Senator Al Franken? Governor John Cougar Mellencamp? Who's Next?
Kari Chisholm
The Republicans have movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) installed in the governor's mansion in California.
Comedian and radio host Al Franken (D) recently moved back to Minnesota -- with the intention of running for the US Senate.
Now, there's news that 80s rocker John Cougar Mellencamp (D) is being touted as a candidate for Governor of Indiana.
And don't forget last year's little boomlet about Bruce Springsteen (D) being considered for an appointment to New Jersey's US Senate seat.
So, here's my question of the day: Is there an Oregon celebrity that could make a fast run for higher office? Someone passionate about politics, with good name ID, access to cash, and enough glitz and glam to cause a national stir?
Names on my list...
Art Alexakis, the rocker from Everclear, who has headlined Get Out the Vote drives, befriended Senator Ron Wyden, and attended the 2004 DNC as an Oregon delegate. Heck, Art's even got his own hater page at BoycottLiberalism.com.
Thomas Lauderdale, the band leader of Pink Martini -- the former intern for Mayor Bud Clark, whose band got their start playing fundraisers for local nonprofits. There was even a brief rumor that he was seriously considering a run for Mayor in 2004.
Stone Gossard, the lead guitarist for mega-rockers Pearl Jam, was the single largest donor ($200,000) to the measure to restrict logging in the Tillamook Forest.
Are there others?
(And yes, I'm aware these are all men. Help me out here.)
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Apr 25, '06
No, no, no, Kari. All the people you mention are niche celebrities with limited name recognition. One needs mass appeal to cash in at the ballot box [sic]. How about:
Tom Peterson - "If you don't vote for me, I can't save you any money."
Tonya Harding - The other candidates will drop out in response to her hat thrown into the ring.
Phil Knight - The world as a big shoe store.
Any of the glory days Blazers who maintain homes in Oregon - Tall is good in politics, and they can self-fund.
9:50 a.m.
Apr 25, '06
Ah yes... Once Terry Porter rescues the Blazers, we can run him for Governor. 2010 here we come!
10:22 a.m.
Apr 25, '06
I think Ma Boyles could make a strong run. I don't know if I'd agree with her message, but she'd be an interesting candidate.
10:30 a.m.
Apr 25, '06
That would be Gert Boyle, Columbia Sportswear -- no connection to another similarly named candidate for Portland City Council.
10:35 a.m.
Apr 25, '06
Hmmm...I think we should consider sending Tonya Harding to Washington DC. Maybe she could be the new Press Secretary. She's got lots of experience dealing with the press...and who's gonna have the guts to give her any crap?
Plus we'd be rid of her. LOL
Apr 25, '06
Doesn't Danny Glover live in the Portland metro area?
And don't forget the glorious Bruce Campbell of "Evil Dead" geek fame lives in Jackson County and works to protect wetlands. "Hail to the 'Gov, baby!"
11:10 a.m.
Apr 25, '06
I think Danny Glover recently sold his home and moved out of town. Not 100% sure though...
Apr 25, '06
Art Alexakis as a candidate? Are you on as many drugs as he's been? This guy squandred whatever he made from those multiple multi-platinum albums and had to declare bankruptcy. Yeah, let's put him in charge of public dollars....makes as much sense as letting Mannix be Governor...
12:14 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
Kari, Clara Padilla who runs the El Hispanic news may be a good option for you. She is from my great state of New Mexico (the 505) and was the first female Secretary of State. She has been followed by a great number of qualified women there in Santa Fe. She's not famous in the rock star sort of way, but someone who we could get behind. And she's probably friends with your favorite and mine, Bill Richardson.
Apr 25, '06
Nice call on the Alexakis endorsement, Kari. I guess it's okay to be a tax cheat, just as long as you're a good liberal.
Apr 25, '06
What about Monica Lewinsky? She has experience in the Oval Office at least, not sure about the Legislature. Think of the possible campaign slogans!
