Credibility Factor Limited-When a Political Thug Recasts Himself as a Bi-Partisan

Some years ago, I was sitting in the dark on a ledge of a windowsill outside the Ellensburg Public Library talking with Debbie Strand, who was then the Executive Director of the Kittitas County Economic Development Group.  I had known Debbie only in her professional capacity, who was, at the time, actively working with the wind farm developers who were facing huge opposition from a coalition of groups and individuals eager to preserve and promote residential development in Kittitas County's wildlands.  Much to my surprise and shock that evening, a man walked up and without any acknowledgement of my presence, and began to verbally threaten Ms. Strand's job if she did not get control of the Development group's board, specifically, Desmond Knudson, a board member and local business owner, who was at the time engaged in a lawsuit to remove the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners.

Ms. Strand, kindly, wisely and diplomatically, I think on behalf of Mr. Manweller, pointedly interrupted him and introduced me to Matt Manweller. 

This is how I first met Matt who was at that time chair of the Republican Party.  My impression at the time of a person that would make such threats in the dark without regard to who might be listening was that he was a thug.  I think he was fortunate that the person he addressed these threatening and bullying remarks to was the long suffering Ms. Strand who very patiently put up with this incident and even covered his back a little bit.

This first impression was indelible and continuing.  It was amplified when Matt was filmed calling a protester stupid (you can easily find the links to this video on the web).  It was further solidified, while pandering to a Tea Party crowd, he called public employees generational parasites (this video also easily found on the web).  Finally, there is the infamous radio show incident involving the parking lot brawl, and its precedent and subsequent messaging by Matt, which was nothing but a display of the worst kind of partisanship.

However, I can also see that there is a new Matt who is now trying to put "his baggage" behind him and emerge as a bi-partisan.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of baggage to tow.

I understand that it is easy to dismiss me as a partisan due to my current involvement in the Democratic Party as the Kittitas County Chair.  However, as a very moderate Democrat, who was self described at the time of my election to my current political role as being 51% Democrat and 49% Republican, I really do have a problem with Matt now trying to present himself as a bi-partisan given what I have witnessed as a resident of Kittitas County for many years.  As a business person,  I also have sincere and serious concerns for those of you in the agricultural and business communities of all three counties he might be representing and whether concerns across the entire spectrum of business activity in our counties will be heard rather than just those segments of the business community Matt has traditionally associated himself with. 

As a former non-profit board member, I am still appalled at the suggestion he made that an executive director of a non-profit board should control the board members.  As most of us who have served in such capacities understand, the board is, at least in theory, supposed to direct the the executive. 

I hope my story is something those of you serving on port district boards, economic development boards, and other non-profits throughout the 13th Legislature District will take to heart and ponder as you cast your vote in a few days.  There is an alternative to Matt Manweller in Kaj Selmann.  I urge you to call Kaj, talk to him and think about who can best deal with the entire spectrum of business interests in our district, including who would be best suited by temperament and track record in situations where various segments of the business community have conflicting interests.

YES I-502-WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATS ENDORSE

This is a guest post by James W. Green who is the Second Vice Chair of the Kittitas County Democratic Central Committe and the State Committeeman for the 13th Legislative District. Committeepersons from both the county and legislative districts are voting members of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee.  This is heartfelt commentary on party unity and consistency as it pertains to forward progress on all issues of importance to Democrats and a reflection on a recent local endorsement vote where the Kittitas Democrats did not vote to endorse I-502, which provides for limited decriminalization of marijuana use, but the Washington State Democrats did vote to endorse I-502 and recommend a Yes vote. 

To vote for or against Initiative 502 is an individual vote by each on their ballot. To endorse on behalf of an organization is the decision through vote of that body. This is done to aide, and, perhaps educate, individuals in determining their vote on their ballot. The issue of I-502 came up at the State Democratic Party convention in June and it was endorsed by the vote of the delegates.  While individually one may not support this endorsement, this body debated, and vetted their support through endorsing. I-502 has also gained a great deal of other respectable endorsements since then.

