Seattle Mayor's Race: Deciding between McGinn and Mallahan

I'm having a hard time taking Joe Mallahan seriously as a candidate. He's self-funded his campaign with $232,047 of his personal funds but doesn't take government seriously enough to have bothered to vote in 13 of the past 25 elections. Does he think he can just buy the mayor's seat when he takes an interest in politics?

Despite telling KUOW seven times he wants to 'drive efficiencies' into city government, in just a few months, he's run up a $95,228 campaign deficit - even beyond his huge personal contributions. Why should I trust this man with a $3.8 billion city budget?

He seems smug and arrogant, caught here saying, "Come on, I'm gonna be the next mayor" and he's full of platitudes. During that same interview, he said he wants to 'drive big changes,' 'drive savings,' and 'drive a culture of accountability.' Watching him reminds me more of George W. Bush than a candidate with a sincere interest in creating positive change in Seattle.

Mallahan says he wants to make Seattle more friendly to business. Really? Hasn't this past year of financial bailouts and million dollar bonuses on Wall Street and nearly failed health reform in Washington showed that business influence in government is a big part of the problem, not the solution?

I've lived in Seattle nearly twenty years. I appreciate it's natural beauty, Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, the Olympics, the Cascades and its wildlife from Salmon to Orcas to Bald Eagles and even the recent, albeit frightening, appearance of a Cougar at Discovery Park.

Seattle has a unique opportunity to lead the country by building economic prosperity while maintaining a high quality of life and a sustainable, natural environment.

McGinn's environmental leadership experience and people-centered style strikes me as the right balance for our city's next mayor.

Please VOTE McGINN FOR MAYOR! 

Other critical votes:

No on 1033: Don't Cut Taxes for Wealthy Real Estate Tycoons

Yes on 71: Keep the domestic partnership law

Comments

[Michael Cornell, Chairman, Green Lake Community Council]

It is disappointing that you don't also consider the McGinn campaign's Carl Rowe/GW Bush style robo-calls that lie about Mallahan's position on guns, as well as McGinn's history of being a corporate lawyer who made money by screwing consumers. .. among other things. Your criticisms of Joe Mallahan are week, at best.

[Jeff@reifman.org]

Hi Michael, thanks for your post. I heard about that just today - it's a concern but I need to learn more. It would be disappointing if it were tied to McGinn.

My concerns for Mallahan stand on their own.