Local politicos eye-ballin' Oly

Christine Rolfes from our city council was just too good a politician to hang up her gloves. Earl Johnson from the fire commission is just too flamin' patriotic not to run for a higher office.

After a couple terms on the city council, Christine has announced she's running for the House of Representatives. She'll likely beat Bev Woods, a Republican who has lasted far past her expiration date in a mostly left-leaning district (that's the 23rd Legilative District for you yokels, which comprises our fair isle, Poulsbo, Kingston and the North half of Bremerton).

When Christine decided she wouldn't run for the city council, some of her fans, who tuned-in to every week (or so) for BIB's finest reality TV show, were disappointed she'd be leaving the cast of characters. Where people like Debbie Vann and Nezam Tooloee ranted predictably from their respective camps, Christine was the voice of calm consideration. While lots of politicians talk about finding compromise, Christine seemed to actively, and honestly, seek it. She had her platforms, of course, but who can argue against more open space and bike lanes?

When she quit the council, I knew her excuses ("spend time with family") was a ruse. Which points out why she's a good politician from the other angle. She plays her cards close, says little that offends and choses her enemies wisely. Bev Woods is fine, but it's always been odd that she lasted so long. Rolfes is going to drag a pretty big voting bloc from Bainbridge. She's got name recognition, a squeaky-clean image, she's affable and smart and apparently lots of powerful Dems like her too, including Patty Murray.

As for Earl Johnson, he's going to have a tougher time taking on Sherry Appleton for the House. Not many know him and Sherry's been doing a bang-up job in her first couple years. And have you read Earl's book? It's a thin little number and a few minutes paging through it at Eagle Harbor Books will give you the gist without having to drop any change. The title is some take-off of "Stairway to Heaven" or something. It's about Earl's experience in one of the Twin Towers during 9-11. Basic theme: the man loves America. And firefighters. I read in the paper he also has some business know-how.

But if I were betting on this horse race, my odds are on Appleton, who, despite living in Poulsbo, is pushing for a law that is Bainbridg specific (because we're an island) and would help us contol our growth (rather than letting the state do it). That, and she's a fiery little lady that'll be representing the island for a long time.