Saxton Turns to Pro-TABOR Hack For Support

On Friday, Saxton decided to trot out a new "report" by the corporate-financed Cato Institute to bash Governor Kulongoski. As the Washington Post reported in 1995, Cato has "a soup-to-nuts agenda to reduce spending, kill programs, terminate whole agencies and dramatically restrict the power of the federal government."

The "report" cited by Saxton is produced by Stephen Slivinski, who interestingly is a zealous advocate of TABOR limits like the one on the November ballot.

Last fall, while Colorado's political, business and civic leaders (including conservative GOP governor Bill Owens) were convincing voters to suspend the measure that was choking needed state services, Slivinski wrote that it must be kept in place to start a new national taxpayer revolt. He wrote in National Review:

During the past 13 years, TABOR has rightly been viewed as America's best and most effective revenue limit. It has restricted the growth of government, provided tax relief, and is viewed as a model by fiscal conservatives across the country.

[..]

If fiscal conservatives are to be successful in promoting budget limits in other states, TABOR's reputation needs to be rehabilitated. A vote of confidence by the people of Colorado on Nov. 1 could provide a vital kick-start to what could become the next nationwide tax revolt.

Saxton himself, of course, has been all over the map on TABOR.

But Friday's release just goes to show that this campaign is really about rolling out the welcome mat to the corporate-financed national Republican agenda.

» October 22, 2006 - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Saxton Brings Willie Horton to Oregon

The Democratic Party of Oregon issues this release yesterday:

The Saxton Ad Campaign, Brought to You by Creators of Willie Horton and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

(Eugene, OR) – Today Jim Edmunson, the Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon, called on voters to look behind the text on their television screens and in their mailboxes and pay attention to who's really behind the Saxton ads.

"Saxton is running the most negative and dishonest campaign in Oregon's history," Edmunson said. "He’s taken the Bush model of innuendo and distortion and imported it to Oregon. How can he continue to tout that his campaign is about making Oregon great when he’s importing the worst examples of GOP attack politics this country has seen in the past two decades?"

On Sunday, the Salem Statesman-Journal candidate questionnaire revealed that the mastermind behind Saxton's discredited immigration and education ads is Larry McCarthy, the infamous consultant responsible for the Willie Horton ad from the 1988 Bush presidential campaign. McCarthy works for Mentzer Media Services, the same advertising firm that also produced the television ads for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. McCarthy bragged of the photo he used in the Horton ad, saying it was “every suburban mother's greatest fear.”

In 1994, McCarthy told ABC News the reason negative ads work is "people know less, and they learn more and more of their information from commercials," adding "they’re much more inclined to believe the worst" about candidates. [ABC News, 10/23/94]

Mentzer Media also coordinated the advertising for The Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the group that smeared decorated Vietnam veteran, Sen. John Kerry, as a traitor and a liar.

It is no surprise that the Medford Mail Tribune wrote, "Watch and listen to more than a dozen advertisements on Saxton's website and it won't be long before you'll want to go somewhere to wash off." [Medford Mail Tribune, 10/6/06]

Saxton's direct mail comes from the national GOP powerhouse FLS Connect/DCI Group – a firm co-founded by the architect of the Bush smear campaign against John McCain in the 2000 South Carolina primary.

The Saxton campaign's consistent use of Karl Rovian tactics is getting more and more attention. The Oregonian's columnist, David Sarasohn, said Saxton is running, "…what may be the most dishonest media campaign in Oregon memory…from the spring primary race through his current media buy, Ron Saxton has spent huge amounts on TV spots that turn out not to be exactly true, hoping nobody will look at the white line." [The Oregonian, 10/13/06]

A recent article in the Oregonian notes that Saxton ran an ad blaming Governor Kulongoski for the illegal immigration problem in the state, despite knowing at the time that a farm he owned may have hired and housed illegal immigrant migrant workers. And another Oregonian ad watch headline on Saxton's education attack ad reads, "Saxton ad toys with facts, uses out-of-context quote" [The Oregonian, 10/11/06]

"Ron Saxton needs to send the Bush Hate Ad machine back east," added Edmunson. "This sort of slime has no place in Oregon politics."

###

» October 17, 2006 - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Like Saxton's Hit Jobs? Thank the Swifties

We've finished crunching the latest Saxton filings here at Saxton Watch. Saxton has racked up some decent consultant bills - but that probably comes easy working in a corporate law firm.

The crew includes several national GOP clients including the same firms that did TV and direct mail for the Swift Boaters. And then there is the uber-GOP firm FLS, a subsidary of the DCI Group. This is the same firm that ran a slime campaign against John McCain in the 2000 South Carolina primary.

