2010: Bill Bradbury for Governor?
Kari Chisholm
In his ongoing series of posts about potential gubernatorial candidates, Jeff Mapes takes a look at Bill Bradbury - who just completed his second term as Secretary of State.
Over the last 50 years, all but two Secretaries of State have run for Governor - three of them successfully. (Howell Appling and Phil Keisling are the only exceptions.)
Bradbury is the only person in Oregon history to receive more than a million votes for a state office contested by both major parties, for his re-election in 2004. (John Kroger got more votes for AG in 2008, but had no GOP opponent. In his U.S. Senate race in 2004, Ron Wyden also exceeded a million votes.)
So it's no surprise that Bradbury is strongly considering a run of his own for the top job.
Cue Mapes:
Bradbury has been around the Capitol a long time. A former TV journalist on the South Coast, Bradbury was elected to the state House in 1980 and the state Senate in 1984. He served a difficult term as Senate president in 1993 and the Republicans took control of the chamber in the next election. After a stint working at a native salmon preservation group, Bradbury was appointed by Gov. John Kitzhaber - an old friend from the Legislature - as secretary of state in 1999.It didn't take long for Bradbury to become the Democrat that Republican activists hated in Salem. In 2001, after the Republican Legislature and Democratic governor couldn't agree on redrawing legislative district lines, the job fell to Bradbury and he produced a plan that Republican lawmakers charged benefitted the Democrats.
Bradbury's plan was upheld by the courts and he insisted that he always ran his office without favoring one party or another. But in an era of bitter partisan infighting, his every elections-related decision was met with criticism that he was biased. Bradbury shook his head at that, citing a long list of his decisions that have been upheld by the court.
While he noted that he isn't ready to announce that he's running, Bradbury said that, "I don't really see a whole lot of issues between where I am today and an announcement...It's not like there's an issue that would switch me."
What about his health?
He was diagnosed in 1981 with multiple sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system, and for many years it wasn't evident to people who didn't know the gregarious Bradbury well. But in the last several years, he's started using a scooter and a cane and there are doubts about whether he has the needed stamina.Bradbury, who seems to be an-all-but-announced candidate for the seat, said he's confident he's up to the rigors of running for and serving as governor. ...
"I clearly have some disabilities," he added, "but it doesn't interfere with my ability to think, it doesn't interfere with my ability to communicate, and that's what people care about." ...
"I've had a very slow progression of the disease," he said, adding that "there's no reason to think that wouldn't continue to be the case."
Bradbury's signature issue?
As he begins to hone in on a candidacy, Bradbury returned again and again to the theme that he is best suited to help Oregon capitalize on the "green economy.""There's this incredible recognition in Oregon that our future is really a green future and that's where we get our jobs," said Bradbury, who argued that he was making this case long before many others.
At 59, Bradbury has enough years in state government so that he is collecting a pension and is able to devote much of his time to keeping in the public eye. He was one of the first wave of people trained by former Vice President Al Gore to give speeches on the threat of climate change, and Bradbury continues to make these presentations before a variety of groups.
"No matter who gets elected governor," he said, "this economy is going green, period. And anybody who resists that would be real stupid, okay? The question is who can best help that transition take place."
What do you think?
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Mar 2, '09
I think that you ripped off nearly the entire article, and you added barely any original content. This goes far beyond fair use. No wonder newspapers are dying.
2:57 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
Actually, no. I excerpted 539 words out of 932 - and I added some of my own research to this piece. As I've said many times, blogging is necessarily derivative. We comment on the coverage. Don't like it, don't read it.
Newspapers are dying because of Craigslist, eBay, Cars.com, Monster.com, Google Adwords, and a gazillion other competitors to their revenue model: advertising.
Back on topic, please.
Mar 2, '09
[Off-topic comment removed. -editor]
Mar 2, '09
[Off-topic comment removed. -editor.]
3:17 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
Oh, and full disclosure: In 2004, I built Bill Bradbury's campaign website. I speak only for myself.
