[April 23rd, 2008]

Trail Mix

Brandon Mayfield , the Beaverton lawyer falsely accused of participating in the March 2004 terrorist bombings of Madrid trains, has joined a growing list of former Jeff Merkley supporters who now regret donating to the Democratic contender in the U.S. Senate primary

On Monday, April 21, WWire reported that two top campaign contributors had turned on Merkley over what they call his policy switch on the Middle East. One disgruntled donor is Hala Gores , a Palestinian activist who gave $2,300 in November and helped raise thousands more in January. A second is Tom Nelson, a lawyer who also gave $2,300. Both now say the candidate’s recent pro-Israel statements represent a public about-face on his private, more Palestinian-leaning comments about the Middle East. On Tuesday, Mayfield surfaced as a third disillusioned contributor. “I was hoping Merkley would be the hope and change we as Americans and Oregonians were hoping for,” Mayfield says. “But as nice as he is, he—based on his position and lack of positions—unfortunately appears to be Gordon Smith lite and not the candidate for change many of us are looking for.”

Merkley spokesman Matt Canter says charges that Merkley has flipped his position are untrue. “His position has been consistent all along,” Canter says.

Rep. Chip Shields (D-Portland), a Merkley supporter, has questions for Merkley opponent Steve Novick . In 2000, former U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield (R-Ore.) and then-Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, led a group pushing a state initiative to replace the death penalty with mandatory life sentences. On the 2008 campaign trail, Novick has said he supports the death penalty in some cases but thinks there should be a new standard to prove guilt in those cases. But in 2000, Shields says Novick worked for the measure, which never made the ballot. What gives? “He thought this proposal was a reasonable alternative,” says Jake Weigler, Novick’s spokesman. He also sent a bill. “That really surprised us, because there was never any agreement that we would pay him,” Shields says. Weigler says it was Novick’s understanding he would be paid, but says the two parties worked out the disagreement. “If there’s any disagreement, it’s my fault,” says pollster Lisa Grove, who acted as the go-between. “I’m not sure if (Merkley) is running for Senate in Oregon or Absurdistan.”

When Candidates Blog

Matt Lindland, a mixed martial arts fighter and 2000 Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, is running in the Republican primary in state House District 52 (parts of Clackamas and Hood River counties). Here’s how he responded in an April 8 interview on the NW Republican blog to a question about skeletons in his closet:

“When I was 18 or 19, I don’t remember for sure, I worked at a grocery store in the produce department. I was supposed to throw out some boxes of produce that was past prime. You know, spotted bananas and stuff like that. Instead, I gave the food to some kids, mostly fellow wrestlers. I didn’t sell it or anything. I just gave it away rather than throw it out. Someone at the store found out and they accused me of theft. I was young and dumb and just pled ‘no contest’ to a Class ‘c’ misdemeanor. That was nearly 20 years ago.”

Calendar

MONDAY, APRIL 28

It’s finally here: Candidates Gone Wild—America’s best combo of politics, beer and entertainment. Join host Storm Large, Sho Dozono, Sam Adams, Amanda Fritz, Jeff Merkley, Steve Novick and many others (including the bikini mayor from Arlington!) at the Roseland. Tickets are GOING FAST, but some remain available for $4 at WW, 2220 NW Quimby St., and the Bus Project, 333 SE 2nd Ave. Don’t miss the event everyone will be talking about!