Sharkansky eyeing Steinbrueck's seat, GOP eyeing Sharkansky's seat

It's the story that won't go away.

When Peter Steinbrueck, popular Seattle City Council member announced today he wasn't running for re-election next time, the heavy breathing by and for Stefan Sharkansky, the attractive, popular and energetic Republican hot ticket was heard all the way to Bellevue.

Republicans haven't seen a riper political opportunity in Seattle since the general election of 1926 when the GOP, representing the pro-Prohibition "drys" won the U.S Senate and all the House seats).

The titular head of the moderate populist Republican movement in Seattle, Sharkansky's warmth and charisma has singlehandedly led the discouraged GOP out of a political miasma that had them overdosing on stool softeners and converting to Unitarianism after the 2006 elections.

He's done it with his nearly insufferable positivism, and upbeat tropes which make obvious in comparison the snideness and cynicism of the far-left naysayers who have dominated Seattle for so long.

Pursuing what he calls the "Politics of Joy," he's led and inspired a movement of "happy warriors," whose sheer exuberance and creativity demonstrated daily in the comments threads, has made his blog the number one Republican blog in the state.

"He's so darned attractive," says Misty, a supporter so avid, Sharkansky got a restraining order after she rushed him at the Republican picnic last year and spilled his orange drink.

"I love him for what he's for- not what he's against!" said Misty who is often first in line in the Sound Politics threads.

So what is he for?

He's for being against any form of transportation that has more or less than four wheels.
He's for stopping elections by mail. He's for fewer voters. He's for the death penalty for election fraud. He supports voting for property owners only.

Although Stefan has never visited the Pike Street Market, a place special to Peter Steinbrueck; he's lined up domestically for a life in Seattle politics- his wife, Irene Song never lets one forget she's an Asian woman, an attorney and his very visible means of support. Word around the precincts is: she'll let him do whatever he wants if he's finished vacuuming. The couple have a handsome young son, named, appropriately, Stefan1.0.

"I know there's a lot of pressure on Stefan to run for something," says a friend. "He's got everything a politician should have- plus facility with new media, and experience manipulating the old media. It doesn't hurt that his wife is Asian, either." 

Sharkansky always denies he's running- but like any good politician, he's never quite made a Sherman. Every once in a while to keep his fans slavering, he throws out an enticing comment that starts the conjecture all over again.

He's like the Democrats' Tony Ventrella that way.

Local GOP strategists are clamoring to harness the Internets as the Democrats have; and as always, they're desperate for candidates. They see Sharkansky as the best of both those worlds.

"Sharkansky's media savvy, his doggedness and his personal magnetism make him what we like to think is the New Republican," a party pro told us. "Stefan is always surprising us- sometimes he'll take a breath in one day- then let it out the next... the Buddhists have a term for it- it's 'crazy wisdom.'"

David Goldstein, Sharkansky's liberal archrival is a political activist; and has used his blog, Horsesass.org as a springboard for a job in talk radio (KIRO Sundays, 7-10p).

But, Republican flacks say, Goldstein's forthright writing has precluded a jump into elected politics. "Goldy's 'Luke Esser fucks pigs' post last year," said a party operative we know, "takes him out of serious consideration- besides, his name is too Jewish."

(Who knew, dep't: liberal bloggers are more "potty-mouthed" than right-wing bloggers, who use the term "potty-mouthed" only slightly less than kindergarten teachers.)

But Sharkansky is an ebullient "people person" with TV good looks, and has been more guarded in his political writing; he's seen as someone who could give the R's a foothold in blue, blue, Seattle.

"His name could be Russian or Polish for all a Seattleite would know," says our guy.

"Seattleites may finally be mad enough at the viaduct situation, the Monorail fiasco, or any one of a dozen excesses in the city, to give Stefan a shot."

The real prize, of course, is the 7th District seat. "We'd love to see someone of Stefan's stature and  abilities, says our GOP threep doat, "running against Jim McDermott."

Comments

[The Ump]

Michael, you're so baaaad! You're going to make poor Stefan and The Asian so apoplectic they might actually do it just to spite you. But really, they can't help themselves; it's those stool softeners . . . .

The question which demands an answer is this: what, exactly, was Stefan up against, vis-a-vis Misty, when she denied -- unconvincingly! -- that she was not moved by what he was against.

But don't let this go to your head, Michael. I can't endorse everything you wrote, especially comparing Stefan to Tony V. It's an insult to barbers everywhere.

Ultimately, I think you (not to mention Stefan and The Asian) need to aim higher. Yes, Congress. Yes, the 7th. Yes, The Shark vs.
McD. Oh, sure, Darcy
vs. The Magnificent Hair was good. But we'll forget about it in a New York Minute if Stefan throws his hat in the Big Ring.

I'm tingling at the thought. Really.

[Dale]

I got too thinking last night when Stock yard Vinnie was on 710 am Kiro , Vinnie is on channel 13 new's sports northwest , you know they Fired Wayne Cody for being over weight So what is the story with the over size Vinnie, On top of being VERY over weight , he can't talk ! DoA , Wiff, ting , daat, HAy Vinnie ! here is a little help on the weight ting , stop drinking a gallon of hole milk in the morning with you pancakes
Take Datt !

[Pilgrim]

Nothing personal against those that do...but, I'm thankful I don't live in Seattle, or King County for that matter.

I would take Vinny over Wayne "If you don't know the answer, guess" Cody any day. Wayne Cody was more about Wayne Cody than sports.

[muffjob]

Sounds like Misty might have her eye on Stefan's seat as well

[dick]

I'd vote for Stefan in the primary- him on the stage with McD would be gold.

[foghat]

If Stefan ran for Council- all his readers would have to move back into town from Arlington and Duvall and Bellevue. Doubt if he could scrape up enough voters in Seattle to make a dent. the competition for Peter's seat is already heating up.

[foghat]

On the other hand, he could probably do better against McDermott than that little weasel with the bad attitude who ran against him last time...

[lukobe]

Bizarre. Hey, how come you didn't post this in HUMOR IN A JUGULAR VEIN?

It would be interesting having a Republican on the city council...

[The Ump]

It would be interesting having a Republican on the city council...

It would be interesting to have anyone interesting on the City Council.

[lukobe]

I don't buy Steinbrueck's explanation. He could have held on to his seat and fought the viaduct at the same time..

[chucks]

If Stefan were to run, I would register to vote at my sisters house, my two brothers houses and my three nieces houses.
Congress or council doesn't matter. That city needs some diversity. Hell, I would even through some cash in the cookie jar.

[JDB]

Given that Sharansky and his ilk have led the State GOP into irrelevance, and that his own blogs readership now is about half that of Goldy's, all I can say is:

Run Minnow Run!

[jimbo]

that guy's right- in the interests of democracy and great reading in the Stranger and the blogs,I'd vote for Stefan in a minute.

[decaf]

Harm he could do:00.0. Entertainment value: priceless

[Mike Barer]

Maybe it's time to go Shark hunting.

[FREMONT]

Fucking awesome potty-post, Bla'M...

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Stefan could win against Baghdad Jim if the city fathers didn't steal his votes.

[JDB]

Ragnar,

That's the mindless paranoia that makes me keep saying Run minnow Run!

[Jenna Bush]

Oh! Even Daddy's interested in Sharky's seat. Sharky has a nice seat!