Portland Business Alliance endorses Eileen Brady

Kari Chisholm FacebookTwitterWebsite

In recent years, Portland politics seems to have seen a series of showdowns between the business community and the progressive political community. And while we're not yet at a kumbaya moment, today's endorsement of Eileen Brady by the Portland Business Alliance seems to represent the beginnings of a rapprochement.

Brady, after all, is a lifelong progressive activist - from serving time for protesting nukes at the Pentagon as a young person, to working with Ecotrust on local food concerns, and most recently, serving on the Oregon Health Policy Board pulling together support for the program to deliver health care to 94,000 Oregon kids.

But if there's one idea at the center of her campaign for mayor, it's this one:

“There is a myth in Portland that says we can’t have both progressive values and a thriving local economy. We have to break through that myth and commit to growing jobs.”

Brady, of course, is uniquely positioned in the mayor's race to make exactly that case - having co-founded New Seasons Market, a thriving local business that's known for its largely progressive and local-first values. In October, for example, she announced a plan for helping grow small businesses in East Portland.

The Oregonian's Beth Slovic has the story of the PBA endorsement:

"When I started out this campaign, I set out to bring this city together behind a progressive vision – that community, labor, business, tech, non-profit, environmental and neighborhood leaders could work together to build a vibrant local economy and help get Portland's struggling families back on their feet," Brady said in a statement. "I know that’s doable - I’ve spent a good part of my career working to build grocery stores that would create good jobs, serve as neighborhood centers, support our farmers, fishers and ranchers and reinvest in the local economy. It is truly gratifying to know that the Portland Business Alliance shares this vision." ...

"Eileen Brady will bring a fresh perspective as well as a business perspective to City Hall," J. Isaac, chair of the Alliance's board of directors, said in a release. "Throughout this process, we asked candidates about their views on private-sector job retention and creation, and Eileen has demonstrated to us that she supports our jobs agenda and is committed to improving our economy."

Of course, Brady's campaign is winning support from more than just the downtown business community. Tomorrow morning, she will be endorsed by a group of local technology entrepreneurs committed to building - and keeping - their businesses in Portland. From the announcement:

Scott Kveton is co-founder and chief executive of Urban Airship, a Portland mobile software developer creating unique "push notification" technologies for smartphones whose business is quickly growing good-paying family wage jobs. He says,

“For the first time, a candidate for city office took the time to sit down and listen to Portland's tech leaders. We are a thriving community of growing businesses who want to help build a stronger local economy here in Portland. We believe Eileen Brady's entrepreneurial approach and understanding of our needs is what we need in the Mayor's office. That is why we are taking the extraordinary step of endorsing Eileen Brady for Mayor.”

And next month, Brady will be hosting a policy summit on creating local, environmentally-sustainable businesses. That event will feature sustainable business leader Paul Hawken (the founder of the Smith & Hawken garden store company).

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    Full disclosure: My firm built Eileen Brady's campaign website. I speak only for myself.

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      Kari, are you still putting a "union bug" on your campaign materials? Brady's New Season's Markets has a clear record not allowing unions to organize New Seasons Stores. I don't think someone taking money to organize from owner of a non-union grocery market chain should be continuing to display a "union bug" on their campaign materials.

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        Hmm. I'm not generally a buyer of printed or manufactured campaign materials. When I do order printing (like my own business cards), I order them from a union printer - and if the union employees of that shop want to put their bug on my stuff, I'm happy that they do.

        As for New Seasons: 1) Brady is no longer a co-owner of New Seasons. 2) Unions exist to help their employees get better wages, benefits, and organizational power. I don't know much about New Seasons, but I do know that the employees get health care (including for domestic partners), retirement benefits, and have a more meaningful role in management decisions than the big multi-national and national conglomerate grocery chains.

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        Adam:

        Could you please provide the support for your statement? (1) what do you consider the "record," and (2) what do you rely on as support for New Seasons "not allowing unions to organize?"

        On the broader front, would you agree that New Seasons has better pay and benefits packages that union grocery stores?

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    Portland Business Alliance does not endorse Progressives. New Seasons Market is non-union. They will not lets unions organize New Seasons employees.

    Obama only gives Progressive speeches. His actions have been Reagan-like. Sounds like Brady's another Obama Democrat. Talks like FDR, but acts like Reagan.

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          At risk of getting redundant... Eileen Brady and her husband are no longer owners of New Seasons.

          They have no more power there than you do.

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            Her and her Husband Brian Rohter were co-founders of and her husband was New Seasons CEO and Chairman of the Board.

            Yeah... Bill Gates hasn't done anything at Microsoft since retiring as their CEO/Chair... except he does. All the time.

            Don't EVEN try it Kari

            How stupid does this guy Brian Rohter's think we are....supposed "mom's estate" had a $35,000 check fall out of the sky for Brady's campaign, too

            "Eileen Brady reported a $35,000 check to her mayoral campaign fund today, bringing her total contributions to $357,000 and signaling, once again, that the 2012 mayor's race likely will be among the most expensive in recent history.

            But the donation -- a gift from the estate of Brady's husband's mother -- also highlights a number of other factors in the campaign, which is drawing the attention of voters earlier than many once predicted.

            In the battle to be seen as the grass-rootsiest option, a large chunk of cash from a family member (even one with a sweet story behind it, which we'll get to in a moment) doesn't cut the surest path to a liberal Portlander's heart.