 At this point, several points come to mind to set the grounds for this document. One is that the progressive path to legalize (decriminalize, medical use, and distribution) is also supported in the Kittitas County Democrats Platform; and strongly supported in the Washington State Democratic Platform, both of which were recently updated. Also, one must be aware of the organization of the Democratic Party which is that the state party is under and supports the national party; and that the 13^th Legislative District and the Kittitas County Democrats are under and support the Washington State Democrats. These two entities join to conduct the business of the state through their respective voted committeepersons. At the time Kittitas County Democrats decided to not endorse this measure, I took a look at my definition of a state committeeperson.

First I defined STATE COMMITTEEPERSON; as; ”one who provides representation and a conduit for communication to and from the state organization and the represented organization.”  Next, I sent a request for their opinion or comment to Dwight Pelz, Washington State Democratic Party Chair, who referred me to the state charter and bylaws and to Jaxon Ravens, Executive Director of the Washington State Democratic Party, who referred me to the same and added,” the state charter and bylaws do not specifically state the role of the state central committee member in regards to the relationship to the local party organization although your description seems reasonable.”     

 The Washington State Democrats Charter reads, in part in ARTICLE I:

A. the Democratic Party of the State of Washington exists to:

 

1.      Adopt and promote statements of policy to serve as standards for democratic elected officials and goals for the people of the state, and
2.      Nominate and assist in the election of democratic candidates at all levels who support thegoals of the party.

In the Kittitas County Democrats Bylaws it reads that “ State committeepersons shall serve as liaison between county and state central committees.”

So, as the state committeeman for the 13^th Legislative District and a member of the Kittitas County Democrats Central Committee, I believe we have an obligation to acknowledge and, not hide from, the state party’s endorsement of I-502.  The fact is that Kittitas County Democrats voted to not endorse this measure. This is why I spoke out to acknowledge the state party’s endorsement, while still supporting the local vote to not endorse.  While I do believe we do not need to follow the state party blindly, I also believe we should strive to be basically united to remain strong and move “ FORWARD.”  It is also my opinion that going “FORWARD” we as democrats should be promoting and educating the goals and positions of the party statewide and nationally as well as locally.

On the issue of I-502, I encourage each to look for the information and the supporters (or lack of) for each to make your own decision as this is the only measure moving this issue “FORWARD” this election cycle, then get involved to move us “ FORWARD” to 2013. There is great opportunity to be involved early on as these positions and policies are brought forth,and, it becomes harder to move most issues in the final moments. Thus moving “FORWARD” as Democrats we should become engaged early and often to effect changes we believe in early on.

     James W. Green

The View Through the Windshield, Brightly

I've logged many miles, in all types of weather, behind a car windshield the past few months for medical treatment and I'm looking forward to the bulk of my drive time to shift to court appearances, a little fun and meeting my volunteer commitments with the Washington State Democrats. The past few weeks of sunshine was a real blessing.  Metaphorically speaking, the view through the windshield for our party locally is brightening as well. In 2008, locally and throughout the country, Democrats experienced the Obama campaign in a wave of excitement, that I'm not sure had been experienced with such intensity before. While the euphoria has subsided, and the political weather has varied and there may remain a variety of frustrations, the commitment to move forward down the road in support of President Obama and the middle class remains strong here in Kittitas County.

            We’ve also just finished a very interesting primary season in which six Republicans and one Independent vied for two open county commissioner seats here in Kittitas County.  Interestingly enough in the District 2 race, the endorsed Republican candidate, Steve Senger, failed dramatically.  Del Knudson, one of our truly great local real estate agents and a long-time Republican PCO, also did not advance to the general election.  Leading the race without doing significant fundraising and simply attending candidate forums, is Paula Thompson who is running as an independent.  Gary Berndt, who for all practical purposes was a Democrat prior to running for county commissioner as a Republican, is running a close second behind Paula.

