DISQUS

meks · 2 months ago

Municipal government has a huge effect on the business community and economy, it is important to us.

That said, I don't think either is ready to go from day one, but McGinn seems to have more of what it will take to learn than Mallahan.

As an aside, in the business world, there is no title less impressive and meaningless than Vice President, particularly at a large company.

jimcantrell · 2 months ago

Seattle is falling behind in internet infrastructure. According to McGinn's web site he proposes that Seattle City Light should build a citywide fiber optic network connecting every home and business in the city.

Grand_Poobah · 2 months ago

And neither of these two will be deciding 'net neutrality', designing a new processor, building the next Google, etc.

So why is this even important on a tech site? Is this supposed to be POLITICO now?

johnhcook · 2 months ago

That's true. The Seattle mayor won't be dealing with global or national technology issues per se, but some of the issues they will have to deal with WILL have an impact on the local tech community. Transportation is a big one.

I am also curious whether the citywide fiber broadband efforts will be revived. There are other tech issues that will come into play as well.

It is also worth noting that one of the candidates, Mallahan, comes directly out of the local tech industry. So, this race is of particular interest.

I think it is a worthwhile topic. Politics and business intersect all of the time.

muni_fiber_fan · 2 months ago

Actually there are a lot of important tech issues that the next mayor will deal with.

In launching his campaign, McGinn announced support for the implementation of the city's fiber optic plan (which has been gathering dust for a few years).

With the near bankrupt status of Qwest, we could be one of the last major cities in America to get fiber to the home and business.

Glenn Fleishman aka "technerd" at Publicola has written some really good in-depth pieces...

http://publicola.net/?p=14605

http://publicola.net/?p=15182

Name · 2 months ago

Please give even 2 examples of how "McGinn has more of what it takes."

At best he ran his own small lawfirm. At worst he's just an aggitator with no concept of how to actually get things done from the inside.

Don't get me wrong, Mallahan looks like a deer in the headlights and doesn't sound like he's exactly had to work hard but he's at least had to deal with plenty of politics from the iside and that's a lot more than McGinn can say.

Viaduct User · 2 months ago

Come on Seattle, are you really so stupid and delusional to vote for McGinn? It makes me want to move. I don't want a corporate lawyer who is an "activist" as mayor - and you shouldn't either.

The tunnel is stupid, public streets option is way beyond that. I suppose if you don't use the viaduct you might not realize this but as someone who uses the viaduct once or twice a week it doesn't take a consultant (or 44!) to figure out how bad a public street option would be.

Poobah · 1 month ago

Thank you for telling me what I should like, but I respectfully disagree. The next mayor will have to address several municipal issues beyond the viaduct and you should do well to remember that.

Brice · 2 months ago

How is this even a discussion? McGinn has been killing this issue since he announced his candidacy. Broadband was key: http://mcginnformayor.com/issues/internet-infra...

I think he also had some big Wed 2.0 initiative right after the primary.

jimcantrell · 2 months ago

Meanwhile Mallahan keeps referring to McGinn's citywide fiber optic network plan as only for wifi in coffee shops. Either he is belittling the idea or he is clueless.

Viaduct Guy · 2 months ago

what is this 1999? Is there really some sort of issue getting a connection? 3G, 4G, WiFi, open networks, etc.

This is a total non issue.

Grand_Poobah · 2 months ago

What I want to know is do either of these guys have a birth certificate? I doubt EITHER of them were born in the US. Why won't they deny that their birth certificates were forged? What are they trying to hide?

Name · 2 months ago

Check out the issues and you will vote McGinn.

Name · 2 months ago

McGinn is just another fluffy, waffling, let's all get together and talk non-decision-maker. Time for some business sense in this town. Go Mallahan!!

orcmid · 2 months ago

Having spent most of my working life in corporate settings, I suspect that both candidates are over-stating the readiness of their experience for the daunting responsibilities of Seattle mayor. However, I have the fear that McGinn doesn't realize he is doing that whereas Mallahan is engaging in the usual puffery. An opinion based on no facts at all, just impressions of their statements on the subject.