            But like Brady, Charlie Hales has taken five-figure checks in his campaign, including one $25,000 contribution from transportation contractor Stacy and Witbeck. He says he doesn't intend to be the biggest spender on the campaign trail, a designation that so far goes to Brady, who has spent 60 percent of her contributions already. "Every dollar is precious," Hales said of his own funds.

            http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2011/12/portland_mayors_race_skyrocket.html

            Looks like Eileen Brady's husband has been learning how to campaign from Karl Rove.

            $35,000 fell out of the sky, huh. ROFL!!!

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              Well, except Bill Gates "remains the largest individual shareholder [at Microsoft], with 6.4 percent of the common stock." - while Brady and Rohter don't have an ownership stake in New Seasons Market.

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                Brady and Rohter founding co-owners of New Seasons Markets.

                Nothing I see can google up online anywhere anywhere that says Rohter and Brady sold their shares of New Seasons.

                Here's a quote from 2009 where Rohter says he's is NOT selling majority control of New Seasons...

                "Along with the change in leadership comes a slight change in ownership. While Rohter, 55, says he, two other founders and a certain number of employee-owners maintain a majority stake, the company announced it has a new investor in Portland-based Endeavour Capital.

                "From the beginning, when the three (founders) sat down to talk about what we wanted to do, we had to think about what the end game would be -- and we always knew what end game we didn't want," Rohter said. "We didn't want to be swallowed up by another large company. We didn't want to become a division of someone else."

                http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/12/new_seasons_markets_ceo_retiri.html

                I also remember Dick Cheney didn't own Hallibuton stock while he was Vice President, too. All Cheney's assets were in a blind trust.

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                  From Eileen Brady herself...

                  "In 1999, my husband [Brian Rohter] and I risked our life savings...and joined with two other families and about fifty of our friends to co-found New Seasons Market."

                  As WW reported previously, Brady holds an undisclosed ownership stake in New Seasons, but never held an official job with the company, nor a board

                  http://wweek.com/portland/print-blog-27290-print.html

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                    tell me, Adam, did Eileen run over your dog or something?

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                      Brady and Rohter are best not workers rights advocates. Their business is non-union in an industry that union workers are the norm. That suggests Brady and Rohter are in fact against unions.

                      I'm not supporting anymore "Democrats" who do not support workers, workers rights, or union. There will be NO anti-labor mayor of Portland.

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                        you're right: when Eileen is sworn in Jan 2013, Pdx will not have an anti-union mayor.

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                          You COMPLETELY missed what has happened in the state of Wisconsin for the last year too?

                          WI Democrats let a guy named Scott Carter sneak into the Governors Mansion. Carter threw his platform and his campaign promises in the trash milliseconds he was sworn in and banned collective bargaining for public employees.

                          I didn't create the tea party. I'm just stuck with the mess they made. Progressive voters now need to see a real track record for powerful political office.

                          The Koch brothers have handed some noboby a pile of money to run for office and privatize everything they could reach over and over again. Progressive have got to stop being suckers. No more surprises like Scott Carter. Candidates have to show a real public progressive track record

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                              If you can go THIS far out of your to try to make a disabled guy with Huntington's Disease on short term memory errors look bad...

                              Then YOU can answer the question I asked you twice before and YOU refused to answer twice.

                              Tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

                              I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great greatly.

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                      How can you possibly support a candidate for mayor that has NO record of ever taken a progressive action in her life.

                      Eileen Brady is less qualified to Portland Mayor than Sarah Palin. Eileen Brady's record is just as progressive as Sarah Palin's, too.

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                        Word of advice: this extreme language you're using is not only NOT helping your case, it's eroding whatever credibility you might ever hope to have.

                        Brady is less qualified to be mayor than Sarah Palin? C'mon...that's just ridiculous. And "NO record of ever having taken a progressive action in her life"...

                        In her ENTIRE LIFE?

                        Seriously. Just stop.

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                          Carla have you COMPLETELY missed what has happened in the state of Wisconsin for the last year? WI Democrats let a guy with almost no record named was into the Scott Carter sneak into the Governors Mansion. Carter threw his platform and his campaign promises in the trash milliseconds he was sworn in and banned collective bargaining for public employees.

                          I didn't create the tea party. I'm just stuck with the mess they made. Progressive voters now need to see a real track record for powerful political office.

                          The Koch brothers have handed some noboby a pile of money to run for office and privatize everything they could reach over and over again Progressive have got to stop being suckers. No more surprises like Scott Carter. Candidates will have to show a real public progressive track record

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                            Wait...so first Eileen Brady is worse than Sarah Palin. And now she's a potential Koch Brothers stooge?

                            Show me the record on Orestar where Brady is getting money from out-of-state rightwing nutjobs.

                            Btw..the guy in the Gov's mansion in Wisconsin is Scott WALKER, not Carter. You might want to actually brush up on your arguments before you post them.

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                              Show me some evidence Eileen Brady was doing SOMETHING... ANYTHING that Eileen Brady did in the last 10 years that shows she has can hold up as proof she should be taken seriously as a candidate for a chief executive position that makes life and death decisions.

                              As we saw at Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Oregon, Mayors in consultation with police make life and death decisions over protests and protesters. Over the homeless population. Over people whoe have lost their home in foreclosures. Whatever days there were that mayor could be considered an entry level position. Long gone with the Patriot Act. A mistake by an inexperienced mayor could cause the next Kent State.

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                          Also, don't talk to me about "eroding credibility" on a thread the Blue Oregon staff is celebrating Portland Business Alliance endorsement.

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                            BlueOregon has no staff. We're all just volunteers here.

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                              Blue Oregon is run by Mandate Media. Mandate Media hands Keri an others here at paycheck. People who get a paycheck from an entity aren't considered volunteers.

