News Dec 1, 2011 at 4:00 am

Talk Softly, Carry a Big Stick

Comments

1
Jefferson Smith campaign HQ party last night was packed and full of familiar city activist and players. Clearly, we have found a favorite candidate even if the media hasn't discovered the story.
2
While I know it's hard for you to resist taking a dig at Charlie Hales for living in Washington (though his rationale- doing the right thing by allowing his new family to complete school without too much disruption) , thank you for stating Charlie's commitment to protecting our water and our land.

Often lost in political discussions are the very things that make people and businesses flock to Portland- our landscape, our pristine water and our parks, trails and natural areas. Charlie's on the Portland Parks Foundation, was THE champion of the first Portland Parks bond measure in nearly 60 years, and has been on the Board of Friends of Trees for years. THAT's the leadership and experience Portland sorely needs- one based on a proven track record of success, NOT how many people show up for free booze.
3
Its a shame that in an otherwise interesting report on an unusual campaign event, the writer chooses to take a snide little side-swipe at the tired non-issue of Charlie Hales' brief residence in Washington with his wife Nancy. To once again set the record straight: when Charlie and Nancy got married, her job required that she live in Southwest Washington and she had two children in high school up in the Gorge. So Charlie, not surprisingly, lived with his wife in Stevenson until the kids graduated from high school, when Charlie and Nancy moved to SE Portland where they live now. While living in Washington, Charlie paid his Oregon taxes on Oregon income just like all the rest of us, since his office remained in Portland. I'm not sure what this writer would have done instead....refused to marry? made the children move in the middle of high school? lived apart from his wife because someday he might run for Mayor? There are real issues that should be considered when the next Mayor is chosen; this isn't one of them.
4
It's funny how the media likes recast Hales's short term Washington residence into a sensational story about tax dodging, when in fact he moved there so that his wife's kids could finish school there. Come on Mercury, can you spare us cynicism?
5
It's a shame the media keep ignoring Jefferson Smith's time in Stevenson after marrying his wife, Brian Rohter.
6
@Aqua-Blue studio: Having your campaign HQ party packed with familiar city insiders isn't something to brag about. Getting out in the community (for that matter building community) and establishing a grass roots campaign is what's going to win this race.

I realize there isn't a lot of drama in this race but Hale's house in Washington is such a non-issue. Bringing it up just makes candidates and journalists look amateur.

Please wait...

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