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Future Governor of Oregon
World Net Daily ^ | 1/24/06 | Ron Strom

Posted on 01/29/2006 8:01:18 PM PST by OregonRepublican

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Hoping to rise above the partisan knell and use his youthful exuberance and idealism to attract disenchanted voters, state Sen. Jason Atkinson plans to be the first Republican governor in 24 years to lead blue-state Oregon.

While some detractors have scoffed at Atkinson's youth, at 35 he has eight years of experience in the state Legislature, having grown up in a family steeped in both politics and media. That combination of youth, experience and media savvy just might be the formula that could put the senator in the governor's office, some observers believe.

Intoning a populist theme, Atkinson says his campaign is based on two words: hope and respect. In fact, the senator champions the Progressive Movement of 100 years ago when special interests in the United States were rebuffed and the "voice of the people" was strengthened.

Atkinson says he discounts the idea that leaders from both major parties are bound to a "business as usual" approach to governing, saying he favors "a conservative approach which is actually a populist approach … to give the people their government back."

He decries the fact that one county judge overturned Measure 37 last year, a popular statewide initiative that restored certain property rights to Oregonians. Before the judge took action, Atkinson said, "special interests spent seven months of the Legislature trying to overturn it." The senator also mentioned special interests that tried to overturn Measure 36, which defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman in Oregon.

"I want to return power back to people," Atkinson told WND. "The people feel disconnected. They're fed up."

Special interests are one of Atkinson's chief targets as he faces two better-known Republicans in a May primary election.

"I am frustrated the special interests have more power and influence than voters and the people they elected to represent them," states Atkinson on his website. "I am determined to change the way we do business in Salem. It is wrong to fund education last. It is a failure of leadership to allow the will of the voters to be overturned. It is a mistake to confuse a special interest agenda with an agenda in Oregon's best interests."

Atkinson believes special interests have taken over politics in the state over the past 20 years.

"In Oregon, we've got a system of special interests that command the agenda," he said.

The senator pointed a finger directly at the teachers' unions, saying education lobbyists care only about getting more money from government coffers while disregarding the true needs of rank-and-file union members.

Noting the state's elected officials all say education is a priority, Atkinson emphasized that the K-12 funding bill is routinely the last spending bill to pass – thanks to the power of special interests that "bottle up the bill and force delay."

He says the education special interests play games with budget numbers to vilify Republicans and paint them as indifferent toward schools.

"Since I've been in office for eight years, education funding has gone up a billion dollars," he said, but lobbyists are able to manipulate the media into reporting that "Republicans cut education."

Added Atkinson: "It's not about children with the special interests; it's about money and power."

The senator compared the simmering corruption scandal involving D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff to the way politics work in Salem, the capital of Oregon – something he aims to change if he is elected governor.

Attracting 'frustrated Democrats'

Atkinson outlined three immediate goals he would seek to fulfill within 100 days of assuming the governor's office: Break the "monopoly of special interests" on the education budget, pass Jessica's Law, which establishes minimum sentences for sex offenders, and eliminate capital gains taxes.

"If I can accomplice those three things in the first 100 days, the balance of power in Oregon will shift dramatically," he said.

Democrats hold a slight edge to Republicans in voter registration in Oregon, 39 percent to 36 percent. In 2000, President Bush lost the state to then-Vice President Gore by just 6,000 popular votes.

Atkinson says "independents and frustrated Democrats" in the Portland area will be key for him to attract if he's to pull together a winning coalition.

Helping the cause of whichever Republican wins the primary is the fact that Washington, D.C., newspaper Roll Call in October named the incumbent Democrat governor, Ted Kulongoski, the most vulnerable state executive in the nation. Statewide polling has shown as little as 33 percent of Oregon voters would choose to keep Kulongoski in office.

In May's primary race, Atkinson faces Kevin Mannix, a former legislator who narrowly lost to Kulongoski in 2002, and Portland attorney Ron Saxon, who also ran in the GOP primary four years ago.

