Here's what matters now, in order: canvassing, phone banking, writing letters/email to your friends. If you're in Portland, DPO is calling everyday from 10 am to 9 pm. Come down and make a difference -- if nothing else, you can go to bed on Tuesday the 7th knowing you've done everything in your power to win back the House and re-elect Ted.

It's turnout 24/7 from here out.

Today we got ANOTHER robocall from Saxton's campaign telling us to return our ballots for him. It has been years since anyone in this household was registered R. So I called the Oregon Republican Party office and spoke with a very nice person who said every time someone made a call like mine (my call was nowhere near the first on that topic) they emailed the campaign.

Sounds like "frugal" Saxton is wasting money--people offended/annoyed by those calls aren't going to vote for him.

I wonder why the teachers like the Governor so much?

This election, vote in your own interest. Citizens, voters…Ron Saxton represents only the wealthiest 1-2%. Saxton and his allied legislative candidates symbolize the cronyism and corrupt policies of the federal regime. They are too extreme for our society. Don’t allow the Saxtonites to repeat in Oregon the failed policies of the DC neo-cons.

The corporate interests backing Saxton are the same scandalous gang behind the destructive ballot measures 41 and 48. This “greed bunch” is intent on profiteering by privatizing government services. Saxton and his cohorts support CheneyBushCo and the illegitimate invasion, and unraveling occupation of Iraq. Vote to dissolve the politics of fear at the national and local levels.

Get-out-the-vote volunteerism is a winning formula to re-elect Governor Kulongoski http://tedforgov.com/ and other Progressive candidates across the state.

Election recommendations can be found at: www.dpo.org/campaign/

During the few days remaining, thanks for your election work and for encouraging everyone you know to vote in their own best interest. Your efforts will bring a Progressive future for Oregon.

As a result of the extreme class antagonism between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, the proletariat overthrows the most complete embodiment of democratic statism, By this act, the proletariat creates itself a new political mode, which is also the specific expression of the dictatorship of the proletariat. Here is the starting point of the “soviet idea.”

The political mode thus created is universally applicable. It fits the needs and consequences of all kinds of social change. It can clothe the multiform substance of all the revolutionary acts of the twentieth century. That is the “soviet idea” at the close of its own evolution.

Exactly whose side IS Kulongoski on? I voted for him, with reluctance. I will be happy if he wins. But his smug do-nothingness and anti-green crap is pretty appalling.

Why do people keep calling Kulongoski "progressive"? He is absolutely NOT. Must we neuter that term by using it for centrists like Kulongoski? COME ON!

Nothing anti-green about successfully suing to protect the Clinton roadless rule. Nothing anti-green about enacting tough tailpipe emissions standards and protecting them in court. Nothing anti-green about expanding home energy tax credit for solar to 6K per HH. Nothing anti-green about engaging California and Washington to protect ocean health. Nothing anti-green about pushing for biofuels expansion and incentives for clean, home-grown sources of energy. Nothing anti-green about creating a new position for sustainability advisor, promoting a renewable portfolio standard, or working to bring wave energy to the south coast. Nothing anti-green about working get to 100% of state government's energy from renewables by 2010. Nothing anti-green about vastly expanding the share of fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles in the state motor pool.

This very day PepsiCo just announced a new manufacturing plant for Albany that will create 500 jobs after full build-out. It will be a LEEDs building, the standard for state-of-the-art "green" building.

Amy's Kitchen -- the organic frozen food manufacturer -- just opened their new plant last week. Again, the plant's LEEDS and extremely energy effective.

People who care about clean energy and creating a sustainable economy should hit the doors and the phone banks the next two weeks. Let self-proclaimed "strategist" Peter Bray rehash his the problems of the measure 37 campaign two years ago while the rest of us fight for a better environment and Legislature.

Peter, if Ted's been a do-nothing on the environment, do mind telling that to the car companies, polluters, timber and other extractionists who've bankrolled Saxton's campaign to the tune of $2 million dollars. Do the math.

I still don't understand why Teddy K is holding onto $1.1 with little more than 2 weeks (from filing close) to election. There are minimal accounts payable...so what are you waiting for Ted?

P.S. I gasped a little when I saw Jim Ross' $15,000 salary. Is that the going rate for a major statewide race these days?

Why do Republican trolls come onto BlueOregon and pretend they are disguntled Democrats? Perhaps the same reason Saxton is up with a new ad right now trying to suppress the Democratic vote in Portland? They don't want us to vote.

