The field of Republican candidates seeking to oust Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, keeps on growing.
Over the weekend, state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, announced he’d challenge Murray.
Now, Whatcom County resident Paul Akers is in the race, too, though he hadn’t planned to officially make that public yet. Instead, he was outed by conservative political pundit Dick Morris, a frequent guest on Fox News programs, who mentioned him during an interview with Sean Hannity on the conservative talkshow host’s radio program.
Akers looks to live just south of Toad Lake, which would make him neighbors with Whatcom County Councilman, and fellow Republican, Sam Crawford. I’m not sure if they know each other, but I’d wager there’s a good chance.
Akers hasn’t put out a press release, even still, so I don’t have much on him at this point. We do, however, have his Web site, which someone e-mailed me on Saturday … when I don’t work. That’s OK, though.
And, here’s the clip of Morris on Sean Hannity’s program mentioning Akers. It’s a very, very brief mention in which Morris only says Akers has a “good shot” against Murray. I’m unclear why, because there’s no detail, but also because there are six other GOP candidates also running, including a state Senator. So why does Morris single out Akers? And how the heck did he even hear about him? All questions for Akers in the future.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:28 PM
Why does Morris even bother to take a breath before he speaks?
Most of what he says could easily be powered by excess digestion by-products.
Murray,
in a romp,
over every challenger.
She’s our Senior Senator.
And you don’t dump them for a newbie without credits.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Well if sterling Dick Morris said it and he said it on Hannity and Fixed Noise, it must be true right.
Are we going to see Glen Beck stumping against Patty in the old NW too.
I have never heard of this guy and I’m nauseated already.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:43 PM
So long as he doesn’t make ads in the style of Carly Fiorina, I think I’ll be okay.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRY7wBuCcBY
February 8th, 2010 at 4:35 PM
It would actually be nice to have a few credits, elizabeth?
Voted least effective U.S. Senator how many Times? by that New York Times?
Vote Patty “osama mama” Murray, my favorite too!
From Millers Blog!
Speaking at the Columbia River high school in Vancouver, Washington.
As I’m sure you know, she told an honors class that Osama bin Laden was popular because:
He’s been out in these countries for decades building schools, building roads, building infrastructure, building day care facilities, building health care facilities and people are extremely grateful. He’s made their lives better. We have not done that. How would they look at us today if we had been there helping them with some of that rather than just being the people who are going to bomb in Iraq and go to Afghanistan?
Dosent she still hold the membership card in the WEA too?
February 8th, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Here is why Dick Morris was interested — an innovative entrepeneur is just what we need in DC
http://www.theamericaninnovator.com/about-paul.asp
Biography of Paul Akers
Paul Akers is Founder and President of FastCap LLC, an international product development company based in Bellingham, WA, founded in 1997. When you meet Paul you never forget him. Paul is passionate about everything and he pushes forward with a degree of energy that few people have ever seen. He is revered in his field as a top marketer and is well loved by his customers. Paul credits the Toyota Production System of manufacturing as a key element to his ongoing success. He has traveled extensively throughout the world. He is an instrument rated pilot and flies his own corporate aircraft. He has landed at over 400 airports around the globe, including 3 North Atlantic crossings. Paul is a master craftsman, gardener and designer. He also built his own home and most of the furniture, including the musical instruments, and all in his “spare time”. Paul is a passionate speaker and loves people. His greatest passion is helping people discover their full potential in life.
Paul was born and raised in Southern California in 1960. He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 13, one of the youngest in the state. He graduated from Biola University in 1983 with honors, obtaining a degree in education with an emphasis in Greek and German. Paul was both an Industrial Arts teacher and a general contractor in California. During this time he restored some of the most prestigious historical homes in Pasadena. In his early years he worked for Taylor Guitars and was mentored by Bob Taylor, who made a lasting impression as one of the best innovators. Here he was part of building over 2000 musical instruments and mastered the craft of luthier. Paul is a prolific inventor and holds many US and International patents. His company, Fastcap, launches approximately 20 new innovative products per year. He and his wife started FastCap LLC in 1997 in their garage in Bellingham, WA. He has built it into a worldwide, multi-million dollar company in just 12 years. Paul has been married for 26 years to his wife, Leanne, and has two high school age children; Andrea and Kolbe.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Thanks Mr. Akers/Interested. I am not surprised you had the energy to dash out this resume. Your fingers must have fairly flown over the keys, landing over 400 times as you pounded out your amazing accomplishments here and across the Atlantic.
Master of all universes, player and builder of every instrument musical and I’ll bet while typing you built your retirement home in between key strokes as well as your children’s first homes.