            Many local Dems do not see the lack of a D behind either Gary or Paula’s name as problematic because they believe either candidate if elected will represent all the people of our county regardless of party affiliation and that Democrats and others who have not been listened to will now have access to the “courthouse.”  While I have not personally experienced any action or response from a Kittitas County Commissioner that would lead me to feel as though my voice could not be heard, I have heard anecdotes that do help me to understand why others might feel that way.  And past and sitting commissioners have engaged in prolonged bouts of boneheaded fighting of the wrong battles in terms of land use and water issues here in Kittitas County, at taxpayer expense. 

            In the District 1 commissioner race, Catherine Clerf, who like Paula Thompson, is well known across the political spectrum as an exceptionally dedicated advocate for sensible land and water use and the protection of Kittitas County’s agricultural economy, is mounting an aggressive challenge against incumbent Paul Jewell who is the endorsed Kittitas County Republican Party candidate.  While many local Dems (but not all as Paul has a few Dems supporting him as well) and others often express concerns about Catherine’s ofttimes acerbic personality, they value her independence, consistent messaging and work ethic, even though they may not always agree with her.  And, this includes several of the local Dems who might have been potential candidates in her district.  As chair, I have to simply conclude that many of those potential Democratic Party candidates either see her as the right candidate for this time, or like Paula and Gary, a Republican who will listen and act for all the concerns of the people not just a select few. 

            In terms of the local superior court judicial race which is non-partisan, I marvel at the opportunity we had as a community to see three qualified candidates grow as members of the bar, members of the community, and as individuals.  Each one of the candidates became a better person because they ran for the bench. And, we became a much more informed electorate about what the role of judges is at the local level. 

            Probably the greatest delight in the past eighteen months as the chair of the Kittitas Democrats, was to witness the emergence of a true citizen politician in Kaj Selmann who stepped up to “offer an alternative” to CWU professor and erstwhile conservative opinion purveyor, Matt Manweller.  I am sincerely grateful to all the Democrats here in Kittitas County who are organizing to assist Kaj now that the primary is over.  All of the difficult work that you are doing will help to build not only Kaj’s campaign, but will build our party’s infrastructure in Central Washington.  To me that is the bright sunshine down the road for us in the local party.  It will also help us to incrementally support our 8^th Congressional District Candidate Karen Porterfield, Jay Inslee for Governor, Maria Cantwell as Senator, the entire slate of state executive office candidates that we endorsed at our last General Business meeting and President Obama. 

 

Kaj Selmann website link

http://www.selmannforstaterep.com/ 

Kaj will have more information, like the name of his dog, and more issue related pages as the website continues to be built.  In the meantime, you can volunteer, donate, contact Kaj with questions and sign up to receive email newsletters.

Manweller Timeline-Just the Facts Ma'am

What we Kittitas County voters know that the rest of you may not know about Matt Manweller who is now a candidate for the 13th Legislative District:

2008-  First wife, Oralynn Manweller, files for Divorce in July, 2008.  The couple had no children.  Source Washington Courts Website Docket.

2008- "You're dumber than a post . . ." video from the 2008 Rossi Campaign: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UQmh7jOPnU

2009- Dissolution proceedings between Oralynn Manweller and Mathew Manweller final in April.

2010- Fist fight with Fred Huber in the KXLE parking lot in Ellensburg in Sepetember..

