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.

  • Bill R. (unverified)
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    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!!

  • Ben Hubbird (unverified)
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    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.

  • (Show?)

    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

  • Ben Hubbird (unverified)
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    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...

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    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.

  • Don Beal (unverified)
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    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.

  • hook_fan (unverified)
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    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.

  • A thought... (unverified)
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    What about Ted Kulongoski?

    He did just win a statewide race against a Republican who's got much less negative baggage than Gordon Smith.

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    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.

  • BrianM (unverified)
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    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...

  • pedro (unverified)
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    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.

  • (Show?)

    Novick it is: let's get busy.

  • (Show?)

    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.

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    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.

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    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.

  • spicey (unverified)
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    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?

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    That's a good idea too, Kari. Maybe he could dedicate it to the StopGordonSmith effort!

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    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.

  • BlueNote (unverified)
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    Earl ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

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    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.

  • Unrepentant Liberal (unverified)
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    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.

  • Sid Anderson (unverified)
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    Bummer!

  • Urban Planning Overlord (unverified)
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    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

  • Ben Hubbird (unverified)
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    Troll much, UPO?

  • BlueNote (unverified)
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    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

  • Gordon (unverified)
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    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.

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    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.

  • pedro (unverified)
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    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.

  • (Show?)

    OK, people. Let's not get into the weeds on trade policy here.

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    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.

  • Hawthorne (unverified)
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    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.

  • Qwendolyn (unverified)
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    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?

  • (Show?)

    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.

  • Michelle (unverified)
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    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...

  • Hawthorne (unverified)
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    "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?

  • Hawthorne (unverified)
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    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.

  • yabbadabba (unverified)
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    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.

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    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

  • Gil Johnson (unverified)
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    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.

  • Qwendolyn (unverified)
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    " 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.

  • Hawthorne (unverified)
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    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.

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    Hate to break it to you, Qwendolyn, but you are a lot more anonymous than many of us.

  • JMG (unverified)
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    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.

  • (Show?)

    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.

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    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.

  • Hawthorne (unverified)
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    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.

  • LOL (unverified)
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    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.

  • Bill Bodden (unverified)
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    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.

  • Buckman Res (unverified)
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    DeFazio is a career politician with a safe, secure seat in Congress. Why should he throw all that away on a roll of the dice against Smith, considering the natural advantage incumbents have in an election.

    He’s looking out for his own best interests, and who can blame him?

    If we had term limits in place at the Congressional level we might see more boldness from our public servants instead of the calculated timidness that has become the norm.

  • Qwendolyn (unverified)
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    " 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 "

    Ummm, nope. You missed the point again.

    I did mean to suggest that DeFazio smoked pot.

    What I was pointing out was two things:

    1) that smoking is no reason to vote against someone for congress but 2) that DeFazio might lose votes from other people (not me) if it became public.

    As far as the question of who is anonymous around here goes, people are kidding themselves if they think everyone is who they say they are. Probably almost everyone is. In the end, however, it doesn't matter one bit. What is essential is the substance of someones' argument.

    You can disagree about whether or not Oregon voters would vote for someone who smoked pot, as LOL and Charlie Burr have done, but attacking me for being anonymous is lame.

    What difference would it make if I gave you my name and the name of my friend with the DeFazio sighting story?

    Zilch.

    What would you do? Google our names to fact check it? Give me a break. The story did not originate with that Harper's letter. I am quite certain that my friend does not read Harper's.

  • East Bank Thom (unverified)
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    what would the best use be for that money

    To re-elect Congressman DeFazio as indicated on the DraftD site.

    I prefaced the anectdote by admitting that it was second-hand

    Quendolyn the (un)Fair, this is called rumour, and given the nature of the gossip, a bit reckless.