What is truly amazing is that you were born and raised all in the same year 1960. One heck of a year I’d say. Half way through the year you made Eagle Scout. But it took you another 23 years to graduate college? What, did you slack off or something?
Greek and German scholar, teaching while being a general contractor. Finishing mini-malls in a single bound while restoring homes in Pasadena, and making 2000 instruments by mastering the craft of luthier–all while making paper mache maracas in your Industrial Arts class on your coffee break?
So why did you start a business in your basement? Seems like you could have whittled out an industrial park after lunch.
Holder of many patents? Like the manufactured home and lute mass Toyota production model you use at your multi-million dollar manufacturing company built to look like a basement?
But really only 20 products in a year now? 20x 12 years, ..That’s only 240 products in 12 years. Again you must be slipping. And if you’re so prolific, why only 2 kids?
Well I’m impressed but wonder if running against Patty isn’t going to be a big downer. YOU WILL LOSE, if you ever get the nod to begin with; and what will that do to your confidence and energy level? Maybe you’ll only build 1,000 guitars in your spare time while campaigning?
Well good luck there superman. But I’d get someone versed in better English to write your resume. Do it in German and Greek and really wow us.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:21 PM
Hey Citizen Says! Yes you do dump your Senior Senator when she is nothing more than a puppet of the Democratic Party. She is useless unless you consider raising our taxes and wasting our money attributes worthy of an elected official. Americans are ready to drain the cesspool and she is one of the biggest suckers (as in suck the very life out of this country) that the Senate has in it. She is the epitomy of what ails this country. Washington can do better and deserves better!!
I have one question for all of the liberals out there. When they are more receivers of government handouts than there are taxpayers, what happens? As a nation we struggle to keep up with the current obligations that have been promised our citizens to win their votes. How on earth will we pay
for the next set promised by Obama? Everyone needs to realize we can’t continue on this way. By the way, if I want to donate my money to charity I will. I don’t Uncle Sam to do it for me. And no, I am not heartless. And yes, I do donate to several charities on a regular basis.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:27 PM
Mrs. Akers?
February 8th, 2010 at 9:33 PM
Before someone corrects me on my previous post I will do it for you.
Paragraph 2: There (not they)
Recipients (not receivers)
I don’t NEED NOR WANT Uncle Sam to do it for me
February 8th, 2010 at 9:33 PM
Koolaid Shaun?
February 8th, 2010 at 9:36 PM
No thanks, besides I know you only serve Tea, right?
February 8th, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Holy moley !!!
He’s in. This is a game changer, folks. Patty Murray has a huge advantage and is still favored, but to be honest, the field of candidates was lacking candidates who have a track record worthy of a run for the US Senate. Benton and Akers are much more “legitimate”, one as a government insider, and one as a private sector success story.
Here it is February though, so it’s all likely a day late and a dollar short. For either of these guys to take the Republican lead is to merely outperform football player Didier’s likely 43% end total.
Don Benton has significant legislative experience, and our state legislature has been the farm team for Jim McDermott, Adam Smith, Patty Murray, Mike Kriedler, and many more to go to DC. Benton is a Republican who gets all his local union endorsements, so he may be able to paint himself as a moderate.
Akers is like Ross Perot without any trace of senile kookiness. Like Bloomberg without pompousness. Like Bill Gates without nerdiness. He is charismatic and unforgettable, and he does not spend his time badmouthing liberals.
Party loyal Democrats, you had better start writing bigger checks to Patty Murray. This is a real election now.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Actually, I consider myself independent and serve only the drink that benefits the consumer. Yours WOULD be Koolaid because I sense a need for you to be taken care of. Sorry, the cup of koolaid has been tasting quite stale lately by a large number of voters. Perhaps it’s those trillions of wasted taxpayers dollars that makes it so unpalatable.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Shaun I’m bored with this. You’ll have to find another Fiscal Conservative to pick on.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:55 PM
Well Gail, an hour of Stewart and Colbert made me a little irreverent.
I agree that the Koolaid you’re imbibing has left whatever remnants of logic remain, tortured and stale.
But hey, for your political ilk, worse days are ahead.
As an independent how do you feel about Tom Tancredo’s Klanish appeal to go back to the bad old days of literacy tests at the Tea whatchamacallit convention? He takes his Koolaid with a Jim Crow back. Of course the local Tea Party has nothing to do with the national Tea Party, except for the name and the notoriety and the absurdities and the hamper full of stained laundry lists.
And how about that be-lipsticked pit bull? Is she whacky or what? She’s everything a Dem could hope for, they both were.
