DeFazio: Out
It's official: Peter DeFazio is out.
According to the Oregonian blog:
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said in an interview today that he has decided not to challenge Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. ..."I just did not feel that becoming a junior member of the Senate was going to allow me to serve as well and as effectively, particularly in the short term, as my current position," DeFazio said.
"This was not an easy decision," DeFazio said. "You don't get a poll that shows you're ahead of an incumbent senator and generous offers of support from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and just blow it off. It was a long and serious deliberation on my part."
DeFazio declined to say who he would like to see run against Smith, but he said Smith is extremely vulnerable.
"The DSCC is dead-set serious on challenging and I believe successfully challenging Gordon," DeFazio said.
Now that that's settled, head on over to Steve Novick for US Senate and the DPO's Stop Gordon Smith and get in the game.
Update: Here's a statement from Peter, delivered directly to BlueOregon and Draft DeFazio:
Over the past several weeks, I have carefully considered how I can best continue to serve the people of Oregon, by either remaining in the House of Representatives or running for the United States Senate. Your support over the last few weeks made an already difficult decision even harder. My offices received hundreds of calls from voters all across the state, giving me opinions both for and against a Senate run. Thank you for your encouragement and your activism.I have concluded that I can best serve the people of this state by staying in the House and using my seniority and subcommittee chairmanship to improve federal investments in our critical infrastructure and to fight for the interests of Oregonians. But make no mistake, we need to defeat Gordon Smith and elect a Senator who will fight for all Oregonians and Oregon values every day, not just under pressure of re-election.
We can't stop now. The incredible level of activism that we have seen over the past several weeks must continue in order to defeat Gordon Smith. I will work as hard as I can over the next two years to do that and I encourage you to do the same. I hope everyone who signed the petition [at Draft DeFazio] will go to StopGordonSmith.com and sign up to help defeat Gordon Smith. The new Democratic majority has already started to change Washington, and we need to elect a Senator that will support that change instead of obstructing it. I am confident the people of Oregon are ready for a new leader in the Senate who will work with our senior Senator Ron Wyden to move our state and nation forward.
Sincerely,
Peter A. DeFazio
Discuss.
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April 20, 2007 |
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Comments
Posted by: Jeff Alworth | Apr 20, 2007 11:11:56 AM
Damn.
Posted by: Ben Hubbird | Apr 20, 2007 11:19:16 AM
How is Novick not the guy for the Netroots? He sure seems to pass the Hackett litmus test with flying colors. Westlund certainly doesn't.
Posted by: torridjoe | Apr 20, 2007 11:20:46 AM
Dissappointing, but it's his decision and we really only need people who truly want to run. He decided he truly didn't. OK.
Quick informal poll: The pages urging a Draft DeFazio House fund donation (the main DD group and Mitch Gore) raised over $3,500 for that purpose. In your opinion, what would the best use be for that money--understanding that it is fully legal and ethical for DeFazio to keep it and use as he see fits?
A. Use as he see fits
B. Return it
C. Give to specific candidate(s) for Senate in that race
D. Give to the "Democratic Nominee" fund
E. Something else
Posted by: Ben Hubbird | Apr 20, 2007 11:23:36 AM
Well, the fundraising page stated pretty explicitly that the money would go to DeFazio's congressional committee, which he could then transfer to a Senate fund if he wanted to.
I'd love to see it go to Novick, but that's probably not going to happen...
Posted by: John Calhoun | Apr 20, 2007 11:28:09 AM
Bill R.
Have you ever met Novick or listened to him? Ben is a nice guy but Novick is head and shoulders taller than Ben when it comes to a campaign like this. He is smart, funny, and appealing with a very strong message. In a year, everyone in Oregon who is conscious will know who Steve Novick is and we will be debating policies and positions, not who is Steve Novick.
Posted by: Don Beal | Apr 20, 2007 11:53:13 AM
Good move on DeFazio's part. He is gaining a lot of influence and will play a major role in Congress before long. Steve Novick is a great candidate. Ben Westlund's bona fides have not been earned. Steve has been fighting in the trenches for progressive causes for a long time. Westlund was Kevin Mannix campaign manager when Steve ws doing this.
