I am in favor of any news stories that remind the oregon voters of what a weasel Kitzhaber is. The voters seem to have an incredibly bad memory when it comes to politicians.

I cant believe this guy is being taken seriously. It makes me worry that even Scam Adams will probably win re-election.

I would most definitely risk my political future and threat of imprisonment on this hottie. She's worth it.

Oh boy....

Cylvia Hayes is the founder and Executive Director for Earth Connections --
Oregon. With 14 years of professional experience in environmental education
and advocacy, she specializes in sustainable living and environmental ethics.
http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/cylvia_hayes_prius.html

This is a non-story, I think. Also, the investigation by the state mainly concerns state activities, not this particular company (or what's actually a subcontractor). It's just one of many contracts they're checking out, according to other published stories.

And, Kitzhaber doesn't have anything to do with it, formally or informally. The only connection is--the company that subcontracted some work (which is common) is where his longtime girlfriend works.

I'm also confused by people who think that somehow Kitzhaber was dishonest or otherwise "weasely" as governor. Now *that* is a short memory, indeed.

How the heck does Kitz pull these babes? Outside of the favors he can serve up in exchange, I guess.

"This is a non-story"

Just like Neil's extra-curricular activities had nothing to do with how good a governor he was. Obviously, Kitz is calling in some favors for the girlfriend, whether or not its a good investment for taxpayers. Is this what we can look forward to?

I took a look at what 3E offers:

"Sustainable design charrettes"

After recoiling from my intial horror and looking further, this group is a bunch of speakers for hire with no obvious technical background. I could think of better uses for tax money.

This really sounds like a lot of bluster about nothing at this point. Supposedly unnamed sources say that the girlfriend is being investigated because there were "contracting irregularities" involving her company and one or more DOE employees. Without anything more specific than that, I concur in the assessment that this is a non-story until something a little more concrete is revealed to us.

Here is a video about 3E Strategies that leaves me even more confused about what it is they actually do.

No worries.

It's going to be Gov. Kitz again next January. Wouldn't matter if his girlfriend was Diane Downs.

This state is sewn up tight. You can't win without competing in Multnomah County and Dudley has that R next to his name that produces a rabid, Pavlovian response from vast numbers of Portland-area voters.

If you can win big in Multnomah, Marion and Lane counties and carry or be close in Washington and Clackamas, you will be the governor. Period. The rest of the state doesn't matter.

Those five counties. That's where the huge majority of the clones live and they would vote for Stalin if he had a D next to his name.

And you don't think a partisan like Kate Brown would let an R just waltz into office on her watch, do you?

Kitz has absolutely nothing to worry about. If he wants to be governor, he will be.

The water cooler kids over at BlueOregon must be blowing a gasket. Surely wise Uncle Kari is composing one of his "nothing to see here ... happens all the time ... this is how politics works" posts.

Full disclosure: I did not create any politician's website.

Masterpiece Theater at its finest.

I'm also confused by people who think that somehow Kitzhaber was dishonest or otherwise "weasely" as governor.

Theater of the absurd. But thanks for the comic relief.

Eh, I dunno Jimbo. I think Marion county will be closer than one might think.

Masterpiece Theater at its finest.

I'm thinking more Greek tragedy. Kroger is Agamemnon to Kitzhaber's Hector, with Cylvia Hayes in the role of Helen of Troy. Or maybe Kroger's the deus ex machina dropping in to punish vain King Kitzhaber's hubris for trying to grab power a second time.

Or something like that. Makes for great entertainment in any case.

She is paid 50K+ from the non-profit for a 50 hour/week job. So what does she get from the new LLC?

When asked if he is still on the board, he said, "I'm not sure if I am or not."

So, does he remember if he's Governor of the State of Oregon or not? Or if he's a doctor or not (he tends to use his M.D. credentials only when it benefits him...)

Are those Viagra stains that make his shirt blue?

Eric- it's going to be a double feature

"Full disclosure: I did not create any politician's website."

And Garage wins the morning!

BO probably won't say anything.....