In his quest to garner the Republican nomination, Atkinson is collecting the support of nationally known elected officials, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

"The governor has endorsed Jason Atkinson," Perry spokesman Robert Black told WND, "and we will be doing what we can to see that he's elected."

Added Black: "[Perry] believes he'd be a good governor for the state or Oregon."

'Don't give up'

Atkinson nearly left politics a few years ago. He tells the story of the birth of his son – premature and weighing 1 pound – during a time when he was being "beaten up" by his opponents and in the media. At that low point in his life, he says he came close to not running for re-election – but then he received a letter that changed his thinking.

"A little lady in Cave Junction sent me a note," he explained. "At the time she was 78 years old, and she sent me a check for $10. … She wrote, 'I want you to know that you made me proud. Don't give up.' Without being overly sentimental, that's why I ran for re-election."

The senator later set out five criteria that would have to be met for him to run for governor – including whether it would be "right" for his family.

"That included a tremendous amount of prayer," he recalled, "over a year's worth."

Another issue was whether or not he could run for the "right reasons" and stand on his philosophy of government without changing his tune between the primary and general elections. He decided he could – and would.

The candidate criticized the method he says Republicans traditionally use to run for governor in Oregon:

"They raise a pile of money from the same 10 people and say, 'I'm going to get real conservative in the primary and then real moderate in the general election.'"

Such an approach, he says, obviously has proven unsuccessful, so he's using the lessons of the past to chart a different strategy.

Atkinson emphasizes the grass-roots nature of his campaign, saying though he doesn't lead the GOP candidates in money raised, he has "raised more money in $10 increments than anybody else has."

Campaigning on the Net

Atkinson believes his youth, experience and freshness will attract young professionals, independent voters and loyal Republicans.

Besides being younger than his opponents – which he says puts him in good stead with young voters in Oregon – Atkinson is utilizing untraditional means to get the word out, including the Internet.

"I met with a handful of bloggers, and out of that organically an Atkinson for Governor blogger network was started," he said. "I was told we now have 20 blog sites on the Net."

Such unconventional means "have been extremely well received," said Atkinson.

Of his campaign team, Atkinson said, "We've got passion, tempo and work ethic, and the other guys are not going to be able to keep pace."

Even though conventional wisdom would say a young lawmaker from the "wrong part of the state," southern Oregon, can't beat two better-known attorney politicians, Atkinson says recent polling data is positive.

In both scientific and non-scientific polls, the senator has come in either first or second in the three-way GOP race.

Atkinson compares himself to his opponents in many areas – a comparison he sees as a plus.

"You're not going to say this Republican is 60 years old, he's really well-connected and he's wealthy – you're not going to be able to say that," Atkinson told WND. "What you're going to be able say is this guy is has a young family who rides his bike, loves to fish and is outside all the time."

His message: "I'm not a Republican to be feared – and that's all the Democrats are going to come after me with."

Political junkies in Oregon foresee a rousing fight between the three Republicans in this spring's contest.

"There's a potential for a Republican bloodbath in the primary," Dave Hunnicutt, the executive director of Oregonians in Action, a property rights group, told the Associated Press. "Saxton, Mannix and Atkinson … you probably won't have any Kumbayah meetings between the three of them."

While Atkinson is open about his Christian faith, he believes some Christian in politics have "been martyred" by standing for one position so strongly that they become ineffective or are defeated at the polls.

"Some have been so ideologically rigid that they were actually irrelevant in public discourse," he explained.

Referring to his own faith, Atkinson commented, "I can't say that I believe in the model that Christ gave of servant leadership if I didn't try to live it – and that's who I am."

He says that as a person of faith he wants to be effective in the long term, but will not water down his core principles.

Indeed, Atkinson openly voices his stance against abortion. Sunday, the senator addressed a rally of pro-lifers commemorating the anniversary of Roe v. Wade here, telling the approving crowd: "It's time to finally elect a pro-life governor in Oregon!"

A family affair

Politics runs in the family for Atkinson. His father, Perry, was a candidate for Congress in the 1990s and later served as chairman of the Oregon Republican Party. Perry now is president and general manager of Christian radio station KDOV in Medford, Ore., and hosts the station's morning talk show.

