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Let's talk politics.
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
Posted by David Wickert @ 08:52:56 am
With companies like Afterglow Beach, Blue Mountain Vineyards and Windsong Ranch contributing generously to Pierce County executive candidates, you might think the tourism industry has taken an interest in local politics.
You’d never know a major developer – Investco – contributed the money. But that may be the point.
State records show prominent builders and developers have sunk big bucks into the hotly contested county executive race. Sometimes, they’re doing it through affiliates with names that offer no clue where the money is coming from.
Aiding them is a loophole in state law that allows companies to circumvent campaign contribution limits.
Under state law, any single person or company is limited to contributing $800 to a Pierce County campaign. But some companies are able to get around that by contributing through their various affiliates, each with its own $800 limit. It's a loophole the Legislature tried and failed to address in 2007.
State records show many local companies have taken advantage of the loophole. But three stand out.
• Sumner-based Investco and its executives have given more than $18,000 to county executive candidates.
• Corliss Resources, a separate company owned by relatives of Mike Corliss, who owns Investco, has pitched in about $14,000.
• Companies and executives affiliated with Tacoma-based Tucci & Sons contractors have given more than $20,000.
Together, these three companies have contributed at least $52,550 to executive candidates (here’s an Excel spreadsheet with details).
The primary beneficiaries: candidates Shawn Bunney and Calvin Goings.
Bunney, a Lake Tapps Republican, has accepted more than $31,000 from companies and executives affiliated with those three firms. That includes money they donated to his 2006 County Council campaign that he apparently transferred to his executive’s campaign. I have an appointment with Bunney’s campaign this morning to confirm the 2006 contributions from these companies were transferred to his 2008 campaign.
Goings, a Puyallup Democrat, has received nearly $20,000 from the three companies and their executives.
The other county executive candidates have received little or no money from those companies. Tacoma Democrat Pat McCarthy has accepted $1,600 from Investco-related companies. Independent Mike Lonergan of Tacoma has received none.
Representatives of Investco and Tucci have confirmed the information in the spreadsheet. I’m still waiting to hear from Corliss Resources and from the executive candidates.
Look for more on this in tomorrow's News Tribune.
Meanwhile, Tucci & Sons President Michael F. Tucci issues this statement in response to questions:
David,
In addition to its wide ranging philanthropic activities (i.e. Hunger Walk, Nativity House, etc.), the Tucci family, through its owners and affiliated companies, are proud to have been consistent and significant contributors to political campaigns and candidates over the years. This has been true at the local, state and national levels. We feel it is part of our civic responsibility to do all we can to assure that qualified political candidates have the financial resources to run their campaigns and inform the electorate of their policies and qualifications. Most often, we contribute to both candidates in a campaign without regard to political affiliation.
Thank you for sending me the fax version of the excel spreadsheet; the numbers appear to be correct. We are pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the article you intend to run about our families’ contributions to the Goings and Bunney campaigns for County Executive.
We hope this helps clarify our families’ position on this matter.
Michael F Tucci
President
Tucci and Sons, Inc.
Update: After checking some of Bunney's campaign documents, I've removed a few contributions and added a few others. My sort of final total of contributions from these companies: $50,500. I say "sort of" because there are contributions I suspect are affiliated with these companies but can't definitely prove yet.--Dave Wickert
Categories: Pierce County, Campaign news
• 30 comments
This is a good story - it definitely sheds some light on some campaign finance issues and the power of the dollar (or perceived power at very least).
Based on the reports and the spreadsheet Dave provided, here is what I see.
Re-elect campaign collected about $134,000 cash and in-kind
Re-elect campaign spent about $18,000 cash and in-kind during the campaign
Re-elect campaign has sent about $113,000 over to the executive campaign leaving a little more than $3,100 in the re-elect campaign coffers.
These three developers gave $21,800 to the re-elect campaign. It is possible that this is the money that was actually spent on the campaign and remains in the coffers, but it isn’t likely. Even if it is, the reality is there are a lot more builder/developer dollars from the re-elect campaign that were from developers.
The interesting thing to me is that there are people representing at least $21,000 who haven't sent the re-elect campaign the little note saying it can roll the dollars into the executive campaign. Maybe they don't care or maybe it is something else.
A random check of the PDC (C3 dated 10/06/2006) actually surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to find what I saw. This report shows two $700 contributions for the general election from two different LLC’s. The funny thing is that these companies reside in the same suite in Bellevue. Many builders are creating LLC’s for each project to help insulate them from litigation. The bonus is that it allows them to give to campaigns multiple times to political campaigns – I am willing to be this was an unintended result, but… In this instance you will see ‘Hagerman 60 LLC’ and University Place 45, LLC’ listed as donating on the same day. I didn’t dig deeper to see if this address gave more, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
COMMENTS:
Goings.
Return the builders money now!
.
Looks like Calvin’s claims of an $100,000 attack on him by builders was to distract from the fact the tens of thousands of dollars was funneled into his campaign by three companies.
Oh and it was nothing but LIES propagated by his campaign. There was no money to attack Calvin.
.
Combine that with his endorsements from the Realtors, Assoc of General Contractors and his dogged attempts to get the Master Builder's endorsement show Calvin is firmly in the pocket of developers.
.
Calvin should at least have the decency not to LIE to and MANIPULATE his own supporters.
