Jim Hill Smacks Down Kulongoski

Jimhill_4Former state treasurer and 2002 gubernatorial candidate Jim Hill has announced that he is running for governor.

From the AP:

"Let's be honest about it. Ted has not been a good Democrat," said Hill, who made history in 1992 when he was elected state treasurer and became the first African-American to win statewide office in Oregon. ...

At a news conference, Hill accused Kulongoski of reneging on promises not to reduce public employees' pension benefits and to block any move to place a casino in the Columbia River gorge. He also accused Kulongoski of not strongly supporting Oregon's land-use planning system.

Team Kulongoski reaction from KGW:

Kulongoski campaign manager Cameron Johnson said the incumbent governor thinks he has a strong record to run on in terms of helping to turn around an ailing Oregon economy and that he is ready to make his case to Oregon Democrats.

Discuss.

  • TimC (unverified)
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    I could see the same dynamic appear in this race that occurred in the Francesconi/Potter race. One candidate had all the money and establishment backing, but some misgivings within the populace. The other candidate was a name from the past, underfunded and not given much chance. We know what happened in Portland - will lighning strike twice and Democratic voters choose Hill? I wouldn't bet against it.

  • Sid Leader (unverified)
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    Ted who?

    Never heard of him.

    Oh, is that the guy who said "Kids First" and then went back to sleep?

    Got it.

  • activist kaza (unverified)
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    Jim Hill is right of course (about the Governor betraying Ds), but running a 2 1/2 month campaign is almost unheard of. I suspect there is unprecedented back-room union support for his run or recent private polls that suggest Teddy K's numbers remain as soft as they were in the fall (or softer). Assuming either or both is true, Mr. Hill could make this very interesting indeed.

  • Charlie in Gresham (unverified)
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    Hmmmmmm.....if Jim Hill was going to pull the trigger on this I wish he would have done so two months ago. He has been a good state treasurer but is still pretty much an unknown statewide.

    Still, Ted's numbers are weak and his campaign style is less than dynamic so he could get knocked off. Mannix is smiling at the possibility. UGH!

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    Jim is not the kind of guy to wake up one morning and say "I think I'll run for Governor again." He's a very pragmatic guy... so we'll have to wait and see where the early nods start coming from. I'm betting there's some union support, too, after the dissent among the ranks in 2002. If Ted loses the labor backing then it's definitely anybody's race.

    I'm just glad that Ted isn't getting a free pass into the nomination - he hasn't earned it and Jim will make him fight for it. If nothing else there will be some accountability we wouldn't see otherwise.

    No matter how you slice it, though, things just got interesting.

  • BlueNote (unverified)
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    Anybody know who his campaign treasurer is? Campaign address? My checkbook is open and ready to go, but I can't find an address.

  • BD (unverified)
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    Contact for making contributions for Jim Hill's recently established campaign can be directed toward his current fund-raising consultant and 2002 finance director Jef Green at [email protected].

  • BD (unverified)
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    From the Statesman Journal:

    {Kulongoski campaign manager Cameron Johnson said the incumbent governor thinks he has a strong record to run on in terms of helping to turn around an ailing Oregon economy and that he is ready to make his case to Oregon Democrats.

    “We’re confident that Democratic voters will want four more years of the type of leadership we have seen under Gov. Kulongoski,” Johnson said.}

    Uhhhh, does he mean 'confident' or 'terrified'?

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    o great. first words i read out of Hill's mouth, and it's campaign fodder for Mannix. excellent strategy. maybe we could bring highlight any Goldschmidt connections, too. bounced checks?

    i'm sure Hill has something positive for hisownself. maybe he could stick to that. there are better ways to attack Ted than call him a bad Democrat.

  • Garlynn (unverified)
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    I like Jim Hill's campaign platform, he's definitely saying all the right things. Plus, I think it would definitely be good for Oregon to have its first black governor. Let me just put that out there right now. One of the biggest complaints that I hear from non-whites is that Oregon is not diverse enough. Having a black governor... might help alleviate those concerns a little bit.

    On the other hand, I don't want to judge a political candidate by their race, and would want Jim to win on his merits as a qualified individual.

    Kulongoski... deserves to be challenged by a worthy opponent. How did he beat Hill back in '02?