    DeFazio is a career politician [...] He’s looking out for his own best interests

    Nice dose of cynicism there. Next time you make it off the Buckman Rez, you might find out that Peter is a dedicated public servant who has tirelessly worked for the interests of his constituents. Back to the question what he "ought" to do with the money, it's worthy to note that he forgoes the usual congressional pay raises and instead has donated some $260,000 for scholarships and to pay down the national debt." Does this not interest you?

  • Michelle (unverified)
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    One of the most persuasive comments I have seen from Steve is that Smith cancels out Wyden's vote on a lot of critical legislation.

    If Wyden has managed to nevertheless work with Smith to get a lot done for Oregon, just think how much more he could to with a true partner who he can work with even more effectively.

    I think there is mileage to be made there - leveraging Wyden's git-r-done, not-overtly-partisan reputation.

  • pat malach (unverified)
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    "A friend of mine has a story about seeing DeFazio at a party smoking bud."

    Oh yeah, well a friend of my second cousin's niece's babysitter's barber's girlfriend's neighbor's postman's landscaper said that he heard from his mechanic's part-time parts driver's sister's roommate's Avon lady that Gordon Smith is a heroin addict. There's no way Gordon Smith can win an election if that story gets out.

    Also, I heard through that same grape vine that Qwendolyn is a moron.

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    O.K., Qwendolyn, you're semi-anonymous. But please don't pass on unsubstantiated rumors. It's not O.K. You've contributed plenty of thoughtful comments here in the past, but simply passing on rumor from a friend is careless and disrespects the commons. Also, it sidetracks the thread. I don't think you're a moron, we're just asking for you to use judgement before hitting "send."

  • roger (unverified)
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    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.

    There's something exciting to me about supporting a candidate 100% because I actually agree with just about everything he says. Gets me back to why I was interested in campaigns to begin with, way back when. I'm sure we will have to have a sober discussion about which candidate is more "electable" if and when another candidate emerges. I really hope, however, that one doesn't. Novick is the guy I WANT to have as Smith's replacement. Not to knock DeFazio, who is great. I'd rather have both of them up there on the hill.

  • (Show?)

    Yup, Charlie's right on here. In the past, we've had anonymous allegations here of sexual harassment, drunk driving, and now pot-smoking. If you've got proof, post it. If you're willing to make the allegation yourself, post your name and submit your (hidden) email with your comment. We'll pass it along to any reporter that wants to follow up.

  • Qwendolyn (unverified)
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    Ok, one last time. Because it seems everyone is still missing the point

    1) This is not an allegation.

    2) The veracity of my specific anectdote is irrelevant. I admitted it is third-hand and very possibly not even true.

    What is relevant is whether or not DeFazio chose not to run to avoid something similar coming to light. In a close election it's not unreasonable to think that something like that could make the difference.

    3) I did not mean it as an attack on DeFazio, and now I'm wishing I hadn't shared it because it seems everyone took it as an attack.

    4) If speculation as to why DeFazio chose not to run "sidetracks the thread" on a thread that is titled "DeFazio Out" then where, pray tell, would be an appropriate thread to post such speculation.

    If this simple concept is still too hard to understand, then forget it. It wasn't that big of a deal and all I'm getting in response is name-calling and tsk-tsking about rumor mongering.

  • Larry McDonald (unverified)
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    You blindsided me. I never even added DeFazio's age into the equation. It's bad enough that they have to supply drool cups for Senators who've been there forever - Warner, Byrd, Inouye, Akaka, Stevens ad infinitum... you seriously want a 70 year old FRESHMAN senator from Oregon?????

    D.L. Hughely got it righ on Mahr's show in talking about McCain's campaign: "The only place I want to see a 70 year old man is f***king up traffic in Florida or saying 'Welcome to Walmart." And don't play the ageist card cause I'm on the downhill side of 60.

    DeFazio is doing a great job where he is and can obviously do more for Oregon over the next decade in the House instead of standing at the end of a very long line of very old men for whom, understandably, seniority means life itself.

  • East Bank Thom (unverified)
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    1) This is not an allegation. - Quendolyn

    al·le·ga´tion: a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.

