Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Enough to Constitute a Quorum

News   July 2, 2009 at 7:10 am Morning Fizz

The scene inside the Rob Roy

Inside the Rob Roy

With people waiting in a line out  the door to get in, more than 300 folks showed up to last night’s big PubliCola throwdown at the Rob Roy in Belltown, including:

• A majority of city council members (enough to constitute a quorum!);

• Eight city council contenders (including all the candidates for Positions 2 and 6);

Council candidate David Miller and others wait in line outside the PubliCola party

Council candidate David Miller and others wait in line outside the PubliCola party

• At least two state legislators;

• One deputy mayor;

• More than a half-dozen media types in search of a free drink;

• Almost everyone who works on the second and seventh floors of city hall;

• And two potential 2013 mayoral candidates.

Thanks to everyone who attended, and to the PubliCola angels who helped make it possible: Lisa MacLean and Moxie Media, Lynn Claudon, and Linda Derschang.


  • Christian

    So in addition to Mike Fong, who was the other 2013 Mayoral candidate?

  • Hobgoblin

    @1 – Now that’s some funny stuff.

  • Hobgoblin

    @1 – Now that’s some funny stuff.

  • Hobgoblin

    @1 – Now that’s some funny stuff.

  • http://www.brothertonstrategies.com/ David Brotherton

    Fun party. Thanks to the Publicola crew for hosting. Who would have guessed that if you invite a bunch of political and media hacks to something with free drinks, the turnout would be so big? Go figure…

  • http://www.brothertonstrategies.com/ David Brotherton

    Fun party. Thanks to the Publicola crew for hosting. Who would have guessed that if you invite a bunch of political and media hacks to something with free drinks, the turnout would be so big? Go figure…

  • http://www.brothertonstrategies.com David Brotherton

    Fun party. Thanks to the Publicola crew for hosting. Who would have guessed that if you invite a bunch of political and media hacks to something with free drinks, the turnout would be so big? Go figure…

  • Trevor

    Congrats! A successful launch in this media landscape is a real accomplishment.

  • Trevor

    Congrats! A successful launch in this media landscape is a real accomplishment.

  • Trevor

    Congrats! A successful launch in this media landscape is a real accomplishment.

  • http://www.bloomforcouncil.org/ David Bloom

    Thanks,Publicola,for a great party last night, It was wonderful to meet so many people who care about local politics and what happens in our city. I may have even passed Erica’s sartorial critique this time.

  • http://www.bloomforcouncil.org/ David Bloom

    Thanks,Publicola,for a great party last night, It was wonderful to meet so many people who care about local politics and what happens in our city. I may have even passed Erica’s sartorial critique this time.

  • http://www.bloomforcouncil.org David Bloom

    Thanks,Publicola,for a great party last night, It was wonderful to meet so many people who care about local politics and what happens in our city. I may have even passed Erica’s sartorial critique this time.

  • Christi S

    Picture Caption: “Council candidate David Miller and others wait in line outside the PubliCola party”

    Josh: Hey, that’s not “others!” That’s JJTweets aka Johnathon Fitzpatrick – only the hottest Journo and Tweeter in town! Better snap him up before somebody else locks him up full time.

    Sorry I missed it – I was under the weather. Sounds like a great night!

  • Christi S

    Picture Caption: “Council candidate David Miller and others wait in line outside the PubliCola party”

    Josh: Hey, that’s not “others!” That’s JJTweets aka Johnathon Fitzpatrick – only the hottest Journo and Tweeter in town! Better snap him up before somebody else locks him up full time.

    Sorry I missed it – I was under the weather. Sounds like a great night!

  • Christi S

    Picture Caption: “Council candidate David Miller and others wait in line outside the PubliCola party”

    Josh: Hey, that’s not “others!” That’s JJTweets aka Johnathon Fitzpatrick – only the hottest Journo and Tweeter in town! Better snap him up before somebody else locks him up full time.

    Sorry I missed it – I was under the weather. Sounds like a great night!

  • Christian

    So in addition to Mike Fong, who was the other 2013 Mayoral candidate?