Kulongoski: Much Ado About Knitting
By Chris Nicholson of Portland, Oregon. Chris is a Reed College student and a political organizer. Previously, he contributed Big Tobacco and the Vote for Oregon's Kids.
It's amazing to me how one small line can be such a big deal to some people.
In last weekend's Sunday Oregonian, there was a story about Governor Kulongoski which speculated as to whether or not he would run for re-election. Now, of course, the fact that this story was run probably had more to do with it being something fun for people to read about than there being any "breaking news" in the article. Newspapers need to fill their pages with something, and speculation about politics is something everyone can enjoy.
However, the response from Governor Kulongoski's relatives and friends has not been to discuss the fact that in the article people from his own party criticized Kulongoski's inaction, but instead, to focus on one innocuous statement which, at least from my reading, was just meant to be funny.
"Political insiders say they have seen signs, ranging from Kulongoski's increasingly surly demeanor during the session to his wife's knitting during public events, that hint at a one-term stint."
Yes, the article mentions the Governor's wife's knitting as a possible sign that he might not run for a second term. Was it a silly remark? Yes. Was it intended to be silly? Of course. However, from reading Peter Bragdon, Gail O'Connell-Babcock, and John Oberst's letters, it seems like some people in the Governor's camp take knitting very seriously.
Bragdon writes:
"Those of us who take on public positions, whether by appointment, as I did [as former chief of staff to Kulongoski], or by election, are used to getting kicked around, and that is just an unfortunate part of the process. But going after a spouse for knitting?"
I don't know about Mr. Bragdon, but I didn't think anything less of Oregon's first lady because she is an adept knitter. I also didn't jump immediately to the conclusion that the Oregonian should "think about that when you editorialize about the lack of attention to serious issues within government, and when you lament the fact that many talented people choose careers outside of politics." I think it’s a sad day when political figures send their friends to defend them from a dumb joke.
On the other hand, maybe the three friends of Kulongoski wrote in because they didn't like some of the other stuff in the article, like when Senator Rick Metsger, a Democrat, compared the governor to the seemingly invisible Waldo of children's book fame for his lack of involvement during the legislative session.
Just maybe.
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Aug. 06, 2005
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6:50 a.m.
Aug 6, '05
Our First Lady shuns the spotight. She likely wishes that no attention be sent her way. She is a lovely, quiet, deeply thoughtful and intelligent women who loves her man. The Oregonian story was yet another attempt to make news rather than report news. The "O's" clumsy attempt was an effort to call the Govenor out to announce his future plans. Well the big "O" can wait for the decision just like the rest of us. Enjoy your well earned vacation Mary and take your knitting needles with you.
Aug 6, '05
Knitting... while Portland schools burn.
Fitting.
Aug 6, '05
I ask blueoregon to explain why it would post an article writen by a Mannix supporter and someone who has worked for Kevin Mannix in his past campaigns for Govenor without mentioning Nicholson's intrest in the campaign. I realize that blueoregon may not have been aware of Nicholson's involvement in past and intended involvement in Mannix campaigns. However, in the future I suggest that they ask contributors about possible intrests in races they are commenting on and alert their readers to the answers, that is if blueoregon wishes to remain a credable source of political commentary.
Aug 6, '05
Interesting - and did you know the photo you have posted is of someone crocheting, not knitting...
LOL
Susan
6:36 p.m.
Aug 6, '05
Howard.... Thanks for your comment.
At the time I posted Chris's commentary, I didn't know that he is a supporter of Kevin Mannix. Chris now tells me that while he's a registered Democrat, he's volunteering for the Mannix campaign (and is hoping to be employed there soon.) Chris tells me that he's never been employed by Kevin Mannix - and in 2002 was a junior in high school.
I do think that the disclosure would be important, but I'm not certain that it would have changed things. I evaluate guest commentaries on their face. Certainly, Chris's earlier commentary criticizing Karen Minnis for failing to support a health care plan for Oregon's kids was a progressive one.
Thanks, Howard, for pointing out the potential conflict. Everyone can now evaluate the piece in that light.
Aug 7, '05
Kari's got it correct. I've been volunteering for Kevin for about two months now, after inviting him to speak at my school at the end of this semester to see what he was like. I also invited Kulongoski but his campaign didn't call me back. I was very impressed by Kevin's willingness to come speak at such a liberal school like Reed, and by his forthrightness in talking with the students. I disagree with Kevin on a number of issues, but I disagree with Kulongoski on at least as many.
The reason I'm working for Kevin is not because I'm a doctrinare conservative. Far from it. I'm a computer geek who likes to do cool stuff with computers in politics, and who loves the process more than anything else. I'm actually registered as a Democrat, because I pretty much only donate to Democrats.
Kevin's the kind of guy who understands the issues, who has goals for the office he seeks, and who has the strength of personality and gravitas to make things happen in Oregon. What we need now in this state is real leadership, regardless of what party it comes from.
I'm working for Kevin because I've been utterly disappointed in Ted Kulongoski's leadership, and leadership is a characteristic Kevin Mannix has in spades. Kevin is not afraid to get involved; he's not afraid to use the power of the Governor's office to make the tough decisions that are right for the state. My favorite nickname for Ted Kulongoski is "The Disappearing Governor", and much to the chagrin of some of BlueOregon's readers, I can promise you Kevin Mannix will never "Disappear".
Aug 8, '05
Kevin's the kind of guy who understands the issues, who has goals for the office he seeks, and who has the strength of personality and gravitas to make things happen in Oregon. What we need now in this state is real leadership, regardless of what party it comes from.
Leadership involves building coalitions. Where has he done that recently? Last time Mannix ran, his slogan was (no punctuation intentionally) "tough on crime no new taxes".
If he has more well developed ideas this time, he should put them out there. But as a Republican friend of mine says, anyone running for Governor should have a vision ten years out AND specifics on how to achieve that vision. With so many registered outside major parties, it is hard to see how ideology wins the next election if the majority of voters are looking for problem solvers.
I think we need a fresh face and fresh ideas. But if Mannix wants to beat back his sarcastic reputation he could do so by intelligently discussing substance. I seem to recall he has some intelligent ideas about hashing out all budgets in public hearings, with majority and minority reports argued on the floor if need be.
The behind the scenes budget deliberations of the 2005 session did not end the session before August. If Mannix would make a big point of the role of open budget hearings, that might just get the attention of those who have never heard him speak intelligently and who think he is just another sarcastic politician.
I have heard Mannix speak intelligently, and I have heard him be arrogant and sarcastic. Which side he chooses to reveal in the upcoming campaign (and how often he travels to small towns to listen as well as speak) will say a lot about what sort of campaign he intends to run.
But he's got an uphill battle against those ordinary folks across the spectrum saying to their friends, "I keep hearing people are tired of all 3 of them: Mannix, Saxton, Kulongoski".
Aug 20, '05
I've met both Mary Oberst and Sharon Kitzhaber and, frankly I'd take Mary any day. She was kind and humble and she listened to my concerns, which were radical. She struck me as very "Oregon" (and it would be very Oregon to knit in a meeting; many women here do). With Sharon, you got the feeling she'd be more suited as the first lady of Beverly Hills than Oregon and, although we had traveled to many of the same countries with similar experiences, she actually turned her back and refused to talk to me. You got the feeling she'd do that, unless you were Carlos Kalmar, James Canfield, the Baroness Helena or at very least a $200 hr trainer at the MAC. Ugh! I can't believe we taxpayers supported that woman's lifestyle for 8 years. Now... about Mary's husband...