Oregon Governor Money Race

One way to track the viability of a campaign is to track how much money is being raised.

So without further adieu, here are the balances of the campaigns:

CANDIDATE
-----------------------------
Dudley     $348,000
Kitzhaber  $342,000
Bradbury   $22,000
Alley      $44,000*

The Oregon Attorney General is not enforcing any of the limits on campaign contributions enacted by the voters as Measure 47 (2006), so a labor union, corporation, or wealthy individual can wipe out any advantage with a single contribution. Contributions of $100,000 by individuals and $300,000 or more from OEA and SEIU would not be out of the ordinary in an Oregon Governor's race. In 2006, the Republican Governor's Association spent more than $4 million for the Republican candidate for Governor in Oregon.

* excludes debt from personal loan by candidate to campaign

Oregon Tax checkoff - Enter 502 to donate to the Independent Party

Enter 502 on line 70 of form 40 to contribute $3 to the Independent Party of Oregon.

Independent Party hit 51,000 in 2009

Independent Party releases 2010 Candidates Guide

Revisiting Paul Tsongas and the Sensible Center

new york times

by Senator Paul Tsongas
New York Times
December 10, 1995

The following piece by Paul Tsongas describes the "sensible center" in American politics as fiscally conservative, socially inclusive, supportive of the environment and of campaign finance reform. Not much has changed in the 15 years since he wrote it. - editor

If you are ever in front of an audience and searching for an engaging topic, try this: suggest there is a "passionate center" to the American body politic -- or "sensible center," as Colin Powell would say, or "radical center" as others would argue. Suggest that this center is held together by four basic points of agreement.

First, it is fiscally conservative. It strongly supports a balanced budget -- not so much because of the economic consequences of large-scale debt but because of the irresponsibility such debt symbolizes. While it is true that a balanced budget will reduce interest rates and free up capital to enhance America's global competitiveness, the passion for fiscal responsibility really flows from people's adamant opposition to saddling their children with a $5 trillion debt.

Second, the passionate center is socially inclusive and protective of individual liberties. Most Americans are not racist or sexist. Increasing numbers accept homosexuality. Polls show, unsurprisingly, that most Democratic and independent women are pro-choice, but they also show that most Republican women are pro-choice as well.

Third, it is pro-environment. Where did anyone get the idea that Americans were so fed up with Federal regulations that they would want Congress to gut the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act? Or to open up wildlife refuges to oil companies? Or to support any of the myriad bonehead ideas of the last year? Most Americans, especially the young, see the environment as fundamental to their quality of life, as a legacy to be protected, not a place to be plundered for the profit of the few.

Fourth, the passionate center wants campaign finance reform. Americans are sickened by political action committees owning Congress and by "soft money" funds that evade campaign laws to benefit the very people who passed those laws. When President Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich shook hands in New Hampshire in June and agreed to strengthen campaign laws, most Americans doubted that they were serious. As the weak "reform" package passed by Congress shows, the skeptics were right.

IPO Voter Turnout High

The Independent Party of Oregon's growth compares favorably to the two major political parties in Oregon. Its 50,000 members account for approximately 1/3rd of the voter registration growth in Oregon since January 2007. The party draws heavily from new registrants, but approximately 20 percent of its members were previously members of other political parties (mostly Republicans).

As the chart below shows, in the November 2008 general election, Independent Party of Oregon (IPO) members turned out to vote at a rate of 81.5%, more than 13% higher than the turnout for non-affiliated voters and considerably higher than the turnout of members of any other minor party.

Click on Chart to Enlarge

John Zogby writes: "Moderates" & "Independents" Not Same Thing

The Big Confusion: "Moderates" and "Independents" Are Not the Same Thing
By John Zogby & Zeljka Buturovic
November 9, 2009

We hear it all the time, "how did he do among independents?" or "she lost among moderates, the independent voters." In a recent New York Times piece, columnist David Brooks divided the electorate into liberals, conservatives, and independents.

This view mistakes a lack of party affiliation for ideological innocence. Read more at Zogby.com ...

AP Article on Third Party Challenges in 2009 Election

Third party challenges in NJ, NY are warning sign
by Beth Fouhy
The Associated Press
November 1, 2009

NEW YORK – Third party candidates are shaking up two major races in elections Tuesday, and the success of those candidacies is a warning shot fired at both major parties by voters angry at government and disillusioned by politics as usual.     Read more ...