Starrett Falls Hard
First things first...
The attempt by some in the Republican party to keep Mary Starrett (Constitution Party candidate) off the ballot is just a dumb move. Those kinds of moves are seen as snarky ploys and always, always reflect poorly on the candidate you are trying to help.
While I agree that you need to follow the rules some things are just not viewed favorably by voters. One is when you try to keep someone off of the ballot. Another is when you try to maintain some party structure by holding closed primaries. For some reason voters just don't get it when you tell them they need to be required to register with a party in order to chose that party's candidate.
Kelly Clark as the attorney seeking to deny Starrett ballot access should have known better.
Starrett trips, falls
Now the biggest mistake of the last 48 hours is Starrett's over the top response to the Republican ploy.
Mary Starrett went over the top by bringing up Kelly Clark's past. As if that has ANY bearing on the gubernatorial election. Besides it was just plain mean. Mary? Do you know what the bible says is desired in a man?
You know I am not one to flinch from bareknuckles political discourse. I have never been accused of coming up short on policy sarcasm. And I am not running for governor. Yet I still try to keep the personal aspects of someone's lives out of the public realm. Unless there is a direct connection (like a cop dealing drugs or a legislator doing drugs and assaulting people in the capitol parking lot) to public policy or politics most individuals' personal issues do not need to be paraded around in PUBLIC for political purposes.
Mary Starrett did just that and she owes Kelly Clark an apology.
You know Mary, it is one thing to utter those comments out of frustration in the midst of a friend or two. You know that happens to everyone all the time.
However if someone is seeking the highest executive position in the State of Oregon then that someone needs to chose their PUBLIC words more carefully. One would expect that kind of schoolyard behavior out of a small town mayor or a junior class president perhaps. But someone who wants to be governor? Someone asking Oregonians to give her the keys to Mahonia Hall?
No that kind of behavior is beneath the office.
The question is, is Mary Starrett big enough to say "oops. I'm sorry."
Kelly Clark
I know Kelly Clark. I would call him a friend. Kelly Clark may have had issues in the past. Issues that to this day he assumes full responsibility for and understands that the stigma will never go away. Not in the minds of others and not in his own mind and life. Yet he is not asking anyone to overlook his actions. He is also not looking for a position with the Department of Corrections.
Kelly is, this day, a good man. He has paid the debt that society placed on him. Clark has become a loving father and a very productive member of our society. Mary, do you know who Gordon Shadburn is? Some old timers in Multnomah County may remember the stigma he brought on the conservative movement in Multco. His behavior then destroyed a promising political career and sent Multco conservatives scurring into the shadows for years. But you know what? You know what he is doing? After his marriage being shattered he has since moved on. Remaried... and is now sharing the love of Jesus with Natives on Indian Reservations. Perhaps Mary he should have been sent into outer Mongolia with Kelly Clark? After all, there is no redemption in the Consticrat party.
I know I know, those Constituion Party folks would like to (because Clark disagrees with them) see Clark executive in public along with illegal aliens of darker pigmentation. But then again that is one reason they will continue to slide into oblivion. Oh well I am sure a few of them will hang around in a desperate attempt to embarrass conservatives.
However let's let it be known right here and now. This conservative is not at all in favor of the Consticrat Party. Of course they are the Consticrat Party because they will accomplish nothing except maybe... just maybe electing a Democrat.
Shame on you Mary. If as I would hope, you have greater concerns, above and beyond what is surely to be a losing flirt with the governor's race, you should make this right. As I am sure you know, your life will be measured on muc more than whether or not you clear more than 5% in this fall's election.
You know your comments were mean and inappropriate. At the end of the day is that how you want to be remembered?
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27 comments:
You know, rules are rules. If you are going to break them, don't get caught. When Broussard gaffed and filed for 3rd CD before dropping out of the Portland City Council Race, he ended up losing out on both races.
Doesn't matter that it was an issue of a couple of hours. The rules are clear.
