I had lunch with an editor in the mainstream press yesterday who said he was a big Morning Fizz fan. He said he liked how it read as just a download "straight from your day's notebook."

Here you go: 

1. Seattle City Attorney Tom Carr, who's up for reelection this year, asked Dwight Pelz, Chair of the Washington State Democrats, for his endorsement. Pelz said, "No." 

2. Seattle City Council Member Jan Drago—who's seriously considering running for mayor—may be thwarted by the simple fact that she can't find a political consultant.

Top-gun Seattle consultant, Christian Sinderman, Drago's previous consultant, is working for Team Nickels. Sinderman's former hot shot colleague, Lisa MaClean from Moxie Media, is also working with Team Nickels. Bill Broadhead's unconventional action-packed shop, Mercury, is working for Mike McGinn. Old-guard, establishment consultant, Blair Butterworth, is working for James Donaldson. Up-and-comer Jason Bennett is working for Joe Mallahan. And John Wyble (who used to work with MaClean at Moxie) has his own shop now, but he ran Casey Corr's campaign to unseat Drago in 2005. 

I guess that leave's Cathy Allen. 

3.  Yesterday's Morning Fizz noted that the Franklin County Republicans voted to censure their State House Rep, Rep. Maureen Walsh (R-16, Walla Walla, College Place) because she co-sponsored this year's domestic partners (read gay rights) bill.



I wondered if Rep. Walsh migh take the hint and pull an Arlen Specter. Well, I got a hold of her yesterday to get her reaction, and here's what she said: "I thought the action was a bit extreme, but certainly within their rights to do."  

BTW: In the 1990s, Walsh worked for Rep. Dave Mastin, who flipped from D to R. Mastin was from the same district.

4. State Senator Fred Jarrett (who's running for King County Executive) was the only candidate who said 'No' during the lightning-round of questions at yesterday's candidate forum when the four candidates were asked if they supported tolling on I-90.

Jarrett, who represents Mercer Island (get it?) told me later in the day that he "hates Yes or No questions" and explained that he's only against I-90 tolling "now." He says tolling, including on I-90, is the transportation funding mechanism of the future. He also said he doesn't think WSDOT has the chops to pull off tolling both 520 and I-90 right now, so we should get 520 right first. The legislature passed a 520 tolling bill this session after heated debates about whether I-90 should be tolled as well.

(I had a lengthy interview with Jarrett yesterday, and I'll report on that later today.)

5. Also at yesterday's candidate forum: When the mayoral candidates were asked if digging up a candidates' history of voting in past elections (as the media did earlier this week) was germane, candidate Mike McGinn—whose record was better than most others—said it was, but it was more important to know how you voted.

He went on to note that he voted: For the 2008 parks levy; against the 2007 light rail initiative (because it was coupled with 182 miles of roads); for the 2008 light rail-only initiative (which came to the ballot after the unpopular roads-too version failed); and against the tunnel in 2007.  Mayor Nickels, he also noted, was on the opposite side of all these votes, except the second light rail vote.