Kshama Sawant recall election is a high-stakes moment for Seattle

[brooklynite]

Seattle Times

The proposed recall of City Councilmember Kshama Sawant is based on charges related to particular actions last year, and only voters in her central Seattle district are deciding whether she should be retained.

But the Dec. 7 recall election could have sweeping consequences, beyond the allegations on the ballot and beyond District 3, because a case can be made that few figures have influenced the city’s politics as much in the past decade.

Sawant’s scorching rhetoric and uncompromising approach have pushed the council to the left on issues ranging from business taxes to renter protections and have altered the way City Hall operates.

Her recall could mark the end of an era in Seattle, augment wins earlier this month by moderates and disappoint hardcore socialists across the country. Her survival could buttress the council’s progressive wing.

[comradebillyboy]

1. I hope the recall succeeds. nt

[leftstreet]

2. Why? n/t

[comradebillyboy]

3. I don't like her politics.

She’s way too far to the left for me.

[at140]

5. For me too...nt

[BradAllison]

6. Is Build Back Better too far to the left? n/m

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. It's not that she's far to the left that bothers me.

It's her tendency to use intimidation tactics towards those who she doesn't agree with.

[BradAllison]

9. You live in Seattle? n/m

[maxsolomon]

14. I do, but I don't live in her district.

I too wonder why people who don't even live in the 3rd or in Seattle are so bent on drawing a line for Leftism. "This far, but no farther".

She's not even particularly radical but apparently she spooks DU.

Sawant succeeded in making $15/hr national. She was the original champion.

She could run for a city-wide position and she'd get my vote, if only to piss off the petit bourgeoisie.

[FrankBooth]

16. Petit bourgeoisie?? LOL

I think you should take up your grievance with the former Sawant supporter who organized the recall. I don't live in her district, so I didn't vote to recall her, although I would have.

[maxsolomon]

17. Are you not Petit Bourgeoisie?

You write like you are.

Sawant is a useful provocateur in this city.

[FrankBooth]

18. You're the one going to the mat to defend a non Democrat

If I'm Petit Bourgeoisie, what does that make you?

[JI7]

22. It's people in her district that are doing the recall. Not people outside of it . ANd it's those

people that are voting on it.

[maxsolomon]

23. Yes, I'm quite aware.

Are you aware of the Trumpist money pouring in to the campaign?

She was up for reelection in 11 months. Recalls are bullshit.

[leftstreet]

24. Well, she's not a Democrat

So yes her politics won't match what you consider not-too-far-left.

Are you saying anyone who's not a Republican or a Democrat should be recalled?

[Demsrule86]

4. After the disaster that was 2016 and the Trump presidency...the country took a hard turn to the

right IMHO...it will move to the center before it moves to the left...I say this with great sadness. We had the future within our grasp...a great future. The 'but her email crowd' destroyed a huge opportunity in 2016. And honestly, it looks some are doing the same to President Biden.

[BradAllison]

7. We are now so scared of being "too far left".....

.....we have to make sure a random city councilor in librul Seattle won't "force" some Jawjuh Granny with a confederate flag on her trailer to vote for MTG again and Trump in 2024.

[FrankBooth]

10. Sawant is an ambitious phony

She deserves to be recalled, and I believe she will be. Many of the people who worked on getting her recalled are former supporters. She's a flamethrower who just wants to burn things down rather than work with others to solve problems (sound familiar?) She's also not a Democrat, and hopefully she'll be replaced by a Democrat.

[BradAllison]

11. If there are other things she's done, then she should be recalled.

It's just mind numbing "Democratic Underground" is at this point worrying someone in fucking Seattle might be "too liberal" for Joe Bob in Texas in Louis Gohmert's district. Guess the fuck what, so will the next person, it's goddamn Seattle.

[FrankBooth]

12. I'm not worried about her being too liberal

If she's recalled, it's because she earned it, and has nothing to do with how liberal she is or isn't. Her confrontational style is self-serving, smug and her own worst enemy IMO. She represents a very liberal area, so whoever replaces her (if she's out) will likely be more effective. Will be interesting to see what happens.

[maxsolomon]

15. Where do you live, FrankBooth?

District 3?

What Council member is "most effective" to you?

[JI7]

19. This has nothing to do with being liberal or too liberal

It's like saying the problems with Trump are that he is too conservative.

These people are not interested getting things done and more about hearing themselves spew bs.

[former9thward]

13. Recall Yes 53.1% No 46.9%

https://aqua.kingcounty.gov/elections/2021/dec-recall/results.pdf

[BlueCheeseAgain]

25. It will be interesting...

In her past elections, she did well in the late mail-in vote. So we'll see what the next few days brings.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

20. It would be tragic, if the Manchins, Sinemas, and other conservative tools of the wealthy

in the Democratic party, succeed in obstructing progress and evolution, by assisting the fascists in recalling Kshama.

Fascism in the US grows stronger by the day; removing Kshama will be one more canary in the coal mine, a death knell, for the Democratic party, and democracy in America.

[JI7]

21. lol, you think people in that area are Fascists ? And Manchin, Sinema and conservatives have nothing

to do with Sawant .