And it would appear that the Constitution Party has a track record of not following the rules when it comes to getting candidates on the ballot.
It's not that hard. Hell, the Democrats even follow the rules. What are the odds of being able to say that, and not be lying?
This is the problem with Organized Politics these days. People who proport to have principles are willing to set them aside for political expediency.
"Sure, they didn't follow the rules, but if we do what is right, it could hurt us at the polls."
That's why I finally had to just walk away. Too many people acting like me. People like me need to be the exception, not the rule. A couple of people who are willing to break the rules in the cloak of darkness and set aside principles for political expediency is one thing. But when everyone starts doing it, then we have a problem.
For those who know me, they know that my principles are for sale. Pay me enough and I'll do the wetworks for whoever is counting the Benjamin's. I'm even open to being paid by both sides.
The thing is, I've never been caught. I could list my resume of patonly illegal activities, but why take up the bandwidth? The thing is, I've never been caught.
For everything I have done, I knew the consequences if I was caught. The people I did it for knew the consequences if I was caught.
I'm good. I'm damned good. I've never been caught. Not even close to getting caught.
Now everyone wants to cry, not because the Constitution Party got caught, and not because someone is calling them on it, but because being called on it might hurt the ones that followed the rules at the polls.
Win at all costs, principles be damned.
Maybe Saxton is the perfect nominee for the Republican Party.
BTW, did I read yoru post right? Are you advocating for Open Primaries?
Non-O,
No I am not an advocate for Open Primaries.
Every club, group, church or in this case political party has a right to chose their leadership.
Oregon has open primaries already. They are called the Portland City Council seats.
Oh and see the post in front of this one to see how THAT experiment has worked out.
yip yip
Illegal aliens of a darker pigment?
One thing Mary does have right is understanding our immigration laws. I was hoping this site was intelligent enough not to be a refill your glass of Kool-aid for the far left Marxist, Lennin, Socialist movement. I thought, they were the only ones supporting the loss of our borders (and unions starving for members).
PROOF, again, is at http://danielisright.blogspot.com
As I was reading testimony yesterday on immigration hearings (2 more Hospitals closed in Tenn. & San Diego, this year, from Illegal's not paying), I noticed that even the Democracts understand this is NOT a racial issue, this is a National security, worker exploitation, drain on our system, issue.
There is damn good reason why over 700 new laws, are being introduced in almost every state (and getting passed), but NOT in far left Oregon, to enforce immigration laws that are not being enforced.
To set the record straight, I am Irish & Italian. I want ALL the Illegal persons, even of my heritage (Yes White people too), that are here ILLEGALLY, to go home and wait their turn and do it the right way.
The majority of VOTERS in Oregon, feel the same way. I hope you guys "educating" Ron Saxton, understand that. It appears that you don't.
I don't want another 4 years with Ted, but if you guys tell Saxton to be on the side of the Freedom Socialist Movement & Labor Unions that are selling out their American members, Ron will lose.
Maybe Mary made a cheap shot at Clark. Ron spent thousands telling us he would enforce immigration laws, now he doesn't support the GOP on Anchor Babies? (14th says per "local jurisdiction", Oregon could NOT issue birth cert. to Illegal's)That is a cheap shot against those that helped him win the primary.
I am sick of being labelled a Racist, but I and many others, will not give up anyhow. I take comfort in knowing that is the only empty rationale they can come up with. Can't justify another Amnesty, can they? (#8 since 1986)
I don't expect Republicans to stoop to that level.
Ted K. did stop 14 OR. Agencies from joining the Mexican Consulate, with their traveling Illegal Alien photo ID card sale.
Now we wonder, would Ron?
Many know Mary would and then some.
Rick and Lars are the two people most directly responsible for Saxton winning the primary. He's their problem now.
Rick,
You show your ignorance in your first paragraph. This site is far from Marxist/Lenninist etc...
In fact this site has been critical of the open borders crowd. However your hatred clouds your ability to read and comprehend.