Return the builders money now!
.
Looks like Calvin’s claims of an $100,000 attack on him by builders was to distract from the fact the tens of thousands of dollars was funneled into his campaign by three companies.
Oh and it was nothing but LIES propagated by his campaign. There was no money to attack Calvin.
.
Combine that with his endorsements from the Realtors, Assoc of General Contractors and his dogged attempts to get the Master Builder's endorsement show Calvin is firmly in the pocket of developers.
.
Calvin should at least have the decency not to LIE to and MANIPULATE his own supporters.
Is their claim of "most often, we contribute to both candidates in a campaign without regard to political affiliation" true?
I'm not sure more money in the campaign, especially when spread to both sides, does anybody any good. All it does is buy more road signs, which we all desperately hate.
To verify this claim, I recommend asking Kevin Kever.
I'm not sure more money in the campaign, especially when spread to both sides, does anybody any good. All it does is buy more road signs, which we all desperately hate.
To verify this claim, I recommend asking Kevin Kever.
Thank you TNT for taking some of the weight of exposing the truth off the backs of people in PC that back up their blogs with facts. Goings' complaints and statements about "cronyism" to try and hurt Mccarthy are bogus and created unneccesary hysteria. And good ole boy Bunney sits back and laughs at the Dems ripping eachother a new one. Way to go Glass House Goings. At least now will you take down your bogus web site that ask for Mccarthy to give back the builder money now that the TNT has exposed the truth!? Have some decency and start telling the truth. RELEASE YOUR KEY BANK WORK HISTORY AS THE TNT REQUESTED AND STOP WASTING TAX PAYERS DOLLARS CAMPAIGNING DURING THE DAY!!!
Thanks for doing the digging and getting the details out to us on this David, it shows how deep the payola goes in government and in BOTH parties.
I have lived in the Puyallup Valley for nearly 50 years now and I have watched as developers have run ruffshawed over our area in the name of progress and paved over nearly ever square inch of farmland that used to make this area so wonderful.
Note to the Builders, Tucci and Corliss! -- We've had it with your disregard for what makes this valley special....its FARMS! Tell your EAST COAST DEVELOPER PALLS TO GET OUT NOW!!!!!!
I have lived in the Puyallup Valley for nearly 50 years now and I have watched as developers have run ruffshawed over our area in the name of progress and paved over nearly ever square inch of farmland that used to make this area so wonderful.
Note to the Builders, Tucci and Corliss! -- We've had it with your disregard for what makes this valley special....its FARMS! Tell your EAST COAST DEVELOPER PALLS TO GET OUT NOW!!!!!!
FYI- anyone can get this info. You simply go to the PDC website, and cross check any company name in the database on the Sec. of State webpage.
This is *hardly* breaking news. Anyone who was really interested would know all this by reading the PDC once a week at minimum.
And yes, it is true, most often companies DO contribute equally to Candidates, to minimize possible retribution when the Candidate they didn't donate to wins. Life is a business.
This is *hardly* breaking news. Anyone who was really interested would know all this by reading the PDC once a week at minimum.
And yes, it is true, most often companies DO contribute equally to Candidates, to minimize possible retribution when the Candidate they didn't donate to wins. Life is a business.
With due respect to GOP Girl, the average citizen doesn't have time to check PDC reports every week, let alone cross check the list of companies at the Secretary of State's web site. So I did it for them. Also, the PDC could make it easier to uncover this sort of thing. The data you can download in a spreadsheet doesn't include the address of the contributor - which is key to uncovering the relationships between companies. I think the PDC would be doing the public a favor by including the addresses in the data you can download from its web site.
Dave Wickert
Dave Wickert
I hope all you Cavlinites and new bloggers see Goings for what he is.....full of BS. He is the worse one out of them all even if Bunney has recieved more money. Goings cried that he did not get the Builders endorsement since he has received it in the past along with tons of their money. And we see that he has recieved tons of money regardless of the endorsement from the BUILDERS. I hope his Enviro and Union friends love this TNT article. Maybe they won't come out in droves to help him spread his lies. Glass House Goings is Goings.....going...gone.
So what GOPGirl seems to be saying is that these compainies have come to expect retribution from candidates they don't support? I fear she is right, but it is a sad statement on the condition of our politics (and politicians).
I am voting for the guy that will look at the issue and decide its merit rather than looking at the person bringing the issue and deciding their worth before even hearing the issue.
I am voting for the guy that will look at the issue and decide its merit rather than looking at the person bringing the issue and deciding their worth before even hearing the issue.
This is a good story - it definitely sheds some light on some campaign finance issues and the power of the dollar (or perceived power at very least).
Based on the reports and the spreadsheet Dave provided, here is what I see.
Re-elect campaign collected about $134,000 cash and in-kind
Re-elect campaign spent about $18,000 cash and in-kind during the campaign
Re-elect campaign has sent about $113,000 over to the executive campaign leaving a little more than $3,100 in the re-elect campaign coffers.
These three developers gave $21,800 to the re-elect campaign. It is possible that this is the money that was actually spent on the campaign and remains in the coffers, but it isn’t likely. Even if it is, the reality is there are a lot more builder/developer dollars from the re-elect campaign that were from developers.
