Democracy for Vancouver

Pat Campbell shows in his recent CVTV interviews that he is the better candidate in the 17th LD, Position 1, race. Here is an excerpt from The Columbian’s endorsement today:

Position 1: “I showed up on time every day.” That was Jim Dunn’s response when asked to relate his proudest legislative accomplishment of the past two years. In an interview with The Columbian editorial board he repeatedly said, “That’s a good question,” when asked for examples to support his positions.

These are not the kinds of responses indicative of a sharp, effective, heads-up lawmaker who is persuasive when trying to influence legislation. Dunn’s No. 1 issue, as usual, is a broad-brush complaint about government waste. But he has no specific examples. He didn’t know how many state employees there are, but he said the number should be cut, via attrition, by 10 percent, except in police and schools.

Dunn’s “What, me worry?” approach has resulted in two fines (2004 and 2006) for violating campaign-finance reporting laws. His intellectual laziness and laid-back approach are why the hard-charging Wallace unseated him in 2002. But in 2004 he edged Pat Campbell, whom The Columbian endorsed and whom we endorse now, even though we backed Jack Burkman in the Sept. 19 primary. Burkman said Monday he would be voting for Campbell over Dunn.

Campbell, a retired state parole officer, is a Democrat who might better be described as an independent. He sides with the GOP at times, but is closer to Democrats on many issues, such as favoring a pubic vote on getting rid of the supermajority requirement for school levies. His Web site, www.patservesus.com, includes a link to “Pat’s ‘No Bull’ positions.” On Monday, Dunn’s site (www.jimdunn.com) said, “Site Under Re-Construction. Check Back After April 15th.”

Stilwell over at NPI has an insightful analysis of this race.