A few paragraphs later you say:" but if you guys tell Saxton to be on the side of the Freedom Socialist Movement & Labor Unions that are selling out their American members, Ron will lose."
What-dah? Now how do you make an illogical leap like that? Oh I forgot your hatred has clouded your judgement.
Rick I have seen your private communications. Just because you happen to, corectly, be against illegal immigration does not mean that your judgement on everything else around this issue are sound.
Your judgement is at the least questionable based if on nothing else but your erratic behavior during the primary.
I just pray that the issue is not harmed when you have your meltdown. After all the problem of illegal immigration is much bigger and more important than one person and especially one Rick Hickey.
So my first bit of advice to Ron (as if he would listen) is to keep OFIR at arms length along with Lars Larson.
Well put, Coyote. Mr. Hickey seems to have an uncontrollable habit of harming the very cause he professes to support by posting off-the-wall comments and ridiculous rants on public blogs. A crackpot can get away with that sort of thing, but it is ill advised for the spokesman of a group that hopes to be taken seriously.
Regarding Starrett, lets hope the mothership comes for her and the rest of her cult followers prior to election time.
"see Clark executive in public along with illegal aliens of darker pigmentation"
I guessed that you meant to type "executed" (not executive)as in KILL people because of their darker pirmentation (& Clark).
Looked like you were throwing down that race card I always hear on the issue of Illegal Aliens.
"harming the very cause...) ???
What? and you have done??
thanks a bunch!
please share what exactly?
Rick,
Apparently unlike you, I can forgive the occasional typo even though coherent writing is a huge thing for me.
Yours is usually not especially coherent, and I wonder whether or not it has occurred to you that your commentary may be counterproductive. I would expect that you'd want to encourage people to join the fight against illegal immigration, rather than turn them away from the cause via rantings.
I've been with Daniel at a couple of outings, and one thing about him that has always impressed me has been his emphasis upon "excessive politeness". You might study his approach.
Max, I was not picking on him for the typo, I make typos also. I was asking/confirming that Clark & dark pigmented Illegal's should be executed as per the constitution party wishes?
A dumb attempt on my part to clarify if the race card was being thrown out again on the Illegal aliens issue.
Yesterday, I endured for hours again, being called names.
and yes only sticks and stones will...
To read a conservative blog that is name calling me on my issue and telling me that I am not helping, is frustrating. Just trying to clarify, sorry.
Rick,
I was demonstrating absurdity by being absurd.
You are in the uttermost extreme angry fringe of the illegal immigrant issue. Just like some folks have become pretty extreme and angry about Kelly Clark.
As if the only thing that could alleviate their respective situations is if they were exterminated.(read absurd).
You and Lars are so far off this mark and hateful in your approach it is not even funny.
So much so that the casual observer could easily assume that the only remedy that you could find acceptable is to have illegal aliens executed. Yes, you are hurting your cause. Thankfully the opposition has not picked up on your routine more by now.
It is not enough for you to debate the issue and try to draw it to a successful conclusion. No, you need to see bodies baking in oil.
I am wrong? Sorry that is the perception from almost anyone who has ever read your rants. If we are wrong you have a communication problem. It doesn't help when you go to other blogs and leave little notes akin to: "go look over on NWR and see how I told him... snicker snicker."
Stuff like that just adds to the lack of discernment on your part.
Perhaps you should read Max' comment again. He is on point.
The past is prologue. Kelly Clark has to live with that. The Past is this:
Kelly Clark has been the attorney for both pro-homosexual organizations and for the Oregon Family Council (Tim Nashif) which purports to be against the pro-homosexual movement (despite its consistent support of Sen. Gordon Smith who is a major sponsor of pro-homosexual legislation).
The Willamette Week article chronicles this long-time, and very close relationship, between Nashif and Clark. It is noteworthy. The article is completely relevant to what is taking place now. It is unlikely that Clark's actions are totally unrelated to what Nashif wants him to do, regardless of what would be claimed to the contrary publicly.
