;o)
Posted on 01/29/2006 8:01:18 PM PST by OregonRepublican
You might've made a viable argument, but the last sentence invalidated the whole thing. Comparing Mannix to a "little Hitler" is the kind of over-the-top rhetoric we'd expect from DU'ers and not respected FReepers. Remember, Mannix WAS the Conservative candidate for Governor last time over liberal RINOs like Ron Saxton and Jack Roberts, and it was the Libertarian candidate that denied Mannix an outright victory in the general. I believed that Mannix deserved one last shot at the job given the closeness of that contest, and Kulongoski is damaged goods and VERY defeatable this time.
Alas, you're going to be hard-pressed to find many Conservative Republicans who will cut spending and shrink government in the manner in which you describe. Even many who may have established such a record in OTHER jobs jump the shark once they become Governor (I've seen countless flame-out jobs in that office who came in with such high hopes). Unless you have a situation where your population is shrinking, cutting back is almost an impossible task (not that it isn't a worthy goal in many areas). You've already said that Mannix was a part of the problem, Saxton (being a liberal RINO) DEFINITELY is, and it may be that Atkinson himself (being a member of the legislature since 1999) is compromised as well. Whether we like it or not, cutting the size and scope of government is way on the GOP backburner these days... if not completely off the stove and back in the closet.
Jason Atkinson would obviously do a good job as Governor. But what makes anyone think he'd be a stronger candidate than Kevin Mannix, who very nearly won in the last election? While it's true that Mannix has lost three statewide elections in the past, the margin was always close. But contrast, Atkinson is little-known.
Atkinson didnt raise taxes once as a senator. Gets a 0% from the pro-"choice" group.
Mannix is damaged goods, he burnt bridges with many in the republican party trying to make them pay for his failed campaign, ran 3 unsuccessful times for state office... get the hint Mannix the state doesnt want you. Atkinson is the only true conservative!
The difference is Mannix isnt liked at all in Portland where he will need to get around 35% of the vote to have a chance, and he hasnt and he never will. The other thing is Atkinson has the looks (sad to say but it helps), his only draw back is his name but if he carries southern Oregon in the primary he probably wins the nomination. If Atkinson wins the republican nomination IMO hes almost locked to be governor.
How exactly ? If he was so toxic, why were they falling all over themselves to coronate him as GOP state party chairman ? It's why your argument against him doesn't fully ring true.
"ran 3 unsuccessful times for state office... get the hint Mannix the state doesnt want you."
There can be a number of reasons why a person loses office, it doesn't necessarily have to do with a personal repudiation. If the Libertarian hadn't been in the race in '02, he'd be Governor now. Kulongoski is the one with high negatives and Mannix can beat him this time. He's gotten more votes than anyone since Vic Atiyeh (and remember, Atiyeh lost before he won, too -- and he was considered by certain pundits "D.O.A." and "too divisive", I guess he "didn't get the hint").
"Atkinson is the only true conservative!"
I'll not claim he isn't Conservative, he appears to be a fine gentleman, and I won't speak ill of him. I'm only saying I think Mannix deserves a final shot at the job he only barely lost.
Who is to say he can't ? Kulongoski is an almost certain bet that he won't get as many votes as he did the last time. If Mannix gets virtually the same as what he got last time, he wins.
It is a reasoned statement that I don't think is over the top at all. Compare to Hilary Clinton. Yes I believe he is that bad for Oregon, and a poor example to be held up as the standard bearer of the state party.
Then I don't see any reason to vote for them.
C'mon, dude ! Of course it is. The Hitler ref has become ludicrous in way too many arguments and sadly, truly loses its real meaning. First off, Mannix isn't going to round up Jews, ship 'em off to Harney County and bake 'em to a golden crisp (now, if Cynthia McKinney from GA were running for OR Governor... have reason to worry). Mannix isn't going to invade Idaho for the purposes of anschlauss, and he isn't going to declare war on California (even if he should). Let's keep the arguments a bit more reasonable and believable. Besides, the biggest insult you can make of a Republican these days is to compare them to a Democrat. Why not say Mannix is the second coming of Bob Straub, Barbara Roberts, John Kitzhaber, or even Neil Goldschmidt ? OK, maybe the latter is a bit below the belt.
"Compare to Hilary Clinton. Yes I believe he is that bad for Oregon, and a poor example to be held up as the standard bearer of the state party."
Naah, he's no Hillary. I don't think we've had that evil a woman in politics that close to the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt.
It sounds like you may have a hard time being pleased by any of the parties. Then again, I'm not terribly pleased by a lot of what the GOP does these days. It would be nice if someone found their cajones.
I totally agree. Atkinson needs to amp up his campaign though, because Saxton is getting way more press.
Exactly.
;o)
Hes starting too. Candiates got attention in The daily dead fish wrapper yesterday. And today in The columbian. Atkinson also got a front page Metro story on him a few months ago. Plus hes getting press in southern Oregon. He will get more press when it gets closer.
Lets see he hasnt in 3 state races, theirs even less republicans and hes the most polorizing republican probably in the state. Plus theirs not 35% republicans in Portland so you need someone who can get the indepedents and a few democrats and I believe Atkinson can. Go check out Blue Oregon (lefty site), many people on their are gonna vote for Atkinson, and they say like I said democrats dream guy is Mannix, he will fire up the democrat base.
How's Mannix? Is there anything wrong with him, or is he just not as willing to press controversial issues?He doesn't seem very conservative to me. From what I understand, he still has some significant debt from his failed '02 run for the governorship. To me, that doesn't indicate very much fiscal responsibility. I'm sending my '06 political tax credit to Atkinson. I think he has what it takes...
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