Washblog

Jack Block is also a contender in this race against current Port Commissioner Bob Edwards.
Here's Gael's page.  Hmm...  I can't find Jack Block's page.  

Last night my Democratic organization -- in the 47th LD --  had an opportunity to endorse both Block and/or Tarleton.  Block was endorsed by a wide margin and Tarleton failed by a narrow margin to garner the two-thirds of the voting membership needed for an endorsement.

I voted for Jack and did not vote for Gael.  I didn't know this background about SAIC.  But here was my reasoning.  I'd be interested to hear from others if they go through similar reasoning processes when voting on endorsements.

I've heard Gael speak and, in fact, she called me at home one night for further conversation.  She's smart, informed, and seems extremely capable.  However, as far as I know, she's not held elected office before, so there's no public record of votes for us to look at.  She was Vice President of SAIC (and worked for the Defense Intelligence Agency).  This kind of business and government/security background is very relevant experience for a Port job.  So that's a real plus.

At the same time, this kind of tie and loyalty to a business -- and to perhaps an industry -- that obviously has financial interest in Port decisions  -- is a built-in conflict of interest.  That's no slight on the candidate -- it's just a fact.  Without Tarleton having a public record of votes in an elected position, I don't feel enough confidence to lend her my endorsement.  

I'd prefer to see her start in politics in a less influential position -- especially at this time when the Port really is in a kind of battle for its soul.

Jack Block, on the other hand, although I've heard some criticisms of him (someone at our meeting gently pointed out the possible 'special interest' aspect of his labor background) has a public record as a Burien councilmember.  And I know labor organizations are not perfect, and are subject to the same flaws as any other human organization, but I trust labor more than big business...  And, much more importantly, I trust being able to look at a public record of votes more than just a general assurance from the candidate that she shares my values.

Oh, plus --- Gael has explained it to me, but I fail to understand her reasoning on a certain matter.  This is .. she is opposed to phasing out the property tax that the Port levies on all of us.  This tax is way out of proportion to what similar ports levy.  In fact, many major ports make money for the community -- rather than taking it.  Gael now indicates she is open to a public vote on the matter -- so that is better.  However, what I don't get is that she says she's concerned that, without this tax, the Port will be in danger of losing its status as a public entity.  This makes absolutely no sense to me at all, not a tiny shred.  Some of the current commissioners have a history of privatizing public lands owned by the Port as it is.  A lack of taxes won't change that factor - nor does it change the law that makes the Port a public entity.

I could not get her to explain it to me during our in-depth conversation in a way that made the tiniest bit of sense.  That felt very strange to me and left me with less confidence.  

I'd front page this story for its importance -- but I don't have time to check out every assertion here (some links are on the Port Observer page -- but I don't have the hour or so I believe it would take to verify everything etc.) and I don't know the author or much about portobserver and Christopher Cain.  

by noemie maxwell on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 02:16:11 PM PST

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Y'know what?

• Working for a company X years ago doesn't necessarily make someone evil now.  State Rep Jamie Pedersen works at the same law firm that once employed Jack Abramoff.  And Preston Gates, or whatever it's called now, is much smaller than SAIC.
• Owning stock in a company doesn't necessarily imply that one agrees with every single action of every single person who works there.  I happen to own a few shares of (among others) Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Oracle, Qualcomm, Chevron, DuPont, Medco, Novartis, Pepsico, Pfizer, and AT&T.  Does that mean that I slavishly agree with their policies and political viewpoints?  Maybe I own them in order to be able to file shareholder proposals opposing them.
• The Pentagon, and every other federal agency, employs a great many exemplary, dedicated, politically aware, progressive individuals.  There is nothing inherently bad about government service.  On the contrary, government service is good.  Why are you mouthing wingnut Reaganesque "government is the enemy" rhetoric?

You're only young once, but you can be immature forever -- Larry Andersen
Blogging at Peace Tree Farm

by N in Seattle on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 12:40:35 AM PST

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In typical Democratic fashion it seems we have started going after our own.  And it isn't even August yet.  I believe that when one runs for public office they should be objected to a certain amount of scrutiny, but I think this piece goes too far.  It is not by any means a credible peice of journalism...to be considered that, jeffyuppy would have at the very least spelled Gael's name correctly.  You would think that with all of the "research" he did, he would have learned that.

I think Gael is a good candidate for this office and in her we have a chance to elect a strong Democrat to the port commission and get rid of Bob Edwards.  Please, let's not lose sight of that goal.

by janey79 on Wed Jul 18, 2007 at 05:38:18 PM PST

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