Analysis: If Dems control US House, Oregon wins

What would the impact be on Oregon if the Democrats take control of the US House of Representatives? After all, with four of five members on the Democratic side, Oregon would stand to gain lots of power (assuming all four are re-elected.)

Dan Jarman, federal lobbyist for Conkling Fiskum McCormick, has posted his best guesses at the CFM Insider:

If Democrats regain control, Congressman Earl Blumenauer of Portland could land on the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxation, international trade and Medicare and Medicaid. Blumenauer would be forced to give up his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which he has used to push his livability and smart growth agenda.

Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, whose district extends from Clackamas County into the Willamette Valley, could finally move to the House Appropriations Committee, which approves spending bills. Hooley has friends in high places, such as Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, who could ensure she gets one of the new Democratic seats on the committee. ...

Congressman Peter DeFazio, who is the ranking Democrat on the Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee, could switch chairs and become chairman of a House Transportation panel that is capable of routing a lot of federal money in Oregon's direction.

Congressman David Wu may find a way to gain a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has a sweeping jurisdiction that includes energy and telecommunications. Oregon GOP Congressman Greg Walden already sits on the committee.

Read the rest. Discuss.

  • rewolfrats (unverified)
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    1) That's a big if. Eggs, numerical sequences, hatching and all that.

    2) Are democrat's really just jealous of Republican power? Are they salivating at the possible earmarks and pork. DeFazio could buy some cheap rural land and direct a new expressway to it. Hooley could solicit campaign donations, yachts, and mansions in return for defense contracts. Wu could milk the telecommunications industry. Maybe play AT&T off Verizon and Comcast off Cox. Largest campaign contributer gets the playing field tilted their way. Blumenauer could push tax loop holes for Portland corporations. A federal kicker?

    I hope # 2 is not the case. We'd have a better chance of winning if we ran on promises to be responsible with power and push for lasting reforms in the house.

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    1) It's an "if" that seems progressively more likely

    2) Well of course we're "jealous" of Republican power - in that we believe Republicans have been an unmitigated disaster, and we know we'd do much better for the country.

    But the good guys aren't going to act evil just because they win. In fact, the whole reason we want Democrats in office is because they're not like Republicans. While we're by no means hostile to all business, we generally think selling laws to the highest bidder is bad for the nation.

  • Andy N (unverified)
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    I'd certainly agree that we'd win with Blumenaur...but Wu and Hooley couldn't legislate their way out of a paper bag. Those two have to be some of the most worthless legislators Oregon has seen since Wes Cooley.

  • Ned (unverified)
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    "we generally think selling laws to the highest bidder is bad for the nation"

    Really? Even when unions are bidding?

  • LT (unverified)
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    Wu and Hooley couldn't legislate their way out of a paper bag. Those two have to be some of the most worthless legislators Oregon has seen since Wes Cooley.

    Hooley does excellent constituent work, esp. for veterans. As someone who lives in her district, I see her as an excellent representative of the 5th District. I wonder which district Andy N. lives in.

  • Bob Tiernan (unverified)
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    After all, with four of five members on the Democratic side, Oregon would stand to gain lots of power

    In other words, politician as bag man.

    Why is this an improvement? It's the same system, Act 24, Scene 92.

    If the national government didn't have all of the money it collects to "redistribute" downwards, and all of the power it has to pick winners and losers, politicians might actually have to rely on their stances on issues in order to get votes. Instead we have people who get loads of votes because they "bring home the bacon", or can do something about Clackamas getting a traffic signal at a certain intersection. The more time they spend on that stuff the less time they have to deal with issues that are truly national in scope.

    Wouldn't things be better that way?

    Bob Tiernan

  • Pedro (unverified)
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    I like the idea of a Democratic Party in control of at least one side of the U.S. Capitol so much that I'm going to put my money where my mouth, mind, and heart are. I'm going to contribute $20 to each to the Democrats in the twenty five most competitive races for the U. S. House of representatives on the day after Labor Day. The fact that a lobbyist at CFM says this will benefit Oregon is just a little extra frosting.

    What a great $500 investment. Better than an IRA for my retirement.

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    Pedro -- don't wait until Labor Day. Emily is right: Early Money Is Like Yeast.... it raises more. $25 today is worth ~$100 on Labor Day, or ~$500 on Halloween.

  • Chris (unverified)
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    IMHO I think the Dems will only make modest gains. I think that G. Walden will keep his seat because all politics are local and I haven't heard Greg involved in any scandalous affairs and the use of immigration in the Bilbray/Busby election.

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    I live in Hooley's district. Not much of a fan. She's not exactly an advocate for the consumer/ordinary citizen, IMO.

  • Andy N (unverified)
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    sad to say, I live in Hooley's district. If you compare Hooley to Blumenauer, it is no contest...Earl winds hands-down. I refuse to agree with the idea that just because she is a 'D' that means she is worthy of my vote.

  • LT (unverified)
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    sad to say, I live in Hooley's district. If you compare Hooley to Blumenauer, it is no contest...Earl winds hands-down. I refuse to agree with the idea that just because she is a 'D' that means she is worthy of my vote.

    Andy, if you feel that way, spend your next year or so looking for a primary challenger. Have you ever been involved in a 5th District campaign? I've been involved in many, incl. the first one after the district was created.

    Who is the Republican nominee against Darlene this time? Zupancic last time was a joke--and didn't carry Marion County in either the primary or the general.

    I was thrilled when Darlene was elected--saw her debate Jim Bunn and there was a sense that day she was going to win. I took a friend who is a former drill instructor to her office when everyone else was giving the royal run around, and my friend got more help there than anywhere else.

    I have known Earl and Darlene a long time. I admire both of them. I have not seen anyone who would be better than either of them. If someone else with roots in the district wants to run, fine. But don't expect me to dump Darlene just because someone else doesn't like her. And the "I'm not Darlene, I'm better " approach will not work with people like me who admire the constituent service from her office.

  • jim karlock (unverified)
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    in the news:</b<> Blumenauer would be forced to give up his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which he has used to push his livability and smart growth agenda. JK: Lets be truthful: “ which he has used to push his livability and smart growth agenda” down our throats against our will and to great economic cost in jobs, housing affordability and traffic congestion. But it did enrich the light rail hucksters. The man is a black mark on Oregon’s economy (while being right on most social issues.)

    Thanks JK

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