As we mentioned in Fizz this morning, last night's 36th District Democrats candidate forum was action-packed---thanks in large part to its smart, funny, tough emcee, former district chair Jason Bennett.

Unlike at many forums---where "do you support density?" masquerades as a "tough" question---the candidates didn't get many softballs last night. Here's a sampling of what Bennett asked, and what the candidates (for Position 1, Jean Godden's seat, and Position 3, Bruce Harrell's) had to say.

Position 1 (Michael Taylor-Judd, Bobby Forch, Maurice Classen, and Jean Godden)

Bennett (to Godden): "Your age has become an issue on the campaign trail [and you've accused your opponents of using ageist arguments against you.] Could folks accuse you of using similarly agist barbs because some of your opponents are under 40?"

Godden: "Certainly I feel that in some respects, I am younger than they. I worked on a newspaper for 26 years and every year, I seem to get younger. I will not apologize for my journey in life. I have a lot of experience."

Bennett (to Forch, a manager at the Seattle Department of Transportation): "You're very behind in the money game. Wouldn't we be throwing our endorsement away if we endorsed you?"

Forch: "I've won every single legislative district so far. I might be splitting [endorsements] with my opponents, but I've won in every single legislative district and I think that's important."

Then, Bennett gave the candidates an opportunity to question each other. Naturally, they all piled up on Godden.

Michael Taylor-Judd (a tunnel opponent): "Jean, you've said you care about arts and culture and you want fight for social justice, and you talk about your experience as the budget chair. How do you plan to pay for all these things in addition to the deep-bore tunnel?"

Godden: "There are many ways to economize. Our parks probably don't have their grass mowed as often. But I believe we can pay for the tunnel [as well, and that we aren't on the hook for cost overruns.]"

Forch: "You made a statement to the effect that we shouldn't reconfirm police chief John Diaz. Why do you believe we shouldn't reconfirm the police chief?"

Godden: "I thought it was not a good idea at the time [I made that statement]. I have changed my mind. I think that we probably should reconfirm the police chief. At the time, it looked like the police did not have confidence in the police chief. … I have changed my mind, and I think I do that when there has been evidence for it, and i think that possibly this is a good time to do that."

Classen, to Taylor-Judd: "How do you oppose the deep-bore tunnel and simultaneously say [in response to an earlier question] that the council should abide by it as adopted policy if voters pass the tunnel referendum?"

Taylor-Judd: "I'm not looking to stand in front of a bulldozer, and I have no problem with tunnels. What I have a problem with is the current deep-bore tunnel, because if we continue on this path it will be a failure."

Godden (to Classen): "On what substantive issue do you disagree with me?"

Classen: "I did oppose your position on the telephone book opt-out program. [Godden initially opposed allowing people to opt out of receiving Yellow Pages phone books because she feared it would lead to censorship]. I opposed your original opposition on repealing the head tax [the $20 annual tax, since overturned, on employees who drive alone to work]. And for the future, I oppose the way that you approach the budget."

Next up, the "yes/no/waffle" (Eggo, specifically) round.

Bennett: "Have you ever donated to a Republican?"

(Only Classen says "yes.")

Bennett: "Would you vote to reelect McGinn?"

(Taylor-Judd and Forch hold up their waffles; Godden and Classen both say "no.")

Bennett: "Should we adopt a hybrid electoral system, with five council members elected by district and four elected at large?"

(Only Godden says "no.")

Bennett: "Should we consider privatizing our community centers?"

(Everyone but Classen says "no"; Classen holds up his waffle.)

Bennett: "Is the tunnel referendum legal?"

(Everyone but Godden says "yes"; Godden holds up her waffle.)

Bennett: "Is Mayor McGinn too pro-bike?"

(Only Godden says "yes.")

Bennett: "Should we get tougher on panhandling?"

(Only Godden says "yes.")

Position 3 (Bruce Harrell and Brad Meacham)

Bennett: "What should be done about the school board?"

Meacham: "We need to make sure there's a strong partnership between the city and the schools. … Nobody's happy with the way things are going. ... We have to get down there and be visible. You've got going to have strong neighborhoods without strong schools."

Harrell: "These candidates [currently serving on the school board] were the reform candidates. … Silas Potter was a crook. I don't mince worse. Silas Potter was a dishonest person, and I don't think the Silas Potter can be blamed for his dishonesty. … We have to listen to them and support the good ones. Let's not just throw them all out because of the action of a few corrupt people."

Bennett: "What can be done to improve access to affordable housing in the city?"

Harrell: "We are doing a lot, and I don't know if people realize how much we are doing. We can do more. … When we are increasing inventory, we should be making sure we have very aggressive tax schemes to make sure our housing is affordable."

Meacham: "Housing levies make a lot of sense to provide shelter for the very poorest, but for the vast, vast majority it is a supply and demand question. If we all agree that we want more housing supply, then let's get serious about doing it."

Questions for each other:

Harrell: "I've heard you criticize some of my social justice ideas. What social justice ideas do you have that will help marginalized communities?"

Meacham: "Being an active advocate and visible in community … constituent response and service is step one [and mandatory] paid sick leave ought to be a baseline."

Meacham: "Where are you on paid sick leave?"

Harrell: "I will support some kind of paid sick leave policy [but] I have an obligation to listen to small business owners. There is a stakeholder process that first has to take place. … People should be entitled to the same sick leave policies irrespective of where they work, but let's get there in a smart way."

And the "yes/no/waffle" round:

Bennett: "Have you supported a Republican candidate?"

(Harrell says "yes," Meacham says "no")

Bennett: "Do you support the deep-bore tunnel?"

(Harrell says "yes," Meacham says "no")

Bennett: "Would you vote to reelect Mayor McGinn?"

(Both sit and think about it for a long time. Finally, Harrell says "no," and Meacham holds up his waffle, noting that 2013 is "a long time away." Bennett responds, "What if the election were held today?" Meacham responds by saying, "no.")

Bennett: "Should Seattle police officers wear body cameras?

(Harrell---who proposed the body camera legislation---says "yes," Meacham says "no.")

Bennett: "Has city attorney Pete Holmes acted outside his duties [by suing to stop the tunnel referendum]?"

(Harrell says "no," Meacham says "yes.")

Bennett: "Are road diets working as intended?"

(Harrell says "no," Meacham says "yes.")

Bennett: "Should Seattle go it alone on light rail?"

(Both hold up their waffles.)

That's all for now; we're headed out to Phinney Ridge to find out which candidates the 36th District Dems decide to endorse.