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In this so-called off year election, election watchers say the main factor in the outcome of most races will be "getting out the vote." Some candidates are duking it out on the airwaves in the form of political ads, with the occasional joint appearance. Despite a certain anti-incumbent sentiment around the country, the Oregon congressional delegation appears to be largely bucking that trend. One exception is the relatively close race in the 5th district, which we talked about in a previous show.
We've invited the rest of the congressional candidates on to the show — and for the most part the incumbents are unwilling, or unable, to appear. So we went to them. We spoke with many of them on tape, and we'll hear excerpts from those interviews on this show. We'll also speak with political scientists about the emerging themes in the Oregon races and the open seat across the river in Washington's 3rd district.
What issues are most important to you as you vote for your congressional representative? Has your current representative lived up to your expectations? Who are you leaning toward voting for? Why? How much attention do you pay to political advertising?
GUESTS:
- Melissa Buis Michaux: Political scientist at Willamette University
- Russ Dondero: Political scientist, retired political science professor at Pacific University
Tagged as: 2010 election · congress · david wu · ron wyden · washington
Photo credit: hmerinomx / Creative Commons
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I live in Oregon's 3rd district and I am very happy with the incumbent Democrat Earl Blumenauer. He voted against the Patriot Act, against the wars, for the health care reform, for the financial reform, and is one of the many Representatives working to reduce our excessive military spending. I happily circled his and Wyden's bubbles on my ballot last week as I sent it in.
<3 Earl
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Registered Independent in the 1st House District - David Wu has been non-existent, thus someone else deserves a chance - going with Cornilles. I pitch all print ads into the recycling bin and mute all TV ads - They either promise the world, or slam the opponent. Although, they are a great income redistribution mechanism! (From Special Interest Groups to ad agencies, media outlets, actors, printers, etc.)
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Political advertising helps me decide who to vote against. When a candidate uses the bulk of their advertising to dismiss their opponent, and they don't address issues important to me, I vote against them with bile and glee.
Senator Wyden has achieved some results I appreciate. I've heard Wyden speak at a Gunderson barge launch and job fair in north Portland this year. Wyden responds to my emails and works to achieve ideas I support.
I'm disappointed by apathetic Democrat voters who don't participate in these annoying and disheartening elections. The political process is frustrating, slow, often feels like a waste of time, but it requires constant involvement and vigilance.
I want candidates who will work to reduce and eliminate war. I want healthcare that works without driving citizens into the poor house. I want effective education that leads to meaningful careers and jobs. I want the federal government to reduce its size, scope and complexity.
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Complex long term problems require long extensive fixes. Nothing is solved overnight. And two years of Democratic majorities is too brief to have reversed major declines both internationally and domestically.
We suffer from Attention Deficit Syndrome. In the 60's we had the patience and resolve to work on decade long plan to reach the Moon. In the 40's we had the resolve of several administrations to commit to the war effort and the Manhattan Project. We now want instant solutions or we pull the rug from under our elected officials. Two years is the Maximum.
Thankfully there is a solution brewing in the form of Mind ALtering Drugs. If California passes Marijuana Legalization, we can all smoke dope and not care where our society devolves.
Cancer research: Give the chemo patients marijuana to take away the pain while the cancer continues eating away the liver.
Mass Transit and Rail: Grow pot at home. Smoke the pot. Who needs to go anywhere?
Unemployment: Ans: Couch Surf at your Friends and Family's homes. This couch is pretty comfortable, light me up another reefer.
Education: How much do you have to know to grow organic pot? All I need is a calculator to multiply $5,000 per plant by the number of plants I am growing.
Budget Deficit: Put those proposals down and lighten up Man! Have a toke. This is the best BC Bud.
Our Greatest Resource is not our lumber, salmon, or majestic mountains. But rather our children. And marijuana extinguishes ambition. Why do homework, when a joint is much more fun? And this ancient video game, Pong, is a lot more fun to play when high.
At a time when we need to compete with our best minds and talents in a Globalized World, we are raising paranoid anti-science barbarians. Young people clamored on board the 2008 Obama Change mantra. But just two years into this recession, they are apathetic and depressed--things should not take this long! (BTW the Great Depression lasted over a Decade) They have no resilience, no stern resolve and no desire to do hard work. And they want their Frappachinos Now!