"I'm thinking more Greek tragedy. Kroger is Agamemnon to Kitzhaber's Hector"

Instead of such a kingly drama, I'm thinking more along the lines of Three's Company where Kroger plays Mr. Furley, Kitz is Jack Tripper.

Unless John wants this story to have legs, it will die.

It's all up to Kroger.

Based on the comments here, it's apparent that Kitzhaber is The Devil, Satan incarnate, and responsible for everything from budget deficits to the Oregon state flower.

If we elect him, it's clear that Hell will open up and disgorge a thousand demons to work on his staff. Whatever you do, don't vote for him--it could mean the end of the world as we know it. Instead, vote for...Dudley? I mean, surely *he*'s got the smarts and experience to deal with governing a state with several million diverse people in disparate geographic and political locales.

Well one thing we know for sure is that Kitz does NOT have the smarts to govern successfully. At least Dudley might.

"and responsible for everything from budget deficits to the Oregon state flower."

Really, if you'd like to address an issue on the merits instead of launching into personal attacks on other comment, feel free to start anytime.

I believe this article was about getting govt money for his girlfriend who is on some mystery mission of questionable benefit to the taxpayers - If you disagree, fine.

I'm only holding him responsible for what he did the previous 8 years he was governor (you know his side reference to changing the way we do things in Oregon.)That wasn't much given that those were some of the fattest 8 years in the economy in Oregon ever.

I believe this article was about getting govt money for his girlfriend who is on some mystery mission of questionable benefit to the taxpayers - If you disagree, fine.

You'd better read it again. That's not what it's about.

I'm only holding him responsible for what he did the previous 8 years he was governor (you know his side reference to changing the way we do things in Oregon.)That wasn't much given that those were some of the fattest 8 years in the economy in Oregon ever.

What are you holding him responsible for, exactly? You're both vaguely complaining, then attempting to denigrate whatever it was he did by saying things were "good" during his tenure. You can't have it both ways, Steve; if he did a bad job but things were good, what does that say, exactly? Or is your main point to attempt to prove that Kitzhaber had nothing to do with the good, and only was responsible for the bad?

"That's not what it's about."

Enlighten me, what is about then?

"if he did a bad job but things were good, what does that say, exactly?"

Very simple, Kitzhaber had nothing to do with the explosive growth of high tech. However, he benefitted from the tax revenues. He never set up or even asked for a rainy-day fund or some way to manage PERS or find some stable way to fund schools. Instead he just spent it all.

Not that his successor did any better, but we already know what Kitzahber is incapable of - Why re-elect him?

He never set up or even asked for a rainy-day fund

Wrong on both counts, and I'd invite you to look it up yourself. Kitzhaber not only proposed a rainy day fund in his first term in office, he submitted it to the legislature. The legislature's response? Lockin the kicker fund in the Constitution so it couldn't be used for a rainy day fund.

or some way to manage PERS or find some stable way to fund schools. Instead he just spent it all.

Funding schools was one of the main reasons he gave for proposing the rainy day fund. Also, laying "PERS reform" on the Governor is interesting, given that it's primarily the legislature that's going to effect change in PERS. The Governor has no authority to "reform" it, though he can try and influence it. You do realize that, don't you? Given that, can you name your state representatives, and have you talked to *them* about "PERS reform" more than once? Honestly?

Steve, the article is about an investigation into certain contracts provided through DOE to companies under the BETC program. It's an anonymous source that put 3E into the tale, and it really has absolutely nothing to do with Kitz.

It's during Kulongoski's tenure. How would Kitz have had anything to do with it?

A farm bill passed Congress with absurd subsidies, some of which undoubtedly ended up with Smith Frozen Foods. Former senator Gordon Smith must be a corrupted crook who magically funneled money to his family company without actually having any way to do so!

*Nah, honey -- it's not you, it's me* tic...tic...tic....

"How would Kitz have had anything to do with it?"

Kitz sat on the board of 3E and probably can use what influence he has from his previous term as governor. From first read, 3E seems to have pretty tenuous grip on doing anything that would merit funding.

"Lockin the kicker fund in the Constitution so it couldn't be used for a rainy day fund."

