(i wrote the following for Blue Oregon after the debate between Pete Sorenson & Jim Hill. you can go to the original post to read the comments.)

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Democratic Debate in Corvallis: The Incredible Shrinking Governor

T.A. Barnhart

The Benton County Democrats and OSU College Democrats hosted a debate Monday night in Corvallis between the three candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor. Pete Sorenson and Jim Hill showed up, as they have been doing all around the state, and both represented their issues and personalities admirably. The governor was represented by a little old lady who could do nothing other than demonstrate how unworthy Ted Kulongski has become of our vote. He was not merely absent from the proceedings; he became "The Incredible Shrinking Governor."

Because the first set of questions were made available to the candidates in advance, the governor's "team" was able to provide Corvallis Mayor Helen Berg with responses to read in his absence. Berg, a Democrat of long standing and worthy of respect, did her best with what she was given, but as I heard more of the governor's responses, the less respect I had for him. "The Incredible Shrinking Governor." He bragged of tiny accomplishments, showing nothing that would inspire me or any other progressive or liberal Democrat. The few things of merit he has appeared to have done, he has done in a way that would bring a tear of pride to Gordon Smith's eye: election year genuflections towards those whose votes he'll need. "The Incredible Shrinking Governor," over three years in office and with little positive to earn the votes of Oregon Democrats, beneficiary of a limited economic recovery for which he can take almost no credit (although he tries). "The Incredible Shrinking Governor," hoping someone else's voice can distract the voters from what is happening before their eyes: Ted Kulongoski the Democrat is disappearing from sight.

While reading the governor's resume, Mayor Berg, rhetorically but mistakenly, asked "Is there anything this governor has not done?" And apart from all he has failed to do in office, and the choices he has made that harm not only his supporters but the entire state, the answer to her question is "Yes!" He has not participated in the democratic process. Salem is less than an hour's drive from the OSU campus. Hill and Sorenson drove greater distances on busy campaign days to be here, but the governor apparently has tremendous responsibilities that requite his absolute attention — on a Monday night. "The Incredible Shrinking Governor," disappearing from sight as Democrats gather to hear the two men who are working hard to become leader of the state for the next four years of more. Both Hill and Sorenson demonstrated a grasp of the issues and a passion for Oregon and the job they seek. Sorenson can barely contain the energy that drives him; Hill is more measured, his quieter energy growing more apparent as the evening progressed. Either man would make a formidable opponent to whatever corporate flunky the Rs select. But the "Incredible Shrinking Governor" does not appear to have the stomach to face his own party; what chance will he have against a GOP lusting for Mahonia Hall and facing the loss of the House?

The sad truth is that Kulongoski is still favored to win. With Jim Hill's late entry into the race, more than a year after Sorenson began campaigning all around Oregon, the opportunity to unseat the incumbent has become dicey. Several audience members, in private conversations with both candidates after the debate, wondered if either might step aside to ensure the governor's defeat. Both declined, of course, as they ought. That's not the way, the democratic way, to defeat an incumbent. Candidates do not win elections simply by appearing on the ballot; they win because their supporters work hard to get the message out and persuade voters to cast their lot with them (and also, of course, because big money and organizations with ground troops throw their weight around). In this case, organized labor is going full tilt for Hill, seeing him as their best chance to get their revenge on Ted. Pete will draw the support of the progressives and the deanistas. They may undercut each other, or perhaps the governor ‐ "The Incredible Shrinking Governor" – will continue his self-induced slide into ignomy. If he is as unpopular as the polls indicate, then even a vote split between Hill and Sorenson could leave the governor in second or third place.

For me, the best advice on this came from Sorenson, who said he did not enter the race to defeat the governor but to win the election for himself. "Do not vote your fears," he said, "vote your dreams." His small town Oregon story is indeed the stuff of dreams, American dreams, as is Jim Hill's childhood in racially segrated Georgia. Both found personal success and fulfillment in Oregon, and both have a dream to make the state even better than it was. But the governor's dream? Well, like the Incredible Shrinking Man, who faded into an unknown that lay beyond his imagination, the Incredible Shrinking Governor has squandered the support and good will of too many Oregon Democrats and independents. If he does win the primary, he's got a lot of work to do to earn back the votes, and respect, of the state. If he's ever to regain the stature we require of the governor, Ted Kulongoski has a lot of growing to do.