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Live from Nickels' Press Conference

News   August 21, 2009 at 9:57 am Erica C. Barnett

9:55 am: Waiting for Mayor Greg Nickels to emerge from his office into the seventh-floor Norm B. Rice conference room. The room is packed with city hall staffers (many of them from city council offices), reporters, and grim-faced mayoral staffers. The mayor’s announcement (presumably a concession) is planned for 10:00 am.

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10:00 am. Nickels concedes. But he  still has a sense of humor:

“When I became mayor in 2002  decided… that I would rather be a mayor who gets things done than a politician who left nothing more behind than footprints in the sand [and do the right thing, rather than] what might be popular. Based on Tuesday’s primary election results I have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.”

“Serving as mayor of this fine city has been the greatest honor of my life. … The voters have elected me twice. Having made wise decisions in both those instances, I’m in no position to second guess them now.”

“Together we built bike trails, sidewalks, libraries and parks. …  And we created an atmosphere of racial and social justice.”

“Those who are running for office must make a case that they are the best person. But they should not denigrate what we have done. … Do not distort the true picture of Seattle. We are an amazing place at an amazing time.”

At this point, he seems to be tearing up. Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis looks stricken.

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Asked whether he regretted going negative against Joe Mallahan and Mike McGinn in the last days of the campaign, Nickels said he “isn’t really reflective on the campaign today,” adding that he simply never broke through the 25-percent barrier he would have needed to surmount to beat his challengers.

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Asked whether he’s supporting either candidate who’s made it on to the general election, Nickels responded, “I have not made a decision who I’m going to vote for, much less whether I’m going to make an endorsement.”

Asked what he plans to do next, Nickels said he has no idea, but that “nothing in my future career will match the honor of being mayor of this city. But it may pay better.”

Nickels doesn’t respond to several questions about missed opportunities and regrets. He does seem extremely emotional, though—asked how he’s feeling, he says, in a shaking voice, “It’s harder for [friends and family] than it was for me, because for me, it’s part of the deal, and they don’t have a choice.”


  • Timothy

    I think this is a really gracious concession speech.

  • Timothy

    I think this is a really gracious concession speech.

  • Timothy

    I think this is a really gracious concession speech.

  • katie

    I agree, good speech; sad times. Nickels really did accomplish a lot in the past few years and that hasn’t gotten as much coverage as it deserves.

  • christi s.

    That was classy. Good on Greg.

  • christi s.

    That was classy. Good on Greg.

  • sks

    It was classy and impressive.

  • sks

    It was classy and impressive.

  • Zelbinian

    I agree. Way to take the high road, Mr. Nickels. You could have easily pulled a Hillary Clinton (too soon?), but you didn’t. Thank you for swallowing your pride and doing what is best for the city.

  • Zelbinian

    I agree. Way to take the high road, Mr. Nickels. You could have easily pulled a Hillary Clinton (too soon?), but you didn’t. Thank you for swallowing your pride and doing what is best for the city.

  • Zelbinian

    I agree. Way to take the high road, Mr. Nickels. You could have easily pulled a Hillary Clinton (too soon?), but you didn’t. Thank you for swallowing your pride and doing what is best for the city.

  • Corrective Action

    Agreed. A gracious concession. We should all (opponents and supporters) wish him well in all his future endeavors.

  • Corrective Action

    Agreed. A gracious concession. We should all (opponents and supporters) wish him well in all his future endeavors.

  • seabos84

    and now the war starts.

    on 1 side, we got the I-want-Seattle-To-Be-littlesmalldinky crowd who can’t actuallize their ideas about biodegradable organic tofu flying carpets replacing cars and trucks cuz they know how to paint posters, and know nothign about running any kind of business or engineering anything.

    and other side we got the khaki-clad corporate sell outs, the corporate sell out synchophants of cantwell-murray-gregroire-locke leafy neighborhood dems who can AFFORD cutting services they ‘support’ and don’t use. The leafy neighborhood dems who’ve supported our big SAT big ivy corporate stooges who’ve done a GREAT job wrecking the economy for the last 30 years -well, unless your one of cheney’s right wing buddies, a stooges or a the leafy neighborhood dem.

    ugh.

    Bechtel VS. Creative! Toe Painters ;) !

    rmm.

