It's a sad day for state journalism. Seattle Times chief political reporter David Postman, the author of the ever-popular Postman on Politics, announced today that after some 14 years at the paper, he will leave to join Vulcan Inc., a company founded and run by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The Capitol press corps appears to be devastated. I sure am.
Here are some reactions. Adam Wilson at the Olympian says Postman leaves like Brett Farve – with many good seasons left unplayed. Brad Shannon says it feels like our species is dying off. David Goldstein at Horse's Ass calls it "depressing." Stefan Sharkansky at Sound Politics says Postman's absence from journalism "will be a loss." Even P-I columnist Joel Connelly managed some backhanded praise. But maybe Chris Mulick at the Tri-City Herald said it best: David Postman is leaving the Seattle Times.
(Expletive)!
You can fill in the blank for yourself. But no one will be able to fill the void left by Postman – or recently departed Capitol press corps veterans David Ammons and Ralph Thomas – anytime soon. Like I said: It's a sad day.
Meanwhile, Times columnist Nicole Brodeur asks why Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would want to run the country while raising five children at home, including one with Down syndrome. ...
Downer: New York Times columnist Paul Krugman outlines former President Richard Nixon's politics of resentment, and why the Republican party might pull off an upset because of it. ...
Upper: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports Republican presidential candidate John McCain might get a boost in Washington state because of his military service. ...
Where will the money come from? Representatives in Congress from Oregon and Idaho are co-sponsoring a bill that would put $1.6 trillion into repairing the nation's bridges, roads and infrastructure. ...
Where's the money going? Washington Policy Center Blog reports the University of Washington is spending $175 per hour to lobby for funds to renovate Husky Stadium. That shouldn't sit well with the Cougars lobbying against them. ....
What the hell? And finally, Nancy Wilson, a founding member of the popular 1970s rock band Heart, says she felt "completely fucked over" when she heard one of the Seattle band's songs, "Barracuda," play after McCain's speech yesterday at the Republican National Convention. From the band's statement to Hollywood Insider: "Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image." ...
