Kari,

Maybe it's just me but your terse comments and poking fun at Alley are what turns people off from politics. Sure, disagree with someone on their campaign or agenda, but what's the point in maligning them?

LOL! Look, sometimes somebody gives you a comedic opening that you just can't pass up. Kari just happened to take advantage of one of those, that's all!

Some of us in Oregon consider outdoor recreation to be a valuable pastime.

That is, presumably this isn't totally recreational. But if Alley can productively do it as part of his campaign, that's 100% positive, and it's something I'd like to do, and your mocking him just makes you look like an asshole, Kari.

Scott, I respectfully disagree. Kari can't help himself and keep from snarky comments when it comes to politicians with "r" after their names. Rather than deciding to play along and report the progress - or not. Kari sinks to the lowest common denominator. So much for Change We Can Believe In.

Blue Oregon should hope and pray for some meaningful political alternatives to the progressive democrat fodder - if only for comparrison. The republicans have, at best, a huge uphill road to toil to even be considered in 2010. More derision from sites like Blue Oregon may have a boom-a-rang affect. Who knows?

I've got to agree with previous commenters. When I found out about Alley's walk I thought: (A) it's an odd publicity stunt, but certainly no worse than any other publicity stunt and basically harmless; and (B) that sounds like a lot of fun and I wish I could do it too. It won't make me vote for him in 2010, but I hope he gets a good tan and enjoys himself.

Sorry for the humor-challenged, but watching a candidate wandering the wilderness when he needs to be working up a campaign that actually connects to the electorate just begs for a sharp jab, even if it's just to the funny-bone!

"..terse comments and poking fun at Alley...

Come on, this is absolutely made for potential hilarity! I agree with Jonathan -- it won't make me vote for him but it does sound fun. And it's kinda funny to think about all the bizarre outcomes that could result from this.

Will he come back to civilization to find Atkinson in the race?

Will he get lost in the Cascades, only to re-emerge from the wilderness just before the primary election with a grizzled beard and a bear-claw necklace?

Will he indeed attract a Forrest-Gump-like following to which (instead of simply saying he's tired and going home) he discourses on the importance of low taxes as economic stimulus?

I hope he has plenty of fun. I kinda wish I was doing it too.

On blueoregon, simply the fact of his being a republican is a mark against him. Besides that, is there some other ominous thing this guy has done wrong?

Reading "...222 lbs...", I thought, 'here's a guy that could stand to do some walking', but then seeing his pic above, maybe not...he doesn't look to be carrying a lot of excess weight. Maybe he's tall.

At any rate, aren't we constantly hearing that Oregonians are overweight, and that in part, they should be exercising to lose some of it? And that also, they spend far too much time in front of computers, tv and video games instead of actually thinking and going out to meet people first hand? Seems like Alley is at least trying to set some kind of good example for Oregonians. He could possibly pack a lot more people contact into his campaign schedule if he drove a car, but there's something to be said for taking the different road.

Isn't this his gimmick to help him with the GOP base, helping him to distinguish himself-from the Portland-monied-high tech class of Republicans? To that end, I think it will work. But I'm also excited to see video of a birther asking him a question -- that GOP base has been getting a little scary.

Yeah, sneering at Eastern Oregon doesn't come off well, either.

If this walk is such a blunder, why not just ignore it? You're giving him good publicity.

Hey Kari, How about we guess your weight as well? Which number is going to be higher, Allen's total mileage (400 miles) or Kari's weight....I think the latter.

Others: On blueoregon, simply the fact of his being a republican is a mark against him.

Kari can't help himself and keep from snarky comments when it comes to politicians with "r" after their names.

Pacnwjay: Uh... this is, BLUEoregon, right? I would imagine if this were REDoregon, folks might not find it funny, but c'mon... get a grip! Republicans across the country question the validity of the President; they do the bidding of corporate insurance and big-pharma; they seek to deny a seat on the Supreme Court of a fully qualified Latina... but ya'll are gonna get your knickers in a knot because Kari pokes a little fun at the questionable strategies of a republican gubernatorial candidate??? Lighten up people.

And save the coronaries for actual issues!!

Kari, you and your 3 chins and fat lumpy ass would not make 2 miles.