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    Oregon has the 5th fastest growing state economy in the nation. Oregon is the 9th most trade dependent state in the nation and Ted is expanding and strenghtening international trade efforts.

    "If we really want to expand our economy and create economic opportunity for Oregonians, we must be proactive. We cannot rely solely on what we've done in the past. We must look to the future and identify the kind of economy we want in 25 years. Oregon has already gained recognition for its culture of innovation, and now we have an opportunity to solidify this niche and attract the kind of citizens and environmentally sound businesses that share our high standards of performance and quality of life." Ted Kulongowski 2/2/06

    I'll stick with Ted's goal of "smart, sustainable economic growth in every region of the state." Most pragmatists know the current Governor is focused on growing the technology sector, and enhancing collaboration in science and technology transfer.

    So Mannix, his Republican wantabe's, and Hill are going up against the man who has the momentum, collaborative skills to work across partison issues, and good working relationships with county, state, and local goverments. Ted hold the key for expanding Oregon's economy. Stick with Ted. It's the economy S****d!

  • Essdeekay (unverified)
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    I'm glad to hear that Hill will be entering the race, thus raising the stakes in the Democratic Primary. Kulongoski needs strong Democratic challengers and I believe that it's imperitive for the media to begin covering this race fully so that Oregon voters know that there are real choices to be made on May 16. Having said that, I'm a bit concerned about Hill making this announcement 98 days before the Primary. Sorenson has been running a solid grassroots campaign for 14 months and has not received the attention he deserves. I recall the Riley and Associates Poll that came out showing Hill polling lower than Sorenson or Walker, and Hill had run for Governor before and had held state-wide office. He's been absent from politics for the last three years. Does he really think he stands a chance? I mean, what are his REAL motivations here? Is he gearing up for another statewide run? Has he secured the big bucks from the Unions or the OEA? Not likely. Plus, I doubt he can deliver his promise of running a grassroots campaign on such short notice. Still, I'm glad to see someone else come out strong against Kulongoski. Having said that I still like Sorenson quite a bit and his serious discussion on how we'll fund health care and education in this state.

  • ads (unverified)
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    I would say hold your checks, Hill said in the Oregonian Article (http://www.oregonlive.com/newslogs/oregonian/index.ssf?/mtlogs/olive_oregonian_news/archives/2006_02.html#110928) that he wants to run his campaign slightly differently then four years ago. This time around he says he wants to "run a different campaign this time that relies more on grassroots volunteers than on a major fund-raising effort". I know for a fact (after volunteering on Democratic Candidate Pete Sorenson's campaign for 14 months) that grassroots campaigns don't happen overnight. If people are really interested in a strong progressive candidate who is really a serious threat to Kulongoski they should take a long hard look at Pete Sorenson (this being said not just from working with the guy but from looking at his solution for turning the state around).

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    Anyone know if Hill has a website up yet? Someone oughta invite him to do a guest column here at Blue and introduce himself. Anyone have an email?

  • Larry (unverified)
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    I would vote for Jim Hill because he is the best Democratic candidate for Governor in the primary race. However, not being a public employee, I would rather hear him focus on leadership for Oregon.

    I am sure public employees feel betrayed by him, but that is for them to act on when they endorse. As for me, I want to hear about what Hill will do for the economy, for education, and for energy.

    Ted has been a washout as a governor. At first I thought he was copying Goldschmidt in terms of who he listened to, catered to, and how he staffed his office and did his appointments.Then, when he could not lean on his mentor, Goldschmidt, he was lost..He seemed to have little to do. He went to funerals. I am sure he wins support for being there...in many towns across Oregon...and I am sure he shakes hands and is affable. However, there is another funeral he may also preside over...that of the Oregon we all know and love. And while he fiddles, we see Oregon slip further and further into mediocrity...from the schools and universities to the economy...... We need a change.

  • David English (unverified)
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    I'm glad Hill decided to run. Yes, it would have helped if he had decided earlier. Maybe Kitzhaber's plans had something to do with it, but that's pure speculation on my part.

    As to those who are touting Sorenson as a viable candidate, he's not. While he may be a nice guy and have some good ideas, but he doesn't have a shot against Kulongoski.

    Vote for who you want to, but the race has just gotten a lot more interesting.