The interesting thing to me is that there are people representing at least $21,000 who haven't sent the re-elect campaign the little note saying it can roll the dollars into the executive campaign. Maybe they don't care or maybe it is something else.
A random check of the PDC (C3 dated 10/06/2006) actually surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to find what I saw. This report shows two $700 contributions for the general election from two different LLC’s. The funny thing is that these companies reside in the same suite in Bellevue. Many builders are creating LLC’s for each project to help insulate them from litigation. The bonus is that it allows them to give to campaigns multiple times to political campaigns – I am willing to be this was an unintended result, but… In this instance you will see ‘Hagerman 60 LLC’ and University Place 45, LLC’ listed as donating on the same day. I didn’t dig deeper to see if this address gave more, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
Wow, David, so you're saying I am not an average citizen? I have Kids, am very active in thier school and extra cirricular activities, hold a full time job, and attend church. And I am a single parent! So if I have time, anyone does.
I agree the PDC is designed poorly. But it wasn't that much work to cross check the companies and such. I figured this out LONG ago in about 2-3 hours. That was going through ALL of the contributions to date for all candidates.
Not that I don't appreciate the article, its just not a huge revelation.
Gigatt- Sadly life IS a business and these companies DO expect retribution (i.e., being forced to jump through multiple hoops for permiting, etc) So it is just easier to give equally across the board. It seems to be the way business is done these days.
Denny- it would be hilarious if you forwarded this article to all of Calvins Cronies. He has his "supporters" listed right on his page as I'm sure you know.
I agree the PDC is designed poorly. But it wasn't that much work to cross check the companies and such. I figured this out LONG ago in about 2-3 hours. That was going through ALL of the contributions to date for all candidates.
Not that I don't appreciate the article, its just not a huge revelation.
Gigatt- Sadly life IS a business and these companies DO expect retribution (i.e., being forced to jump through multiple hoops for permiting, etc) So it is just easier to give equally across the board. It seems to be the way business is done these days.
Denny- it would be hilarious if you forwarded this article to all of Calvins Cronies. He has his "supporters" listed right on his page as I'm sure you know.
Perhaps in GOPgirl's spare time she will use her PDC experience to run a check on all the businesses whose "agents" are Corliss family members...?
175TH AVENUE LLC
2006 CHANNEL DRIVE, LLC
51 BUTTE AVENUE, LLC
7601 RIVER ROAD LLC
76TH AVENUE LLC
A. B. CORLISS COMPANY, INC.
ANDERSON HILL, LLC
ANGELINE ROAD, LLC
BONNEY LAKE APPLE B, LLC
CHURCH LAKE WEST, LLC
CORLISS EXCAVATION, INC.
CORLISS OPTOMETRISTS
CORLISS PAINTING, INC.
CORLISS PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
CORY GOOCH, LLC
FISKE 410 WEST, LLC
FOREST CANYON PARK L.L.C.
GOAT CREEK L.L.C.
H.B.C. TRUCKING, INC.
HINKELMAN, LLC
HORSE HAVEN FALLS LLC
JOE E. CORLISS OPTOMETRISTS, P.S. INC.
JUNCTION PARK II, LLC
KELLEY FARM LLC
LAKE TAPPS PROPERTY LLC
MCNELIUS PIONEER, LLC
MILLER FAMILY FARMS L.L.C.
MYERS ROAD CENTRAL LLC
MYERS ROAD SOUTHWEST LLC
NISQUALLY TREE FARM, LLC
OLD BUTTE OFFICE, LLC
OLD BUTTE SHOP, LLC
PLANT 2, LLC
PUYALLUP SAND & GRAVEL, INC.
SANDY CORNER L.L.C.
SLUISKIN MOUNTAIN L.L.C.
SMOKEY POINT STABLES, INC.
SOUTH FORK ESTATES MASTER ASSOCIATION
STATE POLICE ASSOCIATION
STRAWBERRY CREEK SOUTH, LLC
STRAWBERRY CREEK WEST LLC
SUNRISE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON
T & S PROPERTIES L.L.C.
THE RECTOR, CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ST. DUNSTAN'SCHURCH OF THE HIGHLANDS
TIM CORLISS AND SON CO.
VALLEY AVENUE PROPERTY LLC
and while she's at it, perhaps she can look up the Tucci family' contributions to...?
AIRCRUISE-LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
AMERICAN TILE & FLOORING, L.L.C.
AXCESS INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
B. T., INC.
BUTTE INVESTORS, LLC
CARNEY LAKE TRACTS ASSOCIATION
CRITICAL PATH TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.
DAR WEST ALLIANCES INCORPORATED
E, C & ASSOCIATES CORP.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEVELOPMENT CORP.
INTER NOS, LLC
J. CO NORTHWEST, LLC
LAW OFFICE OF H. A. TUCCI, P.L.L.C.
LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH G. TUCCI, JR. P.L.L.C.
MAGIC PICTURE FRAME STUDIO, LLC
MOROCCAN TREASURES, INC.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION
OMEGA GAS & OIL COMPANY INCORPORATED
OTHELLO COUNTRY CLUB WATER ASSOCIATION
PACIFIC ARBOR APARTMENTS, LLC
POTELCO INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
SATUS MEADOW
SOUND COLLECTION SERVICES, LLC
SOUND SCREENING SERVICES CO., INC.
