May 24, 2004
Hey, Guess What? Campaign Items!
Not much to pass along, but there are a couple of things worth the time. First off, the day after the election, the Nick Fish campaign newsletter called the results a "clear sign."
It's a sign that Portlanders are tired of backroom politics and insider deals. It's a sign that they're ready for a new voice in City Hall. It's a sign that they value a candidate who brings business experience, not just political experience. It's a sign that Portland wants new leadership, and new priorities.
Meanwhile, just today, the Sam Adams newsletter focused on the difference in turnout between the primary and general elections: "But look a little closer, and you will find, when it comes to the General Election, the spread is actually 17.8% to 13.8%, with 68.4% undecided." That analysis, of course, is based upon simply putting all of the voters who did not vote in the primary in the "undecided" column.
Over the weekend, Salvation Inc. posted a post-election interview with Phil Busse, in which (amongst other things) he reiterates his intention to get something in exchange for his endorsement: "I want quid pro quo. I want public promises for certain issues."
And last Friday, in the final "City Matters" column before a hiatus, Henry Stern covers the "soap opera" created by the various endorsements and non-endorsements during the primary campaigns. Of particular note as far as we are concerned is this little tidbit:
And put Fish in with Leonard and Francesconi after Fish told labor supporters last weekend that "If things work out for me, I'm thrilled about the prospect of serving with Jim Francesconi and Randy Leonard."
Prior to this, we didn't particularly have anything against Fish. But if he's thrilled about a Francesconi tenure in the Mayor's office, he just dropped a few notches on the issues scorecard we carry around in our mind.
Finally, there was at least one letter to The Oregonian we wanted desperately to pass along, but it was one of those letters that doesn't appear in the Letters to the Editor section. We can't recall which section it was in, and we may very well have managed to dispense with it accidentally. We can't even specifically recall to which candidate or candidates it referred. It was good, though.
Comments (5)
Bassbird on 25 May 2004
Whats up with Busse's site? it said exciting things where coming and then disappeared.
Jesse on 25 May 2004
As a Me for Mayor staff person, I think it's safe to say that we are taking a well-deserved break. That said, things are in the works, so do not worry. It's only been a week!
doretta on 25 May 2004
Re: one last letter to The Oregonian
Possibly the one in yesterday's Metro section that could be summarized "Don't vote for Tom Potter because he only cares about one issue and I disagree with the stand he takes on it"?
That one got most entertaining letter of the day kudos in my household.
The One True b!X on 25 May 2004
Actually, it was the one before that, about Francesconi's comments on Potter's campaign contribution limits. But you did manage to peg where in the world I had seen either of these letters, that being on the "Portland" page of the Metro section.
doretta on 25 May 2004
That was my second guess.
That bit jumped right out and bit a lot of us.
I liked Steve Duin's take on the numbers, myself.
Follow Steve's logic from last week and take the 30% support that polls showed Francesconi had before the campaigning started and subtract it from the 34.5% he got in the election.
By that reckoning each vote cost him about $500.