Dicey Decision? Dastardly Dudley Doesn't Deliver; Disappointingly Ducks Debate.

Kari Chisholm FacebookTwitterWebsite

"Oregonians might not be willing to elect an empty suit – even if it’s a very, very large suit."

You've probably heard by now that Chris Dudley failed to show up today at the traditional first debate of the gubernatorial election - at the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association conference.

Now, I'm hardly one to give campaign advice to a Republican, but it strikes me as completely nuts to duck a forum where the audience is full of people who buy ink by the barrel. In addition to having their complete attention (which is hard enough to muster on a regular day), you're liable to tick them off by dismissing their value as an audience and wrecking an event that I'm sure they've been looking forward to.

And sure enough, there's outrage pouring forth from editorial writers around the state.

From the East Oregonian:

To use a sports metaphor, Dudley didn't want to play. In fact, the former National Basketball Association star decided he didn't even want to suit up.

So why did Dudley duck out of the Salem event at the last minute? In a phone call Dudley told ONPA officials he would be on vacation with his family.

That sounds admirable until you consider that Dudley and his campaign staff have known for months that this highly informative debate would be this week. In other words, he knew when the game was going to be played.

From the Newberg Graphic:

Given that Dudley is seeking Oregon’s highest political office, it seems he could produce better excuses than that. Vacations can be delayed, plans can be shuffled if there is good reason.

From The Source Weekly in Bend:

Awwwww-inspiring though it is, that excuse – especially coming at the last minute – is obviously phony. If you’re serious about running for governor you don’t pass up an important debate to go on vacation. ...

[The Dudley campaign] might also have to make it more clear just who Dudley is, where he stands on issues and what he would do as governor. Oregonians might not be willing to elect an empty suit – even if it’s a very, very large suit.

From the Oregonian:

[I]t is disappointing that Dudley has chosen to skip Friday's Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association debate in Salem. ... The conventional wisdom is that the more experienced Kitzhaber will have an advantage in debates. We're not so sure about that -- Dudley is quick and engaging and has an appealing message. But what we are sure about is that during this difficult time, with so many hard, hard decisions ahead, these two men who want to lead this state owe it to voters to stand up together, all over this state, and debate the issues.

And it's not just editorial writers. There's even a self-organizing Facebook group called Ask Chris Dudley to debate John Kitzhaber!

Hopefully, Dudley will get around sometime soon to telling Oregonians what he plans to do and how he plans to do it. (And, since he's no policy wonk, who he plans to put in charge of that whole governing thing.)

By Kari Chisholm
July 16, 2010

  • 4:34 p.m.
    Jul 16, '10
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    Full disclosure: My firm built John Kitzhaber's campaign website. I speak only for myself.

  •
    4:48 p.m.
    Jul 16, '10
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    One calculation he probably made is that fewer people read the papers than they used to, and the public wouldn't care about this.

    I could see Kithaber or the party run ads against him using these editorials as fodder, but he might be right that the public doesn't really care if he shows up at debates or not.

    I'd like to see polling that shows that has been a factor in people's votes in other races where similar things have happened.

    And by the end of the campaign, you know he will have participated in some debates, so that will reduce the impact of bailing on the first one.

  •
    5:08 p.m.
    Jul 16, '10
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    Kari, you should run a calendar on Blue Oregon for the days since the primaries until Dudley takes a serious policy position that does not include cutting someone's taxes. Might take a little definition of what is serious, but worth a try.

  •
    8:04 p.m.
    Jul 16, '10
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    Time to break out the chicken suits!

  •
    10:54 p.m.
    Jul 16, '10
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    Rumor mill says Dudley was at a governor's donvention. Probably getting some tips from Palin.


  • 5:14 a.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    Unbecoming of a candidate in our fine republic. Let the democratic process run course; let the people make an informed decision. DEBATE!

  •
    6:34 a.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    Dennis Roler, editorial writer at the Grants Pass Courier joined the chorus with his negative editorial regarding Dudley ditching the Newspaper Publishers conference. It is rare for an editor in conservative Josephine County to go negative on an R candidate.

