THE 2012 GENERAL ELECTION made at least this clear: Washington voters wanted Democrats, and not Republicans, leading the State. A Democrat was elected to every executive position, except one (Secretary of State), including Governor, Attorney General, and U.S. Senator. And voters reelected enough Democrats to the State Senate to ensure the party’s control. It was, for the Democrats, a sweep.
And yet the Democratic turncoat Rodney Tom took it upon himself to ignore the voters and instead hand control of the Senate over to Republicans. Tom, a Senator from the 48th Legislative District, which includes Bellevue, and Tim Sheldon, Senator from the 35th Legislative District, joined Senate Republicans to establish what they are calling, rather misleadingly, a “majority coalition caucus.”
Now, Republicans control the Senate with 25 members to the Democrats’ 24 members. As a result, Tom will be the Senate’s majority leader, while Sheldon will be the President Pro Tempore (a position that presides over the Senate in the Lieutenant Governor’s absence). And as Senate majority leader, Tom wields great power: he appoints the chair of different committees and also controls the Senate’s schedule.
Tom’s actions offend more than just the voters’ will; his actions offend the base level obligation of an elected official. I am devoutly of the opinion that elected officials should unabashedly place the interests of their constituents over their own; elected officials, after all, are elected to serve the public and not to serve themselves. But Tom disregarded the fact that in 2010 voters reelected him as a Democrat who promised to fight for and uphold the Democratic Party’s progressive values.
The rationale for Tom’s betrayal is apparent: in 2010, Republicans spent nearly $1 million trying to unseat him. It was likely the case that Republicans would take aim at Tom again in 2014. But now Tom has pacified his otherwise Republican challengers and so has dodged what would have been a conservative firing squad. And the Republican money that would have been spent to defeat him will now likely fill his coffers. Put another way, Tom chose to protect his own longevity as an elected politician at the expense of the majority of his voting constituency.
What is most sad about Tom’s about-face is, I think, this: momentum toward comprehensive gun control reformation is finally gaining traction. And yet as Senate majority leader, Tom will more than likely do whatever he can, in a further attempt to appease his now conservative base, to stifle whatever sorely needed gun control changes are proposed, including a possible assault weapons ban.
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Trent Latta is an attorney and he lives in Kirkland. He can be reached at TrentLatta@gmail.com.
Dexterjibs is right Trent and all you progressives who put your party first before the interest of the well being of our State would applaud him as a hero. I think both parties have let this Country down by the negative rhetoric. When someone can explain to me why we can get out of our financial mess with merely taxing the rich I will vote for one of you D progressives. And I will not vote for any R' that is obeying his party before what is in the best interest of his constituents. Until each side really tries to understand and compromise we as a State and Country will go bankrupt
The crux of Rodney Tom’s betrayal is that he held himself out has someone who, if elected, would uphold one party platform over another’s: whether you think Tom is an “Independent” now, you must be mindful of the fact that he did not have an “I” next to his name when he was reelected in 2010. Instead, he was reelected based on his representation that he most aligned with the Democratic Party’s values. But Tom betrayed the charge of the people who voted him into office by jumping to the Republican Party, all in an effort to protect his own personal interests and not those of the majority of people who voted for him, and in defiance of Washington State’s at-large voting community. Trent
Trent, nothing I've posted in this thread is personal in the least. As an advocate for more transparency and information so that people can assess your comments in context, I just think everyone should know of your party insider role. That's not an attack. And you haven't yet responded to the point that Democrats lost seats in both the state House and Senate in 2012. The fact that the chambers are so evenly divided is an indication to me that the people do not want single-party control (as you assert) but are looking for collaboration and cooperation in solving the problems that face us.
That phrase, "intellectual honesty" - I do not think it means what you think it means.
It does seem the only ones you take offense to are those who disagree with you. Dexter and I clearly have called you out on your biased view. Mr. Nixon has been very polite and logical. However what I have said is correct. You did not disclose your personal affiliation with the Democrat Party readers of one or your blogs articles did. Iam sorry you are offended being called a Progressive Democrat and political left, who will put the will of his party before that of the people and seems focused on raising taxes as opposed to running government more efficiently. And to be clear I am an independent with no affiliation with either party. Frankly both have let this Country down with excessive spending and I look forward to more fiscal control in our State with Tom's decision
And the hypocrisy of both sides is maddening. The Dems here complain...yet they cheered Rodney when he went their way from the Repub side. The Repubs do the same thing when they have someone change (like Lieberman). That, in itself, highlights the bad place parties have taken us.
If you were right, then the peoples would not have elected a democratic president or a democratic majority in the Washington State Senate and Representatives "2012: Republicans lost eight other state executive races, plus all three open U.S. House seats, and barely mounted a challenge to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell."