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.

x close
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.

Extra Fizz: Murray Unlikely to Endorse in Mayor's Race

News   September 30, 2009 at 3:41 pm Erica C. Barnett

State Sen. Ed Murray (D-43), who decided earlier this month that he would not run for mayor of Seattle, now says it’s “highly unlikely” that he’ll support either candidate, although he confirms that Mike McGinn has asked for his support.

“It’s highly unlikely that I would, but there is a chance” he’ll endorse McGinn, Murray says.

As for Mallahan: “The only time I’ve ever heard from Joe Mallahan was a [robo]call before the 43rd District [endorsement] meeting. I wouldn’t know him if I fell over him.”


  • Luigi Giovanni

    Indulge my triteness, but it sounds like somebody’s nose is out of joint. Mallahan failed to seek the blessing and kiss the ring (and the ass) of the pope.

  • Luigi Giovanni

    Indulge my triteness, but it sounds like somebody’s nose is out of joint. Mallahan failed to seek the blessing and kiss the ring (and the ass) of the pope.

  • Voter

    hah!

  • Voter

    hah!

  • sigh

    I love me some Ed Murray. He’s so sassy.

    But, had he entered the mayor’s race, I would have loved him a little less.

  • sigh

    I love me some Ed Murray. He’s so sassy.

    But, had he entered the mayor’s race, I would have loved him a little less.

  • Trevor

    I think many people underestimate the power of “no endorsement.” They assume that by endorsing someone you don’t have much in common with, you get a seat at the table if that person is elected. But for progressives in this 2 party system, that rarely happens. Hell, if you’re organized labor, you can help elect the governor and still get betrayed afterward.

    Sometimes it’s better to keep your integrity, and also show a bit more confidence in your ability to be part of a principled opposition if someone tries to lock you out of power.

  • Trevor

    I think many people underestimate the power of “no endorsement.” They assume that by endorsing someone you don’t have much in common with, you get a seat at the table if that person is elected. But for progressives in this 2 party system, that rarely happens. Hell, if you’re organized labor, you can help elect the governor and still get betrayed afterward.

    Sometimes it’s better to keep your integrity, and also show a bit more confidence in your ability to be part of a principled opposition if someone tries to lock you out of power.

  • http://gomezticator.livejournal.com/1522367.html Gomez

    It’s like Ed Murray read my thoughts on the Mayor’s race, especially the last point about Mallahan.

  • http://gomezticator.livejournal.com/1522367.html Gomez

    It’s like Ed Murray read my thoughts on the Mayor’s race, especially the last point about Mallahan.

  • gloomy gus

    I’m the ugly guy who showed up at the prom with no date. McGinn’s the only guy willing to dance with me. I know he’s a chub, and he steps on my feet, but at least I get to dance with somebody.

  • gloomy gus

    I’m the ugly guy who showed up at the prom with no date. McGinn’s the only guy willing to dance with me. I know he’s a chub, and he steps on my feet, but at least I get to dance with somebody.

  • Stacy, Stacey, Stacie

    Hey Ed!

    Mallahan lives in the 43rd which would make him your constituent. Maybe you should try to get to know him.

  • Stacy, Stacey, Stacie

    Hey Ed!

    Mallahan lives in the 43rd which would make him your constituent. Maybe you should try to get to know him.

  • Luigi Giovanni

    @4
    I can’t believe the attention paid to endorsements. Are you seriously influenced by endorsements when you vote? Do most voters care about them?

  • Luigi Giovanni

    @4
    I can’t believe the attention paid to endorsements. Are you seriously influenced by endorsements when you vote? Do most voters care about them?

  • Transpo guy

    Mallahan lives in the 46th Dist, McGinn in the 36th.

  • Transpo guy

    Mallahan lives in the 46th Dist, McGinn in the 36th.

  • Progressive Prism

    Sounds like Ed Murray needs to get out more. If he hasn’t been to enough local political events to meet the presumed frontrunner for the city’s executive, then how did he think his write-in campaign was going to go? Good thing Ed didn’t jump into the deep end without his floaties.

  • Progressive Prism

    Sounds like Ed Murray needs to get out more. If he hasn’t been to enough local political events to meet the presumed frontrunner for the city’s executive, then how did he think his write-in campaign was going to go? Good thing Ed didn’t jump into the deep end without his floaties.

  • Huh?

    @7, unless Joe’s block of Wallingford has been radically gerrymandered, it’s a lock that Mallahan is in the 43rd. The 46th starts around 75th St.

  • Huh?

    @7, unless Joe’s block of Wallingford has been radically gerrymandered, it’s a lock that Mallahan is in the 43rd. The 46th starts around 75th St.

  • Transpo guy

    Yeah, I think you’re right. Never mind :-)

  • Transpo guy

    Yeah, I think you’re right. Never mind :-)

  • Dan

    Who cares?

  • Dan

    Who cares?

  • rtm

    @10

    Maybe the problem is that Mallahan hasn’t been to any events of civic importance until 12 weeks ago, and since then has been barricaded behind handlers. Joe’s had time to pander to Tayloe and big Labor, and little else. Was Ed supposed to meet Joe at his 9 minute press conference after the primary before Charla rushed him out of the room?

    While Ed doesn’t agree with Mike on the tunnel, there is no question that they have met since Mike has been working on issues of civic importance for nearly 20 years.

    Kind of makes you think.

  • rtm

    @10

    Maybe the problem is that Mallahan hasn’t been to any events of civic importance until 12 weeks ago, and since then has been barricaded behind handlers. Joe’s had time to pander to Tayloe and big Labor, and little else. Was Ed supposed to meet Joe at his 9 minute press conference after the primary before Charla rushed him out of the room?

    While Ed doesn’t agree with Mike on the tunnel, there is no question that they have met since Mike has been working on issues of civic importance for nearly 20 years.

    Kind of makes you think.