Dem leader disowns 2 senators now working with GOP
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Two Democrats in the Washington state Senate abandoned their caucus Monday, vowing to work with Republicans to control the chamber and push conservative budgeting principles.
Democratic Sens. Rodney Tom of Bellevue and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch said the bipartisan cooperation would drive better policies. Under the new plan, Republicans will chair six committees, including the panel that controls the state budget, while Democrats will control another six committees. The parties will split control of three other panels, though Sheldon is on two of those committees.
"This is not about power. This is not about control," said Tom, who will rise to serve as the new majority leader. "This is about governing in a collaborative manner."
Democrats have a small majority in the Senate, controlling 26 of 49 seats. With the moves by Tom and Sheldon, Republicans effectively hold a 25-24 advantage.
Along with sustainable budgets, the lawmakers said they want to promote job growth, reform the education system, and hold state government accountable.
Sen. Ed Murray, the Democratic leader in the chamber, said in a statement that he doesn't believe the Republicans' "take-it-or-leave-it plan" is the right way forward.
"We recognize that any majority in the Senate will be an unstable one, and we are committed to forming a mutually agreed-upon way for Republicans and Democrats to work together," Murray said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Washington State Democrats disowned the two defecting senators.
Dwight Pelz said he's long viewed Sheldon as a Republican, but the party had invested money to re-elect Tom this year. Pelz says that won't happen again, and the party will draft a candidate to oust him next time.
"This is a decision by Rodney Tom to switch parties back again," Pelz said. "Rodney Tom is a Republican now."
Tom was initially elected as a Republican but switched parties in 2006. Pelz said he believes the latest move was simply a way for Tom to fulfill his personal ambitions.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler said the new approach is the sort of cooperation the people of Washington and the country want to see.
"I look forward to showing you that the Senate can put politics aside and provide a responsible, bipartisan approach to the coming session," Schoesler said.
Democrats comfortably control the state House. The new legislative session begins in January.
One Republican committee chair is Sen. Pam Roach, who was kicked out of her caucus two years ago because of accusations of mistreating staff. She was allowed back in this year during the Republican budget coup last year, but she is still barred from interacting with Senate staff.
Mike Hoover, a senior Republican attorney for the Senate, had sued the chamber earlier this year and said he was subjected to a hostile and abusive workplace because of Roach. Under a settlement announced in September, the Senate reaffirmed its sanctions against Roach.
Tom said that would change, and the Senate committee that handles personnel matters would lift sanctions against Roach. He declined to assess how that decision could impact the lawsuit settlement, but he said Roach has vowed to run the committee appropriately.
"She's going to act in a professional manner," Tom said. "She has served her two-year period, and I think it's time to move on."
Hoover, who now works for the House, declined comment.
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AP Writer Rachel La Corte contributed to this report.
Democratic Sens. Rodney Tom of Bellevue and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch said the bipartisan cooperation would drive better policies. Under the new plan, Republicans will chair six committees, including the panel that controls the state budget, while Democrats will control another six committees. The parties will split control of three other panels, though Sheldon is on two of those committees.
"This is not about power. This is not about control," said Tom, who will rise to serve as the new majority leader. "This is about governing in a collaborative manner."
Democrats have a small majority in the Senate, controlling 26 of 49 seats. With the moves by Tom and Sheldon, Republicans effectively hold a 25-24 advantage.
Along with sustainable budgets, the lawmakers said they want to promote job growth, reform the education system, and hold state government accountable.
Sen. Ed Murray, the Democratic leader in the chamber, said in a statement that he doesn't believe the Republicans' "take-it-or-leave-it plan" is the right way forward.
"We recognize that any majority in the Senate will be an unstable one, and we are committed to forming a mutually agreed-upon way for Republicans and Democrats to work together," Murray said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Washington State Democrats disowned the two defecting senators.
Dwight Pelz said he's long viewed Sheldon as a Republican, but the party had invested money to re-elect Tom this year. Pelz says that won't happen again, and the party will draft a candidate to oust him next time.