                              Now YOU can answer the question I asked you twice before and YOU refused to answer twice.

                              Tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

                              I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great.

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                                no one has posted more to BlueOregon than me other than Kari, and i've never gotten 1 red cent. i've also never once been directed to write on anything. (i often support candidates who are running against MM clients.) you know zero about BlueOregon, so you should give it a rest.

                                you might also want to make sure your tinfoil hat is securely seated.

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                                "Mandate Media hands Keri an others here at paycheck."

                                Nobody else here gets paid anything by Mandate Media. BlueOregon is "published" by Mandate Media only in a technical sense (we run the servers) and in a legal sense - BlueOregon's writers have the most flexibility and freedom if BlueOregon has a corporate parent (rather than a PAC or nonprofit parent.) That's a stupid quirk of the law, but there it is.

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                            LOL...are you incapable of actually having perspective and rational thought at all? Or are you saving that for elsewhere?

                            You're absolutely off the wall in this thread.

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            I need to correct my statement above.

            I've learned that Brady and Rohter have given up nearly all - but not all - of their ownership stake in New Seasons Market. They've retained a very small stake in the company, but have no longer have any operational role in the management of the company.

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              Kari... how about you tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

              I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great greatly. Someone like me who earned their Social Security Disability paying into the Social Security system for decades when I was diagnosed with HD is allowed to have $2000 in total assets.

              I have a feeling the only way one could compare Eileen Brady and Brian Rohter "very small stake in New Seasons" and someone like me is with scientific notation.

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          Adam:

          Do you just make this stuff up and expect no one to look? The New Seasons website doesn't seem to say anything about starting salaries, but it does highlight the really good statistics for benefits, profit sharing, etc. http://www.newseasonsmarket.com/work-with-us/work-welcome

          Fred Meyer doesn't show anything about starting salaries, although surveys I found by googling showed clerks starting at minimum wage -- are you suggesting that New Seasons pays less than minimum wage? Uh, no.

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          Here's an O story that says starting clerks at New Seasons make $10/hour ... and there's no way those same workers are starting as $12/hour at Fred Meyer.

          http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2011/07/new_seasons_market_screens_more_than_1000_applicants_at_beaverton_job_fair.html

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            Yup. It's my understanding that no one at New Seasons starts at less than $10/hour.

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            Look at this cool tool I found online to handle these disagreements... http://www.glassdoor.com/index.htm

            http://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/Fred-Meyer-Stores-Grocery-Clerk-Hourly-Pay-E14993_D_KO18,31.htm

            Range 9-19$/hr Avg $14.23/hr in Portland OR

            http://www.glassdoor.com/Hourly-Pay/Albertsons-Grocery-Cashier-Portland-Hourly-Pay-EJI_IE22.0,10_KO11,26_IL.27,35_IM700.htm

            Range $10-17hr Avg $13.58hr

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              Right. Fred Meyer. $9 bottom end.

              Hoisted. Petard.

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                Yeah. That's my post the $9 figure is in.

                Now Kari... how about YOU tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

                I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great greatly. Someone like me who earned their Social Security Disability paying into the Social Security system for decades when I was diagnosed with HD is allowed to have $2000 in total assets.

                I have a feeling the only way one could compare Eileen Brady and Brian Rohter "very small stake in New Seasons" and someone like me is with scientific notation.

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                  Adam, it actually shows that you're WRONG. New Seasons pays its employees better (not, as you asserted, $2/hr less), and has great benefits packages.

                  And while you clearly have a one-button issue, I think most progressives think that unions do a good job of raising the bar for both union members and non-union members, getting higher pay and benefits. But in this case, it's arguably New Seasons doing that -- creating a place for people to work that is BETTER than other places, union or non-union.

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                  Please stop copying and pasting your own comments over and over. That's not helpful or interesting. Everyone here knows how to scroll up and down.

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                    Then answer the question I asked you twice before and you refused to answer twice.

                    Tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

                    I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great greatly.

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      Obama talks like FDR, but acts like Reagan? Adam- seriously?

      The past three-plus years have shown that Obama is consistently in support of America's middle and working class- even the working poor. Let's do a quick review: his stimulus prevented a Great Depression; the auto bailout has resulted in manufacturers each gaining market share IN OVER TWENTY YEARS; health-care reform that has laid the groundwork to curb the worst abuses by the private insurance companies (this past month, the stipulation that 80% of each dollar collected by health insurance cos actually go towards providing health insurance- you really think that's not going to have any effect on the industry?). His recent speech in Kansas puts him squarely in league with the rhetoric of the Occupy movements in support of the 99%, as does the largest middle-class tax cut ever, which he signed into law. Last week, his Secretary of State gave a barn-burner of a speech pushing for global recognition of GLBT rights (in response to conservative efforts to pass laws providing the death penalty for homosexuals in other states), and the last of American troops are being pulled out of Iraw by the end of this month.

      "Acts like Reagan?" I'd really like to know more about the Bizarro World you are living on. Perhaps the main difference between Obama and Reagan is that Reagan increased taxes more than Obama has. (Primarily on workers & the poor, but still that's Reagan's legacy....)

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        Obama has killed American citizen without a trial. Obama is going to sign Patriot Act expansion the same week Obama declared mission accomplished in Iraq. Obama borrowed his health care plan from Bob Dole. Obama ordered DHS to shut down the occupy movement nationwide. Obama has passed Bush tax cut extensions.

        Obama is probably to the right of Reagan now. I'm being as fair as possible. Obama is not to the right of Cheney, but the only leaders to the right of Cheney ended up dictators before they were done. Franco in Spain. Pinochet in Chile.

