and managed to sidestep the antagonism. He spoke of the intentions of the founders, especially James Madison, when he crafted the Constitution, and what documents he studied and referred to.

A committee member said he too was a history buff, and they back-and-forthed a bit in a friendly way; this dissipated the tension. At least that's the way I remember it.

Later a Republican member asked WPC Director Craig Salins if he was aware that legislators found the term "Clean Elections" offensive. "Do you believe that elections are dirty, as they now exist?"

Craig said [paraphrasing] "Yes, we're aware of that. The term originated with the public campaigns movement in other states some time ago, so we use it to identify with those...I hope someday the elected officials can tell us, 'Thank you, Washington Public Campaigns, for freeing us from this burdensome system.'" That seemed to appease them, but the next person to testify stated bluntly that he realized they'd become adept at manipulating the present system. One legislator stormed out in a huff, muttering "I can see how he got his arm broken."

Maybe I'm naive--this was my first time in Olympia--but I was very startled to see that behavior. I thought his job on the committee was to listen to the testimony, even if he didn't like it. I'm told this sort of thing is political grandstanding, not uncommon.

I'm glad my Rep is Joe McDermott.

I told Joe: "I think we offended some of your colleagues..." He said "Maybe they could be more thick-skinned...it works both ways."

Despite these dramatics, we left optimistic, because the public campaigns advocates made an excellent presentation and packed the room.