  • seabos84

    and now the war starts.

    on 1 side, we got the I-want-Seattle-To-Be-littlesmalldinky crowd who can’t actuallize their ideas about biodegradable organic tofu flying carpets replacing cars and trucks cuz they know how to paint posters, and know nothign about running any kind of business or engineering anything.

    and other side we got the khaki-clad corporate sell outs, the corporate sell out synchophants of cantwell-murray-gregroire-locke leafy neighborhood dems who can AFFORD cutting services they ‘support’ and don’t use. The leafy neighborhood dems who’ve supported our big SAT big ivy corporate stooges who’ve done a GREAT job wrecking the economy for the last 30 years -well, unless your one of cheney’s right wing buddies, a stooges or a the leafy neighborhood dem.

    ugh.

    Bechtel VS. Creative! Toe Painters ;) !

    rmm.

  • seabos84

    and now the war starts.

    on 1 side, we got the I-want-Seattle-To-Be-littlesmalldinky crowd who can’t actuallize their ideas about biodegradable organic tofu flying carpets replacing cars and trucks cuz they know how to paint posters, and know nothign about running any kind of business or engineering anything.

    and other side we got the khaki-clad corporate sell outs, the corporate sell out synchophants of cantwell-murray-gregroire-locke leafy neighborhood dems who can AFFORD cutting services they ‘support’ and don’t use. The leafy neighborhood dems who’ve supported our big SAT big ivy corporate stooges who’ve done a GREAT job wrecking the economy for the last 30 years -well, unless your one of cheney’s right wing buddies, a stooges or a the leafy neighborhood dem.

    ugh.

    Bechtel VS. Creative! Toe Painters ;) !

    rmm.

  • http://www.BombasticMo.com/ BombasticMo

    Was this a mistype?

    “Together we built bike trails, sidewalks, libraries and parks. We built a sense of race and social justice. And created an atmosphere of racial and social justice.”

    Or a flub on his behalf?

    I’d say he went down classy. I was a little nervous he’d pull a Norm Coleman with the race being as close as it was. Now what is he going to do with the rest of his time in office?

  • http://www.BombasticMo.com/ BombasticMo

    Was this a mistype?

    “Together we built bike trails, sidewalks, libraries and parks. We built a sense of race and social justice. And created an atmosphere of racial and social justice.”

    Or a flub on his behalf?

    I’d say he went down classy. I was a little nervous he’d pull a Norm Coleman with the race being as close as it was. Now what is he going to do with the rest of his time in office?

  • Marge

    Well done Gregg.

  • Marge

    Well done Gregg.

  • http://www.BombasticMo.com BombasticMo

    Was this a mistype?

    “Together we built bike trails, sidewalks, libraries and parks. We built a sense of race and social justice. And created an atmosphere of racial and social justice.”

    Or a flub on his behalf?

    I’d say he went down classy. I was a little nervous he’d pull a Norm Coleman with the race being as close as it was. Now what is he going to do with the rest of his time in office?

  • Marge

    Well done Gregg.

  • Misc comment

    Don’t worry about Nickels-he’ll find a job, and one that pays better than what he has now.

    Joel Connelly and Joni Balter are pontificating on KUOW as I type this. As one who thinks that Erica is a crummy reporter/political pundit I must admit that she is light years ahead of Connelly and Balter.

    Re: Westneat’s piece about why the Mayor lost. How did he manage to miss that voters are pissed off about his prioritizing developer?Paul Allen’s interests over the rest of us. That Nickels and the interests he serves want to create a world class city on the backs of the taxpayers even if they create a city many citizens won’t be able to afford to live in.

    Of geeez-Connelly just quoted Lucy from the “I Love Lucy show.” Go away Connelly-just go away you pompous windbag. The Stranger is hiring bloggers. Get your ass over there before Sandeep does.

  • Misc comment

    Don’t worry about Nickels-he’ll find a job, and one that pays better than what he has now.

    Joel Connelly and Joni Balter are pontificating on KUOW as I type this. As one who thinks that Erica is a crummy reporter/political pundit I must admit that she is light years ahead of Connelly and Balter.

    Re: Westneat’s piece about why the Mayor lost. How did he manage to miss that voters are pissed off about his prioritizing developer?Paul Allen’s interests over the rest of us. That Nickels and the interests he serves want to create a world class city on the backs of the taxpayers even if they create a city many citizens won’t be able to afford to live in.

    Of geeez-Connelly just quoted Lucy from the “I Love Lucy show.” Go away Connelly-just go away you pompous windbag. The Stranger is hiring bloggers. Get your ass over there before Sandeep does.

  • Misc comment

    Don’t worry about Nickels-he’ll find a job, and one that pays better than what he has now.

    Joel Connelly and Joni Balter are pontificating on KUOW as I type this. As one who thinks that Erica is a crummy reporter/political pundit I must admit that she is light years ahead of Connelly and Balter.