Seriously, though. Gus Van Sant has a residence and connections here in Oregon. If he loses (or maybe even if he wins) we'd be seeing an interesting film come out of the whole ordeal.
1:12 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
How about Anthony Swofford, Jarhead author, and potential Fighting Dem?
Apr 25, '06
What about the backup NBC host of Today? Ann Curry, she is from Medford. Huge name recognition, lots of appeal, and its certainly has to be a better idea than Tonya.
Apr 25, '06
Kirstie Alley is from Medford or Ashland I think.
James Garner is from Bend I think.
1:47 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
I believe I'll reveal more about myself with this next comment, but what the hay. The most famous, unlikely, but perhaps capable Oregonian: Ursula Le Guin.
Or maybe Matt Groening.
2:45 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
chokes Matt Groening
3:33 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
We seem to be getting a lot of mentions of people are from Oregon, but haven't lived here in years....
3:35 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
How about a LeGuin/Shatner ticket. Bill used to have a place in Tumalo back in the day.........
Even if they lose, we might finally get a decent film of "The Lathe of Heaven" made.........finally.....
Apr 25, '06
Actually, Ann Curry is from Ashland, a 1974 Ashland High graduate.
I nominate the Bionic Woman, Lindsay Wagner, from Portland.
Apr 25, '06
I nominate Oregon's Poet Laureate - Lawson Fusao Inada!
Apr 25, '06
Nah, you're all wrong... It's Carrie Brownstein, for City Council, or maybe Mayor.
Carrie in 2012!!
-John
Apr 25, '06
How about one of the McMenamins? Or Kurt/Rob Widmer?
Or Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club and local Portland resident?
I do like the Gus Van Sant suggestion, though my experience with him is that he likes to avoid the spotlight and remain mostly behind the camera. How would he manage as a politician with that predisposition?
I think the rather blatant point of all this is that Oregon is NOT California, it does NOT contain Hollywood, and therefore it is NOT the home to many worldwide media darlings.
Unless Phil Knight decided to make a run for office... but, my gut feeling is that he's more of a Republican. Anybody have any information to prove otherwise?
On the flip side, somebody doesn't need to have worldwide media exposure to win in Oregon -- just statewide. So, most of the names suggested here will at least pass that sniff-test!!
Finally-- I don't know his politics, but I wouldn't mind seeing a Terry Porter run at some office. But does he even still live here?
6:05 p.m.
Apr 25, '06
We seem to be getting a lot of mentions of people are from Oregon, but haven't lived here in years....
Hey, you're the one who suggested Terry. And Ursula lives in Portland.
I do like the idea of a brewer. The McBrothers are likely Republican--in 97, Brian made a couple of donations to GOP candidates--so they're out. How about John Harris (far right in the photo) of Full Sail? He was a main instigator in getting FS to be worker-owned. Plus, he has a Bud Clark-like beard.
Apr 26, '06
Like someone else mentioned, this discussion has just made me realize how low the number of famous people is in Oregon. We are one little big state.
I think Linus Torvalds would be a good candidate. Though I don't know of his citizenship status.
Apr 26, '06
Author Barry Lopez would be good. Or how about the legendary guitarist for Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band -- Zoot Horn Rollo (Bill Harkleroad). He ranked #62 in Rolling Stone's list of the greatest guitar players of all time. I think he lives in Eugene. He would get the hip ageing boomer vote.
8:10 a.m.
Apr 26, '06
yea, Jeff Alworth, you reveal a lot about yourself, and it's good. Ursula is one of the best writers in the world, and she just gets better. she's far too bright to sink into politics, although anyone who has read her over the years could learn a lot about progressive politics. she's a great humanist who understands the positive role of spirituality in life and the way technology can serve the humane.
and let's not forget that William Stafford once held the position that became Poet Laureate of the United States. he was imprisoned as a C.O. during world war 2, a moral standard we see little of these days.
