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Primary Conversations: 5th Congressional District (R)
Until not too long ago, Oregon's only open Congressional seat wasn't actually open. But then Democratic Rep. Darlene Hooley announced that she wasn't seeking reelection in the 5th District -- the continual cross-country flights and fundraising were a serious strain, she told us in February -- and this election season got a lot more interesting.
The 5th Congressional District looks sort of like a T that fell on its side. It starts with a long stretch of coast, moves east past Polk County on the way to Salem, dips south into Corvallis, pushes eastward in Marion and Clackamas counties to Mt. Hood, and makes its way up to Portland's south side. All of this geographic and demographic diversity seems to have created an evenly divided electorate: the Rothenberg Political Report has written that out of 435 House races this November, Oregon's 5th is one of only 15 that will be "pure toss-ups."
To get to that toss-up, of course, the various hopeful nominees will have to get past May 20. The Democrats have a lively primary race on their hands, and their top three candidates will be joining us on Thursday. But tomorrow we're turning to the Republican race.
Mike Erickson, a Lake Oswego businessman who lost to Hooley in 2006, is in the running. He lists securing America's borders to stop illegal immigration as his highest priority, and he wants to establish English as our official language. He promises to bring "a businessman's approach to government," which includes cutting both taxes and spending. After spending about $1.5 million of his own money in 2006, he has already kicked in more than $590,000 this time around. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, Erickson's campaign has told us that because of his schedule he won't be able to join this Primary Conversation.
Kevin Mannix will be here. The lawyer, former state legislator, statewide office-seeker (with two bids each for Attorney General and Governor), previous Oregon Republican Party Chairman, and tough-on-crime initiative champion is a pretty recognizable figure in state politics. He wants to make Bush's tax cuts permanent, encourage environmentally sound oil exploration and drilling (as well as energy conservation), and secure our borders "through all necessary means."
Are you a registered Republican in Newport, Keizer, Oregon City, or Molalla? What issues are most important for you in this primary? And who are you hoping to send on to the general?
Tagged as: 2008 primary · 5th district · congress · kevin mannix
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People like to think that a wealthy person became that way through hard work and ingenuity. Rich people profit, historically and presently, directly and indirectly from the hard work and cheap labor of others. I think the immigration issue is a difficult one for republicans. Most of their money comes from big business which needs a steady flow of cheap labor while the majority of their votes come from poor people that abhor immigrants and are looking for something to blame for their situation. It is obvious what Mike Erickson's position is, I would like to hear how Kevin Mannix differs.
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I love how this politician keeps talking about how gently he's slung this mud. Underhand, overhand, he's still throwing it.
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How long does it take for someone to ask Kevin Mannix if he or his family has ever been involved in an unwanted pregnancy, and, if so, how was it dealt with in his family?
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Is this conversation making anyone else sick? First, the right to choose in Oregon is legal and has been for years. The fact that this is a campaign tactic is scary and disgusting. Second, there doesn't seem to be proof that this happened so why are we allowed to continue to discuss it?
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Does Mr. Mannix believe this behavior will help his campaign? Unfounded sensationalism without any evidence doesn't sway me. Paternalistic swill about "sometimes a woman needs to talk to another woman?" Come on. This is the worst, most base garbage I can imagine. Mr. Mannix is on his way to becoming a five-time loser, and he deserves to be one if this is his idea of an appropriate tactic.
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Mannix sure makes it clear that Conservative Republicans are sleazy to their core.
The 5th District deserves better, that's fer damn shore. -
This is the lowest political move I have EVER heard of. For Kevin Manix to take advantage of this story and then to imply that Mike Erickson is a predator shows a lack of judgment,decency and compassion. It shows how low he is willing to go to win.
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I have two comments.
1. I want to Thank Kevin Mannix for pointing out Erickson's character flaws. I feel it actually speaks more to Mannix's character--or lack of.
Mannix's desperate attempt to discredit his opponent rather than focus on issues such as the economy (I am unemployed) and the environment.
I don't care what Erickson does in his private life. I want to know what Erickson is likely to do that will effect all of us.
2. Any man who is so arrogant that he feels he should have the say over what a woman does with her body will never get my vote. -
it was no surprise to me that Mike Erickson refused to appear on the show with Mannix. No self-respecting person would put himself on the same platform. I would wish that TOL might ask Mr. Erickson again, to give him a chance to discuss the important job he is seeking.
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Kevin,
What do you say to pro-lifers who support the war? Isn't war not pro-life by definition? -
TOL is letting Mannix off easy- Mannix needs to explain again how Mike Erickson is a predator!
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And ask the same question again? He has already given his take on the ways in which this particular situation could be seen as "predatory" at least twice. I think a third time won't yield anything new.
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How can a candidate still promote such large minimum sentences and propose to enact more laws when it only provides the district attorney's additional leverage on anyone charged because they are presented with only two choices? Cut a deal or face a huge minimum sentence, these laws are getting out of control and forcing people who make a onetime mistake pay for it for so much longer than necessary.
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Mandatory minimum sentencing is RIDICULOUS. It takes all discretion away from judges, who are the truly educated decision makers when it comes to a fitting sentence for the crime. It will also bankrupt our jail system in Oregon, as there are not enough beds to house our current inmates. Kevin Mannix's mandatory sentencing legislation is also a backdoor deal to abolish the Medical Marijuana Program in Oregon, which voters have approved not once but twice in this state. Kevin Mannix doesn't support the will of the voters of Oregon, he is merely an extension of Bush's neo-conservative administration. WHOEVER YOU VOTE FOR, MAKE SURE IT'S NOT KEVIN MANNIX.
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"Mandatory minimum sentencing is RIDICULOUS.
Conservative Republicans make a heck of a lot of money through their prison corporations. The profit motive makes it so that they profit much more from operating prisons than they would if schools were properly funded, and kids well educated and trained for jobs. Conservative Republicans are always "working the dark side" to make money off of human beings. So of course Mannix wants mandatory minimum sentences, he and his ilk make huge profits from them.
"Cheap-Labor Conservatives" is a term often used to more adequately describe them. -
I couldn't agree more. If Kevin Mannix gets elected, not only will I move out of the district, I will move out of the state.
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My goodness- Mr.Mannix is running as the representative of Oregon, not OPB? He doesn't think the government should interfere with the private behavior of adults, but does think the government should support marriage only between one man and one woman? He doesn't do himself many favors, does he? He continually slams "folks in Portland", like we're some kind of other, but wants to represent us?
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+ Its odd the way NPR/OPB listeners advocate for polite objective conversation---yet, most of these comments seem as lop-sided and illogical as Fox news. I am certainly not supporting Mr. Erickson or Mr. Mannix, but many of these comments are clearly not the way to go about challenging them. It's so easy to become part of the problem---I've done it many times!
- Portland, Oregon -
Is there any way to get our candidates to talk about real problems? I don't really care about these little scandals - What about RealID? What about GWBush and his signing statements? Martial Law can be declared on a whim! Why is none of this being discussed? No person running for any race, Oregon or otherwise, has to deal with the impact of their own decisions. When do they take responsibility for their actions, words, and rhetoric?
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A whole hour and no one brought up Erickson's butt chin?! I always want his ads to end....."My name is Mike Erickson..and I have a butt chin."
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