Not a progressive? Give me a break. Name another Governor running for reelection on a platform of renewable energy, pollution control, guaranteed health care for every child in the state, and tax increases?

Okay, I wish he had kept the four tax increases to himself until after the election like most politicians, but I've never seen a Democrat run a more honest and openly progressive campaign. I can't wait to vote for Ted.

Speaking of the new Saxton ad. They don't even quote Saxton in it. They depend on newspaper editorials, and we all know how valuable those are. Not! Doesn't matter. Everyone knows Saxton can't be trusted to quote in context, so his latest ad is going to get him nowhere.

Speaking of Saxton not using his own words. Looks like the Saxton campaign has decided Saxton should not talk at all in his ads. Notice none of his ads has him speaking any longer. Also, no film. Only stills. Hmmmm? What are they afraid of? He never leaves the script, so that can't be it.

I'm not a typical poster here. I generally think it's a waste of time -- but here are some thoughts:

Jim Ross is, of course, a hired gun from out of state. Too bad those jobs aren't being hired locally. But that's modern consultant-driven politics, where the dollar calls the tune, and the consultant network protects their own without too much pesty regard for the public interest.

Ted is, of course, not a real progressive. Not because he's not far left enough (that's not what the term means), but because he doesn't have a visionary plan. He's a resume guy, not a charismatic, visonary, or courageous or very smart leader. Not a bad guy though. And he's better than Saxton, who sold himself to the Brainstorm NW/Lars Larson/Don McIntyre/Jeld Wen cabal, and who's campaign is run by the ideologues that have handed the Republican party to the right wing.

Ted's not against the environment...he just doesn't believe in it passionately (as did Dr. Kitz), or have gifts of verbal advocacy (as did McCall). He'll be fine for green stuff.

The teachers like Ted because he does what they say. And he will stop any merit pay or teacher eval. or other reform proposals they don't like. But hopefully he won't gut the capital gains or the estate tax, as Saxton would have at first chance.

Had Saxton been willing to break ranks with the far-right, he might have won (or at least made it closer) -- particularly had he been able to keep Starrett off the radar screen.

Given Saxton's eventual well-funded lameness, the Gov race should never have been close. Huge anti-R tide, incumbent D running against Elmer-Fudd-sounding guy with no meaningful electoral resume. The Blue Tide will save Ted. And then, Ted should hire a coupla real progressives -- in addition to some corporate-friendly ones (which he'll already do) -- who will help give him a legacy and some credibility with activists.

Someday, maybe we'll get a leader with a head, charisma and the ability to communicate that lifts souls and persuades brains...who will help us believe again. (I saw some tall blonde guy at the Bend DPO Summit that seemed the best fire-lighter I've seen in years....but I don't think he was running for anything...oh well, anyway). Too many of the leaders who came up in the 80's & 90's are pretty much lame. But I am no less motivated to vote against the darn-near evil right wing <insert expletive="" of="" choise="">.

No need to bash me. My self esteem is low enough, and I probably won't post past tonight. And by the way, people should be spending their energy on the legislative races. That's where you'll make the most difference. The Blue Tide will carry Ted in Portland.

By the way, people should help Vicki Walker. Ted's guy Peter Bragdon raised money for her Republican opponent, and made public statements against her that are now being used in Jim Torrey materials. Peter Bragdon is very unfortunate.

People should also help the House races -- particularly Brian Clem, Chris Edwards, and Jean Cowan. The overlapping area for Chris Edwards and Vicki Walker is the most important political area in the State. Clem and Cowan will be close. Brading'd be great too, and has a chance if the anti-R tide continues to build.

If we can turn the House, it'll be good for the State. But we still won't be able to get all the reform we need, because the SEIU/OEA/Consultant cabal will stop it (or keep it from starting). But...at least they're putting some real money into their longtime purchase of the Democratic Party. And that at least helps keep the worse wolves at bay.

Dan Meek didn't do enough to build coalition (or maybe labor just crushed any hope), but in this case he's right.

Money reform would limit the cash of groups we like, but it would limit villains more. And the opponents (led by the consultant cabal who doesn't want to see their fees shrink -- and then used their influence to convince many groups to oppose also) can't see the forest for the trees. They cling to their power while power-to-the-public suffers.

