Fascinating question by the Seattle Times: Where is Frank Chopp and why won't he talk to us?

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Frank Chopp is the Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives.

Although he is from what may arguably be THE most liberal district in the country (Where else would anyone have a statute celebrating the virtues of V.I. Lenin?) he frequently disappoints the more fringe-leftist of the democrat mob.

Well, apparently, absense makes the heart grow fonder... and Speaker Chopp seems to be absenting himself for days at a time from the clutches of the Olympia press corps.

Meanwhile, his Senate counterpasrt and the Governor are not nearly so constrained with the media.

One wonders: why?

Well, the Seattle Times is pondering those issues, questions and more.

FASSSSSSScinating.

March 20, 2009 12:50 PM

Where is Frank Chopp and why won't he talk to us?

Posted by Andrew Garber

That's a good question, especially if you're a reporter covering the state Legislature. Because he almost never talks to us.

Chopp is the speaker of the House of Representatives and one of the most powerful politicians in the state, second perhaps only to the governor. He has the power to kill legislation and, in many cases, revive it from the dead.

And for some reason he avoids reporters like the plague. The Legislature has been in session 67 days now and Chopp has allowed the Olympia press corps into his office three times. Phone interviews are equally rare.

There were rumors he'd meet with reporters this week. But as usual it was canceled. He's too busy, his staff said.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and Gov. Chris Gregoire usually make time to talk publicly about what they're doing.

Brown has had 10 news conferences this session. She also returns phone calls, does one-on-one interviews and frequently will stop to talk in the hallway.

Gregoire has had more than two dozen news conferences and telephone conference calls with reporters in Olympia and Seattle and even out of state. She'll stop and talk if you see her, and is often available for telephone interviews.

There are a lot of questions reporters would like to ask Chopp as the session nears the final stretch:

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