I’ve learned that you can’t let other people (like journalists) get your reality for you, so I attended a candidates forum at the new Unitarian church to judge for myself the most prominent local tea party leader, Kelly Emerson, who wants to be county commissioner.

You have to give Emerson credit, she’s no shrinking violet. No, she’s loud, clear and angry. And her message is clear: “Reduce taxes spent on mental health. Reduce taxes spent on conservation futures, greenbelts and beach access.” At the church in the back were all the usual Republicans, such as Rufus Rose, nodding their heads like they were on strings.

Light bulb moment: Isn’t the tea party just the rawest wing of the Republican Party?

What a contrast her opponent, John Dean, made. Mellow, thoughtful, informed. But hey, he’s been doing the job. He should know it.

But I also wondered if their biggest difference wasn’t dictated by their backgrounds. Emerson grew up in Southern California, moved to Erie, Penn., then to Detroit and came here a few years ago for the political opportunity — it says this on her website — of being surrounded by like-minded people.

Dean graduated from a Catholic college in the Bay Area, came here 25 years ago, for the way of life, and was publisher of quite a good Camano newspaper for 20 years.

Now I can get pretty angry about government myself, but I know which candidate I want listening in Coupeville.

Thom Gunn

Greenbank