Please don’t feel picked on, just like I didn’t when you spouted all that pucky about Murray and by inference her supporters.
Sleep tight. And you don’t need to share any of that Koolaid with Richard, he’s good to go…………….
February 8th, 2010 at 10:57 PM
Every body is a Fiscal Conservative until the stimulus comes to their hometown…..
February 8th, 2010 at 11:03 PM
OK Richard, but I would say to him..”…show to me that you’re no fool, walk across my swimming pool…”
February 8th, 2010 at 11:05 PM
All right Richard, but I would say to him, okay Superstar,..”…show to me that you’re no fool, walk across my swimming pool…”
February 8th, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Aargh, editing malfunction..
February 8th, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Shaun, I love the Superstar movie, and I can do a spot-on singing rendition of the high priests number with all the high and low voices.
Anyway, as a pundit, I was just saying the game got exciting and with more total talent in the race. I did not express that I would vote for any of the aforementioned politicians or give them money. You can enjoy free samples of everyone’s Kool Ade without actually buying any of it or getting drunk on it.
I think it benefits the political landscape if more candidates could impress their supporters to the degree that JFK, Perot, Obama, Ron Paul, and perhaps Mr.Akers could. It’s hard to spot the strengths of Dole and Gore when their strongest statements come long after they run for office.
Some folks seem to think it’s traitorous to candidly compliment all the teams in the playoffs. That’s an unsportsmanlike attitude.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:08 AM
“What’s the buzz, tell me whatsa happenin’, what’s the buzz, tell me whatsa happenin….”
I am not religious but I love the Superstar since it’s a more realistic telling of the tale in my book. Great music too. Mine is on vinyl with a parchment jacket cover…. really old.
You’re right, sort of , Richard. As I said, after an hour of comedy, the biography struck me as a little too golden, but I’m sure he deserves it, maybe, I don’t know.. It was offered in humor with a little bite… “..I don’t know how to love him,……”
February 9th, 2010 at 8:09 AM
Hey, we’re all pundits now…….
February 9th, 2010 at 9:28 AM
Shaun - I warned a poster last week to stop trying to out another person here and I’ll do the same to you today. As far as I can tell, Mr. Akers has not posted here to date.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Shaun - please stop being so harsh to our new commenters, would you?
February 9th, 2010 at 9:59 AM
Sam, I just made the assumption that anyone who knew that much was connected to the campaign. Too much of a stretch? How is that an outing? It’s an obvious inference.
If a little political humor is going to ruffle this person’s feathers, he’s got a long campaign ahead of him and has chosen the wrong vocation.
I’m also glad to see you have gotten the religion of not outing people. Timely! And selective.
And as for being hard on posters, since Akers didn’t post a comment or write the original blog? Whom was I hard on? Gail?
Gail says Murray is useless, a puppet of the Democratic party, she’s the biggest sucker in the cesspool, she sucks, she sucks the life out of the country, she is the epitome of what ails this country you liberals…Imagine that a Murray supporter might feel offended by such generalizations.
The audacity of responding to all this with humor, ….just unconscionable.
Is this a politics blog or a hand holding, and wringing blog? Astonishing!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Shaun - I sure hope you’re willing to work with me on this, considering our phone conversation the other day. I’ll leave it at that for now. Think about it.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Shaun, check your e-mail.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Oh man. Principal’s office.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Somebody got detention.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Puhleeze do what Sam says.
We need yer voice around here.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:54 AM
I guess I just don’t know how to play on a politics blog. I thought I was being humorous instead of reacting to all the nasty things said about liberals with less than humor. My bad. Straw vote though, did I really go out of line with the rest of you? I profaned no one, I did poke fun. No posts were eliminated, you’ve read it all. If anything I said here was more of an affront than the stuff some use to impugn liberals here most of the time I will defer. I’ll defer anyway. It’s been real…
February 9th, 2010 at 11:00 AM
*shrug*
February 9th, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I am the poster who put the Akers biography info on this site. I am an independent, connected with no political party. I first heard of Mr. Akers from the Dick Morris mention on Fox News. My web search brought up the biography. I found it refreshing, and posted it:
http://www.theamericaninnovator.com/about-paul.asp.
I’m not sure whether he is the right Paul Akers, but from his bio he certainly seemed a great candidate from my perspective — seemingly excellent business experience/ability, good education but not ivy league elite, and hopefully the ability to bring some common sense into the DC establishment. I hope he is the right one!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:11 AM
I have a bulletproof hide so I was amused and not offended.
But I made a really funny joke once on my seventh grade shop teacher that had the whole room in applause and I still paid dearly for my wit.
