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.

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.

Phillips Under Fire—in South Carolina

picture-26

The guy just can’t catch a break. From WIS News 10 in Columbia, SC:

You may not believe it, but South Carolina has become the target of a political attack by a Seattle man running for county executive. [...]

“We made coffee famous, we invented commercial air travel, and the personal computer. Let’s see South Carolina do that,” says Larry in the ad.

Surely there has to be a reasonable, rational explanation for picking on the Palmetto State, right?

If you talk to Larry about it, he says he’s merely making a reference to the fact that Boeing has made a deal worth $580 million with South Carolina.

“I’m just reminding the folks from King County that we’ve got a great county ourselves and we want to keep our best companies here and our best workers here and build up for the future,” said Larry.

If anything, Larry wants the people of the state to know that he wasn’t speaking badly of anyone here.

“I love South Carolina and the folks who live there. I’ve been there on several occasions and I have a member of my personal staff from South Carolina,” said Larry.

On the bright side… Umm… At least he’s building name recognition somewhere?


  • jack in the beanstalk

    Erica,
    You and the entire “Publicolaholics” posse are becoming more irrelevant by the day. This Larry cant catch a break thing was unnecessary when he is simply speaking whats on the mind of WA citizens who would rather keep Boeing here. I’m sure after this election, your investors will have a “come to Jesus” meeting re all of the bias reporting and disclaimers on every piece. I know I would…

  • jack in the beanstalk

    Erica,
    You and the entire “Publicolaholics” posse are becoming more irrelevant by the day. This Larry cant catch a break thing was unnecessary when he is simply speaking whats on the mind of WA citizens who would rather keep Boeing here. I’m sure after this election, your investors will have a “come to Jesus” meeting re all of the bias reporting and disclaimers on every piece. I know I would…

  • hjkl

    Did this ad remind anyone else of the classic Paul Wellstone “I don’t have 6 million dollars, so I’m gonna have to talk fast” ad?

    I think it’s the pacing and the multiple backgrounds.

  • hjkl

    Did this ad remind anyone else of the classic Paul Wellstone “I don’t have 6 million dollars, so I’m gonna have to talk fast” ad?

    I think it’s the pacing and the multiple backgrounds.

  • John Spellman

    Another big league embellishment by LP.

    If you listen to the audio from the webstie, amidst his pandering to the reporter, he tries tries to dodge the put down by saying one of his professional staff played football for the U. South Carolina.

    Travis Commodore, a 2002 graduate of SC and member of Larry’s Council Staff, is not listed on any football roster from 1998-2002.

    Another big league embellishment by LP.

    Or on second thought, perhaps he indicated he was kidding by an ackward wink that was missed in the telephone interview.

    http://www.wistv.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=3851&topVideoCatNoB=67010&topVideoCatNoC=125643&topVideoCatNoD=87934&topVideoCatNoE=138849&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4021471&flvUri=

    http://www.fanbase.com/South-Carolina-Fighting-Gamecocks-Football-1998/roster

  • John Spellman

    Another big league embellishment by LP.

    If you listen to the audio from the webstie, amidst his pandering to the reporter, he tries tries to dodge the put down by saying one of his professional staff played football for the U. South Carolina.

    Travis Commodore, a 2002 graduate of SC and member of Larry’s Council Staff, is not listed on any football roster from 1998-2002.

    Another big league embellishment by LP.

    Or on second thought, perhaps he indicated he was kidding by an ackward wink that was missed in the telephone interview.

    http://www.wistv.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=3851&topVideoCatNoB=67010&topVideoCatNoC=125643&topVideoCatNoD=87934&topVideoCatNoE=138849&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4021471&flvUri=

    http://www.fanbase.com/South-Carolina-Fighting-Gamecocks-Football-1998/roster

  • Danny Noonan

    Somebody should get SC’s native son, Stephn Colbert on this one.

    Maybe he could start an new series, “Get to Know A County Executive Candidate”

  • Danny Noonan

    Somebody should get SC’s native son, Stephn Colbert on this one.

    Maybe he could start an new series, “Get to Know A County Executive Candidate”

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-481-Seattle-Progressive-Politics-Examiner Chad (The Left) Shue

    Hey,
    It’s too bad Larry felt he needed to backtrack for the SC reporter. What is wrong with a King County Executive reminding the citizens that we have a lot to be proud of and being one of the few who hasn’t jumped on the “Blame the Unions First” bandwagon?

    Peace,
    Chad (The Left) Shue

  • http://www.examiner.com/x-481-Seattle-Progressive-Politics-Examiner Chad (The Left) Shue

    Hey,
    It’s too bad Larry felt he needed to backtrack for the SC reporter. What is wrong with a King County Executive reminding the citizens that we have a lot to be proud of and being one of the few who hasn’t jumped on the “Blame the Unions First” bandwagon?

    Peace,
    Chad (The Left) Shue

  • TroyJmorris

    Word up, Chad. South Carolina hasn’t done much after founding the Confederacy. I mean, we subsidize the shit out of soy and they do tobacco. Weeeeeeee.

    I mean, the whole state has four Fortune 500 companies. FOUR! Sure, their whole state has about as many people as the Central Puget Sound Region, but still…

  • TroyJmorris

    Word up, Chad. South Carolina hasn’t done much after founding the Confederacy. I mean, we subsidize the shit out of soy and they do tobacco. Weeeeeeee.

    I mean, the whole state has four Fortune 500 companies. FOUR! Sure, their whole state has about as many people as the Central Puget Sound Region, but still…

  • Chester

    I’m glad someone’s standing up for keeping local industry and jobs in our region. You’ll understand when you get laid off with just a measly severance as a thank you for 26 years of service.

  • Chester

    I’m glad someone’s standing up for keeping local industry and jobs in our region. You’ll understand when you get laid off with just a measly severance as a thank you for 26 years of service.

  • Susan

    ME SO HORNY!!!

  • Susan

    ME SO HORNY!!!