THE DIGNITAS FOUNDATION
TUCCI & SONS, INC.
175TH AVENUE LLC
2006 CHANNEL DRIVE, LLC
51 BUTTE AVENUE, LLC
7601 RIVER ROAD LLC
76TH AVENUE LLC
A. B. CORLISS COMPANY, INC.
ANDERSON HILL, LLC
ANGELINE ROAD, LLC
BONNEY LAKE APPLE B, LLC
CHURCH LAKE WEST, LLC
CORLISS EXCAVATION, INC.
CORLISS OPTOMETRISTS
CORLISS PAINTING, INC.
CORLISS PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
CORY GOOCH, LLC
FISKE 410 WEST, LLC
FOREST CANYON PARK L.L.C.
GOAT CREEK L.L.C.
H.B.C. TRUCKING, INC.
HINKELMAN, LLC
HORSE HAVEN FALLS LLC
JOE E. CORLISS OPTOMETRISTS, P.S. INC.
JUNCTION PARK II, LLC
KELLEY FARM LLC
LAKE TAPPS PROPERTY LLC
MCNELIUS PIONEER, LLC
MILLER FAMILY FARMS L.L.C.
MYERS ROAD CENTRAL LLC
MYERS ROAD SOUTHWEST LLC
NISQUALLY TREE FARM, LLC
OLD BUTTE OFFICE, LLC
OLD BUTTE SHOP, LLC
PLANT 2, LLC
PUYALLUP SAND & GRAVEL, INC.
SANDY CORNER L.L.C.
SLUISKIN MOUNTAIN L.L.C.
SMOKEY POINT STABLES, INC.
SOUTH FORK ESTATES MASTER ASSOCIATION
STATE POLICE ASSOCIATION
STRAWBERRY CREEK SOUTH, LLC
STRAWBERRY CREEK WEST LLC
SUNRISE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON
T & S PROPERTIES L.L.C.
THE RECTOR, CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ST. DUNSTAN'SCHURCH OF THE HIGHLANDS
TIM CORLISS AND SON CO.
VALLEY AVENUE PROPERTY LLC
and while she's at it, perhaps she can look up the Tucci family' contributions to...?
AIRCRUISE-LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
AMERICAN TILE & FLOORING, L.L.C.
AXCESS INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
B. T., INC.
BUTTE INVESTORS, LLC
CARNEY LAKE TRACTS ASSOCIATION
CRITICAL PATH TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.
DAR WEST ALLIANCES INCORPORATED
E, C & ASSOCIATES CORP.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEVELOPMENT CORP.
INTER NOS, LLC
J. CO NORTHWEST, LLC
LAW OFFICE OF H. A. TUCCI, P.L.L.C.
LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH G. TUCCI, JR. P.L.L.C.
MAGIC PICTURE FRAME STUDIO, LLC
MOROCCAN TREASURES, INC.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION
OMEGA GAS & OIL COMPANY INCORPORATED
OTHELLO COUNTRY CLUB WATER ASSOCIATION
PACIFIC ARBOR APARTMENTS, LLC
POTELCO INDUSTRIES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
SATUS MEADOW
SOUND COLLECTION SERVICES, LLC
SOUND SCREENING SERVICES CO., INC.
THE DIGNITAS FOUNDATION
TUCCI & SONS, INC.
Missing the info on the LeMay family influence.........along with the legal offices who continue to make money off Pierce County in "defending". The PDC isn't well written and easily lets contributers sift funds via various names. Bottom line- all politics here are for sale and have been.
Thanks David for shedding further light... should have been done months ago and maybe a great starting point for our next elections ( and the new leaf for the TNT). As the candidates declare- lets start seeing this information BEFORE the ballots out and are beginning to get mailed in...I think in the future, this will make better election and endorsement profiling in ALL the local races.
Thanks David for shedding further light... should have been done months ago and maybe a great starting point for our next elections ( and the new leaf for the TNT). As the candidates declare- lets start seeing this information BEFORE the ballots out and are beginning to get mailed in...I think in the future, this will make better election and endorsement profiling in ALL the local races.
S_Emerson, you are good. For the measly cost of setting up a LLC, it is nothing for these groups to so so via thier staff as they sit in their million dollar winter home in Palm Springs. GOPgirl, I think you work for Strateges 360, Bunney's hired out of PC County lobbying group that has donated over $2,000 to his campaign. You have no idea how to spin and you have failed to make any case against hard FACTS! Bunney and Goings will pay dearly for the TNT's hard revealed facts about how bought and sold their campaigns really are compared to what lies they say about Mccarthy.
Glass House Goings and the Buck Stops Here Bunney!!!
Gigatt - regardless if you are Longergan jr, keep it up!
Bounce the Bunney.
Goings...going...gone.
Glass House Goings and the Buck Stops Here Bunney!!!
Gigatt - regardless if you are Longergan jr, keep it up!
Bounce the Bunney.
Goings...going...gone.
Denny- I almost fell out of my chair laughing. I certainly DO NOT work for Strategies 360. I was only commenting on how easy this information is to obtain, not supporting or bashing any candidate. I'm sure you knew already being as you have the time. I simply made the time to find out. I did not know who some of the companies were so I cross checked them in the sec. of state database,and then with property records (where applicable) until I was satisfied.
