Columbia Sportswear CEO sides with The Dud-ley

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

From the Portland Business Journal:

Columbia Sportswear Co. Chairman Tim Boyle will join Chris Dudley’s gubernatorial campaign as part of the Republican candidate’s outreach to Oregon Democrats.

Boyle will chair the Democrats for Dudley coalition, which will attempt to spur bipartisan support for Dudley’s candidacy.

Boyle assumes the role after having given Dudley a total of $27,000 for the Republican primary and general election.

This is really disturbing. We could have a governor who has busted his ass for the working folk ever since he first left the governor's office (see The Archimedes Movement), or we could have a has-been athlete who has made a career out of finding ways for rich folks not to pay their fair share.

The rest of the story here: http://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2010/10/04/daily38.html

[Permanut]

1. Good catch, Petrus

I've personally boycotted Columbia for several years now because of Boyle's politics.

[classof56]

2. Too bad--I kinda liked Ma Boyle. Interesting lady!

But knowing this, I will henceforth boycott Columbia. Never was too fond of the fact that their clothes are produced in factories overseas. This clinches it, though. Thanks for the post and link to the Archimedes Movement.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

3. LIkewise

For many years I've worn and promoted Columbia: supporting a local business is key to sustainability, and the recycling aspects of fleece and its relative comfort/utility won me over from a cotton/wool wardrobe.

I realize that for Tim Boyle, it's boiling down to which candidate is going to give his business the biggest tax break, damn the costs that will spread among the rest of the tax base. Boyle is a democrat in name only. I guess I'm happier that he's shown his true colors, but disappointed, too.

I've kept up on Kitzhaber ever since his governorship, and with his continuing work on health care issues even thought he would have been a great pick for Obama's VP. I'd like to see his experience back in office.

The alternative is disturbing and frightening.