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          Hey guys, let's stay on topic, please.

          This post is about the Portland mayor's race, not Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, the Patriot Act, or fascist dictators around the world.

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          Um, Adam:

          The Shocking Truth About the Factless Assertions that Obama Ordered DHS to Shut Down the Occupy Movement

          Did Bob Dole's health care plan include a stipulation that health insurance companies spend 80% of each dollar collected on health care? If Obama hadn't extended the Bush tax cuts, would there not have been an extension of unemployment and payroll tax for the 99% as well?

          "Obama is probably to the right of Reagan now."

          Really? You're really going to go there, huh? All I can say is... wow. Just, wow.

          Doesn't the nonstop whining of Jane Hamsher and the Very Important Misuse of Capitalization by Glenn Greenwald ever get old? When is too much emo-progness enough?

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            Kyle Curtis: "...Doesn't the nonstop whining of Jane Hamsher and the Very Important Misuse of Capitalization by Glenn Greenwald ever get old? When is too much emo-progness enough?"

            More like too much "Blame the messenger" Kyle.

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            Actually 80% is the floor. Health Care Reform requires that 85% of premiums collected be spent on large employer plans. Generally these are plans defined as having more than 100 employee member participants. The rebates/premium credits must begin no later than August 1, 2012.

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              Actually there has to be LAW ENFORCEMENT for laws the United States to actually matter. The Obama Justice Department only enforces the laws against pot smoking. Accountants will continue to count all those monstrous health insurance executive bonuses will continue to be part of that 80-85 that is considered cost of providing health care.... because nobody in the US Justice Dept. is going to check.

              The US is going to continue to pay double what Europe pays for health care.

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    Hales' small business credit program is more impressive than this endorsement. Getting the blessing of the insider political and business elite is not going to win this campaign.

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      You really think "let's do what North Dakota did" is impressive? It might be -- might be -- good policy (unless, of course, it means our municipal funds are uninsured), but saying "oh, I like what they did" is not really impressive.

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        Ryan didn't say it was "impressive" he said it was "more impressive" than a PBA endorsement.

        Just to be clear, Hales and his campaign have met with lots of people on this issue, including business owners who want capital and community banks. They're not just pulling it out of thin air.

        And to commit to making something work that failed at the state level shows leadership. You don't have to reinvent the wheel to have value. Getting it built is important.

        That said, I'm not sure how this interfaces with the Wheeler efforts. Maybe the Hales campaign would know.

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      Hales' program is nothing more than the "state bank" as Ted Wheeler is trying to implement it in the face of Bruce Hanna's opposition. it's a good idea - at the state level. let's work on making that happen.

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      One last thought - the PBA endorsed our current mayor as well (in a joint endorsement of Dozono and Adams), a mayor backed by the progressive community.

      So by the logic that the PBA endorsement is indicative of some meta-story, the current mayor had already burst the economy or progressive values myth, and it's simply a straw man.

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      Actually, I thought I synthesized several items and added some of my own thoughts about context. You're welcome to be dismissive, of course, as is your wont.

      At least I'm not relying entirely on just copying and pasting press releases.

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        Kari, that's not completely accurate.

        I excerpted what I thought were the most relevant parts of the press release, and added in the fact that North Dakota and Portland have roughly the same population, and the context that the legislature considered the state bank issue last session, and linked to the state bank advocates' web site.

        As it's not an issue I know much about, I didn't feel like I could knowledgeably talk a lot more about it.

        But I thought it was an interesting issue and wanted people to talk about it. Water cooler and all that.

        I haven't made an endorsement in this race.

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    Eileen Brady has big, inclusive ideas to improve Portland. Her outreach, current and new connections are relatively free from the inside baseball played in city politics. She ticks a great many boxes for voters.

    I suspect more endorsements are on the way for Eileen Brady.

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      So did Obama... we all found out what great speeches are worth, huh?

      I want to see a progressive track record. The only thing Brady has actually done is keep unions out of her business.

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      the PBA isn't the CoC. it's actually pretty meaningful given how desperately many in the PBA seemed to be begging Reese to run.

      and her support for the CRC is for a "right-sized" bridge, for something much smaller than what's been proposed to date. i think the Common Sense Alternative is a better way to go myself, but we're 13 months away from any of the 3 having a say on the matter. in the meantime, Eileen's focus is on growing small- and medium-sized businesses by getting rid of road blocks at the city, by partnering with the private sector, by bringing the education community into the picture -- and by listening to the needs of those in the area trying to start & grow businesses. hence the endorsement not only of the PBA but of some key tech/startup community leaders today.

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        Yeah. I'm not buying it.

        Again..I'm in the cheap seats out here where I don't get to vote in this race, so my opinion is based on that POV. But based on what I've seen over the years, the PBA is the rough equivalent of the Chamber of Commerce.

        It's a nice opening to raise a bunch of cash, to be sure. But the optics aren't fantastic.

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          Spencer, i don't agree with Eileen on the CRC, but that's fine; i don't work for the campaign because i toe the line on every issue.

          one thing to remember: Charlie & Jefferson have years of political & oratorial experience. Jefferson is one of the most gifted public speakers in the state. both are comfortable in the public arena because they've been doing this for so long.