The baritone-voiced Atkinson, himself, has media experience, having written and produced a morning radio show and worked as an on-air personality. The senator also serves on the board of United Christian Broadcasters International.

Atkinson was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1998 and was appointed to serve as assistant majority leader his first year in office. In 2000, he was elected to the state Senate, where he has served as deputy majority leader, majority whip and a committee chairman.

Last summer, Atkinson voted against a bill to establish same-sex civil unions in Oregon, and in 2003 he led opposition to a bill attempting to nullify for Oregonians some of the tax breaks in President Bush's stimulus package eventually passed on the federal level.

Atkinson family

In the private sector, Atkinson runs Allmand Tree Creative, a consulting firm, and also trains professionals on business ethics and servant leadership.

According to his online bio, Atkinson has been abroad several times on trade missions, serving as a representative of the United States in Egypt and Jordan.

Atkinson lives in Central Point, Ore., with his wife, Stephanie, and 3-year-old son, Perry "Pomp" Atkinson.

Said talk-show host and columnist Bob Just, who interviewed Atkinson on the radio recently: "Jason is young enough to dream and old enough to deliver."

Come May, Oregon Republicans will decide if that youthful idealism is attractive enough to put up against a powerful Democratic Party and possibly steer this blue state closer to the red end of the spectrum.


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections; US: Oregon; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: conservative; eugene; larslarson; oregon; portland; republican
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To: NathanDahlin

Glad to here your supporting the best canidate Atkinson. Thats just one of Mannix many problems.


81 posted on 02/06/2006 3:07:09 PM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: OregonRepublican

Good. He should make a tour of Oregon university campuses too.


82 posted on 02/06/2006 4:48:06 PM PST by Giant Conservative
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To: Giant Conservative

Yeah might get mugged their, but he should visit the college republican groups. Those kids will fire up support.


83 posted on 02/06/2006 5:22:18 PM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: OregonRepublican
"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."

It could also be disinformation they're putting out, too. You have to be very careful reading those sites.

84 posted on 02/06/2006 7:34:04 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: OregonRepublican

I emailed his campaign about that and in 5 mins had a response from his campaign manager saying that their working on it, and plan to work with the college republicans.


85 posted on 02/06/2006 7:37:50 PM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

I know that, but some of them work for others in the capital and said as much as I dislike his policy he was always willing to debate and talk to us when many other state reps and senators wouldnt. Atkinson is a very nice guy.


86 posted on 02/06/2006 7:39:18 PM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: OregonRepublican; Clintonfatigued; AuH2ORepublican
"- It when he was Chairman. I worked for the party in 04, and it pissed many people off when he used state party money to pay for his 02 campaign debt. It also pissed people off that we had no good state candidates in 04, we loss seats in state races. We lost Oregon for Bush by more in 04 then 00. I honestly cant think of anything he did good well chairman."

Paying off his debts in that manner, you are correct, does not reflect well on the man. I think Mannix had other problems with recruitment for the '04 cycle because of the loss of incumbents due to term limits (and, IIRC, some choosing to retire of their own accord). This may simply have been bad timing for when he served as Chairman. Was not another problem that the Bush campaign didn't bother a lot with Oregon this cycle ? I was rather shocked at the incredible uptick in voters between '00 and '04 (and a lot of Kerry's margin seemed to be due to the Naderites switching back to support the 'Rats). Like I said, how much of that can be laid at Mannix's feet is the question, when a lot of it appears to have been beyond his control.