If you multiplied Jim's $15k/month salary times all Exxon Mobil employees ($180k/year x 83,400 =$15 Billion), it exceeds the entire Selling, General, and Adminstrative (*see notes 1 & 2) costs that Exxon Mobil spent for all of 2005 ($14.4 Billion), which includes all employee salaries, benefits, product advertising, and a whole lot more.

This is an outrage: NOBODY DESERVES TO MAKE THAT KIND OF MONEY! WE NEED A WINDFALL PROFIT TAX ON POLITICAL CONSULTANTS. Fat cat political consultants are getting rich off the rest of us, and they're taking advantage of this hot election year market to run up prices on their services. It's proof that elections are bought and sold like so many other commodities in this crony capitalist world.

*Note 1: General and administrative expenses (G & A) - represent expenses to manage the business (officer salaries, legal and professional fees, utilities, insurance, depreciation of office building and equipment, stationery supplies)

*Note 2: Selling expenses - represent expenses needed to sell products (e.g., sales salaries and commissions, advertising, freight, shipping, depreciation of sales equipment)

JTT -- This Ross guy is worth every penny they are paying him, if you ask me. Have you not seen how Ted has come roaring back? Ross and the rest of the Ted team are doing a hell of a job, especially when you factor in that they have been outspent 2-1.

to Jacksonville person - hey, welcome aboard. I appreciated your comments above - you might apply to be a regular blogger here, you seem to know something and are willing to call spades spades.

vis Ross - I have no problem paying a specialist extra to do a good job. We needed someone good, they found someone. Kudos Kulongowski for picking someone good and treating them well.

Jacksonville, Ted is not endorsing Torrey, and Peter Bragdon is no longer an employee of the Governor's office.

Blue CPA - Have you ever worked on a campaign? It's not like working for Exxon. Campaign staff and managers are working 18-20 hour days right now, and have been for weeks if not months. Also, many will be unemployed after the election. They work their butts off during election season, and hopefully make enough money in the case they are umemployed for a while after the election or in odd years.
The market determines the salary of campaign managers and staffers. I know lots of CPAs who work 18 hr days during campaign season, and then take a month off afterword (while still getting paid) - it's really not that different from campaign staff.

Calm down everyone. I was just asking if that was the going rate...I wasn't questioning the value of him rescuing Ted's campaign from the brink. I just wish I made that much money.

First, I am not a secret GOP lurker posting anti-Ted things as was implied. If you doubt my Dem credentials, go to opensecrets.org and look up my donations.

Second, K. is not just anti-green because of his effective support for Measure 37 via 1037. He is not just anti-green for approving and pushing for casino development in the Columbia Gorge. He is not just anti-green for his continued proclamation about Oregon being the leader in timber and pulpwood (at Medford debate) rather than mentioning anything about the environment. He is not just anti-green for his appointment of corporate types to fill the shoes of greenies elsewhere. It is more than that.

It is what another poster points: his smug attitude and total lack of interest in regards to the environment. He has zero passion. Not just for green issues, but, really, for anyting. He seems like he could lose this race and then go run in Alabama or Rhode Island... I feel no commitment from him to Oregon.

And who cares about a LEED-certified building? That's the biggest hogwash out there. There are maybe 500 LEED certified buildings maximum. There is no energy dent at all. It's like Walmart putting wind turbines on a single store in Colorado: it gets crazy with the press, but that's it.

And it is total anodyne crap. The LEED proclamation is like Slade Gordon coming out against "noxious weeds". It is obvious, harmless, and gets press... but it challenges nothing, does nothing, and reflects nothing. It is empty.

Saw the new Riley poll that shows Teddy K up a few points, so I dug deep into my pockets to send our only hope some dough last night. The Kulonoski people were very nice and thanked me.

And someone on this board asked why teachers are backing Teddy K and not the White Shoe Wonder?

Because Saxton backs charter schools, like ol' Loren Parks. You see Parks, that frisky ol GOP sex fiend, said running a school was so easy he could do it!

So, Parks opened a charter school in Gresham, a few years back, and then CLOSED IT DOWN for good over Winter Break.

The horney ol guy couldn;t even run a little bitty school for a full year.

http://joesschool.blogs.com/olsononline/2004/05/charter_schools.html

Those who can, teach. Those who can't, troll.

Or listen to a convicted, pill-popping teen sex fiend who can't get it up.

Sid - you sound like a real class act.

Maybe Kulo is more interested in the OEA's votes than the quality of education our kids receive?

Hmmmmm? Too bad the kids don't have the vote or a PAC.

