tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3471471289744825428.post1684313960684665891..comments2024-03-11T00:31:41.186-07:00Comments on The Oregon Economics Blog: The Portland Mayoral RacePatrick Emersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17242234148546323374noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3471471289744825428.post-26758123085438757582012-05-04T15:38:49.803-07:002012-05-04T15:38:49.803-07:00Impressive response both here and in private from ...Impressive response both here and in private from Jefferson supporters. Thanks for all the feedback. In my own personal opinion poll Jefferson has been steadily trending up, Brady down and Hales down after the memory lapses. <br /><br />I like the skeptical attitude toward the CRC and URD. <br /><br />So I am warming to him, but still undecided. I do appreciate the intelligent feedback I have received from everyone, it is such a pleasure to have such serious and thoughtful readers.Patrick Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242234148546323374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3471471289744825428.post-65565231300564519302012-05-04T14:49:41.473-07:002012-05-04T14:49:41.473-07:00Dang, that comment is NOT by any Carla; it's a...Dang, that comment is NOT by any Carla; it's a vestige of an older time. I wrote it, torridjoe. Apologies for any confusion. I am a volunteer for Jefferson, who cannot vote in Portland but believes who Portland elects is very important to the rest of the metro area.Torridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17771589020554233601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3471471289744825428.post-14172256379477400162012-05-04T14:46:50.272-07:002012-05-04T14:46:50.272-07:00Thanks for the opportunity to help sway you!
One...Thanks for the opportunity to help sway you! <br /><br />One of the more impressive accomplishments that he shares is his strong advocacy for Measures 66/67, both in the Leg and then publically when it went to the voters. Notably, neither Hales nor Brady did that, and Brady was part of the team that lobbied to make it temporary and cap the high-end of the tax. And I'd argue the danger to career was inverse; Hales and Brady had nothing to lose by backing it, while Smith put his seat at risk by backing a tax increase during a recession and the peak moments of teabaggerism. <br /><br />He has a host of smaller but meaningful accomplishments--being the point person on the "Cool Schools" initiative and getting the budget online, which singlehandedly raised our budget transparency grade two letters, being two--but I think his signature achievement is the Eastern Oregon water bill. <br /><br />Jefferson was handed this dog because people thought it was impossible: broker a deal between eastern ag producers and the environmental/water watch/American Indian communities. Umatilla Basin is dry, and ag wanted to draw from the Columbia during dry seasons to keep things watered. Against the better judgement of some in the Leg, Jefferson partnered with GOP Bob Jenson, and with the help of expert advice created a plan to draw water during the WET season, store it in an aquifer, and draw it out when needed. <br /><br />I think this is an election to be wary of what Brady calls "big bets;" most truly troublesome issues can't be solved with one big fix. Sometimes you have to work at the edges, doing one thing and then maybe another and a third after that. Climate change is a good example; school retrofits and better transpo balance in East Portland don't change the world, but they DO work, and don't cost a lot. <br /><br />I'm just a proxy who thinks Jefferson is the right guy at the right time, but I'd urge you to try and get out to listen to and talk with Jefferson. I find that the more I learn, the more committed I become.carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01035236392515977261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3471471289744825428.post-45644873191912151432012-05-04T07:53:36.460-07:002012-05-04T07:53:36.460-07:00I share the same doubts and questions why Eileen B...I share the same doubts and questions why Eileen Brady decided to enter this race. Overly ambitious politically, which is not necessarily "wrong," but without the principled underpinnings that are essential to govern the "real people," meaning those who are not her personal "friends." <br /><br />Hales' authenticity has steadily eroded; again, I agree with you.<br /><br />I met Jefferson Smith not through friends, but after reading comments to and about him directed by people whom I know and trust, cognoscenti in Oregon politics. When I met him personally in 2010 he wss a good match for their high opinion. And as I have engaged in the campaign and met his people and seen his work ethic, it supports the decision to place high expectations on this very gifted natural-born politician and leader. He is deep and focused and has the right "stuff" to deal with the crises and weakness which inevitably abound, and is the right pick. Good luck!KOBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12434463505145832892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3471471289744825428.post-5213417447040117752012-05-03T17:03:29.315-07:002012-05-03T17:03:29.315-07:00Your instincts are correct and you know what to do...Your instincts are correct and you know what to do: Jefferson Smith is the only candidate who has the ethical background, and despite your curious claim that he hasn't 'worked well with others', his incredible work on water and 'cool schools' shows just how collaborative he is. And he has a terrific record of accomplishment. You seem to know a lot about the candidates, and you have no "high negatives" about Smith. Do it. Vote for Jefferson. But maybe what would help is to meet him. Again, do it. Call the campaign, stop by, find out where he'll be next. I'll check back and let us know how you do.OhNoNotAgainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02244640828102268790noreply@blogger.com