Mannix likely state GOP's next chairman (Oregon)

Oregonian/Oregon Live ^ | 12/12/2002 | Jeff Mapes

[B Knotts]

Five weeks after losing a tight race for Oregon governor, Kevin Mannix resurfaced Wednesday as the sudden odds-on favorite to become chairman of a state Republican Party divided by a bitter leadership fight.

The party's current chairman, Perry Atkinson, and his chief rival, Lynn Snodgrass -- recruited for the post by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore. -- both dropped out of the race and said they would support Mannix.

"My concern is reaching out to everybody in the party and pulling everybody together," said Mannix, who as Republican chairman would gain a platform to continue critiquing the work of the man -- Democrat Ted Kulongoski -- who defeated him in the governor's race.

Because national parties face a new federal ban on big-dollar fund raising, control of the state parties -- particularly in Oregon where the parties can accept contributions of any size -- has become more important than ever.

Partly as a result of the new law, Smith and Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., sought to push Atkinson aside in favor of Snodgrass, a former speaker of the House who planned to work closely with top Republican elected officials.

But Atkinson, a Christian broadcaster from Medford who charged that Smith was attempting a "hostile takeover" of the party from grass-roots activists, vowed to run for re-election amid a flurry of heated rhetoric from each side.

Snodgrass backers questioned how the party was handling its finances and said the White House was unhappy with the party leadership. Atkinson supporters denied the White House was involved and complained that Smith had tied up hundreds of thousands of dollars in voter-turnout money for the benefit of his re-election campaign -- and to the detriment of other Republican candidates.

By Wednesday, the angry rhetoric was largely replaced with expressions of support for Mannix from Snodgrass and Atkinson -- and from Smith as well.

Atkinson said he asked Mannix to run in his stead to heal the party's breach.

"With all the recent rumors about division in the party, I believe we need a fresh start with a party chairman who has my confidence, as well as the confidence of thousands throughout our state," Atkinson said in a letter to Republican Party officials.

Snodgrass said Mannix has the "opportunity and responsibility to make the many long overdue changes necessary to win Oregon for President Bush and to elect more Republicans" to other offices.

Snodgrass called on Mannix to conduct an outside audit of the party's finances and to replace the party's staff in Salem.

Smith was traveling in New Zealand, but his office issued a statement saying the senator thought Mannix "now has a unique opportunity to build" the party.

The state central committee, which has about 130 members, will elect the new chairman at a Jan. 11 meeting. Atkinson had planned to hold the meeting in early February but said he moved it up to seat a chairman before the Legislature begins its new session Jan. 13.

One other candidate At this point, Mannix faces one other candidate, Klamath County rancher Al King, the party's vice-chairman. Several central committee members said they didn't think King would win many votes, but King said he would continue his candidacy.

Mannix's candidacy "is the answer to a very sticky problem," said June Hartley, one of Oregon's two representatives on the Republican National Committee. "I always thought we had to have a neutral candidate."

One of King's backers, Lou Beres, who also heads the Oregon chapter of the Christian Coalition, has been one of Mannix's big political supporters. However, Beres said he didn't want Mannix to take over the party chairmanship.

"I'm in favor of (Mannix) so much, I don't want him to be stained and brought down to the party politics level," said Beres, explaining that he thought it could hurt Mannix's ability to run again for elected office.

Mannix said the party chairmanship could keep him from running for another office in 2004. He has said he is considering running for attorney general, secretary of state or for the congressional seat held by Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore.

But other Republicans said the chairmanship would keep him in the public eye and help his political future.

Kulongoski spokesman Scott Ballo was surprised to learn about Mannix's candidacy.

"It's a decision for the Republican Party to make," he said. "We wish him the best of luck."

[B Knotts]

For those near Portland, Kevin Mannix will be on the Bill Sizemore show tomorrow (KKGT - 1150 AM, 8-9 a.m.).

[martin_fierro]

For a second there, I thought

<|:)~

[B Knotts]

FYI BUMP

[Garth Rockett]

This has been A QUINN MARTIN PRODUCTION.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping!

On a different note, can anyone in the Portland or Oregon area find out where John Mohammud lived while he was in the Oregon National Guard?

There could be some very interesting and revealing looks back in his history if he lived in the Portland area while serving in the ONG.

[Made In The USA]

I only opened this tread to see if someone would have posted such a picture!

[Station 51]

Man(nix), you are quick! Beat me to it!

[martin_fierro]

That was easy. TOO easy.

<|:)~

[Atlas Sneezed]

Mannix is a sawed-off thug who can't be trusted, and who cares only about himself, fooling the Christian Right, and his latent big-government Democrat characteristics.

[B Knotts]

I'd probably prefer someone a bit more fiscally conservative, but any change is good to shake things up.

[Z in Oregon]

Mannix will make a great GOP State Chair. This is the best hopeful sign in Oregon since the Demos squeaked out their last-ever Governor's race victory last month.

Question: how far into the abyss of the worst economy in the nation does OR have to plunge before people wake up and elect a Republican Governor?

It amazes me that TK got in despite the economic train wreck of "Dr." Kitzhaber's regime!

[Z in Oregon]

Mannix is a sawed-off thug who can't be trusted, and who cares only about himself, fooling the Christian Right, and his latent big-government Democrat characteristics.

You're a dope. Say that to his face, tough guy!

[blackie]

Mannix is a good choice...

[blackie]

Sorry Dave, I can't assist ya...

How're you doing?

[dfwgator]

This has been A QUINN MARTIN PRODUCTION.

A Martin, Barton and Fargo production.

[Grampa Dave]

I'm doing well considering our house is going some major floor maintence do to a leaking toilet seal. If you have even a small area of hardwood floors damaged, you have to sand, and restain the rest of the area to match.

We are out of our master bedroom, laundry room, family room, kitchen and the eating nook. Everything has been moved to the dining and living room areas. ^Those two rooms look like a Salvation Army used furniture storage area.

We are supposed to be all back in by next Friday.

My type A to the ninth prime wife is having a rough time with all of this disorder. She says the whole house looks like my office and fishing equipment storage room. My toughest thing is figuring out where the refrigerator is now (dining room) after it has been in the kitchen for 27 years.

I had tentative plans to be steelhead fishing on the Smith River and Chetco this week. Glad I'm not up there. They have been slammed by monster storms. The Smith went from flows below 300' per minute to over 3,000 since yesterday and last night.

That area and our area is being threatened with massive rains until next Tuesday, and then we could have snow.

[WaterDragon]

Thanks for the ping, B Knotts. An interesting turn here, eh?