"This is a decision by Rodney Tom to switch parties back again," Pelz said. "Rodney Tom is a Republican now."
Tom was initially elected as a Republican but switched parties in 2006. Pelz said he believes the latest move was simply a way for Tom to fulfill his personal ambitions.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler said the new approach is the sort of cooperation the people of Washington and the country want to see.
"I look forward to showing you that the Senate can put politics aside and provide a responsible, bipartisan approach to the coming session," Schoesler said.
Democrats comfortably control the state House. The new legislative session begins in January.
One Republican committee chair is Sen. Pam Roach, who was kicked out of her caucus two years ago because of accusations of mistreating staff. She was allowed back in this year during the Republican budget coup last year, but she is still barred from interacting with Senate staff.
Mike Hoover, a senior Republican attorney for the Senate, had sued the chamber earlier this year and said he was subjected to a hostile and abusive workplace because of Roach. Under a settlement announced in September, the Senate reaffirmed its sanctions against Roach.
Tom said that would change, and the Senate committee that handles personnel matters would lift sanctions against Roach. He declined to assess how that decision could impact the lawsuit settlement, but he said Roach has vowed to run the committee appropriately.
"She's going to act in a professional manner," Tom said. "She has served her two-year period, and I think it's time to move on."
Hoover, who now works for the House, declined comment.
___
AP Writer Rachel La Corte contributed to this report.
Anyway you want to raionalize it, Senators Tom and Sheldon were not up-front with their real purpose if elected.
I am tired of anyone, Democrat or Republican trying to skew the truth. Anyone with those tactics should be run out of office...........
My greatest relief was that the majority of the American public were intelligent and informed enough to recognize the ridiculous claims made by the Republican party.  It is incredible to me that people actually either don't recognize or just accept dishonesty in politics.
If it hadn't been so serious, it would have been laughable at the statements coming out of Romney's mouth and to think he really believed what he was saying is nothing less than pathetic.
I think this is a great move by Sens. Rodney Tom of Bellevue and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch. The obvious political bias that has existed in Washington for many years is not healthy for our local communities or our state. My family and I moved from a region where there really was little difference between Republicans and Democrats. However, moving to western Washington was a dramatic shock to our political perceptions. We found that many people that called themselves Democrats in this region were actually much closer to Socialists in their beliefs; that observation was very troubling to us since Socialism definitely does not align with freedom.
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The chairman of the Washington State Democrats has disowned the two defecting senators. If the chairman would open his eyes he would see that many conservative Democrats have disowned the Washington State Democrats.
I wonder how much the pay-off amounted to...
Just another reason why the party system should be eliminated... peoples views change and to me I voted for a firm balance of power this last election year, one party should not have sole control to pass / block progress. I am a democrat and I voted for McKenna, but McKenna lost and all I can do is hope Inslee does his job! We don't need more big government as the existing one we have in this state cannot even manage itself!
Bellevue elected a democrat?Â
I realize many people here are not familiar with Sheldons tactics. Check his voting record. This is textbook Sheldon. He is a Republican who campaigns as Democrat to win elections. He has made a career of doing this.
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He openly supported Bush in 04 and he supported McKenna for Governor
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The only one he is fooling is you apparently.
Wha-a-a-t? Say it aint so. We voted to keep big spenders in and spend, spend, spend! C'mon there's money left somewhere. We can also raise taxes, add new car fees, get creative on business taxes - bring it on. Let's spend.Â
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Can't believe that someone wants to conserve on spending and actually create a balanced budget. Well, the Dems can fight this. It won't stand. We need to stay in debt and keep spending.Â
Knock thi s_ _ t off and get some work done!
So naturally, conservatives are ok with this switching. But tell me conservatives, are you really satisfied that one who claimed to be a democrat, ran in their district as a democrat, won their election as a democrat, but then essentially switched around afterward is really an honest person? Do you thus ascribe to use of lies to win? The people voted for the person because they claimed to represent their views, but then switched. How is that not offensive to those who accepted them, and then betrayed them as acceptable in any sense, dem or repub?
