Vance Day

Republicans smell a flip-flop and are homing in on it.

Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party Vance Day’s conference call with reporters over Obama’s impending visit to Oregon wasn’t centered on the war in Iraq or health care or tax cuts. The first topic out of the box was…. NAFTA.

Nothing terribly exciting occurred at yesterday’s candidate filing extravaganza at the Capitol. The biggest surprise goes to former Congressman Jim Bunn who decided at the last minute to file for a state House seat in Yamhill county. Perhaps he will take a cue from Eliot Spitzer’s recent woes and leave the sex scandals to the Democrats this time around.  read more »

Mike Erickson was the GOP nominee-in-waiting for the 5th congressional district until Rep. Darlene Hooley announced her retirement and the seat opened up. Oregon GOP party chair Vance Day has referred to Erickson as a “strong candidate,” but all party officials have stopped short of giving their whole hearted endorsements to the 2006 candidate.

With uncertainty about whether Mike Erickson will be the sole GOP candidate wading into District 5 waters, one of the big questions in the days and weeks to come is whether the Republican Party apparatus pledges its full support to Erickson’s campaign.

Mike Erickson commented today on Rep. Hooley’s announcement, thanking the Congresswoman for her service while advancing his message of bringing new ideas to Washington.

“I would like to thank Darlene Hooley for her service to our state. I appreciate her commitment to the people of Oregon and extend my best wishes to her and her family in the years ahead,” Erickson said.  read more »

Vance Day, the Chairman of the Oregon Republican Party responded today to Rep. Hooley's decision to not run for re-election.

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10. John Frohnmayer – Find a credible pollster.

9. Greg Macpherson – Take the Sierra Club off my Christmas card list for next year.

8. Kate Brown – Share my exciting poll results with Wally Edge.

7. Vance Day – Find some statewide candidates to put on the ballot or find my own replacement.

6. Peter Defazio – Ruin all the SOS candidates future hopes by announcing my 2010 gubernatorial bid.

5. Sho Dozono – Come out of the campaign closet and officially announce my Portland mayoral candidacy.

4. Ted Kulongoski – Check for television cameras before pouting off stage.

3. Martha Schrader – Wait until the incumbent is out of the hospital before gunning for her congressional seat.

2. Gordon Smith – Hold my tongue at retirement parties.

1. Bernie Guisto – Learn when to fold ‘em.