Jeff Bissonnette wasn't considered for endorsement because in accordance with our bylaws we only considered registered Democrats. Jeff is registered as a Non-Affiliated Voter.

Sue Hagmeier
Communications Officer
Multnomah County Democratic Party

Well, that's explained then.

So, you only endorse partisans in non-partisan races?

The mayoral candidate list looks so bleak to me. The only candidate that (IMHO) seems to possess a backbone (based on his straightforward statement on the mult-co elections website) is James Bernard Lee.

So, you only endorse partisans in non-partisan races?

We're a party.

We're a party.

Party on, Sue!

Sue, you are encouraging partisanship in a nonpartisan race. My opinion of your organization, which wasn't very high to begin with, just went way down.

The only candidate that (IMHO) seems to possess a backbone (based on his straightforward statement on the mult-co elections website) is James Bernard Lee.

Kook.

Maybe the Tingler will run for mayor. Nothing but backbone.

Jack, in the classic sense of "partisan," which has little to do with the current sense of political "parties," yes, our endorsement process is partisan, as are virtually all endorsement processes. Our membership makes a group judgment as to whose values and goals match ours sufficiently for us to support them. One measure of that is their registration as Democrats. It's an endorsement by the Democratic Party, and we only endorse our members. Our choice; freedom of association and all that.

Whether you care what we say is your business to decide. Our endorsement criteria are ours to decide. Of course, you could be part of that decision if you'd like. Just join, show up, participate, and it's breathtaking how soon you can be in a decision-making role.

Some of the fiercest "partisans" these days are those who decry the activities of the parties, and throw around the word "partisan" mostly as an epithet.

Some of the fiercest "partisans" these days are those who decry the activities of the parties, and throw around the word "partisan" mostly as an epithet.

That's enough to cause me to do a Linda Blair - the head-spinning part, that is.

Shut up, Allan.

Kook...

I was afraid of that. What to do...

So, in order to find an objective rating of candidates based on qualifications (not party) look elsewhere.

"Democratic Central Committee" equals
Hammer & Sickle? How lame is that!

Same sort of nonsense that folks use to refer to the "Peoples Rep. of Multnomah" etc.
much easier than real criticism

...much easier than real criticism

When will that start?

So the DCC doesn't pretend to endorse the BEST candidate, just the best registered Democrat.

That kind of disclosure will be very helpful to independent voters.

Thank you!

"Democratic Central Committee" equals
Hammer & Sickle?

That's what it always sounds like to me.

Apparently the organization has as much of a sense of humor as the Soviets did.

I just watched my first TV commercial for the city council race: Charles Lewis, looking very uncomfortable holding a baby (not his?) while older kids blast on their (Ethos?) musical instruments.

Tagline: He went to Harvard, and could have become rich, but decided to start Ethos instead. He'll stand up for the little guys.

Shouldn't he be running for the PPS board instead?

I don't see the connection. Unlike Branam, who keeps talking about schools as the no. 1 issue before the City Council, Lewis has a broader focus. Yes, he's worked with kids, but he's also run a tour bus business.

I read somewhere that Lewis produced his own TV spot. Could explain the absence of the usual PR gloss.

Lewis is using "little guys" in the figurative sense, but using literal little guys (kids in the tv spot) to prove the point. And he looks very uncomfortable holding somebody's baby; much like Branam looks uncomfortable in the scrutiny of the public eye.

The main attributes shared by both Lewis and Branam are youthful enthusiasm and ambition backed up with VOE money. I doubt either candidate would have been able to raise $50,000 of private money for a city council bid. They have accomplished too little (beyond post graduate education) to take on the political and managerial challenge of the Portland City Council.

Beyond that, they have both proven to be adept networkers and resume builders: but that doesn't demonstrate the political acumen necessary to go beyond Progressive Mantra to understand the collision course that municipal/state goverment is currently on...The viability of the progressive agenda will unwind if the voters approve another 25% hike in our local property taxes: just like consumers taking on too much debt for overpriced homes tanked the housing market. They are both speculative bubbles.

If you ever decide to actually examine Charles Lewis's candidacy instead of merely repeating your misconceptions, you'll reach a different conclusion. There really is no comparison between Lewis and Branam.

Branam went to U of O law school, flunked the bar (reportedly, twice), and has used networking with the likes of Neil Goldschmidt to sit in two political hack jobs. Lewis has founded a highly successful nonprofit organization that actually owns property and employs people. He has also run a for-profit tour bus business. He has more actual business experience than anyone else in that race.

to take on the political and managerial challenge of the Portland City Council.

With all due respect, give me a farookin' break. Sam Adams couldn't manage his way out of a wet paper bag. Neither could Sten. Sure, I'd like a council stacked with high-powered manager types, but you're not going to get that for $90K a year. Among the candidates we have for that position, Lewis is the best.

Conspicuouslessly absent from MCDCC endorsements were the candidates for the Multnomah County Commission. As a candidate and a former member of the MCDCC Executive Board, it would have been nice to at least been invited to the meeting. I do not believe this to be an oversight. AFSME Local 88 has indorsed three Demo's for the respective three county commission open seats. They play a dominent roll in the MCDCC and I am sure they were able block any consideration of any other candidate like myself, even through, I am a third generation union family. My opponent received $2500.00 from ASME and she boasts no union membership or any other career employment.