Posted by: hook_fan | Apr 20, 2007 12:06:50 PM
I'm a Steve fan as well.
I think we all know where he stands and more importantly we know where he has stood in the past and where he will stand in the future. And by that I don't mean that he's not open to changing his mind - he just won't change his standards.
Posted by: A thought... | Apr 20, 2007 12:18:05 PM
What about Ted Kulongoski?
He did just win a statewide race against a Republican who's got much less negative baggage than Gordon Smith.
Posted by: Charlie Burr | Apr 20, 2007 12:32:03 PM
There's only one real issue when you're challenging an incumbent: the incumbent's record. DeFazio would have been a strong candidate but the fundamentals of this race -- and Smith's vulnerability -- remain unchanged.
And I agree with DeFazio's assessment that Smith is going to lose.
Posted by: BrianM | Apr 20, 2007 12:33:43 PM
Torridjoe:
I knew up front that if Mr. DeFazio did not run for Senate, that he'd get that money to use in his re-election. Y'all made that clear on your blog.
That being said... it would be classy for Mr. DeFazio to give it to Steve Novick... and Mr. DeFazio seems like a savvy and classy kind of guy...
Posted by: pedro | Apr 20, 2007 12:35:41 PM
he should give it to novick. it's such a small amount, it will be much more effective as seed money for novick's campaign than anything else later.
Posted by: John Dunagan | Apr 20, 2007 12:57:15 PM
Novick it is: let's get busy.
Posted by: Steven Maurer | Apr 20, 2007 1:04:29 PM
It would be even classier of Congressman DeFazio to donate that money to the eventual winner of the Democratic Nomination for the Senate seat.
Mr. Novick is a viable contender and the only announced candidate for the position so far, but that doesn't necessarily mean that's how things are going to stay. If Steve wins our nomination he should get the money, but not until.
Posted by: lestatdelc | Apr 20, 2007 1:07:05 PM
Personally I think it should be option D. While I have already kicked in some cash for Novick's campaign, and will continue to help his campaign as I can, I think that in an ideal move, DeFazio's earmarked funds to get him into the race be given to the Democratic Nominee fund since DeFazio (and I presume the entire Democratic delegation) will back and support the eventual nominee. If this is Novick, he will get the funds when he gets the nomination (which at this point I hope is him).
But if Earl throws his hat in the ring I would want that money to be available to him should he get the nomination.
Personally, as I said, I have kicked in to Steve's campaign directly via ActBlue, and will continue to do so, since I want him to be able to take the fight to Smith (which I think he can and will do with our support) and I think he would make an outstanding Senator as he has the intellect and the almost unprecedented grasp of policy and policy implications. So I personally am helping to get Steve more resources for his campaign, while at the same time I think that the DeFazio funds should ideally be there for the Democratic candidate when they get that brass ring.
I know that reads somewhat schizophrenic, but there it is.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Apr 20, 2007 1:13:05 PM
I gave to Peter knowing full well that he could keep it for his re-election campaign, and he did, that'd be just fine with me.
We already know he's a super-cool dude, but he'd put another point on that board if he donated it either to the Democratic nominee fund - or to the DPO, who is doing all kinds of good organizing in advance of 2008.
Keep in mind that the nominee fund is locked up until May 2008, but the DPO could put the money to work now.
I'm bummed that Peter's not running, but whether it's Steve Novick, Earl Blumenauer, or somebody else -- we're going to beat Gordon Smith.
Posted by: spicey | Apr 20, 2007 1:15:35 PM
darn! oh well, thanks for considering, Peter, and thanks for letting us know now. we are going to win this one, I can just feel it. Smith is done. watcha think, Earl?
Posted by: torridjoe | Apr 20, 2007 1:16:32 PM
That's a good idea too, Kari. Maybe he could dedicate it to the StopGordonSmith effort!
