Youngsters start to fill-in the halls of power..

[Waterbuffalo]

Its with wonderful pleasure that I'm seeing my generation taking seats of power and starting to assume responsibilities for some of the things that will be effecting us for generations to come.

From Joseph James, Steve Stuart, Vanessa Duplessie, Jamie Herrera to Tim Leavitt. (Yes, we know your angling for Mayor? if there is any definition needed, I notice on your blog that your resume keeps growing by the post?) If I have missed anyone else, I apologize.

What a wonderful time to see all of the getting out there and trying to make a difference running for one of the highest state level offices?

Wish you all the best in your races.

[Chief]

Ditto that!

After the ridiculous local election cycle here last November, and the number of positions that went unchallenged by the Republicans, I had really given up hope for any kind of political renaissance here in SW Washington. I follow the election numbers pretty closely and the number of people who fail to vote at all, even with a mailed-in ballot, has troubled me for a long time.

We have a number of real races this year, and the Primary is shaping up to be quite competitive on a number of levels.. This Fall will be even more politically frantic with all of the new faces out there working for votes.

My hat is off to the new Leadership in the Clark County Republican Party. I have long complained that the CCRP spent too much time backing people like Jim Dunn, and did virtually nothing for young aspiring candidates. I'm getting regular updates via e-mail from the CCRP, and it's obvious even to a critic like me that they have turned a corner over there and are digging back in to the Community.

My generation, people in their mid-fifties generally, are out there already in higher office. I like to point out that my generation is running the Supreme Court of the US, as Chief Justice John Roberts and I are only 2 months apart in age. People in my generation aren't running for City Council, they are already elected to the State Senate and other higher offices.

It's time that people like those you mentioned, and other of that generation, to step up to the plate and take their turn in the political ring, and I am not only very glad to see them doing just that, but relieved as well...

[Waterbuffalo]

Yeah, most of my generation are starting to go for the smaller fruits and rings of the ladder in the state houses, maybe or possibly looking for higher offices in regional areas or federal offices in the probably within the next ten years.

As the stalwarts start finally dying off and those seats get freed for worthy candidates from each state.

I like seeing your generation running for office Chief, because the generation is taking its place of power now and making changes that could effect the lives of all of us in this nation. Its going to be wonderful to see finally new breathe and ideas coming into the political stream.

The past 20 years I have been watching Washington state politics, its been so bone dried to tears, same old, same old, there really has not been any really new ideas?

[josephjamescampaign]

Thank you for taking notice! I have worked hard and I am ready to restore effectiveness to the 17th. I monitor you posts daily and I have learned a lot from you and Cheif. Please continue to give me advice.
P.S I was just endorsed by the Columbian and the 17th district p.c.o's as the official nominee for the 17th. It was a 16 to 1 vote with 2 p.c.o's obstaining from voting.
check out this link...
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/07/07252008_In-our-view-Probst--James.cfmwith

[Waterbuffalo]

To Joseph or his campaign people, If you really want to learn about transportation issues, go to the RTC and C-tran meetings and watch their email lists (if they have them.)

Steve Stuart is the guy who is leading the charge on creating new pathways for roads and highways, effective planning for road improvements and many other things. If you really want to know what is going on with Clark County transportation at the Macro county level.

Get an appointment with him and have a nice chat. Yes, he is across the aisle. But with all that is going on in transportation, some times, you have to cross party lines to learn about what is going on. I'd also suggest talking to Dean Lookingbill and the staffers of RTC, so you'll get the the low down.

You can read our comments and thoughts but I'd like you to have some basics of what is going on from the County and regional transportation process. RTC does not just cover Clark County but it also does transportation planning for Skamania and Klickitat counties? (Some one please help me with which counties RTC covers?)

If you do not know the regional and macro issues that cover not just Clark County but Cowlitz and other counties, your opponent is going to eat you alive.

Also you should be watching the Seattle newspapers. They cover multiple regions up in the Puget Sound region. This is going to one of the regions that will be vying for the federal funding for their same Bridges, Ferries, Transit projects that the columbia river crossing might be asking for. Now telling me, if there is 1.5 million people versus Puget Sound Region, who is going to get the funding?

My suggestions here should also apply to all our young candidates, please find out more about our transportation needs. There are other things than just the LIFT financing, TIF-TIP and other needs that you will be bombarded when your elected. Start now while your running for office to put the bricks in place for your districts with various transportation and government agencies, so you know what is going on.