Name · 2 months ago

Totally Agree. The worst candidate possible is the guy who bills himself as an "activist" and then suddenly finds himself on the inside. See Hamas for another example.

orcmid · 2 months ago

Watching the two debates in the last week, I concluded that I would not be unhappy with either of them. I also find myself leaning increasingly toward Mallahan, where I came out of the primary thinking McGinn was the man (although I voted for Nickels hoping to see the incumbent in the race against a newcomer).

I'm not filling out the poll. I hate polls and I need to have that T-shirt that says "lies to polsters." Mostly I just don't answer them.

orcmid · 2 months ago

Although I don't know as much about Mallahan as I would like, one thing that strikes me is his unwillingness to tilt at windmills, even popular ones, and his steadfastness about the deep bore tunnel (which I am disappointed about, but agree we should get on with it rather than pulling yet-another Seattle reconsideration). How he manages risk and accountability will be critical, but I am also aware that Gregoire has raised the bar in this regard too concerning transportation initiatives. Sounds like a potential successful partnership to me.

jimcantrell · 2 months ago

Before you appreciate Mallahan's unquestioning support for the tunnel, you should check out today's Publicola story: Documents Reveal Fix Was In for Deep-Bore Tunnel http://publicola.net/?p=16697&cpage=2#comment-1...

I'm definitely voting for McGinn because he has been asking the right questions about the real costs of this project.

Mike · 2 months ago

Once I read McGinn did his own PR and pretty much ran his own campaign alone I realized this guy was in over his head. Being a successful politician is about networking, maintaining relationships, and being able to manage a team. No room for a lone wolf if you want an effective administration. So I will vote again for the other guy. Lesser of two evils.

Name · 2 months ago

McGinn does his own PR because he runs a tight budget. If he were a start-up, he would be the scrappy and efficient fighter. Joe would be your overfunded, underperforming behemeth.

jimcantrell · 2 months ago

Mallahan's campaign is over $95,000 in debt - that's not a good sign of his so-called management abilities.

Grand_Poobah · 2 months ago

This is a tech site. Why the hell do you have to ruin it by bringing politics into it? Do you want to have a conversation about religion as well

Same · 2 months ago

What's the difference? In Seattle, the choice is always between left and further left. In the end, everyone can be assured that the policy differences between the candidates will be immeasurable. Oh, and they both probably favor solving problems by committee, whose recommendations will be reviewed by a task force, then adopted by a blue-ribbon panel, then voted on by the city council and the legislature before finally being placed on the ballot as referendum for public approval. I believe they call that "Northwest Values" or "The Seattle Way."

Grand_Poobah · 2 months ago

Better than the George Bush / Dick Cheney / Sarah Palin / Rush Limbaugh / Glen Beck way.

Same · 2 months ago

Thank you for illustrating my point. I believe it was meant to be a rebuttal, but it worked as well as, "Rainy is better than sunny" rebuts, "It rains a lot here."

In reply to JohnHCooke, good points on the intersection of the politics and business. I am still not entirely convinced the election results will make much of a substantive policy difference, but the issues you cited certainly affect area tech industry.

joethecoder · 2 months ago

What no write ins for Scoble???

Mark Asplund · 2 months ago

The core difference between the two reminds me of the difference between old media and new social media. McGinn not only works in our community (vs Bellevue) but listens to the community he wants to represent. Mallahan has surrounded himself with consultants and makes claims that aren't true.

Tonight for example he once again claims he was an Obama Delegate. It is very easy to check this and see that in fact Mallahan was NOT a Washington State Delegate. He might have been a elected at the precinct level along with 10,000 other people but that wasn't a delegate and shows a real lack of understanding of the political process. Mallahan lives in my neighborhood and yet he has never been to a single Sustainable Wallingford or Wallingford Community Council Meeting in the entire 10 years he has lived on Densmore.

I think if we were interviewing someone to head up city light I might pick Mallahan (executive) but for Mayor (leader) it seems pretty clear who has the grass roots support - McGinn.

Grand_Poobah · 2 months ago

I was an Obama delegate but was NOT a state delegate. You can be a regional delegate or a local delegate. The delegate picking process is a long one fdor those who (as yourself) are unfamiliar with the process.