Six Seattle City Councilmembers come out for Obama

Seattle City Councilmembers Richard Conlin, the new president of the Council, Tim Burgess, Bruce Harrell, Nick Licata, Tom Rasmussen, and Richard McIver have endorsed Barack Obama for president. The councilmembers join Mayor Greg Nickels in endorsing Obama, who visits Seattle Friday. The letter signed by the six councilmembers will be delivered to Obama in time for his rally at Key Arena Friday morning. The three other members of the Council, all women, have endorsed Hillary Clinton: Jean Godden, Jan Drago, and Sally Clark. In their endorsement letter, the Obama Six say: We encourage you to use your campaign to discuss the challenges America's cities face–homelessness, affordable housing, education, climate change, public safety, and many others. Then, when you become President, please accept our invitation to return to Seattle for a conversation about our cities and how we can work together to solve these challenges. The unusual unity with the Mayor (these things happen) may have something to do with another expression in the endorsement letter, perhaps foretelling a new spirit of working together at the fractious Council, which regularly feuds with the Mayor. "Like you," the letter says, addressing Obama, "we seek a new politics that goes beyond old divisions and looks to a future where we all work together to solve problems and take advantage of opportunities." Get a grip, guys!