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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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"Optimism and happiness" - City Council member Tom Rasmussen describes the Obama inauguration |
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| "Optimism and happiness" - City Council member Tom Rasmussen describes the Obama inauguration | ||
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by Mike Andrew - SGN Staff Writer "Optimism and happiness" are the first words Seattle City Council member Tom Rasmussen chose to describe his feelings at Barack Obama's inauguration this week. Rasmussen spoke with SGN by phone from Washington, DC. "It was a unique trip," Rasmussen said. "I feel very fortunate." Rasmussen traveled to the event with his partner, Clayton Lewis. "It started when we got on the plane to DC," he told SGN. "There were many people on the plane also going to the inauguration. The excitement was so great!" "I look forward to great progress under the Obama administration," Rasmussen continued, noting the new president's pledges on ENDA, federal hate crimes legislation, and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. "He's included LGBT people in the transition team, and I know he's looking at LGBT appointments." Rasmussen found the atmosphere in DC enchanting. "Every aspect of life was so positive and optimistic," he said. "There were 2 million people on the Mall and not a single arrest. We're flying back to Seattle in a couple of hours. I'm just getting back to normal now." Commenting on reports that Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels was unable to gain access to the Mall, Rasmussen noted, "Many people weren't able to get in because of security issues or other problems. We sat quite close to the president's reviewing stand. It was a seating area nearby the main platform." After the inauguration ceremony and parade, Rasmussen attended the Western/Southwestern Area Ball with his partner. It was one of 10 gala balls held that evening, designed to allow the new president maximum exposure to the public in what the new administration described as "the most open inauguration in our nation's history." The next day, they were at a banquet for former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell which President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden also attended. Besides being early endorsers of Barack Obama, Rasmussen and Lewis have personal connections to the new administration. "Clayton and Rahm Emanuel have been best friends for 20 years," Rasmussen explained. "They worked together on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Clayton was best man when Rahm married Amy. We had dinner with them while we were here [in DC]." New White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was National Campaign director - in other words, lead staffer - for the DCCC in 1988. As a congressperson, he was chair of the DCCC during the 2006 election, and is credited with helping the Democratic Party recapture a majority in the House of Representatives. Emanuel is also a close friend of Obama advisor David Axelrod, who also participated in his wedding to Amy Rule. Asked about Emanuel's tough-guy image, Rasmussen said, "Rahm likes to get results. He's very supportive of President Obama's agenda, and he wants to move it forward. He's committed to getting things done, and done quickly." "IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE AT THE TABLE" Rasmussen's visit to DC has not been all celebration, however. Rasmussen and City Council members Jan Drago and Tim Burgess met with Senator Maria Cantwell, Representative Jim McDermott, and members of Senator Patty Murray's staff. "We were asking about money from the stimulus package," Rasmussen said. "We're looking for funding for public safety, transportation, and I made specific requests for money for public health." "It was important for us to be at the table," Rasmussen explained. "Many people are here [in DC], asking for billions of dollars. If we don't ask we don't stand a chance." "We had great meetings with everybody," Rasmussen told SGN. "President Obama is from a large city and he knows the needs of our cities. I think he will be very helpful." Turning his attention to local political goals for 2009, Rasmussen said, "We have an exciting year ahead of us. We have transportation issues, the viaduct and Mercer Street. I want to ensure that the parks project approved by the voters in November is up and moving. And, something that might be of interest to SGN readers, we want to adopt land use regulations to retain the special character of the Pike/Pine neighborhood." This year Rasmussen chairs the Seattle City Council's Parks and Seattle Center Committee and serves on the Planning and Land Use Committee chaired by City Council member Sally Clark. Seattle voters passed the Parks and Green Spaces Levy in November 2008. |
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