Ivy league elite?
You gotta be kidding.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Citizen, you are right. I should not have cast aspersions upon all who may have an excellent ivy league education. And perhaps your shop teacher acted improperly — not knowing the exact circumstances makes judgment impossible. Though it sounds like you still get a kick from your remark!
However, from my perspective, in looking at the educations of those in Congress and the administration that have that kind of education, they seem to be overwhelminly progressive with big government, big spending, big taxing, with little experience in private sector business and also seen to have the idea that the “masses” like me do not count, are stupid, and need to be led by people of their ideologic persuasion. Please note, this attitude goes across party lines.
Admittedly, not everyone with ivy league educations fit that ideology. However, my experience is that the majority with that type of education, especially those that end up in Congress and the Administration (the majority are lawyers), do believe that they are better/brighter/smarter than the majority of Americans and should be the ones to lead and decide how to proceed — and summarily dismiss and/or disparage dissenting opinions.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:18 PM
After googling and finding this Website on Paul Akers after Dick Morris’s announcement that he would be running against P. Murray for Wash. State Senator, I decided to read some of the blogs, just for the fun. Ohmygosh, I cannot beleive that people actually waste their time doing this sort of thing, degrading each other and each others beliefs, in the name of politics. Is this what America has come to? I guess is portrays the mindset, or lack of mind, that these bloggers possess….this is my first, and last, time partaking in internet blogging.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Clancy wrote, “I cannot believe that people actually waste their time..degrading …….each others’ beliefs, in the name of politics. Is this what America has come to?”
Clancy this is what American politics has always been about. You should read the history of some of the earliest elections.
I would venture that you will be hard pressed to find any election anywhere in America that does not involve one side feeling denigrated at some point. Usually it’s just bluster after being outed with facts or just losing. But the higher the office you seek the harder the balls that are going to be thrown. Same as it ever was. Political satire and jabs poked in fun are just standard fare. Those who can’t stand the UV’s usually don’t last long in the sunlight.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:45 AM
Clancy, don’t give up on us babe!
Have you ever been invited into a conversation where you agreed with everything being said?
Or could relate to every point of view?
Or was intrigued by every anecdote about aches and pains?
A sheltered life is a fine possession,
but losing it to reality is an eventuality we all must face.
You too.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:28 PM
“Childish humor of Jon Stewart?!?!
Ok, now I’m offended!
February 11th, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Marcosus’s comment was removed for being flagrantly uncivil, and since this person decided to not use even a legit e-mail address, their comment would not only be removed for that but the next time they post here in such a fashion they’ll be banned. Very cowardly to insult another without identifying yourself in any way required here. I’m not impressed.
Shaun, your comment was removed because it referred to the uncivil, ridiculous comment by Marcosus, and that comment no longer exists.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:51 PM
I can have that effect on people
Yeah, but Sam, how about adding how relatively civil my comment was in response. I spent several minutes on that. I sat tall at the keyboard filled with the civil religion, my tongue barely split. Playful even. Smiles for countermeasure….
I think this is going to be an interesting quarter of the coming election to follow with the local connections and all.
Research!
February 11th, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Shaun - i was absolutely thoroughly impressed with your tone, it’s just always the policies to kill the comment responding to the comment that hit the black hole of nonexistence.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:53 PM
Interested, if I may from an earlier post….
After having spent the terms of three of the last 4 Presidents hearing from the right side of the spectrum that my ideas and views are idiotic, ignorant, unpatriotic and the like–I can understand your frustration. I should not have been so flip and quick with the joke at Mr. Aker’s expense but it didn’t have the depth of animosity some seem to assign to it. I am interested in good dialogue and will hold my wisecracks.
I’m also nobody except an opinion. I’m your little better than averagely alert voter.
Consider me the hard target and sell me. If you can sell me, then you are on your way.
By the way, half of that resume alone would make Mr. Akers a man of gravitas.
Clearly I like Patty so there we differ sharply, and there I took offense, though I shouldn’t have taken it with you; but let’s talk about it.
I have a different take on lawyers and the government in general and whether or not they think they are brighter or smarter and what may be perceived by some as a summary dismissal.
It is true they do spend a lot of time in schooling and even out of school, every year they spend a lot of time keeping up on case law and changes and attending required yearly additional seminars and education, and so they learn the rules of the elaborate game or system that tries to meet the needs of everyone. They do this throughout their careers as do those in many careers.
It’s a serious game, but a game none the less.
So what may seem summarily dismissive may just be a matter of realizing something isn’t practical or permitted by the rules of the game.