Dishonest and unworthy of anyone's respect. If they wanted to be Repubs, they should have run as Repubs. They lied to every voter in their districts.
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good to see its not about what is good for the state and the people but what is good for the party
Tom and Sheldon should be Tom & Jerry, since real men would never get themselves elected under false fronts. Just like a cartoon, these two are a joke.
 @ferryguy Well I guess that Obama is not a real man. After all, he ran, again, as a Democrat, while in reality, he is a Socialist
Love isn't the only thing that's for sale.
I wish we could just do away with the party system ,and learn to work together for the good of the people. Like that would ever happen
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Democrats always want it their way..spend, spend and more spend.
I just wish we would do away with the party system all together and make everyone work together for the good of the people. (Sorry I was just dreaming)
 @farmer001 Once elected that is what the elected are supposed to do. The Democrat party in this state waves $$$ and forces their block to do everything for King County and Seattle. Take a look at Frank Chopp,he blocks anything and everything that he objects to in the House.Â
So let me get this straight, you vote for a candidate that you are led to believe shares your same political agenda, partisan values and is supposedly working to represent your shared ideology's then after they are in office they announce they are switching to something different?? What is this, Trojan Horse Politics? Â
 @meatpuppet ...and you're surprised because....?
So, if we do the math...
7-1/2% of the democrats are willing to compromise for the greater good of the citizens.
90%+ don't want to.
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Great bunch of folks that 90%. And here I thought it was the republicans that couldn't come to the table?
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 @bobalouie Okay, so using your math, that's 100% of the Repubs that couldn't come to the table, either. Or would you be happy if they changed parties after getting elected, too?
 @MVDad  @bobalouie You can have Charlie Crist. Really. Although he personally accounts for 5% of the Federal White People Tanning Tax making significant inroads into the budget deficit.
Dem leader having a, "guess who's coming to dinner?" moment
Sounds like Dwight Pelz is interested in control, not cooperation. Maybe he is the one that should be removed.
 @MidnightRambler Dwight Pelz is not voted in ,by the state. He is voted in by county representatives of County Democrat parties.Â
earth to olympia its about what is best for the state and the people regardless of party
Politics as usual, they could care less about any agenda but their own.
 @Quackula Unfortunately their entire agenda consists of blocking and destroying any positive ideas and work from anyone related to the so-called "wrong" political party.Â
Politics over progress....way to go...
This sort of proves that anyone will vote for a "D" or an "R" without seeing whats behind the letter.
 @Kiara Absolutely NOT everybody; it's actually what I despise most about our polarized world these days.
But you're correct in that it proves that there are many like that. Not only among the voters, but even more so the people whom we elect to represent ALL of us, not just those of us with the correct letter attached to their political affliation.Â
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It's beyond pathetic that any time a politician supports something or someone from "the other side" (again, exactly what is wrong with our butchered, polarized system), that pol is looked upon with contempt from both so-called sides.Â
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You can see in the comments on any politically related KOMO article, many intelligent readers who identify with considerably more of the ideals of one party than the other, yet are completely opposite on one or more major issues.
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Someone who leans left on nearly everything else can be passionately in support of gun rights and/or pro-life; an otherwise rigid conservative can be against gun ownership or vote for gay marriage. intelligent evaluation of each issue on its own merits or lack of them, regardless of which magical, all-empowering letter is attached.Â
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Meanwhile. the narrow-minded mouth breathers we overpay to overspend our tax dollars spend all of their efforts and our money attacking the other party, blocking the other party's positive ideas at all cost.
And anyone who even slightly questions a single issue or dares to accept and use positive input from the so-called enemy party is a traitor, weak, indecisive, a threat.Â
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This article absolutely underscores exactly what is destroying our political system and our country, and once again, it makes no difference which letter is attached; they're all frantically scrambling toward the bottom and taking us all with them.Â
 @MargeGunderson I agree 100%. Probably should have put "Most people" instead of anyone, but you understood my point and elaborated better than I could have!