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    www.tedforgov.com

    PO Box 399 Portland, Oregon 97207

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    I'd also like to know where to send a check, if anyone has contact info for Hill's campaign.

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    Paulie, there's no W in Kulongoski.

  • Charlie in Gresham (unverified)
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    Hmmmmm I'm not sure about that Kari. He governs a bit like W

  • Sid Leader (unverified)
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    OMG!

    Kevin Mannix as Governor? Of Oregon? From Dogcatcher?

    That'll happen when the governor never has to go to another "cannon fodder" funeral.

    Like... never.

  • Joel Bloom (unverified)
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    I'm ready to contribute to Hill's campaign. So of course I throw some obvious words into a google search and come up with some articles, but no campaign web site. Is this for real? How the heck can Hill announce his candidacy and not have a web site ready in 2006? You get your web site together and then you announce, not the other way around. This is not a good sign.

  • Essdeekay (unverified)
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    In response to David English:

    I would have to disagree about your opinion of Sorenson's viability. Kulongoski remains (un)surprisingly weak in the polls and uninspiring to Oregon Democrats. Our party wants a change in leadership (lord knows I do!) and that's why I'm pleased that both Hill and Sorenson are doing what they're doing. I would reckon that for Sorenson building state-wide visibility is going to be his largest challenge. That is why I think the media should cover this contest much more closely. Despite this fact, Sorenson has some pretty sweet looking credentials: Environmental Attorney, State Senator, Assistant Democratic Leader of the Senate, Lane County Commissioner, Chair of the Board of Lane Community College, Congressional Aide in D.C., Special Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture under the Carter Administration, Oregon Community College Graduate, etc. As for his "good ideas," they sound pretty great to me. From what I can tell, he is the only candidate for governor who is actually talking about how to fund education and health care in this state. Governor K can talk all he wants about the importance of health care and education, but his record tells different story. He would never suggest that we ought to get rid of the corporate kicker or talk about corporate tax reform. Every time I've heard Sorenson he says the same thing: Subchapter C Corporations in this state - those with 75 shareholders or more - currently pay 5% of the state's income taxes, the lowest percentage of all 50 states. Thirty years ago those same corporations paid 18%. Meanwhile, individuals and small businesses shoulder the remianing 95%. Time after time Oregonians have rejected a sales tax or income tax increases, and have capped their property taxes. Our state needs more money (especially when the Bush Administration is doing what it can to ensure that we lose another $278 in state revenue -- see today's Oregonian), so where is it going to come from? Sounds like it's time for these major corporations to step up to the plate and invest in Oregon's future.

    Does anyone know more information about Hill's platform? I'd be interested to find out how he thinks Oregon can go about generating more revenue. Ultimately, I'd like to see the media put on some debates so folks can learn more about the candidates and the issues.

  • Chris Andersen (unverified)
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    I suspect that Hill was waiting for Kitzhaber to bow out before really seriously considering this run. Good to see it even if it is a late entry.

  • Leslie (unverified)
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    Hill may a great vessel for angst over Kulongoskis's lackluster preformance but Hill's tenure as Treasurer and as a state senator were nothing to write home about and give little indication he has a passion for anything other than sucking up to the public employees union.

    Hill's candidacy does little beyond undermining Kulongoski in the general election.

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    How is the Oregon college savings plan sucking up to the public employees union? Just curious...

  • LT (unverified)
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    Leslie, do you live in Hill's Senate old district? Perhaps he was a better state rep. than state senator (that could be argued), but I found his speech today refreshingly like the guy I campaigned for when he first ran for state rep.

    He has an audience among people who had known both Ted and Jim for years but the Ted who became Gov. was not the Ted they thought they knew.

    And yes, I am talking about people who never joined unions who supported Ted. Whenever I see lines like "sucking up to the public employees union", my suspicion is the person saying such things cares more about bashing unions than about candidates or about all those Oregonians who are not now and never were union members. The hatred of unions seems stronger than any positive agenda or any support for a particular candidate.

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    “We’re confident that Democratic voters will want four more years of the type of leadership we have seen under Gov. Kulongoski,” Johnson said.

    Leadership? I'm sorry, but I just can't stop laughing.

  • Aaron (unverified)
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    Jenni,

    Be nice to Teddy K, he did show some leadership somewhere and somehow back in the last millennium.