So if you've wondered why Saxton's campaign is basically a stream of attack ads - here's your answer.

Here is the breakdown:

Saxton Has Spent Over $2.4 Million on TV & Radio Advertising. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that the campaign has spent $2.44 million on television and radio advertising through Republican advertising firm Mentzer Media Services of Maryland, including $817,410 in the primary and $1,624,170 so far in the general. Mentzer bought over $40 million in advertising for the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and Progress For America in 2004. [OR Sec of State; LA Times, 11/7/2004]

Saxton Has Given Nearly $350,000 to Key GOP Firm – FLS Connect/DCI Group. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given $346,701 to FLS Connect/DCI Group. FLS Connect’s clients include Bush/Cheney 2000 & 2004, the RNC, NRSC, NRCC, RGA and all 50 Republican state parties. The firm’s website prominently displays Karl Rove’s endorsement declaring “I know these guys well.” Little surprise, as firm partner Tony Feather was Bush/Cheney 2000’s political director and before that coordinated the slime campaign against John McCain in 2000 South Carolina primary. [OR Sec of State; flsphones.com; PR Watch, #4 2004; Washington Post, 4/30/00]

Saxton Has Given Nearly $350,000 to Swift Boat Direct Mail Firm Creative Direct. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given $346,701 to Creative Direct, LLC. The firm’s website boasts they have helped hundreds of GOP campaigns including the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the RNC, the NRSC, and the RGA. [OR Sec of State; www.creativedirect.net]

Saxton Has Expended Over $150,000 for Republican Media Consultant Scott Cottington. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given Minnesota-based GOP media consultant Scott Cottington $152,916 in compensation. Cottington was the political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 1980 and 1986. [OR Sec of State; Campaigns & Elections, September 2002]

Saxton Has Expended Nearly $8,000 for GOP Consultant Patrick Davis. Saxton’s C&E filings reveal that his campaign has given $7,951 in compensation to Colorado-based GOP consultant Patrick Davis. Davis was political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2004. [OR Sec of State; Roll Call, 8/3/06]

» October 11, 2006 - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Where Did Ron "Live"? Day 2

Since the Tribune first broke the story yesterday of Saxton's dual addresses during the 1996-1997 school year, it has been picked up by the Oregonian and KGW Channel 8 in Portland.

The Oregonian story reviews the controversy and has Saxton responding on the record to the charges. The O appears to be having some technical difficulties, but the first half of the article is on their site.

The KGW story has Saxton declaring they went out of their way to let everyone know about this arrangement - other than the actual voters of SE Portland - and the 6 pm broadcast includes some interesting analysis by Pacific University professor Russ Dondero:

"Appearance is everything in public life. And when you’re living one place and then representing another, the appearance of that, in retrospect, is a bit strange. ... What this illustrates is that people of privilege like Ron Saxton, and other people of privilege, have certain advantages that the rest of us don’t have."

The video of their story during the 5 pm broadcast appears here, but does not include Dondero's statements.

» September 27, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

In Case You Missed It: Portland Tribune - Saxton’s School Switch Turns Heads

From this morning's Portland Tribune:

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ron Saxton used the address of his Southeast Portland home to run for his seat on the Portland school board 10 years ago while at the same time using a downtown residential address to enroll his son at Lincoln High School in Southwest Portland.

According to the article, the Saxton's rented an apartment in downtown Portland so their son could enter Lincoln instead of his local high school - Franklin.

Although the Saxton's claim they have always been upfront about this arrangement, the article also notes they offered a very different explanation during an August interview:

Even though Saxton says he wasn’t hiding anything, he’s apparently never raised the issue during a school board meeting, stump speech or other public venue. He also failed to mention the family’s move during an Aug. 17 interview with the Tribune about education issues.

When asked how his son got into Lincoln, he replied: “Everybody who applied got in. I mean there weren’t that many people applying to the IB program. It was really rigorous and hard.”

“There was never enough room,” said Leslie Butterfield, the IB administrator for the past seven years. The IB student must meet a certain number of community service and extracurricular hours, do a college-level research project and pass exams in six subjects.

Read the full article here.

And here is the original Tribune story.

» September 26, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Chirp, Chirp - Where's Ron?

A review of Ron's upcoming public events reveals ... nothing. No events scheduled.

He does have a $500 a plate brunch with 2008 GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and a $100 a plate BBQ with 2008 GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee coming up, but shouldn't Saxton be meeting with Oregon voters instead of rolling out the welcome mat for the Republican Party?

