That sounds like genuine Peter Courtney. Reporters would love him for sound bites, but he is as substantial as they come. From his days on the Salem City Council in the 1970s, he has earned the slogan "nobody works harder".

As he said last night as the leaders were thanking their staff, the jobs of his staff were challenging. Of his media person, he said "That is a difficult job, because nobody spins me!".

He is the genuine article, and has loyal followers who would go/have gone with him over the years of his career. When he spoke to Marion Demoforum, he had a very large crowd.

However, he is not to everyone's taste. If he decides after this long and difficult session (yes it was one of the shorter sessions, but uphill much of the way because times are difficult) that he doesn't want to run statewide, he won't do it.

We could certainly use all the hardworking, outspoken Gov. candidates we can find. But it is tough on candidates, tough on families, and anyone with a long public record can be excused if they decide they don't want to take on the fundraising, the sometimes bitter debates about issues, carping from outside groups etc.

I've always liked Peter Courtney. He gets things done. I hope he runs.

If he decides after this long and difficult session (yes it was one of the shorter sessions, but uphill much of the way because times are difficult) that he doesn't want to run statewide, he won't do it.

Along similar lines, tomorrow night's game is "going to come down to who scores the most points!"

I"d vote Peter Courtney. He's a solid and smart legislator, and he'd be the same as Gubernor.

Like Wayne Morse a great lawmaker but not my idea of a Governor. Tends to be erratic not a problem in the legislature big one for a Governor

Nice guy, but a mechanic, not a leader.

Dull, boring, glib and impatient. Met him once in his Senate office and thought he was half asleep at 10am. Not an inspiring man. Too old for prime time, kinda like Mitch Greenlick.

I've met Peter Courtney as well, respect him, and would vote for him if he ran. Yes, more a mechanic than a leader, but he knows how to get things done. I may not always agree with his positions, but I admire him for what he is able to do with so little.

He is quite entertaining, too. Listen to his "Capital Tales" from a Portland City Club Friday Forum from several years ago.

We need more people like Peter Courtney in Salem.

Mike

One of the great things about Peter Courtney is that his accomplishments are larger than his PR (for lack of a better term).

"I only became Senate President because no one else would" (or something like that) which he said recently belies the fact that in a 15-15 Senate, the only Senators who had the trust of people from both parties were Sen. Pres. Courtney and Speaker with Sen. L. Hannon as Sen. Pres. Pro Tem in a power sharing arrangement.

I've heard him refer to himself as "just an old drill sergeant" . There is no flash, but he gets things done.

This, in such difficult times, was the shortest session since 1995. Anyone remember who the presiding officers were back then?

Speaker Bev Clarno, in the House, deserves more respect than she has sometimes been given. She was the first woman Republican Speaker and did a much better job than Snodgrass or Minnis. She was more open to conversation with ordinary folks than either Lynn Snodgrass or Karen Minnis. Speaker Clarno faced down a major lobbying group, whose bill died in the House.

The Senate President that year had a slick streak which only got wider after he left the St. Sen. Presidency. I am talking about Gordon Smith.

With Peter Courtney, you get substance and a very down to earth family man. He also knows sports, and if a high school is visiting he will make a comment about their team. When introducing his staff last night in the closing hours of the session, he mentioned one staffer was a "double Duck"---2 degrees from U of O.

Peter Courtney is a superb legislator who helped deliver us real results this session. He is as passionate about fighting for funding for education and other services as anyone, both as a father and a legislator.

Someone commented that Peter is "boring." I suppose it depends on when you catch him, because Peter can deliver a great speech and is a tireless campaigner, both for himself and other candidates. He spent many weekends walking with Laurie Monnes Anderson in 2004.

If Peter did run, his huge challenge would be getting noticed in a a field that is potentially large with better known candidiates. Jason Boe was senate president in the 70s and was regarded by some as one of the most powerful legislators OR had ever seen. Boe ran for the U.S. Senate in 1974, but Senator Wayne Morse having lost to Packwood in '68 and then Hatfield in '72 decided to run again. Boe simply wasn't as well known as Morse and lost big in the primary.

At the national level, the Dem. party seems to spur respected congressional leaders like Muskie, Scoop jackson, Gephardt, and Biden in favor of flavor of the month newbies lik McGovern , Carter, and Obama. Of course, the latter two got elected.

OR is a little different. Kulongoski might have been fresh in '82 but was an elder statesman by '02. There do not seem to be many fresh faces looking at the race. Courtney might seem a little over the hill compared to, say, Kitzhaber, but he still desrved a look.

Right now, the one working it is Bradbury. He has been campaigning and making a lot of calls asking for support. I'm sure we'll have a better idea who is running withing a month or so.

I hope DeFazio announces his intentions soon. No one thinks he is running, so he should confirm or deny that.

Statesman Journal front page PRINT EXCLUSIVE: Courtney Rules Out Run For Governor

Check out Statesmanjournal.com to see how long it takes them to put the link on their site.

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