    There's a difference between benign speculation and making an allegation. Quendolyn, rarely is the occasion when i am right and everybody else is wrong. If you're feeling a bit piled on, maybe just maybe there's a lesson to be learned (and no, it's not that dissent is not allowed). If there's a consensus here, maybe it's that unsubstantiated rumours are reckless?

  • Adrian R (unverified)
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    If you want somebody who passes the "Hackett litmus test" might I suggest someone like Paul Evans? Not only does he pass all the points, but his service in the Air Force includes Iraq I & II, and Afghanistan. He's from Polk County, can appeal throughout the state, and from what I hear has a great amount of respect from Dems statewide and even some national support.

  • LOL (unverified)
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    Where can we find out more about Evans? Since DeFazio is out, and this thread is about alternative candidates, seems to me that it's fair to provide info here how we can find out more about Evans.

    The major thing that has me undecided about Novick is his vague position on health care reform, which I think is quite fair on my part since it is the first issue he addresses on the "Issues" page of his website.

    "Medicare-for-All", including military veterans, national health insurance is the only possible and sane way to fix the ongoing collapse of our health care system that brings equity to health care delivery, and the only solution which can restore and sustain competitiveness in our economy. We are talking about a U.S. Senator here who has the power and authority, even as a freshman, to join Sanders in an existing and building legislative momentum behind HB 676.

    I think Novick deserves the benefit of the doubt for right now, since he just entered the race and he deserves a chance to make an unequivocal, substantive, direct statement of his position. On that same basis, however, Westlund is out in my book unless he revises Oregon SB 329 to endorse and commit Oregon to being a leader in national activism for "Medicare-for-All" national health insurance. Similarly, Blumenauer is out unless or until he signs on as a co-sponsor of HB 676 before the primary election.

    I'd like to know whether Evans makes health care reform one of his primary issues, and, if so, what his position on reform is.

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    Here's the 2006 campaign website for Paul Evans.

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    What is essential is the substance of someones' argument.

    There you go, Qwendolyn, tiptoeing right up to the crux of the matter and then ignoring it.

    "I heard a rumor that a friend of a friend saw ..." is not an argument. It's a completely unsubstantiated anonymous allegation with the potential to damage a man's reputation in a way that is impossible for him to entirely combat even if it is completely untrue.

  • Millie from Milwaukie (unverified)
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    I would say especially if it's untrue, Doretta! :)

    I think what Qwen doesn't understand is that even though (s)he didn't mean the statement as a negative accusation, it doesn't matter.

    Imagine a press conference in a parallel universe where Congressman Jones announced he was running against Smith. And at this hypothetical event, he says,

    "I can tell you what this race isn't going to be about: It's not going to be about the completely unsubstantiated rumor that I've got twenty illegal immigrants running a meth lab in my basement!"

    Does it matter whether it's true or not? Doesn't matter... the guy's suddenly associated with that in everyone's mind.

  • Neal Patel (unverified)
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    I was not surprised that DeFazio passed on the Senate Race. He could have ran in 1996 when it was an open seat. (Hatfield Seat).

    Smith is more vulnerable now than he was 5 years ago.

    A 800lb Gorrilla like John Kitzhaber unseats Gordom Smith by 55-45 percent margin. Kitzhaber is uninterested in running for the US Senate. He is less interested in D.C. Otherwise he could have ran 5 years ago. He was the only Democrat that could have unseated Smith.

    The next one on the list is Bluemenaur- Bluemenaur race at best will be a 50-50. The problem with Smith is he is more like Al D'Amato and less like Rick Santorum. He is a practical right wing Conservative. he loses if Democrats field a top tier challenger.

    Smith's re-elect numbers must be below 45% in order for Bluemenuar to enter the race. Otherwise Schumer will have to lobby him . Internal poll must show Bluemenaur leading Smith.

    If Bluemenaur does not run.

    We will see a competive primary between Novick- the progressive netroots favorite vs Westlund- the DSCC establishment favorite.

