Connelly: Demonizing Seattle -- the GOP's dog that don't hunt

Seattle-bashing began out of the box at Republicans' Roanoke Conference last weekend. The MC, KVI radio host John Carlson, delivered a one-liner on what Democrats are doing with their newfound control of the Legislature.

"It looks like they have contracted out their agenda to the Seattle City Council," he said to hoots and applause.

The one-liner is not accurate. The Senate and House are constructively legislating. They've cleared a capital budget and compromised a tricky water-rights issue. When last heard from, the Seattle City Council was passing a meaningless resolution against a power project in Tacoma.

The Seattle City Council has created a funhouse image of the city, with mob scenes at hearings and resolutions designed to send the demonstrators home happy. In turn, Republicans have sought to make political capital.

In today's tribal politics, both sides overplay their hands.

The Republicans evoked Kshama Sawant, even used a picture of the Lenin statue in Fremont, as part of their 45th District state Senate campaign last year. They argued that Democratic candidate Manka Dhingra was bent on bringing Seattle politics to the Eastside, that she was out of touch with Kirkland-Redmond soccer moms.

The millions spent did not work, largely because Dhingra WAS a Redmond soccer mom. She won going away by a 55-45 percent margin and gave Democrats control of the Senate.

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