I wasn't trying to *spin* anything, I was simply stating once again how easy this is to find, mostly so other people would know how to do it themselves for any other candidate they are interested in for ANY race. But thanks for the attempt at attacking my non exsistent point I wasn't trying to make.
McCarthy = McSCANDAL
I wasn't trying to *spin* anything, I was simply stating once again how easy this is to find, mostly so other people would know how to do it themselves for any other candidate they are interested in for ANY race. But thanks for the attempt at attacking my non exsistent point I wasn't trying to make.
McCarthy = McSCANDAL
Denny - LOL "Bounce the Bunny - Goings Goins Gone" LOL thanks for that!
GOP Girl, no, normal people don't even know what the PDC is, and most that do get confused about what the information is telling them. They are not stupid by any means, it's just not interesting. Those of us that follow elections on this level are pretty much a select group of geeks on both sides of the aisle. Which is not to say we have no value, but we are not representative of a "normal" majority of people.
That the newspaper is only doing this research now and publishing it now is horrifing. Seems like a reporter would have done this research before publishing anythign for or against any of the canidates regaruding financing. Politics for hire, newspapers for hire. Good hard working servants getting screwed regardless of what they do. I would expect the quality level of our canidates to deteriorate after this. Good people won't run.
GOP Girl, no, normal people don't even know what the PDC is, and most that do get confused about what the information is telling them. They are not stupid by any means, it's just not interesting. Those of us that follow elections on this level are pretty much a select group of geeks on both sides of the aisle. Which is not to say we have no value, but we are not representative of a "normal" majority of people.
That the newspaper is only doing this research now and publishing it now is horrifing. Seems like a reporter would have done this research before publishing anythign for or against any of the canidates regaruding financing. Politics for hire, newspapers for hire. Good hard working servants getting screwed regardless of what they do. I would expect the quality level of our canidates to deteriorate after this. Good people won't run.
jcathcall,
I'll be the first to agree, I am a geek! But I also care about this election. I don't have tons of spare time but I made an effort to find out who was supporting who I was voting for. Hopefully other people could learn how to do it as well before investing thier vote in a candidate.
Lose Lonergan!
McCarthy = McScandal
Goings, goings....get out of Public pocketbooks!
I'll be the first to agree, I am a geek! But I also care about this election. I don't have tons of spare time but I made an effort to find out who was supporting who I was voting for. Hopefully other people could learn how to do it as well before investing thier vote in a candidate.
Lose Lonergan!
McCarthy = McScandal
Goings, goings....get out of Public pocketbooks!
GOPGirl: no offense intended. In fact, you have my admiration. Sadly, the effort you have made indicates you are not average.
To folks suggesting the story should have run sooner: you're right. My only excuse is a lame one: there are more stories that need to be done than I can do in a given period of time. Among other things, I've recently profiled the executive candidates, kept up with the back-and-forth accusations of various campaigns, tried to explain ranked-choice voting and written about several other county races.
As I said, lame excuse. But I appreciate the feedback. So keep it coming.
To folks suggesting the story should have run sooner: you're right. My only excuse is a lame one: there are more stories that need to be done than I can do in a given period of time. Among other things, I've recently profiled the executive candidates, kept up with the back-and-forth accusations of various campaigns, tried to explain ranked-choice voting and written about several other county races.
As I said, lame excuse. But I appreciate the feedback. So keep it coming.
GOPgirl - your forgot...Bounce the Bunney. Be fair, not ignorant. And you said when people were blogging that Shawn hired a lobbying firm that Shawn hired the best....how would you know Strategies 360 is the best?
Shawn had his face deeper in the Builder money trough than any other candidate. Wrong or right, Bunney is sitting back and laughing at Goings spread lies about Mccarthy. Dems and Union and Enviro groups better take note, Goings will try to win at any cost. I am sure he gained your trust by denouncing the Builders as people who destroy the environment and dont create real family wage jobs. I hope you see the truth in the matter. If Goings was as righteous has he claimed he would have not taken the money. And to top it off, he created and paid for a website to spread lies that Mccarthy's campaign was bought by the Builders. Goings has no where to go politically if he looses and will have to get a real job.
And now we see that Goings too has hired a big shot Seattle firm that has been involved with candidates that went down in flames for taking money from Strip Club owners. But what is worse, is the thousands of dollars Goings and Bunney pay these consultants that work and live in King County versus them choosing a firm in PC. And they talk about Economic Development and creating jobs in PC.....more BS. But when your head is ear deep in the builder money trough like Goings and Shawn, you dont really hear about hardworking PC residents that are suffering.
BTW - Goings, your Calvinites are putting up illegal signs since they dont have a paid for by statement on the sign but since you live in a hypocritical world, why would you car. GOPgr, the PDC requires political signs to have a statement on the sign that states who paid for it, its the law.
I just pray that the voters who have their ballots sitting on the kitchen table really read about candidates and what drives them before they make their decisions. Headed to Starbucks if any of the "turtles" and imposters want to come by and meet...talk...and be educated.
