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.

"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...

sasha: Brainstorm NW, last year?

In the May 2005 issue of BrainstormNW, Saxton wrote about PERS reform: “Thus, the radical idea is to ‘reconstitute’ the system by terminating public employees, and later rehiring them under new contracts with different terms.”

or how about the Albany Dem-Herald, earlier this year?

Ron Saxton, a Republican running for governor, has brought up illegal immigration as a campaign issue.

He says he would have “zero tolerance” for illegal aliens, oppose any amnesty for them and push for their deportation.

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.

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

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.

The posts by Calhoun are not mine. I always use my full name.

if you're not voting for saxton, then who mike?

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?

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.

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?

1. Control State Spending and Taxes : For too long we've been asked to choose between higher taxes or fewer services. Why isn't our government offering us a different choice; better management of the resources we are already sending to Salem and a reduction in the size of our government? * In a Saxton administration no spending program will be considered sacred or unquestionable. * Every state-spending program will be examined for efficiency and be held accountable. * There will be zero tolerance for waste and abuse of public trust (i.e. motor pool excesses, excessive dues and subscriptions, excessive travel, excessive paperwork, etc.). * To promote efficiency, the private sector will be considered to deliver services at all levels of government. * The state of Oregon will end its policy of making fiscal commitments for which it cannot budget. * Oregon citizens-and Oregon businesses-already pay enough taxes. I support eliminating the tax on capital gains to encourage investment in Oregon . * PERS will be reformed before it bankrupts our state.
2. Promote Job Creation and Economic Development: We must reform our state government's anti-businesses and development attitude. We need the jobs and prosperity that come with a healthy and vibrant business environment, and we need a Governor who will support that goal. * Using the power of the Governor's office,I will be an advocate for Oregon and encourage and recruit businesses to relocate to Oregon . * To promote local businesses, I will change Oregon 's harsh regulatory climate and reduce the "hassle tax" associated with doing business here. * I will make sure that the rules governing business activity remain stable. * We must actively promote Oregon 's manufacturing and rural agri-businesses and adopt a pro-business framework to guide Oregon 's economic development. * Businesses that offer health care to their employees will be offered greater tax deductions, and I will promote health savings accounts as alternatives for individual workers and small businesses in an effort to control costs. * Under a Saxton administration, Oregon will target federal and state transportation resources toward necessary road building and maintenance. * I support tort reform. * I support Measure 37 and the rights of private property owners.
3. Improve Oregon 's Education Performance : As Chair of the Portland School Board, I introduced charter schools and more school choice for students and parents, and I led the effort to privatize many school district operations so more money could be spent in the classroom. As Governor I would do no different. * I am committed to expanding education choice and support charter schools, and home schooling. * We will reform how schools budget, maximizing the number of dollars that are spent in the classroom while cutting the numbers of dollars spent on administration and school bureaucracy. * School districts will be encouraged to utilize existing laws requiring annual teacher evaluation, and I will make clear that productive teachers will be rewarded and those who under-perform will be removed. * I will attack the rising cost of remedial education at the college level by improving basic education (reading, writing and arithmetic) at the K-12 level, and we will make sure our education system prepares Oregon 's graduates for the 21 st century economy. * I support abstinence education and believe the arts and physical education are an essential component of a child's education and well being.
4. Promote Responsibility in our Public Policy . From tougher penalties for those who peddle methamphetamine to our kids, to promoting private sector solutions to the problems government hasn't been able to handle, I'll be relentless about not letting state government encourage bad decisions or fail its basic mission of keeping our communities safe. * In a Saxton Administration there will be zero tolerance for sexual predators and drug dealers. * I will firmly address the increasing problem of prison overcrowding without undermining the goals of Measure 11. * I support pro-family programs aimed at stopping domestic violence, and private sector treatment programs for addicts and victims. Oregonians will know that I am a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and a supporter of the death penalty. * In a Saxton administration, Oregon will stop issuing drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants and we will enforce the law.