I think David is naive, Her popularity may wane but it is likely not important because the underlying issue is not Sawant as Savant, policy, it is power. SEIU is trying to establish itself as a big player in Seattle’s power structure.
Here is what I expect to happen:
SEIU/SA mode of action is to create cadres based on class and race divisions. The cadres are a reliable, organized force who can then be used tio control the democratic process without needing popular majority.
1. The effort at the UW is already happening.
About 1/2 of UW faculty are contingent. Labor law only requires that 30% of a unit agree to have a vote. If 1/2 of that vote supports SEIU. SEIU would represent ALL of the faculty. Reading SEIU contract,s this effectively would mean control of a huge part of the UW .. the only exception seems to be the Athletic Department.
The contract would also give SEIU about $6,000,000 in funds, all but 20% of which it could use for any purpose outside the UW itself.
While supposedly this money can not be used for “political ends” it can be used to get out the vote and to provide technical support.
2. Sawant (or possibly another SEIU funded politician) will try to unseat McDermott and Adam Smith.
Despite a lot of inside Democratic confidence in McD. The problem for him is that his District is no longer a labor District. The gerrymandering to produce a district for “POC” removed most of Jim’s labor support. What Jim still gets from labor is money. If SEIU opposes him that money is gone. He would also likely lose the local party because Democratic activists are easily outnumbered by an SEIU cadre. Ss happened this year in D3, the SEIU cadres show up at the LD party meetings and make an attempt to take over the LDs. Sawant could, of course, run herself by becoming a D.
Asam Smit is in greater danger becaus ehis Distrct is still low income. A Sawant style SEIU operation would create a cadre in Smith’s district that would easily win. Jaypal looks like their candidate.
If employers provided decent jobs that pay living wages and treated workers like human beings, Sawant and SEIU would get nowhere. In our zero-sum economy, the greedy and selfish are reaping what they’ve sown.