[April 9th, 2008]

Trail Mix

• Perhaps trying to toughen his Boy Scout image—and score points with gay-rights supporters—in his run for attorney general, Rep. Greg Macpherson (D-Lake Oswego) recently slammed federal judge Michael Mosman for an initial ruling favorable to foes of domestic partnerships.

“The judge’s ruling is disturbing because it concluded that [opponents] would suffer ‘irreparable harm’ if the domestic partnership law took effect,” Macpherson wrote in an email report to constituents. “‘Irreparable harm?’ From giving people their Constitutionally mandated rights? That’s the kind of logic that could only come from a right-wing ideologue. ” In a recent interview with WW, Macpherson initially denied the dis. When shown his email, Macpherson responded, “I did not intend to call Judge Mosman a right-wing ideologue.” Probably shouldn’t have done it then.

• A proxy fight between Nick Fish and Jim Middaugh in the race to replace ex-Commissioner Erik Sten, will play out April 9 at City Council. Commissioners will vote on how much campaign cash to award publicly financed candidates (read: Middaugh) if there’s a July runoff. The city auditor wants Council to give Middaugh $150,000 if he gets past the May 20 primary—less than the $200,000 for a normal November election, but more than the $66,000 suggested by Commissioner Randy Leonard for the abbreviated special election. (Shockingly, Leonard supports Fish. ) On Monday, Middaugh challenged Fish to cap his spending in the runoff at whatever amount the council decides. “Hang on while I finish quaking in my boots,” says Fish consultant Michael Grossman. “It’s awfully presumptuous for Jim to think there is going to be a runoff.” Fish is capping his spending in the primary at $150,000.

When Candidates Blog

Before candidates could blog, they might just admit a mistake and move on. But as evidenced by Sean Cruz, running in the Democratic primary for Senate District 23 in Northeast Portland, those days are gone.

After Cruz missed the deadline for completing the most basic campaign task—filing a Voters’ Pamphlet statement—he explained his lapse with a 1,400-word blog post at seancruz.com that ruminated on his son’s service in Iraq, his missing daughters and the shadow of the March 21 birth of another son who died an untimely death.

“It is April now. The hell of March is past. I have regained my focus. It is all too clear how important this race is... Okay, I’m not in the May 20 voter’s pamphlet.... Time to take the lemon.... Depression is a disability that kills 20,000 Americans a year, mostly silently. Make some lemonade...”

Calendar

Thursday, April 10

Frustrated with how five white guys have handled minority issues on the current City Council? People of color, immigrants and refugees are the focus of this candidates’ forum at the Oregon League of Minority Voters’ headquarters. The event features candidates for mayor, City Council and the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. 2225 N Lombard St., 6-8:30 pm. Free