Posted by: lestatdelc | Apr 20, 2007 1:34:51 PM
Nominee fund, while locked up until may, is potentially more palatable for independents who want Gordon out, than going into DPO coffers. Not that I personally have a problem with the DPO (or specific county parties for that matter) quite the contrary. But there are people who want Gordon out who also are not warm to the idea of tossing cash into the party kitty either.
Posted by: BlueNote | Apr 20, 2007 2:08:48 PM
Earl ?????????????????????????????????????????????????
Posted by: Jeff Alworth | Apr 20, 2007 2:10:01 PM
Happy to give my 25 bucks to Peter, happy to have him use his judgment in spending it. Either way, it goes to an important cause.
Posted by: Unrepentant Liberal | Apr 20, 2007 2:42:35 PM
Damn. But, at least with Peter we know he has thought allot about it and that he honestly feels staying in the House is best for Oregon. Lets beat Smith anyway.
Posted by: Sid Anderson | Apr 20, 2007 2:59:21 PM
Bummer!
Posted by: Urban Planning Overlord | Apr 20, 2007 3:13:31 PM
An open response to Peter DeFAzio:
Thank you for your efforts over the past 20 years in Congress to serve and better the lives of Oregonians.
Despite your decision not to run for th Senate, I would urge you to seriously reconsider your current position on issues of free trade. By opposing free trade agreements with other nations you not only act against the long-term economic interests of your own constituents, you ensure that hundreds of millions of our fellow human beings around the world remain mired in poverty and disease. The experience of dozens of nations, including our own, shows that the path to world prosperity is thorugh economic growth, and free trade is directly correlative with economic growth.
Sincerely,
The Urban Planning Overlord
Posted by: Ben Hubbird | Apr 20, 2007 3:24:12 PM
Troll much, UPO?
Posted by: BlueNote | Apr 20, 2007 3:37:01 PM
Most of you folks know more about politics than I do, but here is my handicap of the 2008 Senate race:
Novick: nice guy, well fought battle, etc., gets 47% of the vote against Smith, which is an excellent showing for a political newcomer. Everyone congratulates, offers encouragement for future races, etc, etc, etc.
Earl B: [alternative #1] great guy, hard fought battle, gets 50.1% of the votes, beats Smith. Meanwhile, Steve Novick wins Earl B. seat in Congress
Earl B: [alternative #2] great guy, hard fought battle, gets 49.9% of the vote, loses to Smith, but easily wins victory in next Oregon governor race. Meanwhile, Steve Novick wins Earl B. seat in Congress.
John Kitz: great guy, easy election. Gets 57% of the vote. Good luck in the US Senate.
Please Kitz, give this some thought. I know you don't want to, but think about the people of Oregon. Plus, I will mow your lawn in Neskowin every week while you are on the campaign trail. Oregon needs you NOW!
BlueNote
Posted by: Gordon | Apr 20, 2007 3:41:32 PM
Ben Hibbird: Many Democrats, from Bill Clintona and Al Gore on down, prove that you can be "Blue" and not be an economic nihilist like the anti-globalization wing of the party demands. Suggesting that support of free trade agreements that provide economic benefits to both the U.S. and to desperately ppor third world nations is "trolling" is defining down "trolling."
Kitzhaber would be an easy victor, and a great Senator. I second BlueNote's sentiments.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Apr 20, 2007 4:02:20 PM
Gordon, I think Ben's point was not content-related -- but rather that the "Overlord" has posted that same exact comment roughly half a dozen times over the last week.
Posted by: pedro | Apr 20, 2007 4:39:45 PM
more overly simplistic thinking from upo.
free trade? you mean like how cafta totally decreased tariffs on sugar and ethanol--oh wait, that didn't happen. or how bush removed quotas on softwood lumber... er, oops, he increased them. or how china spends hundreds of billions a year to keep its currency artificially low to increase its export market? oh, not that. um... how about japans 0 percent interest rate scheme? how about those massive ag subsidies? surely *that* contributes to free trade... er, maybe not.
calling a system that intentionally incentivizes capital flows, while mostly ignoring labor flows "free trade" is a joke, and the result is a wildly speculative currency market, and the victims are mostly working people everywhere.
i support free trade. i would like to see some of it sometime.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Apr 20, 2007 4:45:29 PM
OK, people. Let's not get into the weeds on trade policy here.
