He goes right. He goes left. Can he score?
Kari Chisholm
The question of the primary election was: Just how far will Ron Saxton have to tack to the right to win the GOP nomination? (Answer: pretty damn far.)
And the question of the general election will be: Can Ron Saxton hustle back to the middle - and make it believable to voters?
Well, the great Reshaping of Ron is underway. Check out the "issues" page on VoteSaxton.com.
There's just one short statement there:
The Issues - This Section is Being Updated
You're damn right it is. Ron Saxton is pedaling back to the middle just as fast as he can. Gotta get those poll results back and then he'll know what to put on that page.
Meanwhile, if you want to know what he told Republican primary voters, just jump into the Google cache: It's all still there. (For now.)
More Recent Posts | |
Albert Kaufman |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
Kari Chisholm |
Final pre-census estimate: Oregon's getting a sixth congressional seat |
Albert Kaufman |
Polluted by Money - How corporate cash corrupted one of the greenest states in America |
Guest Column |
|
Albert Kaufman |
Our Democrat Representatives in Action - What's on your wish list? |
Kari Chisholm |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
connect with blueoregon
1:08 a.m.
May 23, '06
Thanks for the heads up, Kari. Needless to say, the page is now saved on my computer. I'm sure it'll come in handy at some point.
May 23, '06
compare. contrast. compare. contrast.
let's see if the media covers the way the ball bounces
May 23, '06
So tell me why Kulongoski handlers won't make him bounce the same way also?
May 23, '06
Steve--Kulongoski "handlers" won't make him change his stripes because Kulongoski is the real deal. For thirty years of public service, he has been pro-environment, pro-equal rights, pro-living wage jobs, etc. Unlike Saxton and Westlund, Kulongoksi won't be trying to remake himself or trying to convince voters into believing that he is someone other than who he is.
May 23, '06
Myranda:
Kulongoski ran as a centrist/conservative last time around, and then governed like a dishwater liberal. Tell me his statement that he would "not ask the people of Oregon for more taxes" was a "real deal" liberal as you say.
Of course immediately reversing course and breaking that campaign promise is more like a liberal.
This time around watch as Kulongoski sells what soul he has left to the unions for their campaign money. He will have to tack to their wishes during the campaign, which will further distinguish himself from Saxton.
OF COURSE Saxton will redefine his message to appeal to a broader electorate. To do anything else would be stupid, and Ron Saxton is not stupid.
It would also be stupid to reverse course on the territory he staked out in the primary, because the themes he sounnded are popular among voters of all stripes.
Move PERS to a defined contribution plan, tough on illegal immigration, change the way the government operates - why would he change these?
What he will do I would imagine is point out the benefits of these positions in a way that moderates himself. That is, he will talk about how changing PERS will bring more teachers to the classrooms, and how privatizing non-core government activities will allow the state to cover more children with health care.
All smart ways to nuance a message to appeal to more voters. Not changing positions.
May 23, '06
If Kulongoski is so "pro family wage jobs", why is he soft on illegal immigration? He is two-faced.
May 23, '06
Of course Saxton will change his positions. He has to in order to win. He changed them already to win the primary. He'll change them again for the general. We know he'll say whatever it takes to win an election.
Sasha, obviously you're a Saxton supporter. The question you should ask yourself is this: if Saxton is elected, what will he actually do?
Will he be the left-center Saxton? The right-center Saxton? The pro-choice Saxton? The anti-choice Saxton? The pro-immigration Saxton?The anti-immigration Saxton? Or is there some other Saxton waiting in the wings?
May 23, '06
" ... if Saxton is elected, what will he actually do?"
After Kulongoski was elected, what did he actually do? I can't think of anything.
9:16 a.m.
May 23, '06
"It would also be stupid to reverse course on the territory he staked out in the primary, because the themes he sounnded are popular among voters of all stripes.
Move PERS to a defined contribution plan, tough on illegal immigration, change the way the government operates - why would he change these? "
They're only "popular" if you hide their meaning in this fashion. Explain it as firing all government workers and deporting all undocumented workers (as if he had the power), and it suddenly gets a lot less popular...
May 23, '06
One lovely contrast: "I will make sure that the rules governing business activity remain stable.... I support Measure 37 and the rights of private property owners."