8:14 a.m.
Apr 26, '06
i'm not sure what point there is in personal attacks on Art Alexakis. i haven't read that he is putting himself out as a superior citizen with god-blessed morals, able to do whatever he wants because Jesus will let him off the hook. in fact, he's been transparent about his life through his music and in interviews. if he's wrong for office, it's not because he's got skeletons in the closest, that's for damn sure. he's already let the world know just how very human he is, one of his great strengths as an artist.
i'm thinking Former Salem Staffer (hiding much more than Art ever has) just ain't very rock n rollo.
8:18 a.m.
Apr 26, '06
Right on, T.A. Art's definitely been very upfront with his past life of addictions -- certainly more so than our president. As for his checkered history of voting? Well, that troubles me more than the heroin.
9:36 a.m.
Apr 26, '06
Rock stars make great activists. Governors? Sample size is too small to judge...
Apr 26, '06
T.A.-
Truth be told, I've actually been to an Everclear concert or two. I was just saying that Art wouldn't be that great of a candidate. "Ain't very rock n rollo?" Please. I've probably been in more bands than Art, and have forgotten more about punk rock than most professed punkers have ever known.
Apr 26, '06
Trumpeter Chris Botti is the biggest selling jazz artist in the US these days, and just finished a few nights with the Oregon Symphony here. I believe he hails from Corvallis originally; probably could be convinced to return (if he doesn't keep a second home here already). Not sure of his politics but he's considered a "heart-throb" (think Chet Baker for the new millenium) by women and men of a particular persuasion also.
Apr 26, '06
Duh! Rowdy Rodder Piper. Although I admit I haven't a clue about his politics--probably akin to Ted Nugent. Ouch.
Too bad Danny Glover may have moved away, he's a natural. And doesn't Mr. T live around these parts?
The McMenamin brothers Republican? Uh, no. Definetely not. Brian did give money to a GOP candidate some years ago, but that was to one of his best friends from college who became political later in life. Mostly they are bored with politics unless is is local--or fun. I think Mike played a role in Bud Clark's candidacy, for instance.
Apr 26, '06
Chris Botti was a boy toy for Katie Curric for a while last year, so maybe he does have some progressive politics in him. But he is far too talented to stoop to politics, let alone Oregon politics. He is not a washed up Al Franken, but a successful musician at the top of his game right now. Plus, I don't think he would be very interested.
Apr 26, '06
I'd much rather see Sam Coomes of Quasi elected than Art Alexakis of Everclear.
Or Pete Krebs, formerly of Hazel, now indie folk-rocker-guy.
Or Janet Weiss, drummer for Sleater-Kinney!! (also, however, Sam's ex<?>-wife)
I think that Art might be seen as unelectable by many involved in Oregon's music scene, for a number of reasons... many of them more personal than political.
Apr 26, '06
After having spent as many hours as I have inside McMenamins pubs... it's quite hard to imagine those guys being very conservative. Unless there is a branch of the conservative movement that was heavily influenced by the Grateful Dead...?
Bud Clark, however, did start off as a Republican before dropping his party affiliation prior to becoming mayor.
cheers, ~Garlynn
2:48 p.m.
Apr 26, '06
Rowdy Roddy is, I believe, a flaming Librul.
If you haven't caught his bestest "B" movie, "They Live" which is an entertaining send up of subliminal messaging, mind control, and consumerism...........well, you've just been missing out on the good stuff.
Apr 26, '06
Thom Hartmann
Apr 27, '06
Daria O'Neill - I wonder if anyone else on the City Council or in the Legislature could get a word in edgewise...
Paul Allen would be a good replacement for Gordon Smith as a Republican Senator. Knows how to run a business as well as the Republicans, and knows how to get results in a sports season as well as Rummy knows how to run a war.
<h2>Wm. Stephen Humphrey. 'Nuff said.</h2>