Mar 2, '09
MS has an unpredictable progression, with growing likelihood of psychiatric symptoms of mood and thought disorder and onset of dementia.
That said, at least Bill Bradbury doesn't have the history and personal liabilities that the consensus national leader of the GOP has, drug addiction and sex vacations to third world countries. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0706062rush1.html
3:44 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
I like Bill, but wonder if he has the fire-in-the-belly to get the job of winning the election done?
Not that our current Governor is a sweep-them-off-their-feet kind of campaigner. That said, his 2002 campaign against Smith, while he certainly didn't have any real DSCC support and all, was lackluster to say the least. Again, I think he is a good guy and does a good job.
3:45 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
[Off topic comment removed. -editor.]
3:46 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
And on-topic, there are few Democrat office holders who could potentially drive a backlash against them at the polls by conservatives. For reasons mostly made up, I'd say near the top of those candidates would be Mr. Bradbury.
Mar 2, '09
I'm thrilled about Bradbury's leadership on climate change -- he really gets the importance of that issue, unlike many other elected officials!
4:08 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
I don't know how I feel about Bradbury's candidacy at this time...but I really love that photo.
4:58 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
As much as the environment is an issue for all of us, it is not the primary issue for who becomes governor. Policies related to taxes, education, jobs, welfare, crime, working with the legislature, etc. and personal leadership and charisma will be what the race will be about. Frankly I am concerned that our current governor is chasing the green economy dream and not dealing forthrightly with the crisis facing the state today. I suspect that I am not alone and if Bill wants to be governor he is going to have to show that he is not Ted's clone.
When state or local politicians push an industrial policy favoring one industry over others without a solid background I become suspect. Even though I think Oregon has a case to be made in segments that are "green" I am dubious that they will drive our economy for the next decade. Let's remember the south waterfront in Portland that was sold by city politicians, the media, and OHSU as a biotech industrial park and as of now does not have a single bioscience business in it as far as I know.
Mar 2, '09
Bradbury has been a champion on global warming, but let's remember his past: he's a rural legislator from Coos County. We need someone like that running Oregon. He's a progressive who understands the connection between jobs and the environment, he's been a champion for education, and he's obviously attuned to the need for health care. As to his health, he has dealt with his MS for close to thirty years. There's no reason to think he can't do it for another eight.
I'd be proud to live in a state that can elect a rural progressive Governor, especially one with a disability.
Mar 2, '09
Something from the article Kari did not quote:
"Bradbury noted that he and DeFazio competed for the same U.S. House seat back in 1986 and that DeFazio didn't win by that much".
Can anyone find the election results for that primary election? My memory is that Bradbury came in 3rd.
I had a very close friend from Eugene back then, a Democratic party activist. Folks in Lane County had been voting for both County Comm. DeFazio and St. Sen. Hendricksen and I remember friends making the decision between the 2 of them based on which one they thought had the better temperment for the job.
I also remember a very colorful female legislator (who lived closer to Portland than to Eugene and lived outside the 4th District) shouting at me when she learned a friend of mine from Eugene liked Peter.
ANYONE WHO DOESN'T SUPPORT MARGIE HENDRICKSEN DOESN'T SUPPORT WOMEN!
I still defended the right of my friend from Eugene to vote the candidate she considered the best candidate.
Bill needs to realize a) people financially struggling aren't necessarily going to vote on the environment as a major issue
b) mistating fact (like implying there were only 2 candidates in that Cong. primary) can trip up a major candidate faster than just about anything else.
Mar 2, '09
I think Torrid Joe is completely right in that Bradbury would be great for Republican turnout. Someone like DeFazio or Kitzhaber in particular would have much more crossover appeal, but not Bradbury. And it would be interesting if it came down to Bradbury and Atkinson--Bradbury drew Atkinson out of his district!
