There is plenty I don't know about politics, particularly that strange strain of Seattle politics. (For example, why is Peter Steinbrueck going to quit the city council to focus on his anti-viaduct work? Wouldn't most people who felt passionately about a major city project think maybe they should get on the council if they feel so strongly about a civic project?)

But knowing what I don't know, I was still surprised to read Colby Underwood described as one of the most powerful forces in city politics. That comes from O. Casey Corr at Crosscut. As a city council candidate, Corr used young Underwood to help him raise money. Corr gives an insider's view of how this apparent financial wunderkind operates:

Today, he is a unique power in Seattle politics. It might be nice to get the endorsement of Peter Steinbrueck, Norm Rice, the Sierra Club, or the dailies. And it's a big help if the mayor backs you with his organization. But Colby is a special force, because his participation gives you instant credibility. With Colby, the big boys and girls in politics know you have a shot at raising the $150,000, $250,000, or perhaps even $300,000 needed to mount a serious run. That possibility terrifies incumbents and intimidates potential rivals.

Underwood has gotten brief mentions in the dailies, in part from his work raising money for The Committee for a Two Newspaper Town. He was mentioned in this 2001 Jim Brunner story about "The Boys" who ran Nickels' campaign. In hindsight, one sign that Underwood was gaining in prominence in city politics came in a 2005 column by Joel Connelly at the PI when he used the money man to try to paint Corr as "hizzoner's man."

On May 31, Neighbors for Nickels paid $10,111 to Colby Underwood for consulting and fund raising. On the same day, Underwood received $2,000 from Corr's campaign. Greg and Sharon Nickels have given Corr $500. Corr has given $375 to Nickels.

(Ah ha!)

Underwood also raised money for Darcy Burner last year, and has already signed on to help her in her 2008 race. Corr says he's also being courted by the Obama and Clinton presidential campaigns.

I've wondered how Corr would do migrating from journalism to politics and now back. It seems to be working pretty well. I hope to see more of these sorts of true tales of the city. It'd be silly for Corr to ignore his political past or try to avoid writing about it. Instead Casey, embrace your inner Dominick Dunne. Tell us what goes on in the salons of Seattle.