Last week, Ron tried to have it both ways - telling the Oregonian he favored keeping a portion of the kicker to create a rainy day fund, while also telling Lars' audience he wants to "Give it back to the taxpayers 100 percent." [KXL, 9/1/06]

As we pointed out at the time, Saxton's apparent support for keeping the kicker clearly violates the no taxes pledge he gave to Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) in January.

But the latest release from ATR on Oregon officials taking the pledge doesn't include Saxton.

Did ATR get tired of Saxton talking out of both sides of his mouth, or is this just more wink-wink, nod-nod from the radical right?

We'll keep you posted.