Mar 2, '09
Bradbury? Thank you, no. Give me a more Defazioesque Democratic candidate. By that a mean a proven pragmatist with middle of the road appeal. With a guy like Bradbury I envision an all climate change all of the time governor and who wants more of that other than ardent progressives? Time to find the balance between eco sustainability and economic prosperity.
Mar 2, '09
For now, he's my second choice, after Novick. Probably be an excellent Governor and starts out with a solid statewide base.
And, you know...climate change may not be the most popular issue right now, but it sure is important!
Mar 2, '09
Bill Bradbury waged a weak campaign against Gordon Smith for senator. I don't see any evidence that he has learned how to campaign in Oregon from a position of strength.
8:21 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
Bill Bradbury waged a weak campaign against Gordon Smith for senator.
I disagree. I think it was 2002, and the country was still in a hangover from 9/11.
Bill Bradbury argued that we ought not go to war in Iraq, and he was crucified for it.
Bill was right.
Mar 2, '09
AdmiralNaismith,
Did you actually achieve the U.S. military rank of O7 or above or is that merely your moniker? Serious question and I mean no disrespect.
As for climate change, no it's not the most popular issue at the moment and rightfully so. No way in hell human co2 emissions should rank at the top of our national priority list. No reasonable individual without an agenda could argue with the importance of reducing pollution and transitioning away from burning fossil fuels but lets be realistic. We the people make that choice every day as demonstrated by our behavior. Take a quick look around. It's easy to see the typical Americans vote. So, are human co2 emissions really our top priority? Will spending a lot of money combined with draconian measures fix the problem you view as public enemy #1 or will it serve to make people poorer & piss off the masses? Before anyone accuses me of the heresy of being a human-caused global warming denier, I'd be happy to compare my carbon footprint to any of you. Though I'm not yet sold on the science behind the politics, consuming less and reducing the toxicity of planet Earth is a no brainer. We have the power to change things but it is not through government regulation. We decide through our personal choices, lifestyle, habits, etc. It really is just that simple. To me the whole climate change argument at this point is bullshit. George Carlin expresses my sentiment quite well here.
9:12 p.m.
Mar 2, '09
Did you know George Carlin was a comedian, Brian? He's one of my all time favorites--but a lot of the things he said were funny...and full of shit.
"Will spending a lot of money combined with draconian measures fix the problem you view as public enemy #1 or will it serve to make people poorer & piss off the masses?"
Spending a lot of money now on improving the environment and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels will increase the standard of living universally, rather than making people poorer and pissed off.
Mar 2, '09
A good question for Bradbury would be "what lessons did you learn from the US Senate campaign which you would apply to the Gov. campaign?".
What I heard from friends was not about issues--it was about people initially excited about the campaign, but after becoming involved they thought it was poorly organized.
For now, it seems like Kitzhaber (who has won statewide before and has a loyal following) or DeFazio if he decides to do it would be the best candidates.
I don't see that anyone else would give us the intelligent debate we deserve in this next Gov. election.
Maybe Bradbury could tell us where he stands on tax reform (anyone here read Buckstein in the Oregonian talking about poll-based tax reform as if people were afraid to discuss ideas without taking a poll first?) or the Oregonian editorial on public safety spending--courts vs. prisons vs. state police funding.
These are issues people care about, and even if everyone agrees climate change is a top issue, I don't see someone being elected Gov. by making all other issues of lower priority.
Mar 2, '09
"There's this incredible recognition in Oregon that our future is really a green future and that's where we get our jobs," said Bradbury
It would be so nice if we could get our collective heads out of our green asses and accept that our jobs come from many industries and the only way to bring any semblance of stability to our job market is to further develop said diversity.
Other than that, he is a Dem that I could really get behind and support.
Mar 2, '09
'86 results were P DeF- 34%, B.B.- 33%, Margie H. 31%, so Bill can be forgiven for saying he just narrowly lost to Pete.