Who is paying Clark? Since the two of you are good friends I reckon you would know. Or is your "friend" Clark so upset by this HUGE infraction, by the CP, that he feels COMPELLED do do something about it pro bono?
Other "dear friends" of Clark include such Log Cabin Republican leaders as Jerry Keene who has said publicly (at an OR Republican Leadership Institute event) he doesn't understand why anyone would think there is anything wrong if he married his male partner. Neither does he see anything wrong with same-sexers adopting children. He predicts the Republican Party will help same-sex marriage eventually be accepted.
Clark introduced Keene affectionately as a very dear, long-time friend at the event, and stated that Oregon would be better off if Keene was in the state legislature.
Who people are close to, and who they defend, and why, is very telling. It shows one's colors. Watch out Coyote.
What has gone on in the past IS DIRECTLY related to what is going on now.
Who knows who, and who has always worked with who, means volumes in politics. Let's not feign innocence here. It is fair game to conjecture. You do it all the time Coyote. The WW article about Clark stated just the facts.
I watched Clark giving his pseudo-neutral testimony during the SB-1000 hearings. He was not on the side of the traditional family advocates. It was obvious that Clark and bi-sexual Sen. Kate Brown have been political allies. He didn't want to betray her.
Clark parses his legal words when talking about civil unions. They show no commitment to moral values; just a love of pseudo-legal parsing of words. Whenever possible such parsing allows him to have it both ways. He keeps both pro-homosexual and "pro-family" clients. But, his personal friendships and public statements reveal who and what he is. The WW article quotes of him show convoluted, double-minded thinking. Nothing has changed. That was evident at the SB-1000 hearings.
Starrett is within her rights, in defending herself, to point out the kind of person who has gone after her. She made nothing up. She made no false accusations. There is public, and valid, proof of every single bit of information she may have provided about Clark. You are stuck with that, Coyote. Trying to shame her for telling the truth is a weak defense of your heartless friend.
I have yet to read anything where Starrett herself has made any derogatory statements about Clark. What I see is others pointing to Clark's past alliances and behavior, including myself. "I" make no apologies for it.
Clark's character is an issue whether he is your friend or not. When he goes after good people like Mary he is proving he is just plain mean.
You have a mean friend.
Weeks ago, the CP checked in to alleged claims of error. They say the Secretary of State told them that they had fulfilled their legal obligations and that they need not do anything further. There isn't any more that could be expected of them.
Most likely, Clark knows that eventually no fault will be found, but that if doubt can be sown in peoples' minds it may help Saxton's campaign.
That's the end goal here isn't it? Helping Saxton by hurting Starrett's reputation. Then finding fault with the defense of Starrett? Lame.
I wouldn't put my integrity on the line for Clark, Coyote.
The truth is more transparent that you seem to think it is.
P.S. I consider Rick Hickey a friend. I don't see him as the extremist personality you are making him out to be. He's a brave and well-spoken man. He deserves more credit than you are giving him. You go ahead and defend the likes of Clark. I'll defend Hickey. I think I'm doing better than you. :-)
For those that don't know, in June 10, 1992, at 2 am Kelly Clark broke into his ex-girlfriend's Keizer home, disconnected the phone line, and locked the door behind him. She awoke with Clark standing above her in bed. For four hours, he subjected her to what the courts deemed "sexual contact without consent." (RAPE)
Clark later pleaded guilty to criminal trespass and third-degree sexual abuse, paid a $5,000 fine and received five years' probation. The Oregon State Bar suspended his license to practice law for two months. Then he disappeared.
In early 1994, the former contender for attorney general found himself living in a small bedroom in his sister's Lake Oswego house.”
Now the rapist is working for the Republican Party of Oregon. Ironically, seems the party of "law and order" are a magnet for of these types undesirables.