Perhaps if recreational Marijuana is approved, we will be TOO STONED to care what Fox says. There is no magic wand--maybe a marijuana wand.
The American Dream will be seen through a puff of smoke.
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I am concerned about the depredation of the environment. Can the environment be protected by our local votes? If so, who will do the best job in your opinion and what are the most sensitive races on environmental issues?
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While I can't speak for others, I value responsiveness in my representatives and Senator Wyden is all of that for me.
If there were a single issue to which I'd like to hear a response, it would be as to when we'll repair the recent health-care bill to control costs... we need nationalized health care... the patchwork we have is a miserable compromise for political expediency. If health care is to be a key piece of our national infrastructure then it needs to be put on a not-for-profit basis.
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wyden voted for healthcare reform then asked that oregon be exempted from some of the provisions .. the guy really is good at being on both sides of an issue
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How much attention do you pay to political advertising?
Unplugged the TV back in 08 and I guess it won’t even work now, something about the signal or something.
Don’t listen to commercial broadcasting (not even a radio in my truck).
Never have subscribed to the out of date news delivery system on paper.
The bulk (junk) mail is sorted out and hits the recycle bin unopened unread as it comes into the house.
Dumping being a member of any political party has really helped!
While I can’t say we have completely escaped political advertising; how much attention have we paid? 100% less then the Ad purchasers would like. -
Nice to hear it said outloud, 3/4 of the state has no real vote or say in how the state is run.
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Working Families Party piqued my interest this year. Bruce Cronk and the WFP line up very well with my concerns.
I normally would have voted for Wyden but the Congressional Democrats betrayed us by failing to push through single payer healthcare, they just turned the system over to the greedy Insurance Corporations, so I voted for the Progressive Candidate Rick Staggenborg. I might as well vote for what I want, at least then the two ruling parties get the message through the numbers on election day.
And Staggenborg is for abolishing "Corporate Personhood".
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Well things haven't changed much since I took Political Science years ago, your "guests" do not represent any but the left fringe. The statement that the Democrats are the anti war party forgets WW!,WWII, Korea, Vietnam to name a few. We don't hear about the role of the Democrat majority in the economic downturn, the democrats in reality stand for illegal immigrants BECAUSE THEY VOTE FOR THEM. If I was still in Oregon I wouldn't start a business ever. Having the two "Professors" of Political "Science" as experts is a real spotted owl hoot. At least these two are up front about their bias. Who are the 40% who don't vote their way.
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Thanks, memo, for posting. Russ Dondero did make his views on war clear, and I made a point to identify them as his. I completely agree with you that transparency like that is the best way to get where people are coming from in their commentary as a whole.
Emily
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I totally agree with memo .. these guest "experts" were nothing but lib toadies
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I urge people to vote for Wu.
He is a low-key person who is very adept at his job.
He & his office helped us with Social Security.
He performed as a rep should in the way they should.
The outcome saved us from medical bankruptcy !
Vote Wu !
R Jones (Beaverton)
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I wish DeFazio represented Central Oregon, I'd vote for him for sure.
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tom .. go ahead and vote twice
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@John from Gervais
Well, you certainly have shown that you have "The Conscience of a Conservative", morally and legally dishonest.
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Comments are now closed.
the libs/democrats becry any "businessman" who would hire an illegal alien .. put the blame on them for taking advantage of cheap labor, the logic being they will self deport if they dont have a job, or so they want you to think, democrats dont want them to self deport , they want them to not be working and depenedent on social programs like their other racial miniority that votes democrat 92% of the time.
if democrats dont want anyone to hire illegals .. why did they defeat a gop amendment that would have required e-verify for jobs inder the 786 billion dollar stimulus bill >>.CAN ANY OF YOU DEMOCRAT CONGRESSMEN ANSWER WHY YOU VOTED TO DEFEAT E VERIFY BEING PART OF THE JOBS BILL??
emily harris .. ask em that ^^
JOHN IN GERVAIS >>>. your worst nightmare