But how would he differ from Devlin?

Jack,
OK, Griffith is your friend and your choice for this GOP primary.

But Kremer is my friend and as Republican I prefer to have an actual Republican run against Democrat Devlin.

"Griffith is the guy that another Democratic legislative candidate pegged as "the only one who doesn't know he's a Democrat."

So it seems you're essentially endorsing a democrat for the Republican primary?

From the 2008 election
http://www.portlandmercury.com/news/its-your-move/Content?oid=919566

38th District
VOTE FOR CHRIS GARRETT
Halfway through our interview, we had to ask Chris Garrett's opponent, Steve Griffith, why he was a Republican. Until that point, the two attorneys—from rival firms—had largely agreed on everything. And Griffith is the guy that another Democratic legislative candidate pegged as "the only one who doesn't know he's a Democrat." Griffith pointed to his refusal to sign a no-new-taxes pledge, and stressed that he didn't want Oregon to become a one-party state.

I grew up in Oregon when our US Senators were Hatfield and Packwood, two of the "Reasonable Republicans." That species is dead, killed off by Bill Kristol in the 90s and the Tea Party today. People like Steve, who carry forward a pragmatic conservatism and acknowledge that political discourse involves compromise with their rivals across the aisle, find themselves unwelcome in John Boehner's GOP.

Bad for the GOP. Good for the rest of us. And ultimately, good for Steve, who is a splendid guy.

Jacob Weisberg's excellent article on the calculated takeover of the GOP by extremists is here.

Good greif!

A Republican has to be a democrat in order to not be extreme?

Who are the local "extreme" Republicans.

I know many Republcians and haven't met the extreme ones.

It sure isn't the Kremers. They're traditional, informed and reliable conservatives. And well reasoned.

That hardly makes them extreme. Unless judged by their distance from the flaming progressive fringe which supports and advocates every Creepy thing around.

Progressives like progressive Democrats AND progressive Republicans. As long as progress means moving toward a big government socialist democracy. Wether it is Mussolini and Stalin were both progressives, just in a different way.

I agree with Matt, Steve is a splendid guy.

Steve is a Republican who fits his district. This does not mean he's like a Democrat. His approach & his priorities will be very different from those of Mr. Devlin's. Steve values civility & civic engagement. He appreciates this contested primary for what it is: a contest of ideas. Until she proves otherwise, I think Mary Kremer is a fine person & candidate. I think that she should have a number of public debates with Steve to enrich this primary season. I think Mr. Devlin should be invited as well to participate in community forums. This may show voters in the primary who is best to tackle Devlin in the fall. I think Mr. Devlin, with the way he conducted himself in the Measure 66&67 ballot writing controversy, showed that he values divisive and crass politics. Devlin can learn a thing or two about civics from Steve.

"a dyed-in-the-wool Palinite sloganeer with a bit of a nasty edge personally"

Jack, that doesn't fit Kremer, and it's a bit of sloganeering itself. I agree with Ben. Kremer's no flamer [there's a slogan for the campaign] - on his radio show, he's well-informed and civil, and lib co-host Marc Abrams frequently ends up agreeing with him. He'd have been a far better Education boss than the incumbent OEA handmaiden/timeserver.

Your mileage may vary.

As a former student of Steve's who has accompanied him to the Oregon Dorchester Republican Convention twice, I am proud to say that he will represent the district well as a thoughtful and moderate conservative. Steve is dedicated to jobs, education, health and a just, wise and representative government. As a consensus builder and one who is experienced in government, Steve will do an excellent job as State Legislature.

The only problem with Steve Griffith is that he isn't a Republican. As you say, he is a prince of a guy, and smart as can be.

But I know a few Republicans, and I know what they believe. All the lower taxes, lower spending, ratchet back all the enviros, etc. Steve Griffith believes none of that.

So, sure, I would love it if our choice was Devlin or Griffith - how could we lose? We get a Democrat either way.

But why would the Republicans nominate a guy who is basically a Democrat? Griffith isn't with them on any issue that I know of.

It would be like Bruce Starr running as a Democrat, taking on Larry George.

So, I am with you, Jack - Griffith is a fine guy and would make a great progressive state senator.

But a Republican he ain't.

Jack, it's too bad that your experience co-hosting a few radio shows with Rob Kremer taints your views on whether someones spouse may be a reputable candidate. I think in some respects you agreed with Rob Kremer' OR School Superintendent candidacy on the issues of CIM/CAM being a disaster for teachers and students and the value of Charter Schools. But those are Rob's stances and not Mary's. She's running for a legislative position that has much broader issues. Mary and Griffith's discussion of state-wide issues (if ever reported) should be the determining factors of how one votes.

But why would the Republicans nominate a guy who is basically a Democrat?

Because they won't win the seat otherwise. This is a classic case where Republicans either nominate a moderate who can possibly win the seat (and who will vote for party leadership if elected); or they vote for purity with no chance at all of beating Devlin in that district. Principles don't get a vote when it comes to party control next session.