Posted by: David English | Apr 20, 2007 5:35:31 PM
I'm glad DeFazio decided quickly whether or not he was going to run. I honestly don't get those who say Steve Novick isn't the person to run against Smith. Once again, I say whoever decides to run, the voters will decide in the primary. I'm all for having a few good candidates to choose from.
Posted by: Hawthorne | Apr 20, 2007 7:11:16 PM
Did Defazio even mention or thank the "Draft DeFazio" movement? I don't mind him making a decision that's his to make. It would be nice to think that he might thank people who went out of their way to support him.
Posted by: Qwendolyn | Apr 20, 2007 8:08:13 PM
I think there is more to this decision than is public.
A friend of mine has a story about seeing DeFazio at a party smoking bud.
Ok --the war on drugs is classist, racist and horribly wrong. And, Ok --this is a third hand anectdotal story.
But that does not change the fact that a story like that one, if it became public, could sink a DeFazio candidacy. IMO it's likely that some sort of indiscretion like that is keeping D from running.
Because why would you just walk away from a free Senate seat?
Posted by: David English | Apr 20, 2007 8:13:53 PM
Because why would you just walk away from a free Senate seat?
I sure as heck wouldn't say it's a free seat, my guess is Smith will put up a good fight. Whoever wins the nominiation will need to work hard and have tons of support throughout the state.
As to whether or not there is substance behind that story, it's speculation and rumor unless you can provide a source. I don't think that had anything to do with it. It was probably a personal choice to stay in the US House and have more time with his family.
Posted by: Michelle | Apr 20, 2007 8:14:27 PM
Torrid,
You could deliver the funds to DeFazio and hopefully he would make the decision to contribute it to the Novick campaign or the candidate fund...
Posted by: Hawthorne | Apr 20, 2007 8:19:33 PM
"Ok --the war on drugs is classist, racist and horribly wrong. And, Ok --this is a third hand anectdotal story. But that does not change the fact that a story like that one, if it became public, could sink a DeFazio candidacy. IMO it's likely that some sort of indiscretion like that is keeping D from running."
You mean like you just did? Oh, thank you for sharing your opinion with us. You got to love the power of third hand anectodotal stories. You've just let us know that you are classist, racist and horribly wrong. And a gossip to boot. Qwendolyn, should we make up some stories about you and then post them on the innertubes?
Plus, this is Oregon not. What makes you think that a third hand anecdotal story about smoking pot would kill a candidacy?
Posted by: Hawthorne | Apr 20, 2007 8:22:03 PM
Kari: "OK, people. Let's not get into the weeds on trade policy here."
See what you get? Instead they just get into the weed.
Posted by: yabbadabba | Apr 20, 2007 8:30:11 PM
Good thing. Peter would have made a bad senator. Besides, I like Gordon Smith, even though I disagree with some of his politics, he is a good and honest person.
Posted by: Charlie Burr | Apr 20, 2007 8:33:10 PM
First, commenters here -- especially anonymous ones -- should refrain from passing on anonymous rumors, as Hawthorne rightly points out. This was also a problem when Ben Westlund announced his candidacy for governor, and it was no less lame then.
Second, this seems like a classic game of telephone, originating from an amusing tounge-in-cheek letter Rep. DeFazio submitted to Harper's to Representative Joe Barton (R., Tex.):
Dear Joe:I read with interest your renewed push to subject Members of Congress and staff to random drug testing.
As I understand your position, you believe that Congress should "provide an example" by subjecting its Members and staff to intrusive, mandatory drug tests (paid for with public dollars). I have noted that you do not allege that any illegal drug use is ongoing. I further understand that you and four other Members regularly take tests for drugs that you do not consume.