» September 20, 2006 - 2 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Rove Sighting, But Still No President Bush for Ron

In our on-going series wondering when President Bush will come out to stump for his friend Ron, we note that Karl Rove A.K.A. Turd Blossom A.K.A. The Architect A.K.A. Matt Cooper Who? will be up in Washington on Friday, raising money for U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert.

Still no word on when Bush and his team will be out to save the floundering campaign of their good friend Ron.

» September 13, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Has Saxton Reneged on His No Taxes Pledge?

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.

» September 6, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

When Will Bush Come to Oregon To Boost Ron?

With President Bush's visit to Pennsylvania today to boost the sagging gubernatorial campaign of Lynn Swann, we were wondering: when Bush will be out to boost Ron?

Ron, after all, has been a good friend of Bush. Some of the highlights include:

• Max Contributor to Bush in 2000 & 2004. Saxton gave $1,000 to Bush in 2000 and $2,000 in 2004. His wife also gave Bush $2,000 in 2004. [FEC]

• Does Not Believe It is Ever Appropriate for a Governor to Defy the President. Saxton told OPB that unless the President was doing something illegal or immoral, he would never defy him. [OPB, 5/5/06]

• Supports Bush's War in Iraq. During the KGW Debate in the primary, Saxton defended Bush's record in Iraq, saying, "I would not be criticizing the president on this war." [KGW 4/24/06]

• Support Bush's Destruction of Roadless Wilderness Areas. Saxton attacked Governor Kulongoski for standing up for federal wilderness areas in Oregon, stating, "He's[Ted] on the wrong side of the Roadless Area issue." [KXL, 5/17/06]

• Support's Bush Plans to Privatize Social Security. In 2004, Saxton endorsed Bush's approach to privatizing social security by cutting benefits, raising taxes and shifting retirement funds into private accounts. [Medford Mail-Tribune, 10/10/2004]

We'll keep you posted on what we hear about Bush's travels...

» August 16, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Saxton Keeps Putting Politics Before Fire Prevention

After being slammed for playing politics with Oregon's wildfire season, Ron is at it again - this time succeeding in having a public service announcement about fire prevention pulled off the air.

The announcement, privately financed by the fire prevention non-profit Keep Oregon Green, features the Governor encouraging Oregonians to do their part to prevent fires.

Despite the fact that the group has been in existence since 1940 and consistently uses Oregon governors to promote their message, Saxton only sees politics. It's impressive for a man who only two weeks ago was demanding that more be done for fire prevention in Oregon.

Undaunted by threats, Saxton Watch offers you a copy of the PSA here:

You can also download it here.

» August 9, 2006 - 2 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Ron Saxton raises a red flag

Over at the Basic Rights blog, they took notice of the kind of campaign that Ron Saxton ran during the primary election:

During the Primary election, we got to see the real Ron Saxton: a candidate who has allied himself with the most virulent anti-gay forces in Oregon. As a result, the GLBT community faces an Election Day threat every bit as serious as Ballot Measures 36, 13, and 9.

It's time for Oregonians to wake up and smell the coffee. This guy ain't good for Oregon.

Meanwhile, Basic Rights Oregon has endorsed Ted Kulongoski:

As GLBT Oregonians, we have been fortunate to live in a state where our Governor has continuously supported our community. Governor Kulongoski has done more to stake out a public position in favor of GLBT equality than any other Governor in the country and he has ensured that we have a voice at the table.

From the beginning of his career and every step along the way, Governor Kulongoski never forgot about the GLBT community and worked to represent all constituents in the state. He has advocated for equality and stood toe-to-toe against those who attacked us.

» July 26, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron

Ron Saxton: Wrong for Women

Every once in a while, you still hear someone arguing that Ron Saxton is some kind of moderate. Well, take a listen to what right-wing Oregonian columnist David Reinhard had to say back in May:

But the Saxton-Mannix differences on abortion were then, and are now, more hypothetical than real. Whatever their overarching views on the issue, both will act the same way in office. If Roe v. Wade were gone tomorrow, Mannix won't sign a bill outlawing abortions, because the Legislature won't pass such a bill, at least not in the next eight years.

But Saxton would sign almost any abortion limit -- parental notice, informed consent, a partial-birth abortion ban -- that Oregon Right to Life can get through the Legislature. He's made that clear this time.

Which is one reason many Portland liberals are increasingly uneasy with him. And why this Portland fiscal and social conservative is picking my ballot off the kitchen counter and voting for Ron Saxton.

» July 25, 2006 - 0 comments - Filed in Right-Wing Radical Ron