AP and KGW confirm: http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_083109_politics_kitzhaber_governor_oregon.135e84635.html

Good lord. How long is this guy going to draw things out? We'll have to wait and see, but I'm expecting a carefully-worded, less-than-definitive announcement tomorrow that doesn't quite nail things down. I hope I'm wrong so that the D race can start to take some shape. (Is it wrong of me to want some clear answers 14 months prior to the general?)

I know where Brian Clem stands on the tax measures passed by the legislature - he voted for them and gave a great floor speech. I know that Jason Atkinson voted against them.

I want to hear from all the other candidates, on both sides of the aisle.

Hopefully tomorrow, or whenever Kitzhaber announces, the press won't just be parrots of the spin and will ask some thoughtful questions to help voters distinguish between the candidates, and will push Kitzhaber (and then the other candidates) on his position on this important issue.

"push Kitzhaber (and then the other candidates) on his position on this important issue"

And I am sure Dr. John will have an intelligent answer.

If anyone out there is a Bradbury fan, a piece of advice.

He made a crack to a local TV reporter about Dr. John's "ungovernable" remark. OK, we are supposed to believe 5 special sessions with Republicans controlling the House were easy?

An intelligent degate would involve Bradbury saying where he stands on kicker reform, tax reform, etc. and exactly why Bradbury believes he was an excellent State Sen. President.

I happen to believe Kitzhaber was a better Sen. President, whatever anyone thinks about the rest of his political career.

I am pro-intelligent debate and against wisecracks and talking points. That is the standard I will use to evaluate candidates for Gov.

Taxes: I know where Brian Clem stands on a lot of things, because he's been out there making a go of it rather than sitting back mulling it over. And that's fresh off a productive legislative session where Clem laid it all on the line on a number of issues.

I'm sure we all have a lot of questions for Kitzhaber. First and foremost, I'd like to know what his motivation for running again is (if indeed he really is). Lots of speculation, little in the way of answers on that one. I'm hoping he'll set some things straight right off the bat.

If Governor Kitzhaber runs again, I will endorse him, work for him, donate to his campaign, and urge everyone I know in Oregon to do the same. Nothing against Bill Bradbury, but I want the strongest candidate, and that is Gov K.

I will donate to Kitzhaber's campaign. I'm a big fan!! Look, not only did he have a Republican House to deal with, it had the likes of Karen Minnis in it!

Oh the fish are all happy tonight...

He won't run. Will say something about spending more time with his kid... blah blah blah. The same thing he did when word of him challenging Smith or taking a position in the Obama cabinet came out...

Oops!

We vote no for governor....

<h2>Not gov. again, we vote no....</h2>