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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.

PubliColaTV: An Interview with State Sen. Rodney Tom

2010 Election, Politics   August 10, 2010 at 11:42 am Bryce McKay

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swDplmOl5Vg[/youtube]

State Senator Rodney Tom (D-48, Eastside Seattle suburbs) is running for reelection this year, and he sat down with PubliColaTV to talk about his record, his plans, and his opponent. Tom’s in a hot race with GOP challenger Gregg Bennett, who has raised a whopping $323,000 with $76,000 currently on hand. Tom has raised $143,000, with about $69,000 on hand.

Tom’s campaign message has focused on the budget and education (as has Bennett’s). And Tom has been boasting about getting the 520 replacement project going despite opposition from powerful House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-43, Seattle) who had issues with the westside landing. Tom has some colorful descriptions of Chopp—think Jason from Friday the 13th Parts 1-5 million.

Tom, vice-chairman of the senate’s budget committee, was actually bounced from the budget negotiations this year by senate majority leader Sen. Lisa Brown (D-3, Spokane) after he voted against the budget.

Tom was first elected to the state senate in 2002 as a Republican. In 2006, he ran for reelection, but he switched to the Democratic Party.

We did a PubliColaTV interview with Tom’s GOP opponent Gregg Bennett last month. (And a Bennett outtake on social issues too.)




  • DrTchock

    He was elected to the House in 2002 as a Republican. Re-elected in 2004 as a Republican. Ran for Senate in 2006 as a Democrat. Running for re-election as a Democrat. Not a match, the board goes back.

  • 48thresident

    This is why I support Senator Tom. He is absolutely right. If Gregg Bennett was in the State Senate last year, the 520 bridge replacement would still be on the table in the legislature.

    On education, Senator Tom has been an outright champion. He has worked to put strong principles in every school, he passed simple majority, and he has the endorsement of League of Education Voters and Stand for Children.

    I voted for Rodney in 2006, and he has my vote again this year. If Gregg Bennett is elected to the senate, we take the chance of moving backwards, not forwards.

    I would encourage the 48th district to retain Rodney Tom.

  • VotingforRT

    I like a guy who will stand up to the majority when he knows he should, like on the budget.

  • http://43rddemocrats.org Michael M.

    While it sounds great to say that these 1500 (give or take) employees would no longer be employees, he fails to mention that the state run liquor stores are revenue positive, and that the vast majority of these jobs will not be recreated by the private sector by privatization. Great idea in the middle of this piss poor economy. Very great Republican talking point.

    Further, part of his rationale behind supporting the closure of McNeil isn't the merits of the closure, but that it isn't in his District, so he doesn't have to care? That's some serious bullshit right there, and part of what's wrong with his stance on the 520 issue. Being such an isolationist in to his District is no way to make friends and make deals, and what that does is gets you kicked out of budget negotiations. His “my way on the highway, or no way, and Seattle, piss off, I'm not even willing to negotiate” stance is concerning, and makes me wonder how much of a Democrat he really is.

  • diadora

    As co-chair of the 520 legislative workgroup, Tom squandered a big opportunity. Rather than listen to, and make reasonable compromises with, people who brought forth real issues, he completely ignored them. So now they oppose the plan, and will fight it for years. Unnecessary. Unskillful.

  • http://manywordsforrain.blogspot.com/ Mr. Baker

    Rodney Tom sandbagged HB 2912, for that he can go F-himself

  • http://twitter.com/progressive_dan Daniel Warwick

    I'm sitting in the office where this was taped phonebanking for Rodney Tom….He's a great State Senator

  • I<3Rodne

    Rodne I don’t think it is proper for you to post on your own video. And you are ignorant to make the statement that Bennett would not be able to get the replacement done. Everything in his past he has started and completed, there in no track record for you to make that statement.

  • http://www.pharmacytechnicianblog.com/ pharmacy technician

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