Bill brought Governor Bill CLinton out to OR in '91 to help launch an OR chapter of the Democrat Leadership Council. Apparently, it didn't last long, but obvisouly the Clinton/Gore/Bentsen/Robb/Nunn southern corporate white boys won control of the party in the '90s, until we all lost big in '94. Bill seems fairly progressive, but I think he needs to explain why he thought OR Dems needed to snuggle up to the DLC. He no doubt wanted to support Hillary last year, and probably wished that he hadn't been a superdelegate having to vote against the CLintons in Denver.
Bill's enviro credentials are sound as Castle Rock, and the value of their support in OR probably equals that of labor, if not in $ than in activism and message. Bill could be the OLCV candidate, if not the AFL-CIO favorite.
For a former TV guy, I don't think he projects as well as DeFazio or Novick on the tube. Charming and upbeat in person, but not a media candidiate. Not slick, though, which is good.
Mar 2, '09
Thanks, John.
Very interesting to see those results. In the circles I was in back then, it was Peter vs. Margie, period.
A male friend and I were at an election night party for a female legislative candidate. We figured we were the only 2 people in the room not rooting for Margie to win, and when she lost we both smiled at each other and didn't say much, lest the rest of the folks find out --- considerable peer pressure in certain circles about that.
I agree with your last paragraph, John.
I know every Dem. so far mentioned for Gov. While I really like Bill as a person, there are just too many questions. I remember this vividly: "Bill brought Governor Bill CLinton out to OR in '91 to help launch an OR chapter of the Democrat Leadership Council. "
A friend and I contemplated going to see Clinton when he came to Salem but we were both activists going through a burnout stage, so we decided not to.
However, someone who would later be a friend went to that event. At a State Central Comm. meeting sometime afterwards, he had a copy of the DLC platform which had been given out at the event.
I read it and found it very interesting. Lots of familiar ideas from candidates I had supported in the past. However, I found that I agreed with roughly 1/3 of the platform, strongly disagreed with 1/3, had a lot of questions about 1/3.
When the subject first came up about DLC, I saw it as a way to move the party away from the Mondale loss. When asked if I was interested, I said "their target audience is southern white males, so I don't qualify".
To my mind, the biggest mistake DLC made (aside from having weak leaders after Clinton became president) was the attitude "the platform is not to be debated--good people agree with all of it".
I want a campaign where anyone's ideas are up for debate. My guess is that Kitzhaber first and DeFazio second understand that concept. Where is the evidence anyone else does?
Mar 3, '09
Bradbury drew Atkinson out of his district!
Come on Scott. I expected more from you as a (former?) journalist. Atkinson wasn't the only sitting legislator that was drawn out of his/her district in 2000. There were Dems who were drawn out of their district and I'm sure it won't be the last time that it happens either. I thought more of you than just parroting the Republican line.
That said, Bradbury would be a lightning rod for Republican turnout, and I'm not sure he'd be an effective Governor if he were elected.
7:50 a.m.
Mar 3, '09
Kari,
Your memory of the 2002 campaign is not on target. At the time of the election the polls in Oregon showed an anti-war sentiment. Bradbury's problem was that he waffled on the issue. In fact his position was initially written by the DSCC that was afraid of being on the wrong side of the war and had no clue what the mood was in Oregon. When it became clear that the DSCC wasn't going to fund Bill as they promised, he came out against the war and his polling improved. However, the damage had been done because he came across as indecisive and couldn't pin Smith as a hard core war supporter. Given the strength of Smith and the late start that Bill had in the campaign because of Kitzhaber's delay in announcing a decision on the race, it is doubtful that Bill could have won that year. However, I strongly believe that if he had run a more independent campaign that pushed Smith on the issues, especially the war, he could have come a lot closer.
Mar 3, '09
I like how the high level dems in Oregon operate. Bradbury clear cuts his property in Southern Oregon and sells the timber just before a ban. Betsy Johnson shuts down the Metolius development but has her own cabin there. But they're all for the little people, dontcha know.