    Any guesses on how his campaign will try to walk back their decision?

    •
      12:10 p.m.
      Jul 17, '10
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      Paulie, that is news.

      I'd also add, contra comments above, that newspapers still matter. Endorsements are only part of the issue. Editors have to make choices about which news to cover, and if a candidate isn't cooperating, they may well get less press. Over the course of months, this could dampen enthusiasm--which would be bad in places like Jo County. Knock a few percentage points off a candidates vote total in a close election, and you may lose it.

      No reason for Dudley to have done this--unless he's less ready for prime time than anyone thinks.

  •
    7:40 a.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    It's just a case of Dudley missing another free throw.

  •
    8:54 a.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    It's not a rumor. Dudley was at a Governor's Convention:

    http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20100716/NEWS/100719865/1077&ParentProfile=1058

    Presumptuous, I'd say. He doesn't even have the job yet.

    •
      5:44 p.m.
      Jul 17, '10
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      It was for GOP Governors and Gov candidates.

      •
        9:06 p.m.
        Jul 17, '10
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        Yeah. And it was a DEBATE here at home. That's the story here. There was a debate here yesterday for a seat he is seeking and his party matters more.

        http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2010/07/chris_dudley_wasnt_just_on_vac.html

  •
    9:23 a.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    So, he lied about being on vacation.

    "Dudley shoots! He Misses!"

    It looks like his political career may be a lot like his basketball career.

  •
    10:45 a.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    Even The Bulletin in Bend, a diehard Republican paper, editorially chided Dudley for ducking the debate.

  •
    1:10 p.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    Damn, it's hard to keep track of when newspaper matter here in Oregon. During 66/67, they didn't. Now, they do.

    Just curious, how many of you ever considered voting for Dudley. All these stories are are fodder for the echo chamber.

    •
      1:27 p.m.
      Jul 17, '10
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      Michael,

      I don't believe anyone said that newspapers didn't matter in the 66/67 campaign -- it made the campaign more difficult, but grass-roots organizing overcame that obstacle.

    •
      9:11 p.m.
      Jul 17, '10
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      I am assuming that if Dudley proposed 7 debates and Kitz countered with 2 in October only and then further Kitz said he mos def couldn't make the one on July 16th because he had a "family vacation", but then it turned out the 'Internets' busted him at a Democratic Governors Assoc meeting the very same day, you'd be okay with it and think this person has the character to be Governor.

      •
        9:42 p.m.
        Jul 17, '10
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        You know what happens when you assume...

        The thing is, that's not what happened, and I, for one, would be saying something along the lines of "I don't know, Kitz, that seems a little cowardly for someone running for Governor, especially for someone who once held the office."

        But that's all hypothetical, because it's Dudley that's ducked the debate.

  •
    6:25 p.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    I seem recall that Dudley was seriously bested Allen Allee in the spring. He needs to show he's not an empty suit. Kitzhaber is going to take him to the cleaners. (to take the metaphor one step further)

  •
    9:08 p.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    I have to say, the Boregonian really slipped a whopper in there, though:

    "Dudley is quick and engaging and has an appealing message."

    Uh, excuse me, but on what planet? Care to point out what his message might even possibly be other than picking the top-used platitudes from Faux News and saying them like he means them? And "appealing"--to whom??? Those whose understanding of policy stops at "Government, bad. Tax cuts, good."??? Are Dudley Do-wrong's staffers moonlighting as editorial writers for the Big O??


    • 9:15 p.m.
      Jul 17, '10
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      I had the extreme bad luck to have found myself at a Chamber of Commerce (Dudley's bankrollers) breakfast about 4 years ago. I was new to the state and had no idea who he was. He was, no kidding, THE most boring speaker I ever sat through in my life. My husband and I (and a lot of others) were running for the door as soon as it was over.

      •
        9:27 p.m.
        Jul 18, '10
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        I find it interesting that he spoke at a Chamber of Commerce event four years ago. That's the earliest evidence I've heard about of any interest in public policy.

