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"Mannix is damaged goods, he burnt bridges with many in the republican party trying to make them pay for his failed campaign"

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.

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.

- 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.

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").

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

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.

- 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.