Good for them. I see they have finally woken up and stepped out of the fog.Â
There are too many D's in Olympia who have spent our state into oblivion. The leaders of our state need to be better stewards of our tax dollars and this move is a step in the right direction.
Sheldon and Tom should be commended for negotiating with the Republicans. Maybe the DC people can take a page from their play book.Â
wait, let me get this straight. The "Democrat" who openly campaigned and supported GW Bush in 08 is joining with the Republicans? And we call this news?
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 @calapete You do understand that GW Bush didn't run in 2008, right?
 @missingpdx ooops obviously meant 04. He also supported McKenna for Governor.
http://fusewashington.org/page/conservatives-for-rob.html Try google some time, its amazing.
 @missingpdx What do facts have to do with anything? :^D
"It is time we put aside party dynamics and focus instead on the needs of all Washingtonians,"
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Oh, right, we've seen how you folks have served all Washingtonians by slashing the social safety net for the poorest citizens and maintaining tax breaks for the richest. You are serving your narrow constituency, those who have the most and have benefitted the most, NOT all Washingtonians. Disgusting!
@nwcitizen  Our country was founded on the principle of "equal". You cry that the rich dont pay enough in taxes but the poor pay NOTHING in taxes and in cases, actually get money back. People have an equal right to succeed or fail yet you would advocate punishing those who are successful? Social Security was meant to be a retirement based program that EVERYONE pull out of AFTER they pay into it yet it appears you would advocate that only poor would get. I think you need to take a minute and determine if this is really the country you want to be a citizen of. There are plenty of socialist countries that you can move to.
 @scared_citizenÂ
The poor pay no taxes? That would reference only federal taxes, and you do understand why don't you? Deductions that our reps put into place. Of which, the wealthy, such as GE also paid 'no taxes'. But the 'poor' did pay all other taxes, local and state. SS was not a "retirement", it was set up as a supplement. And it is the worker who paid into it. And speaking of which, do the wealthy pay into SS? And with your ending line, it becomes obvious, aside from a few skewed notions, that you also do not understand what 'socialism' is.
This is insane. I am all in favor of bi-partisanship but you can do that without switching causes. These 2 clowns are liars in sheep's clothing and they basically defrauded everyone who donated to their campaigns and stole any money they accepted from the democratic party for their races.
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Working with the other party is fine, caucusing with them to give them control is NOT.
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Also, note how one of the guys who crossed lines is now the majority leader, this was all about his own ego, it's disgusting. If he really believed in doing this altruistically then he wouldn't have accepted a leadership position as part of the deal.Â
@NorthwestEconomist Why whats your problem? they are not bound to the party but to the principals need to balance the state budget. so again whats your problem? Tim Sheldon may call him self s Dem but he is more in line with independent thinking and conservative values.
 @wynooheeman  @NorthwestEconomist Face it, if 2 Republicans stated they were going to work with the Democrats, you would be screaming "RINO, RINO!" while running through the empty halls of the asylum.
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 @wynooheeman  @NorthwestEconomist That's fine, then he should run as an independent or as a republican. By accepting money from the democratic party as well as running as a democrat and attracting all the votes that that comes with he was making a promise to caucus with the democrats, by not doing that he has broken his word. Responsible politicians who don't want to caucus with a group will run as independents or with a different party. This sleazeball was trying to get money from the democrats and votes by having the D after his name. Pure political opportunist. No integrity.Â
 @justsayin Actually, the jobs are gone because we engage in "free trade" with the likes of China, Vietnam, and Guatemala. They won't come back because neither side, Democrat or Republican, is willing to admit that "free trade" means exploiting 3rd world labor and environmental policy to produce goods for the 1st world. They refuse to realize that we hurt our economy in the long run when we cut the manufacturing base our country has thrived on for 2 centuries to obtain the tariff free economic equivalent of slave labor.
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The irony of the situation is that the unemployed people screaming for jobs continue to shop at Walmart, while waiting for deliverance by the very career politicians that created the mess in the first place.
