Oregon finds itself in quite a mess as we conclude the primary campaign and move to the general [election]. We are one of the leading states for unemployment and have been for a very long time. We have an education system that in most categories rates in the bottom 10 states, occasionally into the bottom third. We have had companies quietly move out of state with more exits expected. Our tax rates are among the highest in the country. Our infrastructure is in disrepair.
It is my opinion that we need to give a Republican administration a chance to correct the many wrongs done over the last several years. Chris Dudley is a nice fellow, an admitted celebrity, but a man with virtually no experience in management, business or leadership. Oregon can’t now, or in the foreseeable future, afford to be a training ground for the inexperienced, especially as the chief executive of the state. Chris, while a stellar basketball player and local celebrity, has no experience relevant to the duties of governor.
Bill Sizemore has by far the most experience, awareness of issues, knowledge of our problems and solid practical solutions. He is also a man who can be counted on to be candid and to speak openly about our problems and solutions. His legal problems, well orchestrated by unions to bring a dark cloud to his candidacy, will disappear soon enough and should NOT be used as a judgment on his character. I have listened to him and find him an articulate, thoughtful, straight-talking, seasoned and reasonable man upon whom we can rely to get the job done.
Allen Alley understands business. However, his record of donating and supporting Democratic candidates is worrisome and makes me wonder just where his priorities and loyalties fall.
Bill Sizemore is the best candidate to go up against Kitzhaber. I urge my fellow independents, undecided, conservative Democrats and Republicans to vote for Bill Sizemore! Together we can get Oregon back on track – finally.
– Kendra Southwick
This article appears in May 13-19, 2010.
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I wonder if any private business executive can make an effective transition into a major governmental executive position and ‘make the changes’ necessary to make government ‘smaller and more efficient?’ I am not aware of it ever happening. Most of the uber-business types who run for office and win soon become part of the problem, or, when faced with the reality of the tiger they now hold by the tail end up disappointing the electorate who put them there.
The realities of constitutionally mandated spending requirements, labor unions, nimbyism, electorate passivity, and tax revenue programs that don’t support any kind of business model of which I am aware, must frustrate them.
Forget Sizemore–where has this Business/Government amalgam been successfully achieved?
Kendra,
Very brave to stump for Sizemore in this paper. Unfortunately, you must not hae been around for the 1998 governor’s race wherein Kitzhaber woodshedded Sizemore. Sizemore’s reputation has only degenerated since that lopsided defeat. No Republican has any realistic chance against Kitzhaber.
Dear Kendra (Republican),
Who do you think you fool by claiming to be an Independent? Is the Republican tag still to shameful to re-attach yourself to?
You claim Dudley is a ‘nice guy’ but lacks ‘experience in management, business or leadership’ then you claim Allen Alley has such experience but the strike against him is he suppports Democrats sometimes?
Just wanted you to know that you don’t fool as many people as you might think you do. You’re no independent. Your Republican Slip is showing.
.
HA HA
To the editor.
A quick Google search reveals this Kendra person as a very active political commenter pushing the standard GOP talking points at many different media sites.
It’s a shame that the Source would allow such blatant campaign spamming to grace its pages without compensation.
It is one thing to have an opinion and write your local paper. It is another to have an agenda and spam the same spew to anyone that will print it while hiding behind some false veil of Independence.
She’s a hack and you gave her a platform. Shame on you.