Seattle's Empty Record of Political Outreach By Democrats

As Democrats around the country continue to assess fallout in the wake of the November 2 election, an abiding theme has emerged: Republicans need to reach out in order to heal a divided nation. ‘Consult with Democratic leaders,’ ‘include popular Democrats in your Cabinet,’ and ‘stay away from legislation eschewed by our rank and file’ – are among the least threatening words of advice offered to President Bush by opposition Democrats.

In response, Republicans need to assess whether these are good faith offers to unite the American people during a time of military conflict – or merely rhetorical puffery designed by wounded party leaders making efforts to head off criticism from within their fold. In making that determination, it is instructive to look at the Democratic methodology and mindset in those areas where Republicans were once a viable part of the political landscape. What happened there, and with what manner of “reach out” do Democrats operate in areas where they have taken over?

Seattle’s own experience with trifling political outreach by victorious Democrats should tell Republicans everything they need to know about Democratic intent. Beginning in the 1970’s, Seattle experienced utter political takedown by the Democrats. In the 1960’s Seattle’s political landscape was broad and diverse by today’s standards – Democrats were strong, but Republicans competitive. Seattle led the nation in promoting women of both parties to public office – both legislative and judicial. The height of Republican influence was probably felt in 1973, when (the late, and great Superior Court Judge for whom I once worked as Law Clerk and Bailiff pro tem) Seattle City Council President Liem Tuai, a second generation Chinese-American, lost a close election to unseat incumbent Wes Uhlman.

The 1970's era also marks Seattle’s fledgling plan to comply with the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education case – an effort at desegregation seventeen years in the making. During this time I was a voluntary participant in the “desegregation” of two middle schools – one in the north end, the other on Capitol Hill. It was during that time I got to know the children of many of Seattle’s white newsmakers and political officials – parents who no doubt felt vested in the success of this effort. Whether it was salutary to any appreciable degree, I leave for others to decide. But what busing clearly did, to the unconcealed glee of partisan Democrats, was play a key role in the unprecedented nationwide shift of Republicans nationwide - away from urban areas. This “White Flight” is at the heart of ongoing attitudinal disconnect felt by urban-based African Americans against the Republican Party.

Unfortunately the committed liberal Democrats who followed in the wake of so many Republican departures from our cities - have not shown any greater desire to cross perceived segregationist boundaries. Over the following decades Seattle has experienced enormous growth in most decidedly nondiverse private schools – to the point where only New York City has a lower percentage of participation in the public school system. If you ask me, in exchange for “White Flight” we got something far worse - an unbounded liberal approach to urban issues - a state of affairs which only Bill Cosby dares to speak against. Maybe that is why increasing numbers of African Americans are taking a fresh look at the Republicans.

Consider the Seattle political landscape of today. A Republican working in Seattle city government begs a reporter not to “out” him for fear of workplace retaliation. City advisory boards, commissions and volunteer councils are cleansed of Republican involvement by Democratic operatives who, by turn, control nominations, define selection criteria, and vet candidates. City Department Managers meanwhile provide similar access to public employee union bosses. All to ensure the iron-fisted grip of Democrats – concerned by their mere 85% standing among the electorate!

All in all, Democrats need to face up to the unique forms of fundamentalism which mark their brand of politics. As a Republican who is pro-choice, pro-environment, support gay partnership and against the death penalty – my place in the party has never been questioned – nor has my strong advocacy of those positions. Instead, Republican Party leaders have had to reconsider their own perspectives as President Bush has repeatedly enunciated that he would not oppose state-based legislated domestic partnerships for gay couples. This is hardly the fundamentalist theocracy that the Michael Moore-inspired Democrats are screaming about. On the other hand, try holding pro-life and Evangelical Christian viewpoints – and then seek any position of leadership in the Democratic Party. Which party has the more broad, inclusive and “big tent’ perspective now?

Seattle’s “company town” experience under Democratic rule provides the Republicans with all they need to know about how their opponents would operate nationwide if they could. Democrats in Seattle have a thirty year record of paltry outreach aimed at healing between the parties. When given the chance, they enforce a juggernaut and consolidate upon every perquisite. It is in keeping with their worldview - and as it is now clear – a politically fundamentalist worldview. Without understanding that, and without changing that, Democrats show every inclination of becoming a political party in permanent decline.