Shawn had his face deeper in the Builder money trough than any other candidate. Wrong or right, Bunney is sitting back and laughing at Goings spread lies about Mccarthy. Dems and Union and Enviro groups better take note, Goings will try to win at any cost. I am sure he gained your trust by denouncing the Builders as people who destroy the environment and dont create real family wage jobs. I hope you see the truth in the matter. If Goings was as righteous has he claimed he would have not taken the money. And to top it off, he created and paid for a website to spread lies that Mccarthy's campaign was bought by the Builders. Goings has no where to go politically if he looses and will have to get a real job.
And now we see that Goings too has hired a big shot Seattle firm that has been involved with candidates that went down in flames for taking money from Strip Club owners. But what is worse, is the thousands of dollars Goings and Bunney pay these consultants that work and live in King County versus them choosing a firm in PC. And they talk about Economic Development and creating jobs in PC.....more BS. But when your head is ear deep in the builder money trough like Goings and Shawn, you dont really hear about hardworking PC residents that are suffering.
BTW - Goings, your Calvinites are putting up illegal signs since they dont have a paid for by statement on the sign but since you live in a hypocritical world, why would you car. GOPgr, the PDC requires political signs to have a statement on the sign that states who paid for it, its the law.
I just pray that the voters who have their ballots sitting on the kitchen table really read about candidates and what drives them before they make their decisions. Headed to Starbucks if any of the "turtles" and imposters want to come by and meet...talk...and be educated.
David - really appreciate you acknowledging that, may be too late to reverse the affects but hey.
GOP girl - I agree re: both interest in this election and wishing people would pay more attention. I liken it to soccer. Some people know ALL the rules and follow every game and player (that'd be us in local politics) and others just glance at the world cup scores (that'd be the vast majority of folks).
Denny - I am with you, however, that Strat 360 is among the best is common knowledge in the industry that we geek's pay attention to. They have some nearly scary significant clout, that is why I think they will get away with their employee working in-kind and not reporting it. Sad but true. Also scuttle but is that the bunny camp actually put up those "illegal signs". Think about the mastery of that strategy : Divide the Dem's against themselves - and walk with the election. It's respectable as a strategy, dishonorable as a tactic. I mean the whole 100G on Pat thing - a Bunny rep just had to call Cal and say it, playing on his reactionary side, and off he pounced - I think Cal will be fine if he looses, some union will pay him to lobby and next election he will be hiring Strat 360 for some independent expenditure. Perhaps they reconsidered after the scuttle butt started because I noticed alot that I saw yesterday are no longer there today.
Sorry this is so long - but the other topic here is hiring local political consulting firms. As it is those firms are few in the South Sound. Of the bigger firms lot's of their employees spent some time coming of age as it were in Oly and Pierce County, seems that it's just not respectable to be a consultant from the South Sound. Also I know in more than one election candidates and committees have been told by the 'funding groups" that they will only get their support if they hire these outside firms, kinda puts them over a barrel from the get go. Hence I tend to believe we really do have a good ol boy system. The good old boys who represent the most checks select the canidate, dictate who'll run the campaign and -- well they win a great deal of the time, those that can compete with them can't afford the polical or busines backlash. Mind you I do think that individually the good 'ol boys are decent folks. I understand that they do think feel beleive that they are doing the community a service by selecting and supporting who is best for us and them.
Lastly lastly, Cal had hired Northwest Passage - also a very respectable consulting firm. Word is he fired them and got someone from California ???? I don't know what sense that makes other than he would have received most of the strategy from NWP for a low cost,(bigger costs come in mail and production etc) and then perhaps took those ideas to execute them with a lower bidder. Funny how democrats support fair jobs and wages and then screw anyone who does politics just as fast as they can. But you never know, maybe NWP fired Cal. They do have a reputation to keep after all.
Ok, I am rambling, sorry -out.
GOP girl - I agree re: both interest in this election and wishing people would pay more attention. I liken it to soccer. Some people know ALL the rules and follow every game and player (that'd be us in local politics) and others just glance at the world cup scores (that'd be the vast majority of folks).
Denny - I am with you, however, that Strat 360 is among the best is common knowledge in the industry that we geek's pay attention to. They have some nearly scary significant clout, that is why I think they will get away with their employee working in-kind and not reporting it. Sad but true. Also scuttle but is that the bunny camp actually put up those "illegal signs". Think about the mastery of that strategy : Divide the Dem's against themselves - and walk with the election. It's respectable as a strategy, dishonorable as a tactic. I mean the whole 100G on Pat thing - a Bunny rep just had to call Cal and say it, playing on his reactionary side, and off he pounced - I think Cal will be fine if he looses, some union will pay him to lobby and next election he will be hiring Strat 360 for some independent expenditure. Perhaps they reconsidered after the scuttle butt started because I noticed alot that I saw yesterday are no longer there today.
Sorry this is so long - but the other topic here is hiring local political consulting firms. As it is those firms are few in the South Sound. Of the bigger firms lot's of their employees spent some time coming of age as it were in Oly and Pierce County, seems that it's just not respectable to be a consultant from the South Sound. Also I know in more than one election candidates and committees have been told by the 'funding groups" that they will only get their support if they hire these outside firms, kinda puts them over a barrel from the get go. Hence I tend to believe we really do have a good ol boy system. The good old boys who represent the most checks select the canidate, dictate who'll run the campaign and -- well they win a great deal of the time, those that can compete with them can't afford the polical or busines backlash. Mind you I do think that individually the good 'ol boys are decent folks. I understand that they do think feel beleive that they are doing the community a service by selecting and supporting who is best for us and them.
