TACOMA, Wash. - Republican leaders in Washington state were happy to have a contender for state auditor when they accepted Will Baker's last-minute offer to challenge a popular Democrat. They didn't worry too much about who he was or how he spent his time — until they realized a considerable amount of his time was spent in jail. Now party leaders are scrambling to remove him from the ballot, days after naming him as the Republican choice to oppose Democratic incumbent Brian Sonntag's bid for a fourth term. "We didn't check him out," state GOP chairman Chris Vance said. "If I could, I would withdraw the letter putting him on the ballot as the Republican candidate — but it's too late." On Friday, state election officials denied the party's request to remove Baker from the ballot, saying that would require court action.
Baker, a 41-year-old roadside flower salesman and self-styled political activist, has been arrested at least 19 times since 1992, mostly for refusing to stop speaking at Tacoma City Council and Pierce County Council meetings. He was last released from jail less than two months ago. Baker declined to be interviewed by the Tacoma News Tribune, but when asked about his candidacy he said, "No one's asked me to withdraw." When no Republican candidate emerged for the state office by the July 30 deadline, Vance said Baker called GOP leaders and volunteered. In haste, the party accepted Baker's offer without thoroughly examining his background. "He told us that he was a conservative activist," Vance said. "We did just a minimal amount of checking." I think "minimal" doesn't even come close. This all goes to show that neither political party has a monopoly on stupidity.
Posted by: Zenster ||
08/09/2004 12:37:11 AM ||
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#1
Did he threaten the tree huggers for wanting to take 90% of his own land to help preserve his own property? Or did he threaten the Tree huggin Fag lovin Druids with his .45 just for GP?
And details you shall have LHR. It would appear that Will Baker has been pissing in Pierce County's punch bowl for some time concerning corruption, election improprieties and other assorted brou-hahas.
"Unfortunately, the fundamentally basic constitutional responsibility of the government to be accountable for ensuring that each citizen is given a right to vote and that each vote cast is properly counted has been under attack during the last 56 years in Pierce County by corruption in the Pierce County Auditor's Office, corruption in the court system and corruption/incompetence in the media and corruption is the so-called "activist" community."
Sort of sounds like this guy is at the top of everyone's Christmas list, politicians, judiciary, media and activists alike.
#3
Sounds like someone I might vote for. Just because this man has been in the pokey doesn't mean he can't do a good job. It seems he hasn't done anything dishonest, just been a pain in the ass to the current administration.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
08/09/2004 7:23 Comments ||
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#4
"arrested at least 19 times... for refusing to stop speaking at Tacoma City Council and Pierce County Council meetings"
So basically he has been arrested,and can't run as a Republican for excersising his right to Free Speech.
#5
welllll, it shows he probably doesn't play well with others, doesn't it? Robert's Rules of Order are necessary to maintain civility in public hearings, whether you agree with the proceedings or not
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/09/2004 8:40 Comments ||
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#6
He was arrested 19 times for disrupting City and County Council meetings. The lesson? When a Democrat tells a Republican in session to: "Shut the Fark Up, Biatch!", they're supposed to shut up.
You don't need Robert's when you've got hegemony.
#7
Well, let' see - in Washington state, you've got Microsoft and Boeing and...that's about it. Lots of pass-through trade because of the sound, but not much there otherwise. Oregon's even worse.
#8
they put him in jail for speaking too long at city council meetings?
Jeesh..where is the outrage over that?
Posted by: B ||
08/09/2004 12:57 Comments ||
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#9
The local paper did a photo display of the guys mug shots, like six of them. He looked like a child molester of course. It was like "this is the face of the GOP"
Pierce County has long been pretty corrupt. Lots of dirt and croniesm. Voting stations have been closed. Vote by mail the option, remarking of ballots without oversite. The education industry is sucking the cash out of the place.
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