    Kitzhaber,DeFazio,and Bluemeneur avoids competive primaries.

    This is similar to the 2006 virginia Democratic US Senate primary between James Webb and Harris Miller.

  • YoungOregonVoter (unverified)
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    DeFazio Out + Novick In = Gordon Smith victory in 2008.

    Pragmatically, it was an excellent choice for DeFazio not to enter the fray AFTER Novick. Why? During the primary, DeFazio and Novick would enter a battle of who is the most liberal to satisfy the liberal base, dragging out all the skeletons out of DeFazio's closet, which would give plenty of fuel to Republicans in the general election to attack DeFazio with.

    Great choice DeFazio. Run after Novick loses hard in 2008. I am predicting that Novick gets 40% of the vote ideally and between 28 and 35% of the vote in reality.

    With the measures that Democrats in the Oregon House and Senate are passing, don't expect Republicans to stay home or protest vote in 2008 when the initiative process is being messed with, taxes are being raised, and gay rights and gay marriage have been voted in at odds with the express will of the voters in 2004.

    2008 is going to be a slobberknocker.

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    During the primary, DeFazio and Novick would enter a battle of...

    Nope. Novick had previously committed to dropping out if DeFazio got in. There would NOT have been a DeFazio/Novick primary race.

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    ...gay rights and gay marriage have been voted in at odds with the express will of the voters in 2004.

    Way to repeat those dead-wrong right-wing talking points, YOV.

    There was no vote in 2004 on discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation. There was no vote in 2004 on civil unions/domestic partnerships.

    There was a vote in 2004 on gay marriage. Someone here posted quote after quote from the sponsors of measure 36 telling the voters that it was OK to pass measure 36 because civil unions/domestic partnerships were the right way to address existing inequities and marriage was the wrong way. It may well be that those measure 36 supporters were lying about thinking civil unions/domestic partnerships were the right thing to do, but clearly they thought a significant number of voters would vote for their measure on that basis. Certainly that campaigning on their part directly invalidates any suggestion that civil unions/domestic partnerships are at odds with the express will of the voters.

  • Adrian R (unverified)
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    In response to LOL's question:

    Here's a quote from one of Evan's speeches: "And this means universal access to quality, affordable health care for all Oregonians: greater transparency in billing, closing loopholes of corporations that evade health care costs, and creation of a public commission with sole authority for rate increases."

    From what I know of him, health care would certainly be one of his top issues, as he carries a strong proud liberal/populist image. Considering the (near) successes of candidates like Duckworth, Hackett, Webb, and such I think he could make a great run. Plus he can attract national support from the Fighting Dems, etc.

  • Ross Williams (unverified)
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    Someone should try to recruit Kate Brown to run.

  • LT (unverified)
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    Ross, Please explain why Kate Brown would win in counties like Yamhill, Linn, Marion, Coos, Clatsop, Crook, or even Deschutes. She's a Multnomah County legislator--how many down state people even know her name?

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    "2008 is going to be a slobberknocker."

    If by this you mean that the GOP is going to get the slobber knocked from them, I'd have to agree. Something is truly going to have to change for Republicans to show up next year. It could be ugly.

  • Ross Williams (unverified)
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    Please explain why Kate Brown would win in counties like Yamhill, Linn, Marion, Coos, Clatsop, Crook, or even Deschutes. She's a Multnomah County legislator--how many down state people even know her name?

    There is no Democrat who can win there without a campaign. The question is who has a base in the Portland region and has shown the political skills to put together a campaign that reaches out to the rest of the state. I think Kate has.

    <h2>One of the things that people outside Portland don't get, is that state races are won in the Portland suburbs where there are significant swing votes. The rest of the state is largely going to vote R or D. Choosing a candidate for appeal in rural Oregon is a sure loser, the question is how they play in Clackamas and Washington counties. That doesn't mean rural Oregon can be ignored, but it shouldn't be the focus of decisions either.</h2>
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