Perhaps a more productive and cost-effective alternative is in order. I have observed personally the abuse of addictive substances on the floor of the House in violation of the House rules. I am referring to the frequent and obnoxious smoking of cigars and cigarettes. Imagine all those Members puffing away later this year as we consider the "tobacco settlement." This will certainly raise questions in the minds of the millions of Americans who view the proceedings on C-SPAN. Simple and inexpensive enforcement of the House rules could bring this practice to an abrupt halt.
Also, Congress, especially in late-night sessions, sees the same occasional alcohol abuse that occurs in other workplaces across the country. If Congress were to effectively curtail this abuse, we would exceed the modest goal you have set with your purely symbolic testing program.
Our electronic voting machines could be equipped with Breathalyzers. Before casting a vote (say after 8:00 P.M.) each member would have to breathe into the machine. Any Member whose blood-alcohol level exceeded .08 would be locked out. This would give Members a strong incentive to keep their legal drinking within the sobriety limits set by many states for driving. We could even adopt a motto: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VWI (Voting While Intoxicated). Members would be recorded as "incapable of voting," which should provide a strong behavioral incentive for moderation of alcohol consumption and help restore public confidence in the voting behavior of the Congress.
Sincerely, Peter DeFazio
Posted by: Gil Johnson | Apr 20, 2007 9:20:11 PM
The last time Smith was up, I was practically begging Peter to run. We go back a ways, working together in Jim Weaver's office back when Jimmy Carter was president. This time, though, I sat on my hands. If he ran, I'd back him all the way with all the money and time I have (money not being a big part of that equation, so I'm sure he didn't make his decision based on my ambivalence).
Actually, I think it's for the best that Peter chose not to challenge Smith. The worst case scenario could have been awful--DeFazio loses to Smith and the Republicans capture the 4th District. The best cast is that DeFazio wins, but is a rookie in the Senate, and another Democratic rookie wins his seat in the House. It would take at least a term and a half for DeFazio to come close to the power he now has in the House (and in nine years, Peter is pushing 70).
And the 4th District is not a totally safe seat for a Democrat.
Besides, Steve Novick can win. Let's just get behind him now and make it happen.
Posted by: Qwendolyn | Apr 20, 2007 9:22:58 PM
"
You mean like you just did? Oh, thank you for sharing your opinion with us. You got to love the power of third hand anectodotal stories. You've just let us know that you are classist, racist and horribly wrong. And a gossip to boot. Qwendolyn, should we make up some stories about you and then post them on the innertubes?
Plus, this is Oregon not. What makes you think that a third hand anecdotal story about smoking pot would kill a candidacy?
"
You have completely missed my point!
1) I purposely waited until after DeFazio said definitively that he was not running before I shared that anectdote.
2) I prefaced the anectdote by admitting that it was second-hand (for me) and third-hand for anyone I told about it.
3) I made it clear (to anyone who bothered to think before replying to my post) that it was not the veracity of this particular anectdote that mattered. My point was that the potential for a story like that coming public could possibly be the reason that DeFazio chose not to run. Furthermore, that it was my opinion that that probably was the reason he chose not to run.
4) I also prefaced my post by stating that I thought the drug war was wrong. The point being that someone using pot is not a reason to not vote for them.
5) Furthermore, of course I am an anonymous poster. But not any more than anyone else on this site. So what. Anything posted on a message board on the internet should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism. The fact that I post under a pseudonym does not make me any more anonymous than someone posting under the name 'Hawthorne', for example.
Posted by: Hawthorne | Apr 20, 2007 10:09:12 PM
Qwendolyn,
I didn't miss your point and I did fully read your post. What I take from it is that it was a passive-aggressive post. You say one thing but you imply another. Of course, you would not mean to suggest that our fine DeFazio was a dope smoker. Never! You were just helpfully pointing out that someone else, someone with less pure intent than you, might use that against him
Thank you for your service. A national treasure you are. Really.
Posted by: Stephanie V | Apr 20, 2007 10:16:33 PM
Hate to break it to you, Qwendolyn, but you are a lot more anonymous than many of us.
