Oregon Elephant

Romney endorses McCain ... It would seem, especially with all the comments from McCain about traveling the country with Romney, that our man Mitt will have a prominent role in the fall. It's interesting, earlier, with the acrimony between them and the chumminess between McCain and Huckabee, most people thought Huck would fill this role. But Mitt has the support of the right, and he knows how to raise campaign cash, so Mitt is McCain's guy. It's possible, but unlikely Mitt would be a VP pick. However, I could easily see Mitt running the RNC. There's nothing to improve a political relationship like mutual need...

Here is a link to some shots McCain and Obama took at each other in what is looking more and more like the matchup in the fall. Funny line from Keith Olbermann tonight...he said all candidates should set a rule to speak BEFORE Obama rather than afterward. No kidding! Whether someone is for Obama or against him, you have to admit - this guy is good.

From Jim Geraghty at National Review ... In Maryland, McCain 57 percent, Huckabee 31 percent. In Virginia, the second wave of data shows an extremely close race, less than a percentage point between McCain and Huckabee. But I warn you, at this point, or even a little later a week ago, the data was saying McCain and Romney were tied in Arizona, and McCain won comfortably.No word on the Democrats yet, and no word on D.C....

Politico.com has a pretty interesting article about the 5th district election. It seems there is a difference of opinion as to how viable Mike Erickson is as a candidate. One name floating to the top as a challenger is Kevin mannix... Because he remains an active political presence in the state, Mannix would be the presumed primary front-runner if he ran. “Kevin Mannix’s name recognition is immense,” said political analyst Jim Moore, a professor of political science at Pacific University. “If Kevin Mannix steps in, there’s no way Erickson’s the front-runner. If [Mannix] doesn’t get in, Erickson will be among those who have a shot at it. He may have spent a lot of money, but it didn’t get him very far.” Some of this trepidation might be due to the fact that while Erickson hasn't had a problem loaning his campaign money, he hasn't been raising alot of it himself...last quarter he only raised $73,000 according to the article, well below other candidates. Not everyone is expressing...

Has anyone noticed Mike Erickson's website doesn't really say much at all about where he is actually at on the issues? As a center-right Republican, I'd love to look at what he thinks so I can support him, but there isn't really any information on where he stands concerning the issues of the day. It strikes me as a little strange that he's accepting online donations and asking for volunteers, but not saying anything about where he is on the issues.

Here are some random thoughts on today... Democrats Saw Obama's speech...wow. I don't agree with much of what he says, but you have to admire his ability to work a room. He reminds me of a young Muhammad Ali...so graceful, so smooth, so quick, that you forget how powerful his shots are. We have our work cut out for us...I think he's going to be the nominee, and he's going to be tough to beat. Clinton isn't out of it...but she's really behind the 8-ball. There's tremendous momentum for Obama, and if it goes to the convention there will be tremendous push for Obama to be the nominee. Republicans Not a good night for Republicans. McCain shows real weakness, yet he's inevitably going to be the nominee. So at this point the nomination process has shown there are three candidates, and three factions that have yet to come together: Romney with the economic conservatives, McCain with the national security conservatives, and Huckabee with the social conser...

This blurb in the Oregonian by Jeff Mapes quotes an aide to Ron Wyden as indicating they'd love Steve Novick to run for Darlene Hooley's 5th District Congressional seat. Here's what he has to say about it: My favorite comes from Josh Kardon, chief of staff to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. He talked up the idea of U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick moving over to the 5th CD race. "This is probably the only race where their bench comes close to ours," said Kardon. "The only potential candidate we could run with high name recognition across the district is Steve Novick and I have no idea if he has any interest." The article goes on to say Novick has no stated interest in giving up his Senate run. Of course, things can change. He could use the money he's already raised. He's also the highest-profile person the Democrats could get at this late notice. Right now, it sounds like Vance Day is supporting Mike Erickson on the GOP side, even though there are s...

This little piece of analysis from CNN is pretty interesting, something I hadn't thought of... As for the race to succeed him: Mitt Romney is out - but the candidate who may gain the most from his exit isn't Mike Huckabee (the beneficiary of a sudden endorsement from a James Dobson) or even John McCain (whose path to the Republican nomination now seems secure). That distinction actually goes to Barack Obama, who no longer has to compete with McCain for independents in suddenly-competitive primary states like Virginia, Texas and Ohio, where independent voters are eligible to vote in upcoming Democratic contests.

As you can see, I have a new quote on my sidebar...by James Madison, on the importance of immigration. It's important to recognize the issue of immigration for what it is, and to expose the false choice liberals raise...they would have citizens believe the choice is between immigration (them) and no immigration (us). It has never been about that. Conservatives recognize that immigration is more than tolerated. It is welcomed . It is recognized as essential to a vibrant nation, and in fact is a significant factor in the success of America. The illegal immigration issue has always been about immigration control, not immigration prevention .

Mitt Romney has suspended his campaign... He ran a good and honorable race, made some mistakes, and no doubt learned alot. I don't think it is entirely coincidental that on the Republican side, it seems to often happen that a candidate has to go through the process of losing before they can win (Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, now McCain). Here is the text of the speech. A snippet: If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters... many of you right here in this room... have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I fee...

WOW. Big deal...this could be a pickup for Republicans. Here is a link to the article on Politico, with some interesting tidbits on Mike Erickson's fundraising. Here is coverage on Oregon Catalyst... And here is what the "other side" (BlueOregon.com) has to say about it. The Elephant's take: Wow, here is opportunity walking up and knocking on our doors. Anyone with any thoughts on if anyone else is going to run besides Erickson? It sounds like he hasn't raised much money...

Well, as a Romney supporter I'm in mourning. I'll vote for McCain, but I'll have a hard time working for him. It's just hard to get excited about knocking on doors and working the phones for someone you feel despises the ideological core of your party. I'm hoping I'm wrong. I really do hope he is elected, because I agree with Hugh Hewitt about his "seven good reasons" to support McCain. Where he needs to go from here: A little humility would be a good thing. It's been a bitter campaign, and a little healing is necessary. If he dances on graves, Romney supporters will desert him, and he'll lose in the fall. Who he picks as VP will matter. Good would be someone younger, with domestic experience, and someone who looks like they could be a President. He needs to find a way to address the bad feelings people have towards him. The truth is, he's done some things to inflame the anger. He needs to own up to that and accept responsibility.

Mark Levin at National Review relayed this email that is going around from McCain supporters...not exactly conciliatory...are we surprised? Strap on your chinstrap... To all: Wow this is great to see. Political muscle is built by one person talking to one person and so on. Now it seems we have jumped to dozens of people talking to dozens more. I urge you all to do as I have done and simply contact the stations that carry the likes of Hannity, Limbaugh, Coulter et al and let them know that you are tuning them out and turning them off. If enough of us do it, they'll get the message. I have no problem with someone supporting a different candidate. Steve Maloney supported Rudy when I was already strongly pro-McCain. But just like Rudy and McCain, we kept our discourse respectful and civil and see where we are now; working together for the betterment of our party and our country. I believe that ultimately the frenzied hate-speech coming from the far-right towards John McCain will backf...

I went to the Washington County Republican Party Meetup last night, and it was really worth my while. Jeff Kropf , former state legislator and host of a morning talk show weekdays from 6am - 9am on 1360AM, spoke to us. He is director of the Oregon chapter of Americans for Prosperity , and he talked about the programs and activities they have planned. Here is how they describe themselves: Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) are committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. AFP is an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state and federal levels. The grassroots members of AFP advocate for public policies that champion the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint. Pretty cool indeed...I think I'll join. You should check it out. And call Jeff's ...