There are plenty of nimbys around Lake Washington. Even if one was to improve transit more on the east side of the lake, population density is low enough because of the lack of multifamily housing that it's a losing game.

People with long commutes that don't want the corresponding increase in traffic are probably justified. I personally wanted light rail to go out to Redmond, but that seems hung up on three counties (not just King).

I left Seattle just before Capital Hill and the U-District were served by light rail though. Maybe things have changed.