          Eileen now has about a year of it under her belt. she's getting a lot better, but what has made her the front-runner isn't that she's improving as a political speaker: it's her years of working directly with people in Portland & around the state. when you watch her one-on-one or with small groups of people, you see a person who listens, who is empathic, and who wants to connect with the other person. people know this about her, and they know she'll be that kind of mayor.

          if you want to test this for yourself, call the campaign HQ (503.432.6172) and arrange a "Brews with Brady" in your neighborhood (coffee during the day, beer in the evening). invite folks from around your nhood, or with an issue they're working on, to meet with her & hear directly what she thinks, what her policy goals are -- and give her a chance to hear directly from you. do this & you'll realize that while being great a political rhetoric is a highly useful skill (and, at times, something the community needs), it's not necessary for being an effective mayor.

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            T.A.,

            I don't think the comparison I'm making is between good oratory and bad oratory. It's more about whether the person doing the public speaking seems like the same person they might be in private, and how that speaks to the basic honesty that is consistency of character.

            In the course of following the CRC and watching the live feeds from the Statehouse, I'd see Smith - in an almost empty chamber with no audience to address - chairing a committee and mixing it up with his fellow council members. The smart, funny, wonky guy I saw in those internal meetings is the same exact guy I've seen anywhere else I've seen him talk.

            That consistency seems like it has less to do with employing good oratorical technique, and more to do with a willingness to just be oneself when speaking publicly.

            In response to the AFL/CIO question about the CRC, Smith basically said: "I know what I'm supposed to say." Then he proceeded to say what he didn't think they'd want to hear. And in response, he got the biggest round of applause by far.

            If he had tried to tell them what they wanted to hear, I bet it would have fallen flat; I'm guessing his attempt at such a statement would lack the same oomf for lack of his really believing in it.

            That consistency of Smith's persona (and the consistency of his views) no matter the audience he's addressing I perceive as a very granular form of honesty.

            With Brady, I'm sure she's great in person and in the small groups you describe, but I'm not seeing it come across in her public speaking so far. What I'm detecting instead is something more like the employing of oratorical techniques. And except for the CRC boosterism, I really like much of what she has to say.

            It sort of reminds me the issue I had with Al Gore when he was campaigning. For all I agreed with his positions, I just couldn't get into the persona he presented onstage. Then I saw the video Spike Jonze made of hanging out with Gore (I think it was to explore doing campaign media for him):

            http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-29385328971143264

            Now that Gore I liked, and found way more trustworthy than campaign-mode Gore. I think of campaign-Gore as having been a good orator, but having seen that Jonze video I realize campaign-Gore was a false persona. I think I picked up on that, and objected to it.

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              having a consistent persona doesn't mean you have the experience or chops to run the 24th largest city in America. "consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds" you know (and Jefferson's mind is far from small).

              Spencer, until you've either gone one-on-one with Eileen, or attended a small meeting that isn't a "political" event (debate etc), you don't have any idea. for example, tonight at Reed College, she gave an answer on the CRC that had more detail & substance than any i've heard yet, including familiarity with the CSA & the issues regarding moving congestion downstream. find a way to get to a small event where she has time to actually talk with you at some length. you'll find a person who is prepared & experienced to be our next mayor.

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          Spencer, I encourage you to read Eileen Brady's full statement on the Columbia River Crossing.

          And please note the difference between "we need to build this bridge" and "we need to build this project".

          As you know, the bridge is a small part of the overall CRC project, as proposed.

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            Kari,

            I did go read her statement on the CRC. That's why I said, "Though I do see her more nuanced position is made available on her site and elsewhere."

            And you're right, I do know the bridge is only a small part of the overall CRC, and I emphasize that point whenever I can.

            But I do so because the CRC is so commonly referred to as a "bridge." Which is how I think Brady was using the term in front of the AFL/CIO members.

            It seems like if she had wanted to say instead, "We need to build this bridge you guys! But not the roughly two-thirds of the project devoted to freeway interchanges!", she would have done just that.

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        T.A., here's what it says on the PBA's website on the page, Portland Business Alliance Facts:

        What is the Portland Business Alliance?

        Greater Portland's Chamber of Commerce.

        So I don't know where you get the idea that they are not the Chamber of Commerce. It took on the name "Portland Business Alliance" after a merger of the Chamber of Commerce and the Association for Portland Progress. If you use Google to search for Portland Business Alliance, the link text of the top result is "Portland Business Alliance, Greater Portland's Chamber of Commerce." That sounds like more than a rough equivalent.

        Just sayin'.

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          And while we're on the topic, let's remind ourselves that local Chambers of Commerce have no relationship to the US Chamber of Commerce. The locals are basically Main Street boosters, while the national group is a Wall Street booster.

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    After reading the headline, my initial thought was whether this endorsement by the PBA would help Brady, or hurt her. After reading the story and the comments here, I'm still not sure.

    But I do know that the PBA doesn't have a strong track record of having the candidates they endorse win elections. (The joint endorsement of Adams-Dozono not withstanding, which basically was a non-endorsement spurred by the polls showing that Adams was going to trounce Dozono.) I wonder if Hales & Smith both wiped their collective brows after muttering "Please don't pick me, please don't pick me..." under their breath.

    This endorsement might be put right next to the endorsement provided by Tom Potter to be met with a healthy dose of skepticism by Portland voters. If/ when Earl, Jeff Cogen, Bob Stacey, and even Sam Adams provide endorsements, I think those will carry more weight.

    Kari, how about a poll allowing BO readers to weigh in. Will the endorsement by the PBA help/ hurt the Brady campaign?

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      I wonder if Hales & Smith both wiped their collective brows after muttering "Please don't pick me, please don't pick me..." under their breath.

      FYI, both Hales and Smith competed quite vigorously for the Portland Business Alliance endorsement.