I cannot for the life of me see how 'Forrest Gump' is supposed to be a slight against Mr. Alley? Forrest was a decorated war hero and an ultra successful business man. Oh, now I see....

You mean besides running Pixelworks into the ground and shipping a bunch of Oregon jobs to China in the process?

Or were you thinking along other lines? :)

Carla, I thought you said that Oregon is a great place to do business...according to CNBC at least right? Why would a business in Oregon ship jobs or operations overseas? I myself as a former business owner love a higher tax bill coupled with increased mandates and regulations from my state government. I mean obviously Oregon is great place to do business. 12.2 % unemployment. A unified business community that is pissed about tax increases from the state leg.

Besides, Pixelworks is a big corporation anyways, so shouldn't you be glad they are leaving Oregon, after all big corporations are ruining our country right? They deserved to be over-taxed and forced overseas....those bastards. How dare they try to complain about paying the world's second highest tax rates.

You detest businesses that ship jobs and operations overseas and in the same breath you advocate for raising their taxes...get a clue!

Back Alley for Gov! -- a change of scenery from back rooms.

Back Alley for Abortions!

I wish to associate myself with the remarks of Paulie and Joel H.

While the Forrest Gump picture might strike some as funny, this walk of Alley's could turn into either something really worthwhile or be a gamble gone wrong.

Now I am going to date myself by using a Spike Jones line-"it will either be a photo finish or an oil painting"

My impression of Alley in 2008 was not good--glossy but vague brochure, "well, if you want a POLITICIAN for this job..." made it clear he had not studied who had been elected treasurer over, say, the last 3 decades or so. Then there was that debate appearance where another candidate corrected him on a statement of fact.

But look outside the box, folks. There are folks in the less populated areas who a) value outdoor exercise and b) rarely see statewide candidates.

The potential exists for people to ask him questions that Portlanders might never ask. The potential that, at the end of this, Alley says, "the issue which came up most often when I spoke with folks on my walk was...".

Also the potential for someone local to say "there's something I want to talk to you about--can I walk a ways with you?". How many of you have ever had that sort of access to a statewide candidate who did not employ you? To more than one statewide candidate?

Whether the tax measures get on the ballot will be determined this summer. Does Alley want that to happen? If someone presented him with a petition, would he sign? If asked his petition views, could he give a simple, responsive answer, or would he come across as snide like that "if you want a politician..." remark?

Either of these headlines: "Alley supports petition drive, will carry petitions" OR "Alley does not support petition drive, says tax increases are needed to balance the budget"

would make news.

But if he finishes the walk and has never gone on the record, that could show someone not willing to speak out on controversial issues, which is a statement in itself.

A friend of mine from Central Oregon supported Merkley in the Sen. primary because the member of House leadership had come east of the Cascades before running for statewide office.

If Atkinson declares for Gov. by discussing specifics of policy or vision for the state during this Alley walk, and a local paper in rural Oregon gets a "scoop" on Alley's initial reaction, that would make Alley a small town conversation piece in a way that no paid ad ever could. And do you really believe no one in small towns ever has conversations with friends and relatives in bigger cities?

There is in this state not only significant non-major party registration (NAV and minor party) but folks unhappy with what some call the professional consultant class---in either party. If Alley were to impress anyone on this journey who starts spreading the word to friends (they tell 2 friends, who tell 2 friends, who tell 2 friends, etc.) that is the oldest form of advertising--word of mouth. It is the sort of thing which worked well for Obama (remember that couple who owned the small town beauty salon in the Deep South and dedicated a back room to spreading the word about Obama long before the campaign reached their state?). There is no cost involved other than that of being in the small town, and some think there is no more effective advertising than word of mouth.

Of course, in order to accomplish this, Alley has to articulate his vision of Oregon Values (how is it the same or different from what Ben Westlund says are Oregon Values?) and his plan for solving Oregon problems.

If it is the generic "tax cuts solve everything" GOP talking points, he could spend at least a week walking or otherwise visiting smaller communities in all 36 counties and if people see him as no different than the party "base" or the candidate for St. Treasurer, it will all be for naught.

But on the other hand, there are folks who are tired of the highly produced campaigns of recent years--slick fliers, slick websites, ads which attract professional political approval so therefore must be effective in electing a candidate, lots of money spent on lots of political and advertising professionals---and Alley just might appeal to them.