Yakima Herald Coverage:  http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/09/22/radio-comments-lead-to-fisticuffs

Daily Record news article with audio clip Mr. Manweller's talk show the "Right Opinion:" http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/article_b1bf7122-c5ae-11df-8562-001cc4c03286.html

Protection Orders Denied:  http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/manweller-huber-not-granted-protection/article_d3337306-c812-11df-9191-001cc4c03286.html

2010- An "aging and pregnant" second wife of Matt Manweller, Shelley Manweller, stands by her man in a Daily Record Letter to the Editor on October 1, 2010.  Note that she walked the parade route with "their son":  http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/article_f78bd21a-cdae-11df-9a82-001cc4c002e0.html?login_success=true 


2011- Calls supporters of collective bargaining and state unions "Generational Parasites" and states that they are uneducated and ignorant:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI9s-GFpnWo


2012-Promises to represent scoflaws of Washinton State's Hydraulic Code regarding law enforcement actions by WDFW and other state agencies:  http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-battle-with-ecology-one-reason-for-seeking-office/article_1f2c2d90-5753-11e1-959b-001871e3ce6c.html#user-comment-area

Responsive letters to the editor from local water and fisheries professionals: 

Dale Bambrick:  http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-manweller-needs-to-step-out-of-ideological-vacuum/article_7cb90bd2-59af-11e1-a8f1-001871e3ce6c.html#comment-7a7141fe-5e6a-11e1-8469-5f2abd6ca4b4 

Scott Nicolai:  http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/opinion/letter-rerouting-a-creek-is-not-flood-clean-up/article_f09441ca-5cd9-11e1-bf8c-0019bb2963f4.html

Kaj Selmann announces run for 13th Legislative District

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/kaj-selmann-to-run-for-state-house-of-representatives/article_64135a76-5c05-11e1-ac88-001871e3ce6c.html

Tub Hansen, the Maverick Conservative Democrat

After a long delay, I'm back to exploring Washington State Party History. Due to the ongoing concerns I've been fielding from potential Democratic Party candidates mostly of the moderate variety, I am featuring in this post the "Maverick" moderate, and self described "Conservative Democrat"  Tub Hansen of Moses Lake.

Tub Hansen served nearly 20 years in the legislature in Washington State,  He began his legislative career in the house in 1972 representing the 13th Legislative District.  He was re-elected in 1974 and 1976 and was known for his staunch defense of Agriculture and "plain talking."  He carried that reputation with him to the State Senate where he served for nearly 14 more years. 

When interviewed by the Daily Record on November 9, 1972, over lunch in Ellensburg the day he came to pick up his plywood election signs, he said,  "I've always been a Democrat . . .[But, I] may be something of a Maverick."  And, "I'm going over there (Olympia) as a Democrat, but I'm a clear thinking man, I'm not a liberal Democrat, I'm conservative. Maybe two-thirds of the Republicans are more liberal than I am . . . And I'm not a pawn to anyone." 

Last fall, when I asked members at a Kittitas County Democrats general business meeting to talk to me if they had known Tub Hansen, Alice Yee buttonholed me after the meeting.  She had worked on several of Tub's campaigns and explained that while he was a Democrat, his unique ability to keep a foot in both parties was the reason that Central Washington kept returning him to the legislature. But perhaps more importantly, it was his staunch defense of farming and agribusiness that was key to his staying power in the heavily agricultural district he served as Representative and later State Senator.

Tub came by his cowboy reputation honestly, being born into a ranching family near Neppel, Washington, now Moses Lake.  At 26, he ran off to Wallace, Idaho with his 16 year old girlfriend, Wanda, and got married much to the dismay of both families.  Tub and Wanda lived in a very rusticly remodeled chicken coop lean to behind Tub's parents house before purchasing an old school house in Mae, Washington which had to be moved.  The old school house almost made it a mile or two down the road towards Moses Lake when it couldn't be moved between power poles.  Nonplussed, Tub had the house set off the roadway right there and it became Tub and Wanda's family home until 1971 when he became a legislator.

Tub and Wanda were very much a partnership when Tub served in the legislature and both were passionate about seeing that needs of the people back home were met.  When Tub died in 1991, Booth Gardener appointed Wanda to serve out the remaining year of his term.  Wanda died in 2009 and has been widely recognized for the work she did officially in taking up the remainder of Tub's term, but also for all the unofficial work she rendered as a highly active and visible legislative spouse.