"- Ask yourself when you here a candidate lost 3 state races what do you think of? I think of sore loser,"

You might think that way, if you didn't bother to look at the candidate and ask yourself, "Why did he lose ?" Some individuals ask that question of the stalwart Conservative Republican Tom McClintock in California... He's run for statewide office three times (Comptroller, twice, in 1994 and 2002; Gubernatorial recall, 2003), but he is anything BUT a loser. Why he lost those contests were for different reasons, and to simply dismiss the person as a "sore loser" is not only short-sighted, but very ignorant. Why Mannix lost his 3 races should also be examined. He ran in 1996 as a Democrat for Attorney-General and failed to secure the nomination (ostensibly because he was far too Conservative to obtain it). He ran in 2000 for the same office, this time securing the nomination as a Republican -- but he lost the job because the Libertarians ran a spoiler candidate, and the same identical situation occurred in 2002 when he ran for Governor. No substantial leftist 3rd party ran to funnel votes away from the Democrats in either of those contests. Would I call Mannix a sore loser because of those situations ? No, the first was a loss due to ideological insuitability for the Democrats, the latter two the victim of a 3rd party. Even Michael Barone described him as more articulate and well-versed on the issues than Kulongoski in '02.

"Nader gained votes in 00 but lost a large amount of votes in 04. Do you honestly think the republicans will be just excited now as 02 with Mannix I say no way. They know hes lost and wont put the effort in again to help him win. Would republicans be more excited to see a young, intelligent candidate who wont run a smear campaign who can attract people from both sides or Mannix the guy who hasn't won nothing. I think its clear."

Remember what I said above. Atkinson could just as easily get sandbagged by the Libertarians as Mannix did -- twice. Like I said, you call Mannix a loser while failing to analyze the reason for his loss. How can you necessarily claim with certainty that Atkinson will somehow be able to overcome what sandbagged Mannix ? I'm also not sure what you mean by a "smear campaign." Mannix himself had to get through a RINO-laden primary in '02, and RINOs are often the single most vicious campaigners I've ever witnessed... namely because they campaign exactly like liberal Democrats, from which they are usually ideologically indistinguishable.

"- I feel Mannix had his shot in 02, and we need some who will energize the base and Atkinson is that guy. Between 02 and now Mannix has become even more polarizing and has burned many bridges in his own party."

Well, if Atkinson scores a victory in the primary, I hope he can take the Governorship.

87 posted on 02/06/2006 8:01:05 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Yes compare to Hilary. IMO they are both in politics for the same reason, to wield power and satisfy their egos. And no I don't expect Mannix would go rounding up Jews but he would get a thrill at the prospect of rounding up pot smokers, and I can envision him taking a hard line approach with other existing laws, as well as developing some new ones, in order to find other folks to round up. That is what he's been all about in his legislative career and I wouldn't expect any better behavior in the Governor's office.

And he of all people ought not be too offended being compared to a Democrat, that is the card he carried just a few years ago.

From Wikipedia:

Kevin Mannix is an Oregon politician, lawyer and former chairman of the Republican Party in Oregon. Mannix earned his law degree from the University of Virginia.

From 1988 to 1998, he served in the Oregon Legislature as a member of the Democratic Party Of Oregon.

Mannix was a driving force behind the effort to get tougher sentences for criminals. In 1994, he helped pass Ballot Measure 11, which imposed mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes.

Prior to serving in the legislature, Mannix worked in several different capacities, including Assistant Attorney General of Oregon, Assistant Attorney General of Guam, and as a Pro-Tem District and Circuit Court Judge.

In 1996, Mannix ran for Oregon Attorney General. At the last minute, Hardy Myers was recruited by Democrats to run against Mannix in the Democratic Primary, as some felt Mannix was too conservative for their party. Myers defeated Mannix in the primary 62.8% to 36.8%. Myers went on to easily defeat his Republican opponent in the November general election.

Mannix switched to the Republican Party in the late 1990s. In 2000, he again ran for Attorney General against Meyers in a bitter campaign. Myers again defeated Mannix 49.8% to 46%.

In 2002, he ran for governor against Democrat Ted Kulongoski. The race was the closest in the history of Oregon: Kulongoski won 49% of the vote versus 46% for Mannix. The defeat also marked the fifth time in a row the Republicans failed to gain control of the governor's mansion.

He became Republican State Party Chair in 2004, and stepped down in 2005. Mannix has stated his intention to run for governor once again in 2006.

88 posted on 02/06/2006 9:02:15 PM PST by Clinging Bitterly (Oregon - a pro-militia and firearms state that looks just like Afghanistan .)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Then again, I'm not terribly pleased by a lot of what the GOP does these days.