    This lack leadership is not to be blamed on the Queen of Oregon!!!

    DR. NO had both houses under R control and still got things done!!!!!

  • David English (unverified)
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    Essdeekay,

    Might I remind you that someone else we know and hate remained mighty weak in the polls before an election and STILL despite the fact he is a bubbling idiot got re-elected. Any folks want to venture a guess who I'm thinking of?

    Yeah...

    Actually I believe I might have been the one who wrote an article on Wikipedia about Sorensen (you don't say?), so I am actually aware of his credentials.

    Even given what he has been doing, I have to wonder about his name recognition. Yes, that DOES have something to do with how well you do. Of course, I'm just a guy who helped his wife run for city council. Yes she lost, but it wasn't because of her ideas, but because she was an unknown.

    I'd venture to guess if you did a poll of name recognition in Oregon in terms of how many people know who Sorenson is, he'd do slightly better then Jason Atkinson, but not as well as Ron Saxton. (alright I know those are two Republicans)

    While Hill has been out of the spot light, I doubt people have totally forgot who he is. I'm not totally against Sorensen, don't get me wrong. But if I was a betting man (and sometimes I am) I'd bet against him in a heartbeat.

    Anyone want to take the bet..I'll give you a 20 point spread??

    (just kidding Kari)

  • timtaylor (unverified)
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    I have to laugh at you guys. Is there a straight strategist in the bunch? Can any of you remember what Jim Hill did as Treasurer? Not much. Oh, and by the way, what did he do in the last 3 years to help the state? Hmmm? Maybe suck up to the wall street funnel. I think the smart one here is Sorenson who is trying to run a more honest campaign based on ideas. But, let's get the democrats to look for a second at Gov. Ted's record: Walks into an economy that was worst in the nation. Now, has one of the fastest growing economies. Took on the polluters with the Willamette River Clean up and the tailpipe emission. Took on the Bush Administration in the designation of new forst protection in Southern Oregon. Resolved the PERS crisis (I am still waiting to hear what Jim and Peter will say...wasn't a crisis? Should gut the plan altogether?). And, keep in mind, that Gov. Ted supported and campaigned for the two special revenue increases kicked out of the legislature. I have not hear Peter and Jim say that. I have my problems with Gov. Ted. A bit bland for my taste. But frankly, I would rather take a person who is boring but is focused on the most important issue which is the economy. Carville was right. It is about the economy. I am a life long Democrat in this state and appreciate leaders who focus on the basics.

  • Alice (unverified)
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    I agree with Essdeekay,

    97 days to mount a grass roots (read: low budget) primary campaign against an incumbent Governor? Good luck.

  • Bluedem (unverified)
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    If Hill is banking on a ground swell of support either because he believes he will save the state or because of Kulongoski's record, good luck. He is also apparently banking on strong union support. Bottom line is that OEA might not be happy with the Governor, but what has Hill done for eduction. And PERS-- Is Hill banking on a potential statement from him like, "the reforms were wrong." He will be crushed by the majority of Oregonians who believe the system needed to be reformed.

    I was a casual oberver of the 2002 campaign. Hill was the weakest speaker in the bunch, showed no passion and was actually quite thin when it came to understanding many policy initiatives.

    I would say his candidacy is one based on boredom and no job.

  • LT (unverified)
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    I am getting really tired of Oh, and by the way, what did he do in the last 3 years to help the state? Would the people posting such remarks please post comments listing what Saxton, Mannix, Sorenson have "done in the last 3 years to help the state" and what they think Gov. Kulongoski's top 3 accomplishments are?

    Sounds like either people who are sour grapes that there is a new candidate, or else people who probably have never run for office themselves and have little to show for what they have done for the state claiming that if anyone believes they will ever again in their lives run for office, HOW DARE THEY have a life outside the public eye once they lose an election.

    Was Hill supposed to know in 2003 that Ted would disappoint the state and therefore if he wanted to hold open the chance to ever run again he'd better stay in the public eye for years?

    Kwitcherbelliachin' Or maybe it is impossible to state the positive and say who they support for Gov?