Mar 3, '09
JTT- Who's parroting the Republican line? I merely stated a fact-that Atkinson was drawn out of his district. Did I say he was the only legislator to have that happen? No. Did I say that only Republicans were drawn out of their districts? No. I was just stating that in a Bradbury-Atkinson matchup, Jason would be able to go to every corner of the state to tell about that redistricting. The fact that other legislators can say the same doesn't bode well for Bradbury either--anyone remember Jeff Duyke? That just showst that instead of drawing those lines along communities of interest, natural geographic and political boundaries, that Bradbury drew lines through peoples' backyards. Those are just a few reasons that Bradbury would be a major lighting rod if he were to run for governor, a point you seemed to agree with me on.
Mar 3, '09
Bill Bradbury would be a horrible choice. He didnt accomplich anything of merit while he was secretary of state. He did nothing to clean up the voter registration problems.
He focused more on spending state money to spread global warming propaganda that he recieved from his prophet Al Gore.
Mar 3, '09
But then again, anyone could be better than Kulongoski.
he is the true idiot here in Oregon
11:44 a.m.
Mar 3, '09
"Atkinson was drawn out of his district"
I think to be clear the "district" belongs to the people. The idea that just because someone is elected to hold office in the district does not give them ownership of it.
Mar 3, '09
Carl-
This is a matter of semantics. Would it make you feel better if I said, "Bradbury drew Atkinson out of the district he was serving at the time and lived in at the time?" Give me a break...
Mar 3, '09
Bradbury won't win a primary. Ben Westlund would have a better shot.
12:33 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
Scott-
No it wouldn't make it any better. You are implying that Bradbury with some sort of evil malice drafted up lines that put Jason Atkinson out of the district in which he was elected on purpose.
The Republican legislature and the Democratic governor could not come to agreement between themselves. Constitutionally the job fell to the SOS's office. They had 20 some meetings statewide to discuss the plan that came out of that office. 10 or so challenges were brought before the Oregon Supreme Court, only one of them was sustained. And it was I think regarding the prison population in Sheridan. I believe the plan had about only a population deviation of only one percent between the legislative districts in the state, then again someone who was much more involved in the process is free to correct me. I was only a sophomore in high school and I wasn't paying as much attention to all the ruckus as I should have.
Others were placed outside districts which they were elected, but the system went forward. The steps the SOS's office took were fair and legal and offered a lot of input from the public.
Mar 3, '09
Carl- You're projecting that I'm "implying" this and that and the other thing. You really should just knock it off and stop trying to put words in my mouth and twist what I'm trying to say, which was simply (this is the third time now) that Atkinson would be able to use the issue in his campaign. Now please stop trying to twist my words to serve your own selfish ends.
2:43 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
Scott my apologies, I didn't mean to put words in your mouth,I should have phrased it better. I do not believe Atkinson could run with this argument. If anything it would motivate his base and not the people he would need to win the election. In order for this whole redistricting thing to work, Atkinson will have to sell it successfully to people that the SOS's office and Bradbury maliciously did this. Which I'm many people would buy just by him saying it in a Republican primary. I don't think the many independents will buy it just because he says so. He's going to need to prove that the whole process was abusive towards him, that the Supreme Court of Oregon was a "co-conspirator" in Bradbury's scheme to re-write the district lines that it would get him out of the district.
3:35 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
Bradbury is an acceptable candidate to me. If he feels he has something to contribute to our future, or at least to the discussion of our future, I urge him to run. But with these cautions.
I think our economy is going to be in the toilet for this gubernatorial election cycle. That means what to do to create jobs, to fund essential government services, and how to prioritize those services will be central issues.
I think long term our best economic future is as an international trading state, creating and selling our goods and services all over the globe. That's were real money is to be made. A majority of the Democratic Party base, I'm afraid, may not share this view. They may believe, especially in economic hard times, that if Oregon just hunkers down, produces and trades in-state, that Oregon can ride these hard time out. Such foolish dreams are not for me, nor will I support politicians who spout them. So, if Bradbury is just another voice for some form of economic protectionism, and I suspect he might be, he's not for me.