Mary Starrett had every right to bring up Clark's integrity (which he has none) and expose this flawed stunt by Saxton and the OR Republican Party to keep her off the ballot. The fact is, the Oregon Constitution Party did advertise widely in newspapers about their convention. They notified members by mail and several radio show hosts including Lars Larson even announced it on his radio show.
The Oregon Republican Party is filled with RINOs and liberals, and Saxton has proven himself to be well among those. Starrett offers what the ORGOP can't and that has forced them to try any last ditch effort possible to keep her off the Nov. ballot. The more Clark keeps up his unscrupulous shenanigans for the ORGOP, the more his past will be brought in play and so it should be.
I know I will be drafting a LTE tomorrow with specific info about Clark and will encourage others to do the same. Coyote, be sure to let your buddy Kelly know so he knows what to expect.
One sad thing about free market competition is that it has driven down the price of computers and internet access so far that even morons like the last two posters can afford to participate.
Actually Pancho, the two posts you refer to are well composed, well thought and hardly the work of morons.
Coyote supports Clark because he considers him a friend. He isn't able to see Clark's trangressions despite the fact they are well documented in the posts.
This should in no way be construed as support for Starrett. In fact, if you feel the need to call someone a moron she would be a good candidate.
Actually Anon,
They are attack pieces aimed at smearing someone I respect greatly.
He is not a rapist and his transgression is well publicized as well as widely known. He made a mistake and has taken full responsiblity for it.
He has done alot for the Republican party of Oregon. He has also paid his debt to society and works hard to pay back our community for his wrong. If more people completed and contributed even an tenth of what Kelly Clark has this state would be a much better place for Republicans.
That would include you.
DarePDx....
How much you respect Clark is pointless. How much he may have done for the ORP is pointless. The fact is Clark has committed a transgression called rape. That cannot be undone. No matter what he has done to redeem himself he will always be a rapist.
BTW, you have no idea of my contribution to Oregon or to the Republican Party. My guess is it is a lot more than Clark's. In all my years of working with the ORP I only once saw Clark do anything I would consider to be selfless.
I find it very interesting that the Constitution Party folks who are posting here, almost all whom I would think consider themselves Christians, apparently do not believe in redemption.
If anybody deserves our grace for his years and years of redemptive acts, it is Kelly Clark. I have known him since 1998, and have dealt with him on several issues over the years, and observed him as a lawyer, a political activist, a father and a friend.
I can say without hesitation that he is of the highest moral and ethical character.
The comments on this thread and the attacks by the Starrett campaign sicken me.
Kelly Clark has taken complete responsibility for his transgression, and turned his life around.
To those who insist on dredging up the unfortunate period in Kelly's life simply to make some political point; to those who cannot find it in their hearts to embrace a person who has so completely and fully personified the power of personal redemption:
SHAME ON YOU!
I find it very interesting that the Constitution Party folks who are posting here, almost all whom I would think consider themselves Christians, apparently do not believe in redemption.
If anybody deserves our grace for his years and years of redemptive acts, it is Kelly Clark. I have known him since 1998, and have dealt with him on several issues over the years, and observed him as a lawyer, a political activist, a father and a friend.
I can say without hesitation that he is of the highest moral and ethical character.
The comments on this thread and the attacks by the Starrett campaign sicken me.
Kelly Clark has taken complete responsibility for his transgression, and turned his life around.
To those who insist on dredging up the unfortunate period in Kelly's life simply to make some political point; to those who cannot find it in their hearts to embrace a person who has so completely and fully personified the power of personal redemption:
SHAME ON YOU!
It wasn't rape. Kelly Clark was convicted of "Sexual Assault" which was unwanted kissing.
He had a problem with alchohol and a women broke up with him. He attempted to confront her which as you know didn't turn out well.
He took full responsiblity for his actions. He has fully turned his life around. He is a good man (far better than any Constitutional Party member I've ever met). He has done more good for Oregon than just about any one else I know. He is selfless and hard working and we are lucky to have Kelly Clark here in Oregon.