  • timtaylor (unverified)
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    Dear LT:

    Let's see about Governor Kulongoski's top accomplishments:

    Focused on economic revocery for the state, which has been noted as one of the fastest in the country (I suppose you don't think that this is important or sexy for ya').

    This would also include the industrial lands work to open up more land for jobs (Annie's Kitchen in Medford, Lowe's in Lane County, etc.). I suspect you don't think that this is important either.

    Or, how about when the Governor took office there were zero, nil, nada, airline carriers who connected Oregon to the rest of the world. Now we have connections to Mexico, Europe and Asia.

    Environment: Shall we talk about setting aside national forest lands after the fire in southern oregon, or challenging the Bush administration on salvage operations. How about the Governor's stance on salmon protection and the "spill issue."

    Maybe you don't think the meth issue is a big one but take a hike into the urban and rural parts of the state and see what this drug is doing. Did you read that the Governor took on the pharmaceutical industry (and Vicki Walker) on that one.

    I don't have a problem with people having a life outside of politics. In fact I find it refreshing. But I do have a problem with people who decide to criticize without a plan. If Pete Sorenson wants to gab on about the school funding situation and talk about tax increases--fine. At least that is constructive and one can argue on the merits.

    But from your vantage point, you just have an ax to grind over a politician who said one thing (PERS) and did another. Hey, welcome to the real world of policy. Sometimes events shift underneath you and you are forced to change positions. Happens all the time with Democrats.But maybe you just have gotten tired of Democrats, especially ones that are moderate in their policies.

  • Sid Leader (unverified)
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    The poor Governor doesn't even see the Mack Truck that's about to end his political career.

    Don't worry, Ted. A judge in New York ruled that state owed NYC schools $23,000,000,000. 23 billion.

    I think PPS can get by on a bit less.

    See ya in court!

  • LT (unverified)
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    Tim: Your sarcastic tone implies that I don't know about Annie's (or is it Amy's?) Kitchen in Medford. My point was that doing those things alone doesn't alleviate the concerns of many Oregonians that they (or their neighbors) could be laid off if they aren't already. Someone in Marion County, for instance, is not likely to travel to Jackson County to try and get a job at the new employer which makes some of the best tomato soup I have ever eaten. Where has Ted been addressing the concerns of ordinary folks concerned about their economic security in the way that St. Senator Kulongoski did years ago?

    And with regard to this: But from your vantage point, you just have an ax to grind over a politician who said one thing (PERS) and did another, PERS is not what made me first question Ted's judgement, it was the AuCoin nomination to the Forestry Board without explaining what was wrong with the guy named Chris who was already there.

    But maybe you didn't read my comment above about my having worked on Hill's original legislative campaigns. I have known both Ted and Jim for decades. If you don't like the fact that people who voted for Ted have been disappointed in some of the things he has done, by all means spend all your spare time on his campaign. But don't think people will go out and campaign for him simply because he's the incumbent and we should all line up and salute the current governor and claim he has not done a single thing wrong. I think he owes us an explanation of what went on in those closed door budget negotiations. Was Minnis a bully who threatened to keep the legislature in session all year if she didn't get her way? Why couldn't we have had open public debates about the budget?

    But if you think PERS is the ONLY reason anyone is disappointed with the kind of Gov. Ted turned out to be, go ahead. My friend who says no one running prior to this week had an vision for the future of Oregon might disagree with you.

  • Tom Civiletti (unverified)
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    Sid Leader asked "Ted who?"

    I believe he is the fellow who made clean-up of the Willamette River a priority and then had OR DEQ cut back on the enforcement of water pollution regulations.

  • Garlynn (unverified)
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    It's Amy's Kitchen that got attracted to Medford, mainly because the high cost of doing business in Santa Rosa, CA compared unfavorably with the low cost of doing business in Medford, OR. I'm not familiar enough with the situation to know what Kulongoski did exactly to help persuade the company to relocate, but certainly having a focus on the economy is important.

    Also, I'm not saying that I will necessarily vote for Jim Hill (or Sorenson) over Kulongoski in the primary. I just welcome the competition in the race, and hope that there will be some active 3-way debates, preferably with archived/transcribed internet coverage (I gave away my T.V. to preserve my sanity and unclutter my living room). :-)

    cheers, ~Garlynn

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    Bottom line is that OEA might not be happy with the Governor, but what has Hill done for eduction.

