The self-destruction of the Republican Party in Oregon should embolden Democrats nationwide

[stevedeshazer]

They are in very bad shape here, so much so that they are running Bill Freaking Sizemore for Governor. Again.

This is outstanding news for every liberal or progressive Oregonian.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/sizemore_wants_second_chance_f.html

Bill Sizemore, the veteran initiative activist who has had a series of well-publicized legal and political setbacks, is once again running for Oregon governor.

Sizemore filed Monday to seek the Republican nomination for governor, to the surprise of GOP political insiders. Sizemore didn't return a call for comment, but he did release a statement to NW Republican saying he was willing to challenge a court order enjoining him from raising or spending money in politics.

"I may have to run my campaign from inside a jail cell," Sizemore said in his statement, "but either we break the stranglehold the public employee unions have on this state or the future of Oregon will be a grim one."

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Bill Sizemore couldn't pour piss out of his boot if the instructions were written on the heel.

DUers, don't believe the bullshit that's being spread about big Republican gains in 2010. Progressive Democrats are in good shape, if this local report is true.

I'm curious if any of you have local stories of Republican success or failure, or your take on the upcoming elections. Is this a bellwether of 2010?

Republicans say they are poised for big gains in the House and Senate and Governorships.

I just don't see that happening.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. "I may have to run my campaign from inside a jail cell

The Republican Party Platform!:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[stevedeshazer]

2. It is absolutely true.

Just Google 'Bill Sizemore Union'

That's really all the Republicans have here -- a guy who tried to pass a bunch of regressive ballot measures and who was successfully sued by a public employee union after which he refused to pay up.

[Ozymanithrax]

3. History is on the Republican side.

In a midterm, the majority party usually looses seats. So Republicans do have a historical advantage.

But the Republican party is in disarray. Their traditional dominance in funding is just not there. This isn't 1994, when Republicans were led by Newt "the poot" Gingritch, who appealed to moderates with his totally bogus Contract with America. Conservatism, with its drive to cleanse itself of any taint of moderates could very well bite them in the ass.

It is still too early to tell. But my March we should know how many crazies will be running and what their chances are.

[notesdev]

4. Problem is, the Democratic Party is self destructing too

for which you can thank guys like Tim Geithner and Rahm Emmanuel. Virginia swung 30 points, that's a lot of points to try and explain away. Solid blue NJ went red. Maybe something different is going on out west, but here on the east coast it's looking like 2008 was high tide.

[quiller4]

5. I disagree. Virginia didn't "swing". Look at the stats from the

election. Under 30 voters stayed home. So did voters of color. They didn't like either candidate. For that I can't really blame them. Last I looked, New York was in the East and my late father-in-law's district is represented by a Democrat for the first time since the Civil War. That is the second Democratic pick-up in New York this year.

[notesdev]

6. That wasn't exactly a common circumstance

and that district won't exist next year. Yeah if the opposition vote split two ways then we can win, but that's not a very strong default assumption.

What makes you think that people who didn't come out to vote this year are going to be coming out next year? Will they rally for Wall Street bailouts and Depression-level unemployment?

[Quantess]

7. I was happy to get Merkley in office

to replace whats-his-name-R ...you know, the frozen foods millionaire... Oh yeah, Gordon Smith.

But let's not rest on the laurels. Pride before a fall, remember.