Exactly.

89 posted on 02/06/2006 9:08:02 PM PST by Clinging Bitterly (Oregon - a pro-militia and firearms state that looks just like Afghanistan .)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Remember what I said above. Atkinson could just as easily get sandbagged by the Libertarians as Mannix did -- twice. Like I said, you call Mannix a loser while failing to analyze the reason for his loss. How can you necessarily claim with certainty that Atkinson will somehow be able to overcome what sandbagged Mannix ? I'm also not sure what you mean by a "smear campaign." Mannix himself had to get through a RINO-laden primary in '02, and RINOs are often the single most vicious campaigners I've ever witnessed... namely because they campaign exactly like liberal Democrats, from which they are usually ideologically indistinguishable.

-Well right now no libertarian is running (thankfully), 2nd Mannix isnt a conservative, would I call him a RINO no but he isnt a conservative. a RINO is still running (Saxton) and hes doing what RINOS to best blow smoke out of his tail. The thing that will suck is the possibility Mannix and Atkinson split the conservative votes and the RINOS get Saxton the candidnancy.
90 posted on 02/06/2006 9:19:01 PM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: Dave in Eugene of all places
"Yes compare to Hilary. IMO they are both in politics for the same reason, to wield power and satisfy their egos."

A lot of people in politics have egos, but it all depends upon whether they intend to do good or do harm to the office for which they are elected to.

"And no I don't expect Mannix would go rounding up Jews but he would get a thrill at the prospect of rounding up pot smokers, and I can envision him taking a hard line approach with other existing laws, as well as developing some new ones, in order to find other folks to round up. That is what he's been all about in his legislative career and I wouldn't expect any better behavior in the Governor's office."

Being tough on illegal drugs is only going to serve to increase my support for the candidate. I am unapologetically pro-WOD. Social Conservatives are more important to me than those focused exclusively on economics, though you cannot exclusively ignore the latter, either (some have discovered that lesson by losing reelection). I certainly hope Atkinson is not soft on the WOD issue.

91 posted on 02/06/2006 9:28:03 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: OregonRepublican

Have you seen any polling data for the primary ?


92 posted on 02/06/2006 9:29:23 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

Yeah saw a poll where Atkinson was in 2nd behind Saxton. A lot of undecideds though.


93 posted on 02/07/2006 7:11:47 AM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: OregonRepublican

Saxton is in first ? Ugh. I hear he's trying to "pretend" to be Conservative, how cute.


94 posted on 02/07/2006 7:24:33 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
yeah and Lars is now behind him. And Lars calls himself a conservative. I asked Lars why are you now supporting a candidate who's campaign manager isn't a registered republican. A candidate who before stated he was pro choice, who's supported higher taxes, who's given hundred of thousands of dollars to democrats, who did a horrible job on the Portland school board. He responded in about 5 mins with a run around answer.
95 posted on 02/07/2006 10:34:26 AM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
I am unapologetically pro-WOD.

Too bad he's not running in TN then, you'd have your guy.

Social conservatism is one thing but the man is a tyrant. I have been around the block a time or two and I have seen how he and others like him, folks I would have supported myself a few years back, operate, and he has no place in elected office in this state as far as I'm concerned. If you like him so much recruit him for your own state.

96 posted on 02/07/2006 9:26:35 PM PST by Clinging Bitterly (Oregon - a pro-militia and firearms state that looks just like Afghanistan .)
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To: Dave in Eugene of all places

Hey, send him down here. We have no candidate of any stature running against our flawed 'Rat incumbent Governor. It's an embarrassment. :-(


97 posted on 02/07/2006 9:32:35 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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To: OregonRepublican

quit spamming me


98 posted on 02/08/2006 8:51:57 AM PST by Hammerhead
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To: Hammerhead

how am I spamming you?


99 posted on 02/08/2006 11:02:41 AM PST by OregonRepublican (Jesus Loves you Allah wants you dead! Liberalism is a mental Disorder- Savage)
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