Best of Local Politics

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October 1, 9:54 PM

by Eric Earling, Seattle Right Side Politics Examiner

 

Best politics blog:  The Tacoma News Tribune’s Political Buzz

A win almost by default, since no other major news organization site serves up a quality and prodigious blog on such topics. The Seattle Times is still trying to sort itself out in life after David Postman’s “Postman on Politics” and the Seattle P-I’s Strange Bedfellows offers infrequent coverage with an excessive national bent, rather than using the blog to report local and state news of note on a regular basis.  The coverage is Pierce County centric to a degree - understandably.  But it's about the best blog for state and regional political news.

Best Olympia coverage: None!

The state’s media scene lacks a strong corps of political reporters in the wake of many in that profession on the politics and policy beat moving on to greener pastures in recent months. The departed include: David Postman and Ralph Thomas from the Seattle Times, Robert Mak from King 5, Neil Modie from the Seattle P-I, Chris Mulick from the Tri-City Herald, and Dave Ammons from the AP.  It's a stunning loss of institutional knowledge in state politics and policy for the press corps.

Great timing with the Governor’s race being such a low-profile contest and all.

Best local think tank: Washington Policy Center

In part because no left-of-center think tank has yet emerged with comparable heft (an odd twist in the great Seattle area), this outfit most consistently offers up material that becomes fodder in the press and in political circles as policy is discussed and debated.  Agree with them or not, their ideas very often become a notable piece of public discourse.

Best political hack: State Democratic party spokesperson Kelly Steele

I mean that as a compliment, since I'm a former US Senate staffer. Political ideology aside, Steele plays the role of a state party spokesperson with the modern era with vigor. He is consistently on message and always ready with a slashing – and quotable! – attack on the opponent of the day.  There are few more effective wordsmiths in the local political scene.

Best Governor for January 2009: ...

Well, we all have our preferences.  But wouldn't having the race firmly decided by then be nice?

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