OR-SEN: Huffman comes out against Oregon manufacturing jobs and in favor of wasting energy.
Kari Chisholm
Over at NW Republican, they went crazy when they learned that Ron Saxton - '06 Republican candidate for Governor - was supporting Senator Ron Wyden by hosting a fundraising event.
It also should not surprise folks that the new "turn around" strategy for Jeld-Wen is to invest in politicians who will create more incentives from government to purchase energy efficient windows. That is just one of the fall-outs from having a government that becomes so large (true progressivism) that it reaches it's ever expanding tentacles deeper and deeper into the private economy. Picking winners and losers.
Of course, while I'm sure that's of interest to Saxton, it's also true that he's supported Ron Wyden all along. He donated $500 to Wyden in 1996 and $1000 in 1998.
Unfortunately, law professor Jim Huffman - Wyden's 2010 opponent - didn't do the research before calling Saxton for his support, or firing a broadside at Wyden. From the O's Jeff Mapes:
Huffman said it is this kind of approach to governing that drives up federal spending. "We ask of our legislators that they deliver the pork, and they expect our support for that," he said. "That is a vicious cycle that is hard to break."I couldn't get any comment out of Saxton about Huffman's account of their conversation. But Saxton did release this quote through the Wyden campaign:
"I support Ron because he is a good senator and he's effective for Oregon. I'm not backing away from this one bit."UPDATE: I received this further comment from Saxton Thursday night:
Senator Wyden has been very supportive of JELD-WEN's efforts to promote energy efficient products and we are regularly working with him and his staff on efforts to increase the sale of such products and create manufacturing jobs for Oregon.
So, it's not particularly suprising that Saxton would support Ron Wyden. He's been supporting him for years AND his new employer has some aligned interests.
But what is surprising is how tone-deaf and amateurish Jim Huffman was on this one.
Senator Wyden is working to reduce energy consumption, save families money, and create manufacturing jobs right here in Oregon. And Jim Huffman is against that?
I agree with Anna Griffin: a worthy debate on the great issues of our day would be a good thing. But it sure doesn't look like that's what we're going to get from Jim Huffman. Unless he really thinks he's going to run a campaign in favor of wasting energy and against Oregon manufacturing jobs.
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12:19 p.m.
Mar 19, '10
Full disclosure: My firm built Ron Wyden's campaign website. I speak only for myself.
Mar 19, '10
Senator Wyden has been very supportive of JELD-WEN's efforts to promote energy efficient products and we are regularly working with him and his staff on efforts to increase the sale of such products and create manufacturing jobs for Oregon.
Does the fact that they're evil matter?
I don't like all of Saxton's politics, but I sure love his attitude. Those constantly bad mouthing him should look at their own before they criticize.
Still not one article on Pavel's campaign. Such a clique, Dems. Ron must surprise you. I don't care if PG is a loon, and that's an "if". He asks precisely the questions we all want to hear Wyden answer. If you all could get over your cult of personality for a moment, you might see that. Bill Clinton put it best. He told Kerry that Dems and Reps are both the same when it comes to voting on appearance. Given the choice between someone that knows the material and someone that looks polished for TV, both voters will vote for the polish every time.
I'm as desperate as anyone for a decent debate, but have to agree that we won't be hearing it from Huffman. If you ask me, Wyden has had Saxton and Huffman on the re-election payroll for some time. How would you have scripted it better?
3:25 p.m.
Mar 19, '10
Wow, an actual bona fide Goberman supporter. Now we know.
Mar 19, '10
Supporter? I could be, I guess. So, if I also want to see bin Lauden debate his position, do I support Al Quaeda? I must. I actually put three syllables in the second word. Not very American, that.
Mar 19, '10
"He asks precisely the questions we all want to hear Wyden answer. " is the sort of generality which makes some people tune out politics.
What is Pavel's favorite question of yours that he has asked? What was the answer? Did you like the answer?
Saying "we all want" sounds like you are telling people you never met what they should be thinking. Not always a great way to win friends and influence people.
Why don't follow the guest opinion guidelines and write one about why Oregonians should take Pavel seriously?
Or would that require too much attention to detail?
Mar 19, '10
Is it a good idea for a Republican candidate to trash one of southern Oregon's largest employers for making a socially-useful product, and obtaining help from their senator to sell their products?
I thought this Huffman character was running on the issue of jobs! It would sure be a lot easier to run on that issue if that rascally Wyden would stop helping employers bring jobs to Oregon.
Mar 20, '10
Too bad Jeld-Wen's commitment to sustainability is only as thin as the greenwashing they slap on top of their business-as-usual tactics.
They are quick to tout their support of the so-called "Sustainable Forestry Initiative" when in fact SFI is nothing but an industry-concocted cover for their same-old, same-old practices. (See here, here and here. Oh, and here.)
And when you add Ron's infamous quote, "I'm not running for governor to deal with global warming," I think it is safe to say he's not supporting energy-efficient building standards (or their greenwashed substitute) for that reason, either!
While I'd rather Ron and his employer contribute to Wyden, it smells more of "We scratch your back so you won't call us out on our misleading sustainability claims. And besides, that other wingnut doesn't have a chance, so we're better off buying influence with a winner than pissing you off by backing the loser."
Too bad we can't count on Ron to publicly rebuke the hypocrisy and send the money back. It'd sure be nice, though, wouldn't it?
Mar 22, '10
Saying "we all want" sounds like you are telling people you never met what they should be thinking.
I think it's pretty much taken as a given that when I say "we", one imagines an ill defined minority of odd persons, not the "folks around the water cooler".
Read his page. Would you not like to see Wyden address his talking points?
Not always a great way to win friends and influence people.
Glad to hear it. Not interested in debating policy with anyone that's giving ground based on friendship or influence. I live effectively as a sadhu. That's why I have the time to think. I won't criticize you for courting influence if you won't criticize me for shunning it.
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