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 @NorthwestEconomist Whoa, dang you are correct sir... I must have read it too fast the first time... Didn't seem like they actually switched parties the first time that I read it but instead just voted across the aisle... Whoops...
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Oh well... You mean everyone who voted for the D is going to get the R?!?!! Why would people vote for them in the first place if they were once such evil Republicans? LMAO. I don't trust either party anymore and this is exactly the sort of reason why.
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My reading comprehension may have sucked first time around but I'm amused by the thought of all those people that just blindly voted Democrat and now get what they really voted for - A shady, scheming politician.
Oh and who was the president that approved NAFTA? That's right Bill Clinton a democrat. It looks to me your not seeing the whole truth here. The American Dream is going down the tube because the socialist democrats are taxing and feeing us to death so we can't work for a small business because they can't afford to hire. All of our jobs are gone because of this. I swear that want us to look like Russia.Â
 @justsayin  @NorthwestEconomist  @Root Nope, just someone who's tired of seeing the American dream ground down into part-time jobs and watching the republiCONs outsource and kill all our jobs for their rich friends who send their money to switzerland.
@NorthwestEconomist @Root Please You're a union leader aren't you?
@OrcasThunder @wynooheeman @NorthwestEconomist Boy I am laughing at your post here! ROFLMAO! This is something the Democrats did before bring people over to caucuse with them. Never thought it would be on the reverse LOL! Nothing fraudulant at all! thanks for the laugh!
 @madminer15  @NorthwestEconomist  @Root "its called changing ones mind"
Since this was done after taking campaign money from the Dems, are these waffling members not bound to do the honest thing, and return the money they took under false pretenses?
If some business person took your money to work on your house, but did the work on someone else's house instead, wouldn't you at the very least expect them to return your money to you?
 @wynooheeman  @NorthwestEconomist Well, enjoy your new dishonest party members...just remember how little the word "loyalty" means to them...
 @wynooheeman  @NorthwestEconomist And you don't see taking the D's money to get elected, then immediately switching to the R's to get a major committee seat, just a bit dishonest? It's not like they didn't plan on doing this before the election - the campaign paid for by the D's!
It would be interesting to see what would happen if the D's sued these guys for fraudulently taking money for dishonest purposes...
 @Root Please  @NorthwestEconomist Not blind obedience - such as taking a pledge...but they DID take campaign money from the Democrat Party in order to get elected.
Maybe they should refund the money, that would be the honest thing to do...
@NorthwestEconomist @Root Please Exactly because liberals vote along party lines and pay no attention to issues or candidates. And no its not fraud, its called changing ones mind. get over it
 @wynooheeman  @NorthwestEconomist Whatever, it sounds like you are on the losing team, he'll get nothing done and only cause division and extra obstacles. He obviously didn't want things to get easier, because this will now only cause problems. So now when a budget can't be agreed upon you have this guy to blame for wasting your tax money when he forces Olympia into extra overtime sessions.Â
@NorthwestEconomist No it is called being butt sore! When the wining team if your on it does something the losing team callis un ethical cheating the what knot. So put some Preperation H on and shut up!
 @Root Please You are wrong on so man levels. This guy planned to do this all along, he shouldn't have taken money.
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He isn't merely caucusing with the other party, HE'S BECOMING THEIR MAJORITY LEADER. Do you understand how much extra money and connections that means for him personally? IF HE DID THIS OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF HIS HEART THEN WHY ACCEPT ALL THE EXTRA GOODIES?Oh well, this is his last election in WA. The only reason he got elected from the PS region is because of that "D" after his name, he lost it for good now.Â
 @wynooheeman  @NorthwestEconomist Wrong, it's called fraud.Â
 @NorthwestEconomist So you are in favor of blind obedience to the party on all matters instead of basing decisions on doing the right thing? These guys cross the aisle on one issue and their own party disowns them? Disgusting.
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I always suspected that the priorities of the party trumped those of the people. This just confirms it.
@NorthwestEconomist @wynooheeman Oh boo hoo hoo! I will bet if a Republican did this you would be jumping for joy. so shut your hypocritical mouth!