Offering frequent news and analysis from the majestic Evergreen State and beyond, The Cascadia Advocate is the Northwest Progressive Institute's unconventional perspective on world, national, and local politics.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Tim Eyman requests speaking time at King County Democratic Convention

The headline sort of says it all, but in case you're shaking your head in disbelief, let me repeat the news for you: Tim Eyman has written an email to King County Democratic officials telling them he plans to attend the convention this Sunday - and wants time to speak about his latest joke of an initiative!
From: Tim Eyman
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:29 PM
To: 'Lori Soleto'; 'Susan Sheary'
Cc: 'Luke Esser'; 'Dwight Pelz'
Subject: I'll be attending GOP & Democrat conventions this weekend

April 10, 2008

To: Lori Soleto, Chair of King County Republicans & Susan Sheary, Chair of King County Democrats
CC: Luke Esser, Chair of State Republican Party & Dwight Pelz, Chair of State Democratic Party
CC: House & Senate members & Governor

Just wanted to give you a heads up that I'll be attending the two King County conventions this weekend, the GOP's at Green River Community College (12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn) which is Saturday starting at 9:00 am and the Democrats' at West Seattle's High School Gymnasium (3000 California Ave SW, Seattle) which is Sunday starting at 2:00 pm. Eager to come and talk with activists from both parties about I-985, our initiative for this year.

During conventions, there's always 'down times' (when votes are being counted, etc.). I'd really appreciate it if you'd tell your district chairs know that I'm eager to speak to each of their delegations about I-985. It'll a great opportunity for Q&A and promises to be a lively discussion.

I'm really looking forward to writing a column about my experiences at both conventions and the feedback I receive from the people there.

Thanks to both of you for putting together your county conventions - they are always extraordinarily fun and interesting and a fantastic opportunity to interact with other activists who want nothing but the best for the people of the state of Washington.

I'll be happy to pay whatever admissions charge is necessary to attend.

Appreciate your consideration.

Best Regards, Tim Eyman
We've always known that Tim Eyman was arrogant and lacked a sense of propriety... but this really takes the cake.

Not only has Tim Eyman sponsored over half a dozen initiatives that are completely antithetical to everything Democrats stand for, but he has been repeatedly rude and mean spirited towards Democratic elected officials, including Governor Chris Gregoire, Speaker Frank Chopp, and Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown.

And Eyman apparently considers himself a Republican, since he has attended Republican National Conventions before as an alternate and went to the 2008 Republican precinct caucuses this year. Remember this?
In Lynnwood, nearly 500 Republicans jammed Silver Creek Community Church, sprawling out in a concrete-floored gym and into side rooms. Initiative guru [salesman] Tim Eyman exhorted the crowd to unify behind the party's eventual nominee — especially given Washington's Democratic leanings.

"There is no doubt that we have to work extra-hard in a wacko lefty state like Washington state to get our guys elected," Eyman said. "They've got the crazies in Seattle. We've got to come up with more sane people outside of Seattle to make up for them."
The 2008 King County Democratic Convention is being held in West Seattle. No doubt it will be completely full of liberty-loving, patriotic, peace-desiring "crazies" who believe in the idea our state and national government is by the people, of the people, and for the people.

It's incredible, but these same "wackos" want parks to stroll in, pools to swim in, schools and libraries to learn in, police and fire protection for safety, emergency medical response for life-threatening situations.

So why does Tim Eyman suddenly want to talk to Democrats? He attacks us as "wacko lefty crazies" and then, when he wants to engage with us, we're "activists who want nothing but the best for the people of the state of Washington."

Uh huh.

Is this just another publicity stunt, or does Tim really want to wander into the lion's den and be booed so loudly that the roof of the high school gym hosting the convention blasts off?

The Convention is a public event. Eyman has every right to show his face there. But Democrats have every right to give him the polite yet hostile reception he deserves. When and if Eyman arrives, Democrats should come over, meet him, and strike up a conversation. An honest conversation. The kind Eyman never has with his supporters or the press.

Eyman should be asked tough questions, like why he hasn't run for office yet (since he thinks Democrats are doing such a terrible job).

Or why he thinks it's okay to gut funding for valuable public services. Or where all the waste and fat in the budget is. Is it state parks? Or early childhood education? Or the Puget Sound cleanup effort? Democrats want to know.

Feel free to come to our Convention, Tim. Democrats will be taking note of how you conduct yourself...and really looking forward to blogging about the experience.

Comments:

Blogger Gretchen Sand said...

Why is he even going to that convention?

April 13, 2008 11:07 AM  

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