Let Gordon Smith be an Ambassador to a cold muddy cesspool. How about Latvia or Estonia? Not New Zealand. New Zealand is gorgeous, and the climate is awesome. Don't let Gordon Smith ruin New Zealand for us!

Kari...

I said the exact same thing Estonians and Latvians say...

"Past pollution and its remediation in Estonia Anto Raukas

Raukas, A., 2004. Past pollution and its remediation in Estonia. Baltica, Vol.17 (2), 71-78.Vilnius. ISSN 0067-3064.

Abstract In spite of its small area and relatively simple geological structure, Estonia is rather rich in mineral resources, the mining of which has caused severe environmental damage and left dangerous pollution. High pollution load was registered in most sites of the Soviet army units, which occupied about 1.9% of the whole Estonian territory. In National Environmental Strategy, adopted in 1997, nearly 40 significant environmental problems were identified. Among ten priority environmental problems past pollution caused by industrial, an agricultural and military activity of the former Soviet Union was mentioned. To date past pollution dangerous to human health is liquidated and thoroughly monitored in most areas and sites.

Anto Raukas [[email protected]], Institute of Geology at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia

<hr/>

"...Like most former Soviet republics, Latvia suffers from decades of environmental mismanagement. Soviet economic policies pushed the rapid buildup of heavily polluting industries with no regard for the environment. Although some emission controls have been put in place since independence, industrial pollution continues to be a problem. Untreated industrial, agricultural, and municipal wastes have produced dangerous levels of water pollution, especially in the Daugava River (which receives pollution in Russia and Belarus as well) and the Gulf of Rīga. Air pollution in Latvia is most noticeable in the major urban areas, where industries are concentrated.

Protecting the environment began to be discussed openly in the late 1980s as part of Latvia’s independence movement. Since then, awareness of environmental issues has grown, and the Latvian government has designated new nature reserves and parks. Latvia also ratified several international agreements on reducing air, water, and land pollution and protecting wetlands and endangered species."

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761577313_2/latvia.html

Next time, don't play political correctness cop on what even an encyclopedia entry says about a subject. The Soviet leadership used the Baltic States like a toilet. Latvians and Estonians are the first people who say it.

I hope Obama listens to Walden and gives Smith a coveted ambassadorship in a cushy spot--where he'll stay for awhile.

Dislodging Walden from CD2 and putting him into the Guv's race is an excellent turn, frankly. While Kari is correct that this doesn't assure a Republican defeat, it makes it easier. And Walden's aspirations for Governor are even less likely to be fulfilled than a D in that Congressional seat, IMO.

The 2nd CD could be a good pickup opportunity with the right kind of candidate. Someone like Charlie Brown could make the 2nd a good race for whoever would seek to succeed Walden. The results from CA-4 and ID-1 could portend the future of OR-2 if the right candidate runs.

I've worked with Walden on many occasions. The guy is extremely intelligent, and is known in D.C. for working well with others - including the most liberal democrats.

Walden has a very charming, easy-going, and gentle persona. He's not haughty or in-your-face. He's calm and collected, and is one of the best listeners I've ever seen.

You may disagree with most of his policies, but I wouldn't underestimate him.

"Walden has a very charming, easy-going, and gentle persona. He's not haughty or in-your-face. He's calm and collected, and is one of the best listeners I've ever seen. "

Jason, there was a time I might have agreed with you. But as I recall, our Greg got a little too close to the DeLay crowd before they crashed and burned, and there are going to be Oregonians who remember that.

Mor importantly, what does Greg have to say to the folks in Monmouth, Roseburg, Hillsboro, Oregon City, White City, Lincoln City, Astoria and other communities about why he would be a good Governor? Sure, he would probably be an improvement over Saxton, but wouldn't anyone?

If Greg Walden were to do "all comers, ask anything" town hall meetings in such places, and do more listening and answering questions than preaching that he knows all the answers, he might really get an education.

But I suspect there are those who would like a hard working legislator (like St. Sen. Morse) or someone else who has been living in Oregon rather than DC to try running as a Republican. And they need specific plans, not worn out ideology.

I would be very, very, very surprised if Greg Walden gave up a safe Congressional seat to run for governor.

Gordon Smith was with me two days before the election. I asked him if he planned on running for anything else if he were to lose, and he said he would just go back to Pendleton and run the business.

There isn't much appetite among conservatives to have Gordon Smith run statewide. I think he lost a lot of their support in this last election, especially in rural parts of the state.

Jeff Mapes of The Oregonian did a blog posting the other day talking about this very issue, and quoted the vice-chair of the Josephine County Republicans regarding Smith's lukewarm support here. And while there were no Merkley signs in Jo Co, there weren't any Smith signs either.

I agree with Scott. Walden won't enter the governor's race in 2010. He knows it's unwinnable.

I think Walden's son is going to college somewhere on the East Coast, close to D.C. That is another reason why he may stick it out there long-term.

If you need a CD 2 candidate in 2010, you may want to draft Julie Rubenstein. She's worked as a field rep for Ron Wyden and has plenty of legislative experience, even as a lobbyist.

Julie ran against Oregon HD 3 Rep. Ron Maurer and lost. She didn't spend any money in the process.

But if you guys are willing to draft her and give her enough support, financial or otherwise, she would actually make a really solid candidate.

I agree with Kevin. New Zealand is pretty progressive and could be horrified of Gordo. I was listening to a station in Napier yesterday and they said 1 in 2 Kiwis would buy at least one xmas gift online. Internet stuff is often interestingly integrated right into the "hard news".

At the moment- you have to consider it's NZ and Fiji- but they appear, as much as they ever do, to be on the brink of war .

after the last eight years of insulting allies and enemies alike with the bush doctrine of preemptive diplomacy (snark) would we really want to foist off ol gordo on anyone. yes, it would be good for oregon,no doubt, but sometimes a state just has to suck it up and take one for the country and the rest of the world.

Walden has wanted to be gov for years, but Smith would be clearly a stronger candidiate- better known, a potential self funder, twice elected to the senate along with two narrow losses. He has also worked on a moderate image, which Walden hasn't, at least not in terms of his voting record. The liberal Americans for Democratic Action has given Smith a rating (out of 100) of between 15 and 55 (55 was last year, imagine that, way higher than ususal), while Walden's ADA rating has been between 5 and 30 (30 was last year, again, abnormaly high, usually never above 20.) Walden might work well with both sides, but he votes like Tom DeLay.

<h2>If Walden running for Governor is what it takes for the Oregon Dems to start taking the 2nd District seriously a change, instead of running disappearing acts like Noah Lemas every two years, then I'm all for it. As above commenters have noted, it's a winnable seat with the right candidate, and it's getting bluer every cycle, with growth around Bend and Ashland. Time to start making the effort.</h2>