    Re: Westneat’s piece about why the Mayor lost. How did he manage to miss that voters are pissed off about his prioritizing developer?Paul Allen’s interests over the rest of us. That Nickels and the interests he serves want to create a world class city on the backs of the taxpayers even if they create a city many citizens won’t be able to afford to live in.

    Of geeez-Connelly just quoted Lucy from the “I Love Lucy show.” Go away Connelly-just go away you pompous windbag. The Stranger is hiring bloggers. Get your ass over there before Sandeep does.

  • Barb

    Excellent speech! Nive job Mr. Mayor.

  • Barb

    Excellent speech! Nive job Mr. Mayor.

  • Barb

    Excellent speech! Nive job Mr. Mayor.

  • joshuadf

    This is a good way to end, though I have to point out that Nickels could have retired without having to lose an election. Or maybe he should have run for Drago’s open seat. :)

  • joshuadf

    This is a good way to end, though I have to point out that Nickels could have retired without having to lose an election. Or maybe he should have run for Drago’s open seat. :)

  • joshuadf

    This is a good way to end, though I have to point out that Nickels could have retired without having to lose an election. Or maybe he should have run for Drago’s open seat. :)

  • mr. smitty

    Kudos to Nickels for being gracious in defeat, but let’s be real, was he a successful mayor?

    **It’s debatable we’ve made any progress on social/racial justice issues, and you can easily argue we’ve gone backwards with gang violence increasing.
    **The viaduct is still there, and the only approved plan to resolve it is the most expensive option with the most engineering questions.
    **The city clearly can’t handle weather problems, and he’s made no effort – at least publically – to improve the ability to respond.
    **We lost the Sonics in the worst way possible, with the city drawing the white flag mid-battle. So we accepted losing the team but only after creating as much bad blood as possible with the league.

    To be sure, all of these problems weren’t limited to the jurisdiction of the mayor’s office. Frank Chopp and others could have worked with the city more than against it.

    But Nickels shares responsibility for all of these failings, and they seem to outweigh his accomplishments by a wide margin. The city will be in better hands regardless of who wins in November.

  • mr. smitty

    Kudos to Nickels for being gracious in defeat, but let’s be real, was he a successful mayor?

    **It’s debatable we’ve made any progress on social/racial justice issues, and you can easily argue we’ve gone backwards with gang violence increasing.
    **The viaduct is still there, and the only approved plan to resolve it is the most expensive option with the most engineering questions.
    **The city clearly can’t handle weather problems, and he’s made no effort – at least publically – to improve the ability to respond.
    **We lost the Sonics in the worst way possible, with the city drawing the white flag mid-battle. So we accepted losing the team but only after creating as much bad blood as possible with the league.

    To be sure, all of these problems weren’t limited to the jurisdiction of the mayor’s office. Frank Chopp and others could have worked with the city more than against it.

    But Nickels shares responsibility for all of these failings, and they seem to outweigh his accomplishments by a wide margin. The city will be in better hands regardless of who wins in November.

  • http://www.publicola.net/ ECB

    @8: no, that was a typo on my part. fixed!

  • http://www.publicola.net/ ECB

    @8: no, that was a typo on my part. fixed!

  • mr. smitty

    Kudos to Nickels for being gracious in defeat, but let’s be real, was he a successful mayor?

    **It’s debatable we’ve made any progress on social/racial justice issues, and you can easily argue we’ve gone backwards with gang violence increasing.
    **The viaduct is still there, and the only approved plan to resolve it is the most expensive option with the most engineering questions.
    **The city clearly can’t handle weather problems, and he’s made no effort – at least publically – to improve the ability to respond.
    **We lost the Sonics in the worst way possible, with the city drawing the white flag mid-battle. So we accepted losing the team but only after creating as much bad blood as possible with the league.

    To be sure, all of these problems weren’t limited to the jurisdiction of the mayor’s office. Frank Chopp and others could have worked with the city more than against it.

    But Nickels shares responsibility for all of these failings, and they seem to outweigh his accomplishments by a wide margin. The city will be in better hands regardless of who wins in November.

  • http://www.publicola.net ECB

    @8: no, that was a typo on my part. fixed!

  • hram

    mr. smitty i hope you are not serious.

  • hram

    mr. smitty i hope you are not serious.

  • hram

    mr. smitty i hope you are not serious.

  • katie

    I agree, good speech; sad times. Nickels really did accomplish a lot in the past few years and that hasn't gotten as much coverage as it deserves.