LEEDs certification isn't important? What a joke.

The point is to expand the energy and environmental performance of homes and commercial structures. Ted expanded the tax credit for home-based solar from 1,600 to 6,000. It is making a difference, and "green" building in Oregon is booming.

Yes, there's a pre-existing demand, but tax incentives are rapidly expanding the market. When the 6K credit is expanded to homebuilders, you will see more and more of this type of investment.

You may not think Ted has done anything to encourage the solar energy industry in Oregon, but the solar industry does. You just think you understand their industry better than they do, just as you understand land-use politics better than the coalition who fought measure 37.

Once again, yay you. Aren't you great?

The idea that Ted has no "passion" for energy independence is just totally inaccurate, totally lame. Why is he then expending considerable political capital on an RPS and biofuels? Why did Gore just say that no Governor anywhere has shown more vision on energy?

Again, guess Gore just doesn't know as much as you. Why don't you just concentrate your energies on convincing Washingtonians not to vote for I-933 by calling them "stupid?"

Because, again, they don't know as much as you. What a great campaign tactic. What brilliant strategy.

Oh wait, you don't want to help I-933 because they're not running the campaign as well as you would. What a shocker. Again, aren't you great?

JB Eads: You are a piece of shit. It's little idiots like you that really stink this place up. Go run on the freeway.

JB Eads writing from IP 24.21.198.2 traced to Beaverton. Who is this loser? Certainly he isn't the Civil War engineer who constructed warships?

Well, he's using a Mac... and searching Google for yours truly.

24.21.198.2 - - [26/Oct/2006:21:51:45 -0700] "GET / HTTP/1.1" 200 11437 "http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=land+use+watch&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8" "Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; PPC Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/412.6 (KHTML, like Gecko) Safari/412.2"

Kari, you are right: He's let Ted be Ted, which is a great thing in a campaign, and an asset to this one.

For those of you who have discussed the fine points of campaign strategy and tactics here, a word of advice.

Too often someone well known in Oregon politics reaches a point where they take advice from "campaign professionals" too seriously. Over the decades I have seen too many candidates suffer political hardship because the people who have known them for a long time are not impressed by the "new and improved" model. As in "I'd gladly vote for the person I've known for over a decade, but I don't know this person".

One of the biggest dangers Ted faced this year wasn't Westlund or Ted's primary challengers. It was "the Ted I used to know would have explained his reasoning on that to us" or "whatever happened to the charismatic Ted I used to know?".

So if the current campaign manager turned that around, he is worth his salary, no matter what it is.

And in future elections, everyone, let's trust the intelligence of the voters. Never let any "professional" claim a candidate doesn't need to be in a room full of people where they can do face to face Q & A because commericals are all anyone needs, or that incumbent is "doing what Oregonians want done".

The goal is to win the election by earning votes. People alienated by a campaign don't vote for that campaign even if the supporters think the candidate is God's gift to politics.

The money Saxton is spending on robocalls to people not currently registered Republicans is a waste of money--if people are annoyed by the phone call they aren't going to vote for the candidate promoted on the phone call.

Peter, now that's productive -- spending your Friday night trying to track my IP address.

Oh, and I'm an idiot. Of course. Kitzhaber endorsed the Governor yesterday too, stating that his energy agenda alone is enough to make him deserve another term. But then you know what Kitzhaber doesn't -- that it's all anodyne. Great. You're A number one!

You know, I searched your IP address too. Have fun at Burning Man while the rest of us canvass and phone bank ten days out.

Folks, I stand by the first comment I made on this thread: canvassing, phone banking and letters/emails to friends are what's important right now. This is really just a distraction.

Wait a second, STOP THE PRESSES, the former democratic governor endorsed the current democratic governor for a 2nd term?! STOP THE PRESSES, this is major news!

JB Eads, you are a motherfucker. You started this little insult game. And I go back through your old posts and see that you are a motherfucker frequently. So as to not invite more ire, I will say this as kindly as possible: I hope worms invade your skull and form a worm colony to rival the best worm farm from Portland's top vermicomposter (grown in Metro's own worm bins).

Oh, and Burning Ban was, like, 2 months ago or something.

"Righty", aka David Wendall, a downtown lawyer, who is listed if you wanna call him, says I'm a "classy guy".

Hey David, here's a joke.

What do you call 1000 lawyers on the bottom of the ocean?

A good start!

Say hi to Loren if you see him.

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