I second writing a LTE to newspapers about Clark and the Republican Party. The Oregon GOP harbors rapists, child molestors, traitors, meth head dealers, gangbangers, embezzelers among other such shady characters. I think that is an important distinction between the Constitution Party and the GOP. Starrett does in fact provide a solid conservative alternate to the very liberal baby killing Democrat, named Ron Saxton.
And to Rob Kremer, shame on you sir for being such a ridiculous shill for a party that doesn't even hold the values you so claim to aspouse. Maybe you should shave those overgrown eyebrows so you can actually see what they stand for and the collision course with disaster for which they are heading.
So, Rob Kremer a well-known Saxton supporter stands up for Saxton surrogate Kelly Clark. What a surprise. And don't for a minite presume to tell us that Clark is not taking his legal action at the behest of the Saxton campaign.
Rape/Sexual Assault...now we're talking a distinction without a difference. Yeah, sexual assault may come with a lighter "plea-agreed" sentence but otherwise it's six of one, half dozen of another.
And I'm not one of the 29-hundred or so CP members, nor am I a supporter of the CP. I never go looking for black helicopters. As I said before, if you're looking for someone to call a moron "single issue" Mary is a good candidate.
Kelly Clark is a big boy, he has played the game for a long while...especially when it was in his favor to play. He knew a plethora of charges against him would be brought up. He assumed...likely correctly...that he could withstand the onslaught.
Seriously … did y’all not get hugged enough as a child? Where did all this visceral hatred of a fellow human come from? Unfortunately … the best comment in this entire thread was completely ignored. Max hit the nail right on the head. We need to kill our enemies with kindness. To quote Gandhi … “Hatred ever kills, love never dies. Such is the vast difference between the two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred.”
I too count Kelly Clark and Jerry Keene as people that I greatly respect. I have leaned on both of these individuals when I had issues to talk about and needed help … and I would be honored if they turned to me in the future. I am not a perfect man … and I stand in no position to judge their actions. But the name calling needs to stop … if you don’t like what Kelly had done … then start an honest intellectual discussion about those legal or policy tactics. Because I promise you … more can be done with an open hand than a closed fist.
Rick … I promise to give you a hug the next time I see you.
Keep your eye on the ball, did the CP follow the requirements to be on the ballot. Should be very easy to prove, if they did.
A scatological attack on the messenger, yes, lets shoot the messenger. Of course there is frustration, anger, and confusion: that's understandable when the other party has held the governor's office for 20 years.
No wonder I post anon.: say something someone else doesn't like and BOOM the personal attackes begin. Sad to say:"Welcome to the world of politics." So a lot of people take a pass on politics, see above!
I liked Dave Reinhard's editorial about the Governor's race in the Oregonian. He is one of the better editorial writers in the Northwest and brings up some good points. Saxton will appeal to more centrists than will Ted K. However, if the Republicans stay home or refuse to vote for Saxton, then Ted K. will win.
Oregon is not Idaho or Texas, so don't expect an ultra-conservative to be elected governor- that is not the culture, and don't see it changing anytime soon, although it looks like the trend is for Republicans catching up to Dems in numbers - but note the big jump in independents. Atkinson's time may come, but he wasn't ready for prime time in this election cycle.
I still don't see any apologies from the CP folks for mischaracterizing Kelly's transgressions.
Why am I not surprised?
Something I have noticed about most of these folks is that it is just not enough to disagree with them. No... if there is any disagreement then you must be a moral reprobate.
They are quick to call someone on a character foible yet when they make a mistake, or in this case mischaracterize an individual, they are the last to apologize.
I know a few Constitution party folks. One of them certainly has "skin of a darker pigment." I don't think it's right to call them racists as a group. The Oregon CP seems to be full of idiots, though, I will grant you that.
Oregon's center-right is a mess. You all can barely get your act together enough to pay Chuck Adams' consulting bills, much less win an election. Someday you might all dump these petty, personal grudges and work together. I'm not holding my breath.
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