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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.

Afternoon Jolt

2010 Election, Jolt, Opinion, Politics   August 18, 2010 at 6:05 pm Afternoon Jolt

Winner: Patty Murray

The second batch is in and Murray’s 46.42 percent number is bigger than Dino Rossi’s and Clint Didier’s combined 45.71.

Yes, there were 11 other candidates on the ballot including Goodspaceguy (.34 percent) and Mike the Mover (.44 percent), but it we were also supposedly looking at an energized Republican base.

Expect a much more activated Democratic base in November—the high-earners income tax is on the ballot and, well, it’s not mid August—and Murray’s numbers (she’s currently beating Rossi 2 to 1 in King County where Rossi is below 28 percent, by the way)—are looking pretty good.

Loser: State Rep. Geoff Simpson

Speaking of combined totals: Incumbent state Rep. Geoff Simpson (D-47, Renton Highlands, Kent, Covington) is at 39.48 percent while his two Republican opponents combine for over 60 percent. There were no other candidates in the race.

Pilot instructor and Tea Party-esque Mark Hargrove, who’s at 38.75 percent and is just 132 votes behind Simpson, will face Simpson in the general.

Simpson, as has been widely reported, has been charged with domestic violence related misdemeaner by his ex-wife.


  • Tony

    Loser: Any claim Publicola had to being independent, or timely.

  • Anonymous

    Probably worth noting that PPP believes Rossi cannot win this if Murray can “close the enthusiasm gap”:

    “Democrats don’t like Dino Rossi. He’s getting virtually no support from people who voted for Barack Obama. He can’t win without a major enthusiasm gap so if Murray closes that up she wins, end of story.”

  • Anonymous

    Dino coming out to run is the “same-old-same-old”. The republicans missed out on a major chance by not having Didier advance to the general. Murray will beat grease-ball Dino without really trying. She would have lost to Clint.

  • Barleywine

    Losers: Tony’s post (what, he wanted his afternoon jolt in the morning? and has a problem with math?), and the two who “liked” him.

  • Barleywine

    True about Dino, but the republicans voted for HIM, not Clint.
    And they would have both lost to Murray in the general.

    Might I suggest that they run for office somewhere else?
    Somewhere with a base?

  • Tony

    Too much barleywine, Barleywine. I’m talking about their pathetic performance on election night, and JF and ECB sleeping in on the morning after.

  • Barleywine

    I haven’t had barleywine in years. Don’t like the alcohol taste.

    But I haven’t had too much IPA to know that you don’t pay for this shit.
    So get your info somewhere else, or fuck off. Which ever comes first.

  • Barleywine

    BTW I tried to follow things on the Official Site, too.
    That was the only source, and they were down after the first ten minutes or so. We all had to wait.
    Even today they had info updated only as of early last night.

    I applaud Cola for the party. Wish I was there.
    Almost was.

  • online_and_ontime

    Geoff Simpson may very well be re-elected. His Democratic colleague in the state House, Pat Sullivan, won his primary with more than 55 percent of the vote. And Simpson is sitting on more than 100,000 dollars! Hargrove is broke and has burned bridges with a lot of Republicans. I would submit that Simpson will win in November.

  • Anonymous

    “Enthusiasm” and Patty…

    Patty of participation in the gallery of rotating villians, dumping on acorn and voting for bernanke, and voting with pharma AND NOT FIGHTING KENT, MAX, JOE LIE, 0-BUMMER’S CAT FOOD COMMISSION … ??

    “Enthusiasm” and Patty… yeah, whatever.

    All those shitty votes to woo fascist defined “moderates” and fascist defined “independents”, so let the fascist defined “moderates” and fascist defined “independents” show up for her! Or, maybe

    1. cuz they’re fascist defined they’ll NEVER support a D anyway …?

    2. cuz they’re fascist defined THEY DON’T EXIST!

    jeez patty pathetic, ya think your participation in the gallery of rotating villains might suppress interest, OR, your dumb enough to think those crappy votes actually appeal to people who won’t vote for you, OR, your dumb enough to believe those crap votes weren’t crap votes!

    Bon Voyage – you obviously need the Professional Left ONLY to rub our faces in the lie that we’re responsible for YOUR shitty votes and we’re responsible for YOU ekking it out!

    rmm.

  • Josh Feit

    Sullivan isn’t as controversial or outspoken as Simpson, but those numbers are noteworthy. Good point.

  • Noslursplease

    You’re being unfair to Simpson by “reporting the controversy” instead of telling the truth. Those charges keep coming up before elections…

  • Irvinemei

    Didier, Mr hate big government. The farmer that took and takes $$$$$$ for farm subsidies. His land floods? Where is FEMA? Can’t have it both ways Clint!