The Oregonian endorses Saxton

[Reader Rabbit]

WTF?

From the editorial, it sounds as if the only reason they're for him is because he's not Kulongoski. Change for the sake of change appears to be the philosophy behind this opinion.

I suggest that everyone read the editorial and then write letters. The email addy is [e-mail].

[Syncronaut Seven]

1. The Oregonian is a tool of republican business interests

Of course they endorse him.

I won't even wipe the shit from my ass with their pages. You only end up dirtier than you started.

[classof56]

2. Heard about this yesterday.

I'm stunned and appalled and hope the Oregonian's server is permanently disabled by the barrage of messages objecting to this idiotic endorsement.

WTF indeed! Almost wish I had a subscription so I could immediately cancel it!!

[doubleplusgood]

3. this, from the editors that endorsed Bush in 2000

...and who had to struggle on whether to endorse Kerry in 2004. Truly, you have to wonder what planet these idiots are on. All of the problems they talk about, Oregon lagging in school funding, fewer state police officers than years ago & no rainy day fund, were CAUSED by Republicans, by their mindless, "no new taxes" philosphy over the past 20 years.

And if Saxton gets elected governor, what are the chances that he would push to get Diebold machines in Oregon & do away with vote-by-mail?

[Reader Rabbit]

4. Yup, hopefully someone will call them on that.

There were so many angles to take with their editorial, because there were so many things wrong with it that it took me all day to decide. Eventually, I went with an aspect that I haven't seen or heard anyone else mention, since the other issues seem to be covered.

I’m baffled by The Oregonian’s endorsement of Ron Saxton for governor. It seems based not on what Saxton has done, but on what he says he will do. Puzzling, indeed, since The Oregonian’s own political writer, Harry Esteve, has pointed out that a great deal of what Saxton says just isn’t true: his implication that the National Report Card for Higher Education (i.e., colleges and universities) was actually an indictment of Oregon’s K-12 educational system; his erroneous claim that hordes of illegal aliens are using state drivers licenses to vote; and his assertion that tax increases by Ted Kulongoski “cost every man, woman, and child in Oregon $1,000,” which, Esteve points out, is only true if every man, woman, and child in Oregon attends college. Considering that The Oregonian itself has covered Saxton’s fast and loose attitude toward the truth, why on Earth would the editorial board assume that his campaign promises are any more honest than his campaign ads?

What do you think? I may end up writing a letter every single day of the week, just to make sure that I hit all the things wrong with the so-called reasoning behind their endorsement. And I think everyone else should write, too. Even though they're corporate whores, they're whores that are read by a lot of Oregonians. Those are the people we need to convince.

[classof56]

5. This is good! You covered a bunch of cogent points.

Glad you reffed Harry Esteve. My first thought when I heard they'd endorsed Saxton was that they endorsed Bush in 2000--and we all know how well THAT has worked! Argh!

Great line--"Considering...Saxton's fast and loose attitude toward the truth...why would the editorial board assume that his campaign promises are any more honest than his campaign ads?" I like that!

Keep writing those letters. The one you posted will be a hard act to follow, but we have to get the word out there. My letter will be on its way soon. If Saxton wins, and especially if Minnis is re-elected as well, our wonderful Oregon is royally screwed!

[Reader Rabbit]

6. Thanks! I'm worried that they'll ignore it, though.

I've written several letters already about Saxton's hypocrisy in playing the illegal immigrant fear card, since he himself is guilty of the same crime. His renting an apartment in the attendence area for Lincoln High School in order for his chidren to partake of "better" educational opportunities is not all that dissimilar from what Latinos are attempting to do: provide better opportunities for their own children. Not surprisingly, however, The Oregonian has not seen fit to print any of these letters.

[MissB]

7. A friend of mine sends in about 10 a month

and one or two get printed over a course of two or three months.

[Reader Rabbit]

8. I've sent in tons about Saxton, but they've only printed one.

Guess their endorsement explains why!

[doubleplusgood]

9. driver's licenses for illegals

Don't illegal immigrants (along with everyone else) have to show proof-of-insurance in order to get a driver's license? If this is the case, won't Saxton's proposal just result in more illegals driving without licenses AND without insurance? This is kinda like the idiotic proposals to deny health care & education to illegal immigrants & their children, proposals that, if enacted, would endanger public health & safety for everyone.

[Ken Burch]

16. And this, from the paper that insisted in 1968

That Wayne Morse needed to be replaced by future serial tongue molester Bob Packwood.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. great letter RR!

do you ever feel like an energizer bunny? :P

:hi:
We missed you last weekend! How was the game?

[Reader Rabbit]

11. Update!

The Oregonian didn't post my LTTE, but they certainly didn't stint when it came ot others'! According to today's Opinion page, the newspaper has received 140 letters from Saturday afternoon—when news of the endorsement first came out—to Monday. And only four of those were happy about the endorsement! Go, Portland! Let 'em have it!

Here's the link:
http://www.oregonlive.com/letters/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/116104472766230.xml&coll=7

Most of the letter writers covered points that we've brought up here. I say, keep at it! Let The Oregonian have it with both barrels!

[Reader Rabbit]

12. I think I'll write them every day this week.

Here's today's letter!

Tuesday’s letters to The Oregonian, questioning the endorsement of Ron Saxton, were extremely heartening. It’s good to know that I’m not the only person in the state wondering if your editorial board had suffered a bout of temporary insanity.

That said, none of the letter writers addressed the point that disturbed me most: the sweeping generalization that “Oregonians seem unwilling to lift a finger, or spend another dime, to remedy (the state’s) problems.” Who are these uncaring, self-centered folk of whom you speak? Not most of the Oregonians I know, that’s for sure.

I think most Oregonians realize that taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society—one which values libraries, parks, schools, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. Just because Ron Saxton believes that government can somehow function without taxes doesn’t mean the rest of us are so disconnected from reality, compassion, and civic responsibility!

Take that, corporate tools!

[classof56]

13. Another good one, RR!

It is indeed heartening to see the response to the Oregonian's endorsement. Continues to give me hope!

Tired Old Cynic

[oregonjen]

14. Have you seen this poll?

This poll at www.kgw.com is interesting. There are still many undecided voters out there, which is amazing. Kulongoski needs to hit hard with ads from now until election day.


Results as of 7am, 10/17.

Who do you plan to vote for in the Governor's race?


Gov. Ted Kulongoski


33.53% 1725 votes


Ron Saxton


28.79% 1481 votes


Undecided


37.67% 1938 votes


5144 Total Votes

[stubtoe]

15. Maybe "Undecided" really means "Not Gonna Vote"

It's unnervingly close. Hope you're right about the ads.

[Parche]

17. ron shaxton

That means we have to work harder so that goober Saxton wont win
I despise Saxton, he is such a constipated conservative