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          Yeah, I really don't see Jeff "competing vigorously" for an endorsement we all know marks you as less than progressive. And I wonder where Kari would even get that information, or what he refers to to as "quite vigorous." The smart Portland candidate hopes they don't get it.

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            Well then, of course the other candidates would come right out and say that they didn't compete for the endorsement, right?

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          so he mailed it in? didn't give it his best shot? didn't try his hardest to convince a group he knew probably didn't agree with him about his views? are you saying that as mayor, he'll give less than his all in front of groups opposed to him?

          one reason i admire Jefferson so much is his hell-bent-for-leather approach to everything, from fixing our state to winning a game of Wii boxing. don't try to sell him sort on this.

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      Hey Mike, regarding the OR-1 race:

      The PBA endorsed Rob Cornilles in the GOP primary (as your link clearly indicates), October 12:

      The Portland Business Alliance board of directors today announced its endorsement of Rob Cornilles in the Republican primary election for the First Congressional District seat. The board did not make an endorsement in the Democratic primary.

      They have declined to endorse either Cornilles or Bonamici, per the Portland Business Journal, December 13:

      The board also didn’t take a stance the First Congressional District general election between Republican Rob Cornilles and Democrat Suzanne Bonamici, who are vying to replace Democrat David Wu, who recently resigned.

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          Like I said, I think we're looking at the beginning of a rapprochement. They're certainly not a progressive group - and probably won't ever be - but between this one and the OR-1 non-endorsement, I think we're seeing a recognition that they need to make peace and find common ground with progressives - especially when you've got a candidate that so clearly bridges both worlds.

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    Why has no one mentioned the fact that PBA also endorsed Ginny Burdick -- not someone you can really accuse of being anything other than progressive.

    And while I think there are a number of reasons to oppose things that PBA has done, one of its most important contributions (IMHO) is the Clean & Safe program, which both benefits downtown, and benefits the Clean & Safe employees, many of whom are in recovery and working hard to get their lives back on track.

    http://www.portlandalliance.com/downtown_services/clean-and-safe-services.html

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    PBA didn't have to endorse anyone. they chose not to endorse the person who would seem most obvious with Reese out, and that's Hales. Eileen's made no secret that she intends to purse an economic course that incorporates Pdx's progressive values. that's not exactly PBA doctrine. perhaps they're finally wising up to the fact that in Pdx, Eileen speaks for the majority of citizens & their historic antagonistic approach, detailed somewhere above, is the losing game. if so, this is not only a big win for Brady, but for Pdx.

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      and i totally forgot to note previously: i work part-time for the Brady campaign. as does Kari, i speak only for myself.

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        After this thread, I deleted the bookmark Blue Oregon had, too.

        Blue Oregon celebrating a Portland Business Alliance endorsement?

        Blue Oregon has completely sold their soul to the highest bidder.

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          I wouldn't say that, but it's useful to keep in mind that if Mandate Media is working for Candidate X, so is Blue O.

          Period.

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            Uh...I don't work for any candidates and I don't work for Blue Oregon. I write what I want the way I want it. Without influence from Kari or anybody he works for.

            Period.

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            like when they worked for Merkley & i supported Novick?

            it's bullpucky, Steph. Kari id's his every post for clients, and the rest of us do as we damn well please.

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            Stephanie, my offer still stands. You want to be a BlueOregon contributor?

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          Two things:

          1) BlueOregon is not Kari Chisholm, and Kari Chisholm is not BlueOregon. We have roughly 50 contributors here (some of which don't contribute very often, to my chagrin) - and I have no idea where 45+ of them are on this race.

          2) There's been lots of pro-Hales and pro-Smith coverage on BlueOregon.

          I took a lot of flak for what some perceived as a pro-Avakian slant here at BlueOregon during the primary race. The main reason? Because Team Bonamici didn't bother to reach out to BlueOregon bloggers (as far as I know), so they didn't get any coverage.

          By contrast, Team Hales and Team Smith are doing a great job talking to BlueOregon contributors and are reaping the benefits.

          It's not about me. It's about whether and how campaigns are reaching out to the many other editors and contributors that have the keys here at BlueOregon.

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            The person who wrote the most about that race is me. If people are unhappy about Bonamici's write ups..they can direct it at me.

            I wrote what exactly what I think and I stand by every word. So those directing complaints about that stuff to Kari...send them to me.

            This has been a public service announcement.

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            Keri, If you've got this time to go as far as you have on this thread to point all the errors of a guy who had already posted he was disabled... to try to make a disabled guy with Huntington's Disease on short term memory errors...

            Keri... after going so far try to make me look bad, if you think your going to THEN dodge the question I asked you before and YOU refused to answer twice.

            Tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

            I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great greatly.

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            Keri, if you've got all this time for lengthy defenses after you go as far as you have on this thread to point all the errors of a guy who had already posted he was disabled... to try to make a disabled guy with Huntington's Disease on short term memory errors look bad.

            Keri... after going so far try to make me look bad, if you think your going to THEN dodge the question I asked you before and YOU refused to answer THREE times now.

            Tell us what the EXACT PERCENTAGE of New Seasons Market stock Eileen Brady and her husband own. NUMBERS not adjectives.

            I suspect the way we each define "a very small stake" in the New Seasons Chain varies great greatly.

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            the Bonamici campaign refused to let me interview her even though i supported her. not fans of her main staff.

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      Uh...the person here who's been writing the most about the mayor's race is Evan Manvel.

      And it's not like the Jefferson Smith folks haven't been working the "like" and commenting systems here at this blog.