Posted by: JMG | Apr 20, 2007 10:46:33 PM
I sent $5 to DeFazio as a gesture of more to follow in case he went to run against Gordito, and I think he's swell, but understand perfectly and respect that his seniority in the solid house majority may mean a lot more for Oregon and his district than being part of a precarious Senate majority. I hope he sends my $5 and all the rest to Novick, just because it's classy. If a second-comer gets in, then that's what you get for waiting; politics is all about timing.
So I sent $100 to Novick the day he announced for having the balls to do it, and have been looking further into his record.
The guy is SERIOUSLY impressive and excellently suited to win against Gordito -- you've got the handicapped self-made guy who has spent his entire life working for the common good vs. the child of privilege who has spent years carrying water for the worst, most profoundly corrupt administration of cronies and bagmen in history, only to have a sudden 11th hour conversion when he realizes that he's going to have to run on his record --- and from the deaths of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis in a war he supported, and from the deaths of women who can't get an abortion because self-appointed Drs. Alito and Roberts decided that they know more about obstetrics than obstetricians, and from the collapsing health care system that he helped send down the tubes with the steady work to privatize Medicare.
We are lucky to have Novick, and I hope that everybody here will take a solid look at the next Claire McCaskill/Jim Webb/John Tester -- and insurgent and victorious US Senator (D-Ore.)
I have a vision of a Novick poster or TV ad showing FDR holding onto the podium to stay standing and Novick with his arm, tagline
"The best leaders are the ones who haven't always had it easy."
When you're running a solid self-made guy against the crown prince of pea pickers, it's easy to show what a difference that makes in their positions.
Posted by: torridjoe | Apr 20, 2007 11:08:49 PM
Hawthorne--
This was not part of the statement; it was the accompanying note to the email we received. I don't think it was intended to be part of what we distributed, but at the same time I don't think anyone would mind if it was made public--especially if it answers your question about whether "the movement" got thanked:
First of all, thank you for all of the support you have given Peter in the last few weeks. He wanted to make sure that he addressed the grassroots activists directly regarding his announcement and to thank them. Here is his statement. Thanks again.
Posted by: torridjoe | Apr 20, 2007 11:15:43 PM
Michelle--
the funds are already "delivered"--we never handled any money. All donations through ActBlue are automatically forwarded to the proper account, in this case his House re-election fund.
Just to be clear again, as others have said: Peter is free to do whatever he wants with the money that's been donated (within the law of course). But that doesn't mean we can't suggest.
Posted by: Hawthorne | Apr 20, 2007 11:45:02 PM
Torrid,
Thank you for the clarification and for taking on this task in the first place. I have no doubt that it did many good things.
Posted by: LOL | Apr 21, 2007 12:54:56 AM
I think Qwendolyn is smoking crack if she thinks smoking bud would hurt DeFazio in Oregon.
I'm looking forward to hearing Novick's campaign message now. He looks promising, if his priorities are: 1) Getting our troops home now, 2) Single-payer health care (HB 676), 3) Putting the "progressive" back in our tax system, 4) Repealing all the whacked out right-wing security state and social legislation, starting with the outrage against all people that the 5 sickos on the Supreme Court just endorsed.
Core Democratic values, long on common sense, and mercifully short on knee-jerk populism.
Posted by: Bill Bodden | Apr 21, 2007 8:42:45 AM
The trouble with "StopGordonSmith" is that it is negative. We need a candidate we can vote for much more than we need reasons to vote against Smith; although, this is not to say we should be silent about the many reasons to not vote for Smith.
With regard to Steve Novick I was very impressed by Steve Duin's recent column about Novick's history and qualities, but the problem is that Novick is probably not that well-known outside the I-5 corridor. But that problem can be overcome through connections with activists east of the Cascades joining in an effort to spread the word.
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Posted by: Bill R. | Apr 20, 2007 11:10:40 AM
Too bad! I think the DSCC needs to recruit someone soon and fund them to the max! The netroots are anxious to get behind someone too. Novick isn't the guy. But Ben Westlund may be the guy!!