Sorry, the all funds increased by the following amounts:
2009-11 $53,760,031,018 11.987%
2007-09 $48,005,409,654 11.071%
2005-07 $43,220,555,200 11.557%
2003-05 $38,743,009,114 9.108%
2001-03 $35,508,990,712 16.567%
1999-01 $30,462,319,439 11.548%
1997-99 $27,308,692,023 17.615%
1995-97 $23,218,655,377 15.850%
1993-95 $20,042,060,862 12.175%
1991-93 $17,866,757,268 17.738%

If you are telling me that when you get an average of 12% upside (take my word, its well beyond inflation * pop growth) every budget period, you can't find any money for a rainy-day fund unless you abolish the kicker, I'd say look harder.

"laying "PERS reform" on the Governor is interesting"

Heck, at least Teddy noticed something after 7.5 yrs of being governor that PERS was going to eat us up. What did Kitz ever try to do and what will we he do different if elected this time?

My sense with Kitz is we'll get 4 more years of kicking the can down the road instead of the change he alludes to.

you can't find any money for a rainy-day fund unless you abolish the kicker, I'd say look harder.

I'd say you fundamentally misunderstand both state budgeting and how the office of governor works. I'm also not clear what you mean by "all funds". If you're thinking that establishing a rainy day fund is as easy as moving money from account A to account B, I've got a bridge to sell you, cheap.

But let's just cut to the chase here: You don't want to vote for someone who's a Democrat, do you? Then simplify your life, and vote for Dudley (or whomever the Republican party puts forward). Then, watch the results, and judge for yourself.

"If you're thinking that establishing a rainy day fund is as easy as moving money from account A to account B"

It's about as easy as abolishing the kicker. All it takes is foresight and some will power.

"You don't want to vote for someone who's a Democrat, do you?"

I think I need to vote for someone who will do something a bit more radical than a re-run of Kitz' previous 8 years. I don't see Kitz doing that.

It's about as easy as abolishing the kicker. All it takes is foresight and some will power.

No, it takes a helluva lot more than that. That's why it hasn't been done. And, notice carefully who's against kicker reform. Ask yourself why they're against it.

And, PERS reform is a red herring. The real problem in state government finances is an excess of state government. PERS isn't the biggest line item in the budget. Look it up.

I think I need to vote for someone who will do something a bit more radical than a re-run of Kitz' previous 8 years. I don't see Kitz doing that.

Then let's hear the reasons you're voting for Dudley, and why you think he'll deal with the problems you're complaining about. And let's not even pretend that you're not voting Republican, shall we?

"The real problem in state government finances is an excess of state government. PERS isn't the biggest line item in the budget. Look it up."

Fine, I am waiting for Kitz to say something on either. We get these feel-good commercials about how different John is without a lot of substance - Which means change will last about as long as that commercial.

I am not crazy about Dudley, but at least he is addressing things like zero-based budgeting.

If it makes you feel better, Dudley stinks less than Kitz. Besides shouldn't you be convincing me why Kitz is so much better?

"notice carefully who's against kicker reform."

Taxpayers who aren't govt employees.

"A Kitzhaber campaign spokeswoman later said he is no longer on the board."

What date did he leave the board?

Why is Steve spouting Dudley talking points?

You know, being governator is a lot harder than making free throws.

"Why is Steve spouting Dudley talking points?"

Because Kitzhaber never gives us anything to spout about and they seem somewhat crucial issues to the future of the state.

TOJimbo wrote "This state is sewn up tight. You can't win without competing in Multnomah County and Dudley has that R next to his name that produces a rabid, Pavlovian response from vast numbers of Portland-area voters."

Right and your point is.....

Because honestly, as long as the Repugnicants continue to be the party of the Walter and Rosalie Huss ideology and twits like Karen Minnis, of course there will be an instant negative response. So why the hell doesn't the Repug leadership (assuming that they actually have leaders in their ranks) wise up and craft a platform that is moderate enough to win in Multnomah, Lane, and Marion counties. Or does it take a freaking rocket scientist (not a political scientist) to figure out that a lot of us would support fiscal conservatism without all this religious right b.s. piled high.

Just sayin

I grade the comment of Mister T an 'A'.

As in: Agree.

.