      I'm pretty sure a good percentage of the 14 likes on my comment upthread criticizing this endorsement was done by some Smith supporters.

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      Jefferson was endorsed by the Rs in 2008 wasn't he?

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      I think the PBA endorsement has shifted me from favoring Brady to neutral or voting for a minor candidate in the first round.

      Certainly, the PBA and Portlandia Progressives' interests can coincide with projects that benefit bigger business and the Portlandia Progressive - streetcars benefit people very close-in and businesses in the high-rent areas; the increase in property values exclude the riffraff from North Portland and the outer East Side.

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      Thank you for the link to site, which includes the candidates' statements. I think it's fair to say that no reasonable person could read ANY of those answers and conclude that one candidate is more progressive than the other. At most, you could conclude that Charlie Hales didn't give much by way of an explanation.

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      so again, a body of citizens not supportive of Jefferson's politics (as they see it) so he doesn't give them a vigorous effort? knowing they are influential, involved, active citizens? just goes thru the motion?

      that's what you're trying to sell, Stacey? Jefferson's only going to give an effort for those who agree with him?

      (disclaimer: work part-time for Eileen, still love the Bus with all my heart, & i think Jefferson is better than some of his supporters are representing him)

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        Whoops, that should have been:

        "Considering some of the questions on the questionnaire"

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          either Jefferson made a responsible effort before a group of involved Pdx citizens who disagree with him or he decided they're not worth the trouble. "PBA? Don't like 'em. Not gonna bother with them."

          really? that bodes well for a collaborative mayorship.

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            T.a.,

            Oh, that's easy, he chose your first option and, "made a responsible effort before a group of involved Pdx citizens who disagree with him." You can see for yourself on the questionnaire that he responded to the PBA's questions in a way that describes his positions accurately and thoroughly. But he did so apparently knowing this would probably lose their endorsement.

            To win their endorsement would have required disguising his positions, and that's something he didn't seem to think was worth doing.

            If Brady wants to benefit from the credibility that comes with taking the reasonable position that the CRC needs to be seriously slimmed down, she needs to revisit the PBA questionnaire, revist the question asking if the candidate supports the CRC, "as proposed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement," and change her answer to: "No." Because the EIS version of the CRC is a very specific version of the CRC, and it's anything but slim.

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      And you can join the well over 200 people you can ask about Eileen at http://www.eileenformayor.com/supporters/, including 19 of Portland's most progressive, current and former elected officials - some supported by the PBA, some opposed by the PBA.

      And for what it's worth - I "heard" something very different. I "heard" that all three candidates gave a very agressive pitch for the PBA endorsement.

      Disclosure - I'm Eileen Brady's Campaign Director!

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      That's an interesting (far-fetched) position, Chuck, because I don't think you would find someone as committed to Portland's now-eliminated publicly funded elections as Eileen Brady. I was one of the research advisors for the City Club committee that studied the ballot measure, and I don't remember Jefferson Smith's name coming up one way or the other.

      Or to put it more simply, it looks to me like PBA has endorsed a candidate who took a position that was categorically opposed to PBA's position. As someone who is supposedly in the know, I think it's pretty disingenuous of you to make this false causal leap.

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          And Brian Rohter (Eileen Brady's husband) was the chair of the campaign to save it. I've personally heard Eileen talk about how she wishes it had survived.

          And that's why she's committed to breaking Tom Potter's record on the most donors in a mayor's race (roughly 1300). So far, she's got the most donors (and, as best as anyone can tell from public data) the lowest average donation.

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            I'm not clear how you're doing the math on the lowest average donation, unless you're using the median or the mode instead of the mean.

            Most people when they think average think mean, and finding the median or mode requires disclosure beyond what I think our laws require.

            I'm presuming you mean mean!

            Back of the envelope, using Jaquiss money numbers from ten days ago and your number of donors above, Brady had raised $359k/1300 donors = $259 average donation for Brady (presuming the donors over the last ten days gave pennies). Smith is reporting on Facebook having raised $150,000/804 donors = $187 average. I'm not sure how many donors Hales has raised his $223,000 (per Jaquiss) from.

            Can you clarify? Are you using some different data sets?

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              I stand corrected. The back of my envelope had dated info.

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              For what it's worth, I think the Elections Division ought to make one small change to the C&E reporting requirements.

              Rather than listing "Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under" with a combined total, I'd like to see those entries include the number of contributions.

              Something like "42 Miscellaneous Cash Contributions $100 and under".

              That way, the number of donors (and the average donation size) would be public record, rather than speculative.

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          Long time supporter doesn't begin to cover it. I know Jeff raised 50 thousand for the pro-finance team. I know he spoke at multiple events on its behalf. I know he personally canvassed for it on Bus "rides."

          It's weird to me that the Brady campaign continues to explain to people here, what Jefferson stands for or doesn't, how much work he's put into issues or hasn't, and how vigorously he's fought for things. Not based on speeches or appearances, but the ubiquitous "I heard that..." For me, I know I don't have to compare what he says to one group vs another vs what he writes; it's going to be pretty much the same--even if it might not go over great with everyone.

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        Everything in this town doesn't go through the City Club.

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          Then make a suggestion; my guess is they'd study it (albeit with limited resources, it's hard to study everything). And I suppose it's not always "right." But it's thoughtful, detailed, and typically comprehensive research on a host of topics, including voter-owned elections, which we endorsed (contrary to the voters of Portland).

