Lucky Thirteen
Editorial
At
the end of the movie “Patton,” Eisenhower and his chief of
staff, Bedell Smith, fire the general because he refuses to denazify the
German civil system. Patton argues that you’re not going to be able
to restore the water supply or get the trains running if you don’t
retain a few people who know how to do it.
Closer to
our times, a similar argument occurred again when Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt
allowed the Bathists to police their own in the Sunni Triangle, in Falluja.
Once again, the purists caved to reality and Saddam’s ex-soldiers
were allowed a place in the new society.
But closer
to home, if the state of Oregon cleaned out everyone who knew or was associated
with Goldschmidt there would be no one home, no one at all at …the
utilities … the big public relations firms … the state departments…
or…why even the governor’s office.
So how about
these disciples of Goldschmidt? Should they be allowed a place in the
new Oregon? There may not be a new Oregon yet, but there had better be
one soon, because right now it’s a sad, demoralized place.
The story
of Goldschmidt’s fall exposed more than immoral behavior; it also
revealed the collapse of rotten, full-stench, one-party rule in Oregon.
The Democrats, under Goldschmidt, have had a 20-year run in Oregon for.
And as we’ve said before, every 20 years or so you’ve gotta
flush the toilet. Otherwise, the abuses of one-party rule just get worse
and worse. Think $40,000 phone calls and criminal secrets kept hushed
for 25 years.
Should cleaning
out the Goldschmidt house include throwing Gov. Kulongoski out? Before
you get there, answer this question first: Do you think the governor knew
about Goldschmidt’s rape of a 14-year-old before he appointed him
to be head of Higher Ed? And, yes this is speculative, but, of course,
the governor knew.
Everybody
in the Democratic Party knew. Even Republicans knew that Goldschmidt had
chosen not to run for a second term as governor because of …rumors
about his personal life. It was a secret convenient for all in power to
forget. Who would want to remember it?
We live
in a state with no checks and balances, a one-party state. But arguing
about when did the governor know and what did he know isn’t going
to solve our problems or lead the state out of the country’s worst
economy.
Therefore,
for now, leave the Baathists in charge. Grant the governor amnesty. Move
on. It’s time to solve Oregon’s other problems.
And Oregon’s
biggest problem is the apparent lack of a Republican Party. The last Republican
elected governor was Vic Atiyeh in 1982. In ’06, it will be 24 years
since the state had a GOP governor. Think it might be time for a second
political party in Oregon? After the foul haze of the last few months,
couldn’t the state use a few checks and balances?
But to have
a second party, Oregon Republicans need a candidate, an individual strong
enough to build. Someone to be governor. Who could that be? Who could
build that second party? Who could be governor in ’06?
The Lucky
Thirteen:
1) Gordon
Smith: The state’s junior senator, comfortably ensconced
in his second term with his new seat on the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
Upside—great politician (but not a big fan of partisan politics
as proven during his tenure as Oregon Senate President). Odds: 25-1
2)
Greg Walden: Solid stature as a rising power, soon to enter the
Republican leadership in the U. S. House of Representatives. Upside—young,
widely popular, from rural Oregon but accepted by urban insiders. Job
is his for the asking. Moderately pro-choice. Odds: 3-1
3)
Jack Roberts: Former Republican Labor Commissioner and
currently Lane County Metro Partnership Director. Upside—talented
political mind and outstanding orator. Well liked. Downside—not
much stomach for the gritty side of politics; weak showing in ’02
gubernatorial primary. Odds: 10-1
4) Kevin Mannix: State GOP Chair who lost the ’02
race by a whisker. Almost certain to run again in ’06. Upside —shrewd
and determined politician. Downside—likes to work alone and has
already lost three statewide races. Odds: 6 - 1
5) Ron
Saxton: Fiscal conservative and high-powered Portland attorney.
Upside—Strong boardroom dexterity. Downside—clumsy on social
issues with tin ear for party base. Professional ties to Goldschmidt won’t
help, especially where Saxton is weakest—with the party base.
Odds: 9 –1
6) Lars
Larson: Statewide audience of 100,000 listeners, ironically just
about the number of votes needed to win primary. (Sen. Jesse Helms and
Sen. Conrad Burns were radio talk show hosts in previous lives. Tom McCall
was a journalist too). Downside—
tough to do a national radio show as governor of Oregon and Paul Allen
won’t condone the moonlighting. Odds: 20-1
7) Karen
Minnis: Speaker of the House has earned reputation as loyal Republican
and hard worker. Should be positives but legislature held in low regard.
Odds: 20-1
8) Jeff
Kropf: Ambitious Lebanon state representative. Might be stalking
horse for Lars, especially since Larson and Mannix are not as close due
to feud last fall partially engineered by Oregonian (hate) columnist,
Steve Duin. Downside—lacks depth.
Odds: 20-1
9)
Rob Kremer: Intelligent candidate in ’02 school superintendent
race. Upside—two degrees from the University of Chicago and admired
by grass roots for building a dozen charter schools in Oregon. Energetic,
brainy, talented, big-hearted. Downside: Suffers fools…not at all,
likes to work alone.
Odds: 12-1
10) Russ
Walker: Statewide anti-tax activist, leader of Citizens for Sound
Economy. Upside—gained prominence as the voice that defeated Measure
30 (tax increase). Recently appeared on the Jim Lehrer News Hour. Downside—youth.
Odds: 35-1
11) Ray
Davis: Nevada native. Dynamic Umpqua Bank CEO busy building largest
regional bank in Northwest. Upside—no nonsense, charismatic, solid
leadership skills. Downside—very busy with day job.
Odds: 40-1
12) Charlie
Denson: NIKE President, grew up in Corvallis. Father-in-law Gene
Tims served in Oregon legislature representing Burns, Ore. Upside—knows
rural Oregon, knows international business, plus annual NIKE sales of
$13 billion equivalent to state of Oregon’s General Fund. Downside—golfing
with Tiger Woods much more fun than working with Oregon Legislature. Odds:
100-1
13) Judy
Peppler: Feisty Oregon CEO of Qwest, growing solid reputation
as anti-tax, anti-regulatory infighter at the Portland Business Alliance.
Upside—brains and strong public presence. Downside—PBA does
not have solid reputation. Odds: 50-1
|