October 12, 2004
Endorsement: Sam Adams For Commissioner No. 1
An Inside Knowledge On How To Implement Real Change
The truth is that we fall into the category of voters who would be just fine with both candidates for this position being seated on the City Council. While we endorsed Sam Adams in the primary, we have been open to Nick Fish convincing us to switch that endorsement for the general election.
In the end, however, one must somehow be preferable to the other, and we remain convinced of our original pick in this race. Our reasons remain much the same as those we gave in May, when we wrote: "We, however, believe that this ready knowledge will allow Adams to hit the ground running, rather than having to spend much of his early days simply learning the intricacies of City Hall."
That remains as true today as it did then, and if anything the general election campaign has only further convinced us that Adams will bring to Council a much-needed attention and focus.
Over the course of his campaign, Adams has outlined any number of specific proposals which demonstrate his understanding not only of Portland's needs as a City, but of the ways in which City Hall can help facilitate solutions to those needs.
Among other things, Adams seeks to have: Citizen members on the City's budget committee; budgets broken down by neighborhood, with bureaus required to engage in substantive budget discussions with the neighborhoods themselves; neighborhoods provide to the City their own "top ten" lists of community policing priorities for their communities; and registration of City lobbyists (something, not so incidentally, which would have helped us in our recent identification of Len Bergstein's real interests).
In addition, Adams' approach to policy should garner far less ridicule than it seems to generate. While Phil Busse might have needled Adams for the detailed nature of the five promises he brought to the You Promised! forum on arts and culture, the proposals Adams delivered make it clear that he doesn't just dash off platitudes or pleasantries, but tackles an issue with far more interest. In that particular case, for example, Adams not only said he supported "live/work" space for artists, but came prepared with a map and description of specific pieces of property that could be targeted for such a policy right away.
With that sort of attitude towards tackling a problem being exhibited before Adams is even in office, we feel comfortable enough to strongly suggest to voters that he would be just as energized and disciplined should they elect him.
We expect as well that Adams' very so-called wonkishness will serve as the perfect compliment to Tom Potter's desire for broad-ranging public input and discussion. Adams' deep knowledge of how the City functions (especially when it comes to its budget processes) will be an asset as the City Council works to cull through those public discussions for what will work and what will not.
While many voters are drawn to the apparent image of Fish as the "outsider" candidate in this race, we believe that what the City Council most needs in this position is a commissioner who will combine the sincere understanding of what needs to change at City Hall with the direct experience needed to institute the specific policies which will make those changes happen.
In public appearances, Fish certainly has demonstrated a more natural and conversational rapport with voters. From discussions we've had with voters after such events, however, it's clear that many are so taken with that rapport that they suddenly only notice Adams' real strengths in retrospect. We hope that in the campaign's final weeks, more voters take the time to look back upon what they've heard in this way.
In the final analysis, we believe that Adams brings the knowledge, experience, and work ethic required to truly implement any outsider's agenda of change. So our evaluation of this race remains the same, and we renew our endorsement of Sam Adams for the Commissioner No. 1 position on the City Council.
Comments (5)
Dave Lister on 12 Oct 2004
Good call. Sam has a complete grasp of the issues, particularly the problems of business in Portland, and has specific solutions for them. A couple years ago when I was doing battle with City Hall to convince them they need not squander another thirty million on the water bureau billing there was one person that listened. That person was Sam Adams.
Notorious J.E.S. on 13 Oct 2004
Not a bad call.
I don't think that Nick Fish would have to spend much time getting to know the way things work down at city hall. I think he's proven in his time in Portland that he is a quick study in all he does.
I think that either council candidate will do a great job and though I'll also be voting for Tom Potter, I wish either of the mayoral candidates were as good as the both of the council candidates.
Evan on 13 Oct 2004
As much as I think they're both good folks, and would be decent City Councillors, I'm worried that Fish is running around misleading voters about who backs him.
Excerpt from Sam's campaign:
"LOCAL GROUPS DISPUTE FISH’S ENDORSEMENT CLAIMS
Nick Fish, candidate for Portland City Council, claimed during the Willamette Week endorsement interview on Thursday, October 7, “When organizations took a look at both me and Sam, I won every contested endorsement in this race.”
However, nine local organizations that interviewed, surveyed or attended joint candidate appearances ultimately selected Sam Adams.
FISH CONTINUES TO MAKE CLAIMS:
Adams who was also present at the October 7 Willamette Week interview immediately corrected Fish, noting that, among others, the African American Alliance and the Bike/Walk PAC have endorsed Adams. With a number of reporters present, Fish said “Okay, I’ll give you those.”
Nonetheless, Fish has continued to repeat the assertion on the campaign trail despite his on-the-record admission that the claim is false."
The One True b!X is also mentioned in the press release as having looked at both and endorsed Adams.
(For disclosure, I'm with Bike/Walk Pac (www.bikewalkpac.org).)
Russ on 17 Oct 2004
Is there anything to this Nick
Fish emailing?
VOTERS BEWARE!
Bogus “progressive voter’s guide” hits the streets
Potter "furious" at attempt to use his popularity to promote Sam Adams, other measures and candidates
GoPotterGo – an independent PAC not affiliated with Tom Potter’s campaign for mayor – this weekend starting distributing “tens of thousands” of what they called the “Progressive Voter’s Guide.”
The misleading piece endorses a slate of candidates, including Sam Adams. Notified of the Voter’s Guide, Potter’s campaign immediately shot out an angry response denouncing the tactic.
In the release, Potter said, “I have made no endorsements in most races, and certainly none in the local races, nor do I intend to. I have publicly asked, on several occasions, for this PAC to stop using my name for its political activities. I am furious that they have chosen to ignore me.”
GoPotterGo’s campaign treasurer, and the PAC's largest donor since the primary, are both Adams supporters. The PAC put out this intentionally misleading piece of literature, abusing Tom Potter’s good name and misleading voters about Nick’s progressive positions on the issues.
This is yet another example of why Nick supports true campaign finance reform, a return of openness and honesty in elections and our City Hall, and the end of shady backroom dealings.
Please – don’t let this misleading piece of politicking go unanswered. Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers that the PAC is using Tom Potter’s name over his clear objections. Let us know when and where the pieces are being distributed (shoot an email to Aimee@gofish2004.com). Together, let’s put an end to this shameless attempt to mislead voters.
The One True b!X on 17 Oct 2004
That voter's guide exists, yes. See this post here for the details.
But to make sure there's no confusion, given the item you posted this comment to, the guide has nothing whatsoever to do with the Adams campaign.