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        Hi Jonathan, Thanks for advising on a great City Club report on public financing. FYI--Jefferson was a big supporter. He was a fundraiser for the campaign and spoke publicly at numerous campaign events including the kick-off with several hundred people. Eileen and Brian Rohter were awesome supporters as well. But just wanted to make sure you knew that Jefferson was a big help in the campaign.

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      And given that PBA, is the supporter of the Clean and Safe program, how can you honestly say that PBA opposes solutions to end homelessness? It's fair to say that PBA has taken positions that can be deemed more conservative (for Portland). But to say that a PBA endorsement for Ms. Brady means she's not progressive? That's demonstrably not true.

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      I thought Portland was "weird?" Now you called it "special." Is it "weird" or "special?" Or maybe especially weird. I don't know. Now I'm confused.

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      Ron, i'm not asking people to read what's on the website. i'm inviting them to organize a meeting in their community & invite Eileen. she goes to these daily, usually 2 or 3. i attended one last night (in my neighborhood) for the first time & i heard more detail about the CRC from her than i've heard or read elsewhere.

      anyone who relies on printed or reported media (including websites) for their info in a LOCAL election is being irresponsible. all 3 candidates are available in so many different ways to speak to directly. if you make up your mind about a candidate & you're never actually spoken to them (and you then go online & chant your declaration), you've fallen short of what i think your responsibility is. organize a local event for mayoral candidates. i know Eileen will come & meet with citizens in the neighborhood (she's going all of Pdx's neighborhoods). i'm sure the others will find time for you, too.

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    Kari, a "rapprochement"?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk

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      Yes.

      Rapprochement, noun. An establishment or reestablishment of harmonious relations: a rapprochement reached between warring factions.

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    I, too, fault the PBA for misplaced priorities and a failure to lead Portland's business community towards a prosperous future. In addition to wanting to squander public resources on the CRC, the PBA is failing, in an era of rapidly growing economies abroad, to advocate for stronger foreign language programs in Portland. With strong support from their business community, Utah is rolling out more and more foreign language immersion programs in its public schools (here). We do not have such business leadership here. Last night, on a close 4-3 vote, the Portland Public Schools Board approved the Le Monde French Charter School, expanding public immersion programs to include French in Portland (here). The PBA was not there in support. Neither was Brady, Hales nor Smith. Yet, this is Portland's best economic future (if it chooses to go for it).

    I don't care who the PBA endorses.

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      Ron, i don't do policy. i didn't write a word of her site. i'm pretty much in Spencer's camp on the CRC. but Eileen is not where a lot of Jefferson Smith supporters are trying to place her. the dishonesty of how she's being represented is getting out-of-hand. the desire to score points, not to mention make the PBA endorsement seem like a kiss of death, is pathetic.

      as is the idea that Jefferson wouldn't try his best even with a group like the PBA. when does Jefferson give a civic group a half-ass attempt?

      but kudos to his followers for knowing where the like button is on this thread.

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    Fact is, Ms. Brady's reformist policies are going to be mere rhetoric unless the city and state (and the federales) come up with some big money soon.

    Which isn't going to happen. So rather than focusing on specific policies in casting a vote, I plan to vote my class.

    Ms. Brady is a mid-size capitalist by background. Her attitudes will reflect that class.

    I'm a pensioner after having been laid off during the recent collapse of capitalist finance.

    So in terms of class interest, Ms. Brady and I have very little in common, and the PBA even less so.

    (I realize that "class" is a dirty word for a lot of people, but it's a cracker-jack tool for analyzing one's interests.)

    Simple.

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    TA: I think this is a thread that is built out of a PBA endorsement of Eileen Brady for Mayor, on a site where the moderator is working for Eileen. It is a thread that those of us who have been opposing the CRC (unsuccessfully, so far) for three years or longer, including half a dozen hearings before the City Planning Commission and City Council, rightfully take personally.

    I don't like the PBA's number one priority, which for the past three years, has been the CRC, just as I didn't like their pushing through the ballot measure on public financing, nor their position on Measures 66-67.

    Watching Portland politics closely over six decades now (1969-2011)leaves me feeling that we used to have a business community led by people who had public service and the public interest in their minds. We had this in the 1970s -- John Gray, Don Frisbee, Bill Wessinger, Lew Perry, Monford Orloff,Ray Kell, Vic Rosenfeld,Ken Lewis, Arlene & Harold Schniter, Dennis Lindsay, Gerry Frank and, yes, Glenn Jackson. I would like to think that Eileen and her husband Brian Roeter are of that ilk, and are not simply trying to pad their own pockets.

    I am disappointed, however, in Eileen correctly saying the CRC is "bloated" on her website, which it clearly is, but saying to the PBA and AFL-CIO that she supports it and would build it.

    C'mon, I'm not the one who is selling the PBA endorsement as "rapproachment" with our business community in Portland. I understand the difference between rapproachment and surrender.

    If you think this is just making points, I am sorry for your perspective. Mine is quite a bit different. I don't think politics is a game in which you score points on message boards and by counting "likes" on Facebook. It's not a game where you should win by blurring the lines, or by lining up the endorsements by the special interest lobbies, whether the business community or the public employee unions, both of which have very real interests in City Hall.

    I think we're playing for real, and watching City Hall closely for the last 42 years convinces me that every Portlander who wants to paint themselves as coming from the grass roots and being progressive is not always as they would seem to be. I think Sam Adams and his pushing through of the bloated CRC and its false benefits while claiming to be a big supporter of sustainability, clean air, fiscal accountability and fighting climate change, provides a perfect example.

    People need to pay attention if they want real change. If you think I'm just saying that for the purpose of "scoring points" in a Mayor's race with three good candidates, you're sadly mistaken.

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