Measure 37 dramatically destabalizing the housing market, and related business activity. And it's still so uncertain legally that property owners who want to do business don't know what's what.
There's rhetoric, and there's reality.
May 23, '06
Torrid:
When and where did Saxton ever say those things?
9:50 a.m.
May 23, '06
sasha: Brainstorm NW, last year?
or how about the Albany Dem-Herald, earlier this year?
10:10 a.m.
May 23, '06
Heh, fantastic work, Torrid. And you, too, Kari. In fact, I suspect he'll stick to most of the positions listed on his page (we'll watch and document), but shift the language somewhat. He's adept at making moderate positions appear ruggedly right-wing ("In a Saxton Administration there will be zero tolerance for sexual predators and drug dealers") and hedging his bet on actual far-right langauge ("I support abstinence education and believe the arts and physical education are an essential component of a child's education and well being.")
We'll see.
10:18 a.m.
May 23, '06
Betsy- what did Kulongoski do to prevent or mitigate Measure 37? His failure to use his position to explain the issue to the public is, in my view, his greatest shortcoming.
On a different note...
Is there anyone who voted for Kulongoski who is actually, truly considering voting for Saxton? If so, please speak up. As of now, I'm not convinced that you exist.
-Pete
10:26 a.m.
May 23, '06
I'm backing Ted, but it has to be said that his main foray into M37 consisted (as far as I know) of being supportive of transferability--not exactly progressive credentials. Am I wrong? Someone set me straight.
May 23, '06
" ... if Saxton is elected, what will he actually do?"
After Kulongoski was elected, what did he actually do? I can't think of anything.
May 23, '06
Ted is toast!!!! I voted for Hill, exactly for the reasons stated in the above statements.... Ted has not governed.... His record is horrible, and very vulnerable. Saxton is the winner in November....unless Ben can "come to the rescue"... The Hill campaign said over and over again, "a vote for Ted is a vote for the Republicans in November". I will not vote for Saxton, but he will be Oregon's next Governor.. Some Democrates just will not listen.... "When your are riding a dead horse, it is best to dismount".
1:15 p.m.
May 23, '06
The posts by Calhoun are not mine. I always use my full name.
1:21 p.m.
May 23, '06
if you're not voting for saxton, then who mike?
1:34 p.m.
May 23, '06
Calhoun, sorry to hear you're suffering from memory loss.
Kulongoski actually took the state of Oregon from having the second highest unemployment in the country to the 5th fastest growing economy in the country in four years. Unpopular as it was with the hard left and some unions, he fixed PERS and saved the state from competly underfunding education. His courageous stance speaks volumes for the kind of leader he is. He has never stopped supporting all forms of anti-discrimination legislation. He has never waivered in his support of privacy, reproductive rights, or helping the workers of Oregon. MathStar, GenenTech, Google, Yahoo, Keene Shoes, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Amy's Kitchen are just a few of the companies who have relocated to Oregon under Ted's watch. His energetic leadership of economic development in Oregon has created more good paying jobs..along with jobs comes paying taxes and in turn.... supports schools and human services.
That said, the the real stand out is Ted's carefully considered call for getting out of Iraq. He visited the country himself and is a former Marine who is willing to say Bush is wrong. The fear I have is a Saxton/Westland win would put Oregon in a major tail spin. Under either of them we will have a true conservative in office. Gutting programs that help the poor, the uninsured, the hungry while pandering to special interest lobby's and agreeing with Lars Larson is not the Oregon where I grew up. Can legislation like the ban on abortions in South Dakta be far behind?
"Portland-think" is not representative of the entire state. If Saxon or Westlund are allowed to paint themselves as moderates, which neither of them are, we an expect 4 years of the Republican National agenda shoved down our throats.
Who among us wants to take that risk?
1:41 p.m.
May 23, '06
paulie, don't forget the excutive order to clean up Oregon skies by moving towards California emission standards--which automatically triggers the same thing in Washington, giving the entire West Coast the same standard for emissions.
May 23, '06
Wow....real dynamitethread starter Kari.
Who does Saxton think he is trying this repositioning stuff?
Hillary?
May 23, '06
Leadership will win this election. Even Democratic insiders at the state capitol relate the stories of Gov. Kulongoski missing in action.
