Smith '08: Alan Bates is out.
State Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland) has decided against running for the U.S. Senate.
From the Ashland Daily Tidings:
The Ashland Democrat cited "unfinished business" in the state Legislature as one of the reasons he will not try to run against Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon who is seeking a third term in 2008.Bates, 62, co-author of a law enacted earlier this year that lays the groundwork for universal health care coverage in Oregon, had said that the lingering Iraq war and Congress' slow progress on health care reform got him seriously thinking about taking on Smith, who won re-election handily in 2004.
"At this point, my family, my patients, and legislative work for universal health coverage for all Oregonians takes precedence over a bid for the U.S. Senate," Bates said in a statement. "Although I am extremely gratified by the support and encouragement I've received in the last few weeks, I believe that my focus must remain here in Oregon."
Discuss.
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July 31, 2007
Posted in in the news 2007. |
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Jul 31, '07
Oh my gawd! I'm totally surprised by this? Too bad, we won't have any bumper stickers using the word "panacea" now. That coulda been a first.
Jul 31, '07
Probably for best as we need to keep his seat, but it would have been good to have him campaigning against Smith down there, perhaps Jeff Golding will do that instead and pound the anti-Smith message into the Southern Oregon subconsciousness.
5:01 p.m.
Jul 31, '07
shorter Bates: "Shit, with Merkley in the race I'd have no 'experience' niche anymore, and if Golden runs I won't have a 'Southern Oregon' niche either. Crap, forget it."
5:30 p.m.
Jul 31, '07
Would have been good to have someone with a more southern-Oregon based creds pounding home that Smith is a disaster and needs to be replaced, and it would have helped generate more media exposure for the race, but I think that either Merkley or Novick can (and will) take out Smith and either one would make an outstanding Senator.
BTW, any word on Merkley officially announcing his decision?
I thought we were suppose to get official word that he is running before tomorrow?
Jul 31, '07
This is a job for which nobody representing a region or district where the public libraries are being closed, the public safety agencies are being dismantled, and the voters demand a free Federal lunch while refusing to pay for their own breakfasts should apply.
Jul 31, '07
This is a job for which nobody representing a region or district where the public libraries are being closed, the public safety agencies are being dismantled, and the voters demand a free Federal lunch while refusing to pay for their own breakfasts should apply.
Jul 31, '07
This is a job for which nobody representing a region or district where the public libraries are being closed, the public safety agencies are being dismantled, and the voters demand a free Federal lunch while refusing to pay for their own breakfasts should apply.
6:12 p.m.
Jul 31, '07
Larry McD... what was the middle part?
11:30 p.m.
Jul 31, '07
I thought we were suppose to get official word that he is running before tomorrow?
Nope, August 1.
4:47 a.m.
Aug 1, '07
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley plans to file notice with the Federal Election Commission by Aug. 1...
That's different than on Aug 1. But I s'posse it's fair to keep the excitement going. Almost as good as a Harry Potter book release. But wait...it's past midnight! Is he running or not?
9:34 a.m.
Aug 1, '07
OK, I'll take the bait. Southern Oregon, where I currently live, is awash in intellectual, well informed progressives and political activists. Having lived in Multnomah, Washington, Lane, Benton, Josephine and Jackson Counties the broad brushed over generalizing about any region of the state is just plain wrong. There are large groups of folks working to pass Measures 49, 50 as well as addressing the county funding crisis.
Senator Bates would have been a very engaging and credible candidate to take on Senator Gordon Smith. He wants to guide Universal Health Care for all Oregonians to it's conclusion.
12:04 p.m.
Aug 1, '07
Which is what/how I was reading that wording (which was carried in multiple places and media outlets). But he announced today (August 1) so it's all good.
12:13 p.m.
Aug 1, '07
Hold up. I wasn't casting aspersions on Southern-Oregonians at all. Just the opposite. I was pointing out that it would have been great to have Bates bring up the issues you mention, without the entire "Liberal Portland cramming things down the throats of the rest of the state" BS argument that we see time and time again. I am saying it would have been good to have someone who, by virtue of where he lives and what part of the state he represents, would not have given such an opening which seems to derail the discussion into the usual urban vs. rural, Portland vs. not Portland, mindless kurfuffle that debates on governance and politics so often devolve into.
Aug 2, '07
Thank God Bates is not running for the U.S. Senate. He would have been a DISASTER. His environmental record, especially his support of the pro-hounding of cougars bill, is wretched. He is worse than a Republican. I hope we manage to get him thrown out of the state Senate. I know many environmentalists like me will be working to bring Bates, as well as Avakian and Kulongoski, down for his support of the hounding bill. Bates is a disgrace and an embarrassment to all of us who care deeply about protecting our state's wildlife.
Aug 2, '07
Ditto to "arealliberal." Bates, Kulongoski, and Avakian are no progressives. When it comes to the environment and wildlife issues they are no better than the right-wingers. We should all campaign against Bates when he runs for the state Senate next election and elect a real progressive instead. Bates cares more about slob hound hunters than he does about wildlife and Oregonians who supported the ban to ban hounding of cougars and bears.
Aug 2, '07
Sign me up for any campaign to get rid of Bates. He, along with the Gov, are waging war on Oregon's wildlife. I know many folks in his district are organizing against him to try to defeat him in the next election. It is highly likely he is political toast because he led the effort to bring back the barbaric "sport" of hound hunting cougars. Bates must be taking his cues from Falcons QB Michael Vick on how to be cruel to animals. Dogfighting, hound hunting, its all the same -- vicious blood sport that should have no place in a civilized society. Bates should be ashamed for pushing a bill through the legislature that brings back such horror to the state of Oregon. Measure 18, passed by Oregonians in 1994, banned hounding yet Bates ignored the will of voters and reinstated it. Now its time to ban Bates.
Aug 16, '07
maggie/mitch/areal (if you are in fact different people):
<h2>You sound absolutely rediculous. I especially laughed at your comment that he must be taking his cues from Vick and that he is worse than a Republican. This is absolute nonsense and gave me quite a laugh. Bates earned a 75% OLCV rating in 2005, 75% in 2003, and 82% in 2001. Not the "best" enviro rating for a Democrat, but certainly not the worst and not even close to those of Republicans. Clearly, you don't know Bates, haven't met him and have spent too many hours listening to the sound of your own voice. Please quit the rediculous screeching, because no one will take you seriously with that rhetoric, and you're giving yourselves and the broader environmental movement a bad name.</h2>