Lastly lastly, Cal had hired Northwest Passage - also a very respectable consulting firm. Word is he fired them and got someone from California ???? I don't know what sense that makes other than he would have received most of the strategy from NWP for a low cost,(bigger costs come in mail and production etc) and then perhaps took those ideas to execute them with a lower bidder. Funny how democrats support fair jobs and wages and then screw anyone who does politics just as fast as they can. But you never know, maybe NWP fired Cal. They do have a reputation to keep after all.
Ok, I am rambling, sorry -out.
David- This is a good article, and I'm sorry if it came off as if I was saying anything else. The story is good and sure is NEW news to many.
Denny- Everyone here knows who I support in this race. Also, it IS common knowledge that Strategies 360 -while being liberal to the extreme- carry alot of clout and are well known for thier abilities. You're hardly being fair. I didn't notice you adopting my McCarthy = McScandal in your closing lines, so please don't try to dictate mine. Shawn had exsisting donations from his '06 Campaign, why not roll them into his exec. race? You would not be crying foul if it was McScandal rolling over her donations, not matter who they are from. I don't know what Shawn is doing, but many in the GOP camp at least are just watching the democratic bloodbath between McScandal and Goings-Gone. It's absolutely a train wreck...you want to look away but you can't. Calvin was wrong wrong WRONG to divide his party and is now getting increasingly desperate.
The signs are an issue and Calvin since I know you read these, I watch you hop on and off at different points throughout the day, quit putting your illegal signs up! I'm sick of you knocking down Mike's, Shawn's and yes even Pat's signs and putting yours in thier place, its just wrong, try not to tarnish the tiny shred of reputation you may still have by these sordid things you are doing.
Lose Lonergan!
McCarthy = McScandal
Goings, goings....get out of Public Pocketbooks!
Denny- Everyone here knows who I support in this race. Also, it IS common knowledge that Strategies 360 -while being liberal to the extreme- carry alot of clout and are well known for thier abilities. You're hardly being fair. I didn't notice you adopting my McCarthy = McScandal in your closing lines, so please don't try to dictate mine. Shawn had exsisting donations from his '06 Campaign, why not roll them into his exec. race? You would not be crying foul if it was McScandal rolling over her donations, not matter who they are from. I don't know what Shawn is doing, but many in the GOP camp at least are just watching the democratic bloodbath between McScandal and Goings-Gone. It's absolutely a train wreck...you want to look away but you can't. Calvin was wrong wrong WRONG to divide his party and is now getting increasingly desperate.
The signs are an issue and Calvin since I know you read these, I watch you hop on and off at different points throughout the day, quit putting your illegal signs up! I'm sick of you knocking down Mike's, Shawn's and yes even Pat's signs and putting yours in thier place, its just wrong, try not to tarnish the tiny shred of reputation you may still have by these sordid things you are doing.
Lose Lonergan!
McCarthy = McScandal
Goings, goings....get out of Public Pocketbooks!
Regardless if it is not "cool" to be a counsulting firm from the South Sound, they sill excist. It would be nice to see the tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars consulting firms charge candidates being spent in PC to create jobs and buying cars, homes and products. Goings and Bunney are sending all of the money to King County.....way to go! But why would Bunney care since he is in favor of sending our water and road dollars up to King County anyway.
Strategies 360's web site seems to be the place for old timers that want to bask in the past glory from what I have read and researched. They don't even list their client list like all the other lobbying firms do....very interesting. Besides trying to sell PC's water out of Lake Tapps to cities in King County along with Bunney, I have not found any real significant accomplishments by the lobbying group Strategies 360.
The President, who wears a cowboy hat in his picture...is he from Texas, was the guy that got Cantwell to spend millions of her high tech stocks to beat old man Slade Gorton. I guess you would like your good if you had millions to spend at the last minute to beat another candidate.
BTW - Goings is using Moxie Media out of Seattle, a very liberal consulting group that got so meSeattle politicians elected who ended up going down in flames after they took campaign donations from STRIP CLUB owners....ouch!
GOPgrl - I agree, I see Bunney, Mike and Mccarthy signs down while a red, glaring Goings sign stands in its place.
Strategies 360's web site seems to be the place for old timers that want to bask in the past glory from what I have read and researched. They don't even list their client list like all the other lobbying firms do....very interesting. Besides trying to sell PC's water out of Lake Tapps to cities in King County along with Bunney, I have not found any real significant accomplishments by the lobbying group Strategies 360.
The President, who wears a cowboy hat in his picture...is he from Texas, was the guy that got Cantwell to spend millions of her high tech stocks to beat old man Slade Gorton. I guess you would like your good if you had millions to spend at the last minute to beat another candidate.
BTW - Goings is using Moxie Media out of Seattle, a very liberal consulting group that got so meSeattle politicians elected who ended up going down in flames after they took campaign donations from STRIP CLUB owners....ouch!
GOPgrl - I agree, I see Bunney, Mike and Mccarthy signs down while a red, glaring Goings sign stands in its place.
Denny, I think its just a matter of trying to choose poliically who will help you win, not some vendetta of calvin and Shawn to export $$$ to King County. Some would say (maybe I'm alone here) That Strat. 360 just wants to protect thier client list.
