Freakazoid Freddy spouts on politics

The primary election is August 18th, and although I mostly care about food, I also have an interest in politics. I'm not here to make endorsements, but if you're in Renton and don't cast a vote for for Rich Zwicker, you're a frickin' idiot....

But I did want to discuss the King County Executive race. Whoever gets elected will have some impact on our everyday lives. If you're a homeowner, your property taxes will be affected by the direction the Executive takes. If you're a renter, your rent will be affected by the taxes your landlord pays. And there's a lot of interaction between the County and cities such as Renton, such as annexation and just how much money will it take to bribe Renton into accepting Skyway?

So, without much further ado, here are some of the candidates for the Executive position, and what you might want to know about them:

1. Susan Hutchinson: Used to be a news anchor at KIRO. Pretty, smiles a lot. Should do well with the male demographic. Refuses to state positions on anything, other than platitudes like " Taxes and gang violence are bad."
Was suspended from KIRO for canoeing when she called in sick on a holiday weekend, before getting fired from KIRO. Has been a contributor to Republican candidates ( like Mike Huckabee) and has been on the board of the Discovery Institute, which disputes evolution.

2. Larry Phillips: Seems to have been on the King County Council since World War One. Goofy, smiley guy. Represents Queen Anne, Magnolia, downtown Seattle on the council, during which time a lot of bus service got reallocated from Seattle to the eastside. Never had a lot of disputes with Ron Sims, but did choose to run against him when it appeared that Ron Sims would run yet again...
Phillips has been council president, and has been one of the major county policymakers, so if you think everything is hunky dory in the county, Phillips is your man. He also dyes his hair except for his sideburns, so you can think he's distinguished or something.

3. Dow Constantine: I always thought of Greek Americans as lively and interesting, but then Michale Dukakis and now Dow Constantine come along. Dow Constantine is also on the King County council, and represents Greg Nickels' former district of West Seattle, Vashon, White Center, parts of downtown Seattle, Tukwila, and I think his district comes very close to and may incorporate part of Renton. He's dull, and like Phillips, has been on the council a long time. He praises his mentor Greg Nickels frequently, and speaks of Nickels as though Nickels is wise and effective, when in fact Nickels is a petty tyrant, owned by Paul Allen, and who'd sell his grandmother for a few votes... Constantine is taking a new tack this election. Since he realizes that there are a lot of people who consider themselves " progressive Democrats", he's suddenly touting his "progressive" credentials, and is trying to get the youth vote ( why? because he's under 50?) by appearing at hip music clubs in Belltown...What's the word often used to describe politicians? Smarmy?
I do like the fact and he's taken on the role as Hutchinson's major attacker, but I'm sure not excited by the guy. Snoozefest.

Fred Jarrett: Former Mayor of Mercer Island and member of the state legislature. There's just something creepy about the guy. Looks like he should be in a Harry Potter movie. No sense of humor and weird eyeglasses. Certainly an intelligent guy, and a longtime Boeing employee, but really comes off as cranky old guy.( " You kids get off my lawn!")

Ross Hunter: Microsoft executive and Medina resident. Running as an "outsider" even though he's been deeply entrenched as an insider being part of the state legislature. Known for being combative, and running on a platform that county employees need to pay more for medical benefits. Um, isn't that something that gets negotiated with unions?
If you find Microsoft products to be reliable and user friendly, maybe Hunter's your man.

Stan Lippman: He's run for many, many offices over the years. I just love these perennial fringe candidates, they really add a little interest to the races. A few races ago, he was running on the evils of immunizations. Now he thinks all government debt ought to be paid with silver coins. Disbarred attorney with an absolutely wackshit look in the eyes.

Alan Lobdell: Long time county employee who hasn't gained any traction whatsoever. Very minor candidate who might have good things to say, but isn't nearly as much fun as Lippman or...

Goodspaceguy: Another perennial candidate who's run for almost every office in the past. I loved watching this guy on the government channel doing the candidate presentations. Complete monotone voice, coke bottle thick eyeglasses with a blank stare, talking about how we need to colonize space right now! When they say "Anybody can run for office" it should be illustrated with a picture of Goodspaceguy.
I think it would be really fun to actually see him elected. Pandemonium ensues!