Only time will tell.

"You're an idiot. The picture is of Tom Hanks as Forest Gump. Get an clue buddy." leinad

Why thank you for so obnoxiously coughing up that correction, oh knowledgeable cinephile!

I've seen bits of Forrest Gump, but not much of the movie, because sorry...don't seem to like it much. Yeah, I didn't get the gag...didn't recognize Hanks in the pic, but I did look around and found Alley's website, looking for info and a more recent shot. There was a headshot. I compared the two pics. Except for the mustache and thin wire-frame glasses, there seemed to be a resemblance.

Allen Alley's friendly mug on Facebook

"On blueoregon, simply the fact of his being a republican is a mark against him. Besides that, is there some other ominous thing this guy has done wrong?

You mean besides running Pixelworks into the ground and shipping a bunch of Oregon jobs to China in the process?" Carla Axtman

That's interesting. Yeah, that kind of thing and more, including positive things if there is any. He doesn't seem to have a lot of substance on his facebook page.

I've cut and pasted the following from that page:

"In May of 2008 I was elected as the Republican candidate for State Treasurer and more votes in Portland’s Multnomah County than any Republican in history." allen alley/facebook

Reads kind of cryptic. He must mean that he "(received) more votes..."

Baker City to Prineville, on foot, in 65 hours!

Generally, a walker can go at 3 miles per hour on flat and easy ground. Its over 200 miles from Baker City to Prineville, so, 3 x 65 = 195. Hmm, already a little off there.

But its not flat between Baker City and Prineville! Baker City is at elevation 3,449 feet, and just past the junction near Sumpter, the pass elevation is 5,082 feet. There are then passes at Austin (4,506'), Keyes Creek Summit (4,372') and the Ochoco's (4,722'). Between Prairie City and Dayville, things are fairly flat through the John Day River valley, but hot as blazes. Just past Dayville, near the entry to the Picture Gorge, you pass Rattlesnake Creek. A location I might add that is properly named.

As one who lives in Prineville, and one who is knowledgable of the local history, it is apt that he'll end here in Prineville. This is after all, where Meek's Lost Wagon Train ended up for awhile. Maybe Alley will find the lost Blue Bucket (gold)?

Anyway, I figure Alley has underestimated the time by half or more, and if he in fact does do this route, and sees everyone of the 4,000 people that live between Baker City and Prineville on that route (to be fair, Baker City and Prineville each have about 10,000 residents), he will have completely wasted his time and energy.

So, Good Idea!

I don't see how walking the wide-open spaces of Oregon is effective in contacting or impressing enough potential constituents to make one a contender for governor. It's like taking credit for showing up in the seemingly candidate-starved east but avoiding contact. Does he want better street-cred as a manly, Governator-style politico? (Not a very good role-model, if one checks Ahnold's polling data recently.)

Hey, I'm not putting down the easterners, I just can't see what they'd get out of this stunt. The verbose post of LT just tells me that they'd fawn over anyone who showed up, not that I believe that.

I laughed out loud Kari -- great juxtaposition.

It must be true that bad (or silly) press is better than no press.

"Kari can't help himself and keep from snarky comments when it comes to politicians with "r" after their names. Rather than deciding to play along and report the progress - or not. Kari sinks to the lowest common denominator. So much for Change We Can Believe In."

God, such tender and delicate feelings you Rs have! Can you imagine how much fun you would be having if Westlund or Kitzhaber or Kroger or any other D was doing this? Much less OBAMA???

Maybe Alley will pull a Sarah Palin and quit in the middle of the walk when he decides he doesn't like people making fun of him.

Thanks SCB for providing a Central Oregon perspective.

Does anybody know where members of Gordon Smith's staff is now? I wonder if any of them are working on campaigns, Gubernatorial or otherwise....

What a nut case! Actually getting out and hearing what people outside the I-5 corridor have to say? What is he thinking? If a liberal did this, he would be praised for exploring the natural beauty Oregon has to offer.

SCB...why are the 4,000 or so in between Baker City and Prineville any less important. Do they not pay taxes? Do state laws not apply to them?
I live in Bend. I could just as easily ask why he wastes his time in Prineville. Someone from Portland could in turn use the same argument towards Bend.