Also, have you noticed how many signs of Calvins are in front of Adult video stores and Deja Vu places? Very interesting.......
Also, have you noticed how many signs of Calvins are in front of Adult video stores and Deja Vu places? Very interesting.......
Maybe Goings is trying to do economic development!?
What is Strategies 360 trying to hide. GOPgirl, you ignorant parrot, all you have to do is look up the WA St and Federal lobbying records to see who Stategies 360 is working for. I thought you were getting better GOPgrl but you and Hillarysupporter and saralind and the other parrots need new words to repeat and some facts to back them up.
What is Strategies 360 trying to hide. GOPgirl, you ignorant parrot, all you have to do is look up the WA St and Federal lobbying records to see who Stategies 360 is working for. I thought you were getting better GOPgrl but you and Hillarysupporter and saralind and the other parrots need new words to repeat and some facts to back them up.
Well gee Denny why don't you ASK strat. 360 about that? DUH you can look up lobbying records! I was talking about what the *general public* would be willing to dig into.
And I see you have no room to talk as you yourself are sitting on McScandal's shoulder. You just come on here and bash Calvin and Shawn, and defend Pat. Oh gee wonder who's feeding THAT parrot!
McScandal!!!
Arrgggh Mateys the voters didn't like my survey!!
And I see you have no room to talk as you yourself are sitting on McScandal's shoulder. You just come on here and bash Calvin and Shawn, and defend Pat. Oh gee wonder who's feeding THAT parrot!
McScandal!!!
Arrgggh Mateys the voters didn't like my survey!!
GOPGirl,
The general public would revolt if they were willing to dig up the facts.
Please stop picking, you know me better than that by now. I was a Bunney fan until I saw his "official" mailer that was paid for by the tax payers with half of the mailer a smily picture of Bunney and Terry Lee, both current candidates for PC office.
For coming up with McScandal I will give you a B minus grade but the last pirate noise does not make sense. You should have had someone proof that for you.
The general public would revolt if they were willing to dig up the facts.
Please stop picking, you know me better than that by now. I was a Bunney fan until I saw his "official" mailer that was paid for by the tax payers with half of the mailer a smily picture of Bunney and Terry Lee, both current candidates for PC office.
For coming up with McScandal I will give you a B minus grade but the last pirate noise does not make sense. You should have had someone proof that for you.
David,
You have a good start in this article. You are publishing what a lot of “regular” people wouldn't take the time to look up for themselves. But all I read is “these companies are bending the rules to give more money to these candidates”. I have to infer the most important journalistic info, why.
First of all why should I care?
Why does the state law only limit campaign contributions to $800.00? What is it original intent of the law?
Why do the companies give so much?
Why do the candidates take or need so much?
Yes, it may be morally wrong for a candidate to take money from sources that may have used a loophole to provide more then the state law allows. I would love to live in a dream world where there is no greed or corruption; where candidates always do the right thing, never lie, where the voters are informed and know the whole truth; but that place will never exist. So we all have to do the best with what we have. The public has an assumption that it is evil to spend money to win an election, while the candidates have to spend money to reach a lackadaisical voting base. We are also under the assumption that whoever gives one money owns that person, essentially buying loyalty. That could be true some of the time, but if we really think about it if that was fully true we shouldn't trust a person we think could be swayed in what they believe in. We can't truly believe that money is the only way to sway people.
Everyone who posted a response,
I see many heated debates on what a politician should or should not do, and I see now that it is because we are frustrated.
We are frustrated because we see mistakes, imperfections, lies and greed everywhere.
We are frustrated because the voice we where promised is muted.
We are frustrated because we know we don't know everything.
We are frustrated because we want to trust but are disappointed continuously.
We are frustrated because we think someone should do more and know that that someone really should be us.
We are frustrated because we drove them to this.
You have a good start in this article. You are publishing what a lot of “regular” people wouldn't take the time to look up for themselves. But all I read is “these companies are bending the rules to give more money to these candidates”. I have to infer the most important journalistic info, why.
First of all why should I care?
Why does the state law only limit campaign contributions to $800.00? What is it original intent of the law?
Why do the companies give so much?
Why do the candidates take or need so much?
Yes, it may be morally wrong for a candidate to take money from sources that may have used a loophole to provide more then the state law allows. I would love to live in a dream world where there is no greed or corruption; where candidates always do the right thing, never lie, where the voters are informed and know the whole truth; but that place will never exist. So we all have to do the best with what we have. The public has an assumption that it is evil to spend money to win an election, while the candidates have to spend money to reach a lackadaisical voting base. We are also under the assumption that whoever gives one money owns that person, essentially buying loyalty. That could be true some of the time, but if we really think about it if that was fully true we shouldn't trust a person we think could be swayed in what they believe in. We can't truly believe that money is the only way to sway people.
Everyone who posted a response,
I see many heated debates on what a politician should or should not do, and I see now that it is because we are frustrated.
We are frustrated because we see mistakes, imperfections, lies and greed everywhere.
We are frustrated because the voice we where promised is muted.
We are frustrated because we know we don't know everything.
We are frustrated because we want to trust but are disappointed continuously.
We are frustrated because we think someone should do more and know that that someone really should be us.
We are frustrated because we drove them to this.
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