  •
    11:51 p.m.
    Jul 17, '10
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    I think what he did shows a lack of integrity and character. He didn't tell the truth about where he was and he's taking voters for granted. How arrogant! Most folks in my circle are surprised he made it through the primary and, were willing to hear him out but are disappointed by a lack of specifics and substance in his answers.


  • 9:35 a.m.
    Jul 18, '10
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    I have seriously considered voting for ANYONE but Kitzhaber. Dudely made a tactical error that he may not climb out of. He had an excellent opportunity to kick of his campaign and begin showing the state where his differences are from Kitzhaber.

    I, for one am extremely disappointed. The print media still matter and Dudley got some seriously bad advice.

  •
    9:39 a.m.
    Jul 18, '10
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    OH, and another thing. Kari, congrates on the serious alliteration! You did Paul McCann proud!

  •
    11:14 a.m.
    Jul 18, '10
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    BTW, he was on vacation as well...Photos here

    •
      11:43 a.m.
      Jul 18, '10
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      He was in Aspen, of course he also took time out to have fun. This is hardly a prima facie rebuttal.

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      12:29 p.m.
      Jul 18, '10
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      Michael, notice that on his Facebook page he conspicuously does not mention that he appeared at the Governors' conference.

      •
        2:57 p.m.
        Jul 18, '10
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        Wrong...

        While there I did have to mix a little work with pleasure and took the time to sit with a few governors...Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/23pdzgl

        •
          8:35 p.m.
          Jul 18, '10
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          That's not his Facebook page, that's from his campaign website, and that post was added at 10:30 last night.

          He waited until that part of his trip was already outed to 'fess up.

          •
            2:27 p.m.
            Jul 22, '10
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            Bingo! Believe me, his Tweets that week (and the RGA's which they removed later but which I have saved in perpetuity here http://bodiegroup.posterous.com/more-gop-lies) are more damning than corroborating.

            And let's not forget the dress loafers on the hiking trip photo: http://twitpic.com/25kzhx

            (Okay, the last was a joke, but c'mon! Who hikes Aspen in their loafers?)

  •
    3:22 p.m.
    Jul 18, '10
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    Big deal that Dudley missed this debate.Funny if Kitzhaber had done the same thing we would have heard nothing from the hypocritical BlueOregon crowd or the same complaints about that.Before you get on here and start bad mouthing Dudley tell us what Kitzhabers plan is to get unemployment down and the private sector back to work?I havelooked at Kitzhabers website and sorry i didnt see a plan to get unemploymant down or the private sector back to work.Sorry Kitzhaber is one of the most boringest uninspiring speakers i have ever heard.

    •
      6:17 p.m.
      Jul 18, '10
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      "If Kitzhaber had done the same..." But he didn't. Please give up the "you're hypocritical because you would be hypocritical if you were to do what I imagine you would do in my imaginary world" crap. It just goes to show that you got nothin'.

  •
    6:22 p.m.
    Jul 18, '10
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    Its a fact whether you like it or not Susan hagmeier you would not complain at all if Kitzhaber did the same thing and you darn well know it.Obviously Kitzhaber has no plan for anything to better Oregon huh only more taxes and fees?

    •
      6:37 p.m.
      Jul 18, '10
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      I see. You are a mind-reader, then. Dream on. You can believe it with all your deranged little heart, but that doesn't make it a "fact." All you've got is a hypothetical on top of a hypothetical. That is utterly pointless.

    •
      6:38 p.m.
      Jul 18, '10
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      Here, blow a gasket on this: http://www.alternet.org/story/147262/6_shocking_ways_conservatives_helped_cause_the_economic_destruction_of_america/

    •
      8:38 p.m.
      Jul 18, '10
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      Sorry, Matthew, but a hypothetical cannot be a fact. It just can't. Perhaps it can in Rush Limbaugh/Glenn Beck/Lars Larson world, but in the real world it can't.

      A fact is something that actually happened. If it has not happened, it cannot be a fact.

      This elementary school lesson brought to you at no charge.

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