May 23, '06
j is right. If Saxton wins the election and shows up to the 07 legislative session three times, then he will have outperformed Sleepy Ted.
May 23, '06
So, who do you have to know to get Google to update a Cache? Saxton's issues cash is now todays page, with just the "this page is being updated" statement. Conspiracy among Saxton and Google.... Hmmm... interesting...lol.
May 23, '06
So, who do you have to know to get Google to update a Cache? Saxton's issues cash is now todays page, with just the "this page is being updated" statement. Conspiracy among Saxton and Google.... Hmmm... interesting...lol.
5:13 p.m.
May 23, '06
Google Cashe - For posterity's sake:
I'm running for Governor because people want change, and new leadership, and a clear direction for our state. I am running for Governor because like you, I am frustrated that we aren't getting what we are paying for and nobody seems to be in charge. And I am running for Governor because I know Oregon can do better.
That's what this campaign is about. It's pretty simple.
What will my priorities be as Governor?
May 23, '06
PERS reform? Efficiency in Government? Cutting taxes? Reduce spending?
AHHHHHH!! What an extremist!!!
May 23, '06
So, calhoun, we've established that Kulongoski did "nothing" after he was elected. If Saxton is elected, what will he do?
May 23, '06
I've been trying to tell everyone , my Cousin is a Phony!!! He will do or say whatever it takes to get the votes neccessary to win the Election. When he was Chair of the Portland Public School Board, he ended up being my number one reason for pulling my kids out of Public Education, and not only moving out of the district, but ultimately Home Schooling both my daughters. During his tenure as Chair, it became clear he was using the post for personal Political Gain- NOT out of concern for Quality Education for our Children!! The real question we All have to ask ourselves is how his stated views on his website would play out on us if he wins in November(A thought I don't like to think of).
May 23, '06
Awesome that you posted that, salvador, as Google's archive is already up-to-date.
Here's a Republicanese translator of Saxton's platform: 1. Control State Spending and Taxes I will cut school funding. I will cut school funding. I will focus on some very specific things for some reason. (I must have gotten a big check from someone officious.) I will cut school funding. I will cut school funding. Rich people need another $45,000 tax cut. You need $3. Old people should stop living so goddamn long. 2. Promote Job Creation and Economic Development No polluter left behind. No polluter left behind. Only initiatives that favor my campaign donors will be permitted. Large factories good. Small farms bad. Individual sick working class people can totally negotiate lower health care prices with the local hospital so the $50 in their savings account will cover that chemotherapy. Yay freeways! Big Business should not have to pay for their mistakes. No polluter left behind. 3. Improve Oregon 's Education Performance Intelligent design is good science. I will cut school funding. Great teachers are jumping at the chance to work for someone stingy like me. I would rather teach people to say "I work in a factory" in Chinese than teach them algebra in college. I support abstinence education, because normal people never have sex. I tried to cover that up by doing a really long sentence involving P.E. 4. Promote Responsibility in our Public Policy I will lock up single mothers for ten years if their boyfriends sell pot. I will release untreated sex offenders in your community, because psychiatry is for wimps, while fifteen years of prison rape totally fixes people. (Good Republicans like Rush Limbaugh are exempt from all tough-on-crime policies.) I will lock up your grandmother if she looks at me funny. Women should stay with husbands who beat them and their children. For the kids. Drug addicts are on their own. I will shoot your grandmother if she looks at me funny. * It's better to let "illegals" kill themselves and other people in car accidents than teach them our laws. I will deport anyone whose skin is darker than Michael Jackson's. You know I'm not talking Canadians here, right?
May 24, '06
paulie, sorry to hear you're suffering from bullshit-in-mouth disease.
" ... the the real stand out is Ted's carefully considered call for getting out of Iraq. He visited the country himself and is a former Marine who is willing to say Bush is wrong."
THAT'S the real standout? Hilarious! The governor of Oregon expressed an opinion about the war in Iraq! And he went to visit Iraq! Wow. That's the "standout" moment for Ted's administration, huh?
LOL.
Jun 1, '06
Well, the new issues page is back up and after a quick "merge documents" in Word, I can't see any differences. I used Salvador's post for the pre-period and the current page for the post-period.
Must have decided they needed a different font is all...