One estimate last summer forecast that China's economy would be as large as the US economy in 2035 and twice as large in 2050. India, Brazil and Russia all have large market economies. These are big opportunities. I have not heard how Bradbury thinks Oregon can compete in those market. I have not heard him support invigorating foreign language study, especially Mandarin, in Oregon's public schools as part of a long term strategy to get into those markets. I'm just not sure he has thought seriously about how our 21st century economy is different from the past. If he has such ideas, he should run.
3:38 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
"He did nothing to clean up the voter registration problems."
What voter registration problems?? That would be news to all but the nuttiest of wingers, who see "voter fraud" everywhere they turn because otherwise Republicans would win all elections ever held.
As for redistricting, I'd love to see Atkinson try to use that as a campaign issue. About 5 minutes into the description of what gerrymandering is and how Bradbury is connected to it, he'd get round to his argument--and the prospective voter would long have turned off their ears.
Mar 3, '09
Why yes torridjoe, I am aware that George Carlin was a comedian. Thanks for the heads up. If you're suggesting that he was full of shit in this particular rant I beg to differ. He's dead on.
Part of his genius aside from being more intelligent than most was his knack for separating reality from bullshit followed immediately by eviscerating the bullshitters in side splitting fashion. Didn't matter if it was the prevailing conservative or liberal thought of the day. Bullshit is bullshit. In this case Carlin cuts right through hubris & ideology that supersedes rational thought. Green is good. Hysteria not so much.
8:30 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
Can one of Bill's supporters please speak to his accomplishments as Secretary of State?
9:16 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
I do not believe Atkinson could run with this argument. If anything it would motivate his base and not the people he would need to win the election.
Could there be a more whiny and self-centered argument in a campaign? Elections are about the voters, not about whatever personal gripes the candidates have with each other.
Mar 3, '09
Please, please, please let Bill be our next governor!
10:31 p.m.
Mar 3, '09
Well we know with 100% accuracy that the first two words of that statement are true.
Mar 3, '09
I wondered if anyone would go there. You win the prize lestatdelc.
11:13 a.m.
Mar 4, '09
Heh. Carlin had a classic bit about "the sanctity of life" which was pretty damn funny which is somewhat resonant:
Mar 4, '09
Thanks for the follow up Scott. I guess when I read your "Bradbury drew Atkinson out of his district!" bit I immediately thought of Atkinson whining about it on Lars Larson or some other Republican pantomime echoing the talking points. I'm sorry for making assumptions and coming to a poor conclusion.
Mar 4, '09
Thanks, JTT. And forlestatdelc and Brian C.-George Carlin was definitely the man and very much missed.
Mar 5, '09
The phrase "a snowball's chance in hell" comes to mind .
Mar 12, '09
Dan is right on when he said "Bill Bradbury would be a horrible choice. He didn't accomplish anything of merit while he was secretary of state.He focused more on spending state money to spread global warming propaganda that he received from his prophet Al Gore".
Bill himself, in a phone call I placed to him in very early January 09 to see how he was fairing, mentioned to me that the Secretary of State "job" was the best he ever had because he never really had to be there. He stated to me that he had "good staff" to take care of everything, thus he could go off and either spread the gospel on global warming or go rafting or whatever he felt like, all while collecting his salary. This comment bothered me a lot because it seemed like he was just using the taxpayers and doing what he wanted to do. Certainly makes you wonder about accountability.
I grew up with Bill and have seen him go from a principled man to someone who now only the satisfaction of his ego matters. It does not matter who gets hurt, even a family member.
Additionally, as of January of this year, when he stopped by my residence, his physical condition, which I have seen for a long time, was not good. I guess that could be overcome if the public is ok with a "leader" that spends extra taxpayer money for "special" things like the "driver" that was hired for him in the SOS position. Must be nice I guess but the bottom line is he would be horrible for the bulk of Oregonians, and esp the basic working class ones.