Oregon

[Frodo]

for all, but especially for the lone Oregon resident on this forum:

the current Democratic governor, Ted Kulongoski, won the governor's mansion in 2002 by under 50%.  how well do you think he would do next year in his bid for re-election?

are there any strong Republican candidates who would pose a serious  threat to his bid for re-election? 

[Rob]

the current Democratic governor, Ron Kitzhaber (sp?) won the governor's mansion in 2002 by under 50%.  how well do you think he would do next year in his bid for re-election? 

The Governor is Ted Kulongoski. The one before him was John Kitzhaber. In 2002, the Libertarian candidate probably cost the GOP the governorship, polling 3 percent. He should win fairly easily next year though, unless the GOP finds a good moderate.

[Frodo]

the current Democratic governor, Ron Kitzhaber (sp?) won the governor's mansion in 2002 by under 50%.  how well do you think he would do next year in his bid for re-election? 

The Governor is Ted Kulongoski. The one before him was John Kitzhaber. In 2002, the Libertarian candidate probably cost the GOP the governorship, polling 3 percent. He should win fairly easily next year though, unless the GOP finds a good moderate.

would you happen to know any strong candidates that the Oregon GOP could put forth against Kulongoski?  presumably it would be the one that ran against him last time, though i can't recall his name.  are there any others?

[Rob]

the current Democratic governor, Ron Kitzhaber (sp?) won the governor's mansion in 2002 by under 50%.  how well do you think he would do next year in his bid for re-election? 

The Governor is Ted Kulongoski. The one before him was John Kitzhaber. In 2002, the Libertarian candidate probably cost the GOP the governorship, polling 3 percent. He should win fairly easily next year though, unless the GOP finds a good moderate.

would you happen to know any strong candidates that the Oregon GOP could put forth against Kulongoski?  presumably it would be the one that ran against him last time, though i can't recall his name.  are there any others?

Not that I know of. The last candidate, Kevin Mannix, was attacked for being too conservative. He'll probably run again, which ensures a Kulongoski victory.

[No more McShame]

I was suprised that Mannix got so close last time.  He's pretty extreme for Oregon.  The voters must have finally seen through Kitzhaber and the backlash hurt Kulongoski.  I've been out of Oregon for quite some time but the state GOP still doesn't seem to have it together, other than Sen. Gordon Smith, Democrats hold all the statewide offices there.

[Rob]

I was suprised that Mannix got so close last time.  He's pretty extreme for Oregon.  The voters must have finally seen through Kitzhaber and the backlash hurt Kulongoski.  I've been out of Oregon for quite some time but the state GOP still doesn't seem to have it together, other than Sen. Gordon Smith, Democrats hold all the statewide offices there.

Yes, the Oregon GOP is in quite a sorry state... Oregon was one of the few states where the Democrats were truly happy on election night. Kerry won solidly, Wyden won in a landslide, all the Democratic congressmen were easily reelected, and- most surprisingly (to me, at least)- the Democrats won the state Senate and reduced the GOP margin in the House.

As long as the state Republican Party is in such disarray, I expect Oregon to be safely Democratic in presidential elections for quite some time.