    Well, for starters Jim developed the Oregon College Savings Plan. It's a damned good thing too, since Bush is cutting student loans. Looks like Jim was ahead of the curve.

  • bluedog (unverified)
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    Um....What did Carville say about the economy?

    http://www.katu.com/stories/83161.html

  • vic quijano (unverified)
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    i am impressed w/ jim hill. he looks natural tome thou a bit cautious. i especially like his background and experiences, for what ive seen. i also think he's right on the money in terms of the schools and govt. in general. hope he gets out in front.

  • Larry White (unverified)
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    Oops. I just reread my last post. Want to clarify. Kulongoski is the guy who promised to protect public employee pensions and got tons of money from public employee unions and then quickly went with all those who wanted to reduce the pensions and rolled over. Not saying that there were not some valid reviews of say the actuarial tables but to scapegoat the public employees and roll on them. That was really machiavellian or something. This was not a guy that even signalled openmindedness on changin that system but swore to defend it and the pensions that it promised. There were 25-30 year employees who retired and others nearing retirement..who had made life choices based on the PERS system benefits being there and Kulongoski, who had either been too lazy to have studied the issues involved when he promised to defend the system or was indifferent ...cause what he wanted was the cash and support...and who cares what he might do once in..caved in on the PERS. My point originally was, that sure, Kulongoski should not have made the promises, should have done his homework, was cavalier about it,went back on his word etc...but that like most in the private sector, I wanted to hear Hill talk of current issues affecting Oregonians as a whole not a rehash of the pension funding.. Its enough to say that TK's promises are worthless and he will say anything to get elected (cases in point cited are fine...: the gambling in the Gorge, PERS etc.) but I want to hear what Hill would do on Education , on the Economy, etc..

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    In a bit of a surprise move yesterday - Multnomah County Dems gave a dual endorsement for Governor - it appears to be the "Anybody but Ted" endorsement. See that and all other endorsements here:

    Multnomah County Dems 2006 Primary Endorsements

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    Actually, from what I have heard of the meeting it was not an "Anybody but Ted" endorsement.

    I've heard that Ted's representative couldn't even tell the crowd why the governor wasn't able to be there. He's lucky though, because there had been a push to not allow representatives to speak in place of candidates. However, since there were some candidates who were doing fundraisers for other Dem candidates or had important business to attend to that day, the PCPs at the meeting earlier this month allowed for representatives to speak.

    I wish I could find where I read that comment last night. But I was on a bunch of sites last night, and I haven't been able to get much sleep in a few days due to a loud neighbor, so I can't seem to remember where it was.

    Maybe someone who was able to make the endorsement meeting can give us some more details. My husband works Saturdays, and we have a toddler, so I wasn't able to make it to the meeting.

  • LT (unverified)
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    About Ted's popularity............ "The Fix"--political blog on Washingtonpost.com --recently had links for the approval/disapproval ratings for all governors, with each state having its own graph and chart.

    http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollTrack.aspx?g=150a5eb0-77d1-45a4-b2ec-3aefd0122eca

    There is an approval/disapproval chart with some interesting numbers. There were a couple of times in 2005 when Ted's approval/disapproval ratings were almost identical. But more recently, the disapproval number has gone up and the approval number has gone down.

    Not exactly what one would expect from an incumbent whose campaign manager describes him as "doing what Oregonians want him to do".

    Before anyone tells me I belong to a closed circle and don't ever talk with people who are not political junkies, I was at a family gathering this afternoon. Someone who is NOT a political junkie and lives in another part of the state told me there had just been an announcement (maybe Friday) that a local man has filed to run against his Republican state rep.

    The discussion then turned to 2005 being the most secretive legislative session in memory. The person who told me about the newly filed Democratic candidate seemed to agree with me that "public budgets publicly debated" was a slogan which made sense regardless of party. He sure didn't argue the point.

    So let's see more candidates debating / doing Q & A with the public.

    Someone else at the party said it is amazing these days to see a politician give straight answers to citizen questions. This was after I mentioned seeing Jim Hill in person giving responsive answers to questions from Marion County Democrats.

    <h2>That would seem to be a good way for an incumbent with low approval ratings to get those ratings back up--publicly answer citizen questions responsively.</h2>
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