Should they be nicer about it? There are so many reasons people get crosswise with each other and the system. But first answer Sure.
It’s also a giant task for the average person to conceptualize how intricate the game has become, let alone attempt to move through the labyrinth of rules and ordinances and laws and bills and hearings and motions and judgments on a specific issue.
Clearly most folks follow their dreams and own careers and don’t have the time to also become a lawyer or an expert just to figure out what is going on. Usually it involves a matter of personal interest to spur them to get involved.
I have had beefs with government agencies and the only way I succeeded was first realizing they were almost to a person, sincere people doing a job to the best of their abilities and then showing them the beef.
Still I have a neighbor who has not been so lucky on his issue, so I know it can be uneven.
The eye opener was how much time and effort it took to bring officials around to what seemed obvious to me. Yet as I got to know them personally I came to appreciate them and I got a good hearing and result.
Yet in the naked city I’m sure there are at least 8 million different stories.
It’s the unevenness maybe that wrankles most.
That’s why the Herculean task of tearing it all down and remaking it in any ideologies image is such and impossibly wasteful expenditure of energy.
The Republicans have “just said no” to every idea of the new administration as if elections didn’t have consequences. And they act as if the term the “loyal opposition” is just a promise made while crossing one’s fingers behind one’s back.
No Democratic administration or Congress has ever been as unwilling to work with the opposition party as this new one.
To we who want to see some things done for the average person for a change, like health care and stimulation of the economy by realistic and progressive means, the recalcitrance to find a compromise is insulting.
All Progressive means is wanting to find ways to fine tune to achieve the best effect for the average citizen.
Anyway, I appreciate your participation, hope you will disregard my wisecrack, and post your views for debate here often.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:05 AM
I am utterly speechless and there’s a chance I might cry.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:49 AM
Me too, blubber, blubber..
February 12th, 2010 at 5:49 AM
I think they call it verklempt… discuss amongst yourselves
February 12th, 2010 at 6:50 AM
When I was in Chicago, I had a horrendous and extended run-in with civil bureaucracy. I won’t go into the gory details, but I imagine all Americans have similar stories.
Later, after I moved to San Francisco, a good friend of mine moved to the U.S. from the Netherlands and said he couldn’t believe the layers of private and governmental bureaucracy he had to contend with to get a driver’s license, apartment, cable, telephone service, gas, electricity, etc.
I asked him if it wasn’t the same in Holland, and he said they have it much easier by comparison. He told me that, back home in Amsterdam, they have small government offices in nearly every neighborhood with an ombudsman who will handle just about any problem one might have with bureaucratic entanglements. He said there is never any waiting. They invite you in, offer you a chair, and spend as much time as is required to assist you.
Now that’s what I call progressive!
February 12th, 2010 at 7:59 AM
Did you know there’s an IRS office in the Crown Plaza building downtown?
They have forms, and people, and chairs, and all kinds of stuff.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Brent, your post was removed because you didn’t use a valid e-mail address.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:18 AM
This post is drawing alot of new posters, Sam, did you score a link to a tea party website?
February 12th, 2010 at 10:54 AM
‘Brent’?!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:33 PM
I don’t consider myself Republican or Democrat and I tend to rail against whichever party is in power. That being said, I worked for Paul thru highschool and a couple of years following, and I found him to be a real motivator. If you had an idea, he wanted to hear it, he was always excited about ways to improve things and did a very good job of empowering his employee’s.
Pauls Bio. is no joke. He does have that much energy, and he did do all those things. Paul is a person that I admire very much and the sucsess he has found stems from his high energy and hard work ethic.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:27 PM
Paul Akers would be a breath of fresh air. Patty Murray has been described as the second most liberal senator in congress, right behind Barrack Obama. She has followed right along with the Democrat spending policies and added plenty of her own pork projects. Just the kind of spending we need to get away from…..fast! I would welcome a businessman who recognizes what it takes to build a buisiness, hire employees, pay employees and survive. I’ll be sending a donation.
February 27th, 2010 at 3:09 PM
I attended the Bellingham town hall meeting and was very pleased but what I heard. I will not disparage other remarks or politicians. All I have to say is that Paul Akers is one of us, a hard working American. He is interested in serving the American people, not the other way around. Go to his town hall meetings and see for yourself.
February 27th, 2010 at 4:14 PM
It’s like this.
People are one-of-us until they get to that Candyland known as government.
Then they’re coated with chocolate and rolled in sprinkles until they are indistinguishable from the rest of the treats slurped-up by corporate lobbyists.
Voila,
now you have a new person at the bottom of the ladder in exchange for the glittering star at the top of her heap.
Is it worth it?