Blogtown, PDX

Monday, May 21, 2007

Politics Are Republicans Turning On Dave Lister?

Posted by Scott Moore on Mon, May 21 at 10:45 AM

Like any good liberal Portlander, I was out this weekend pretending to understand rural Oregon, so I missed this when it was posted, but the NW Republican blog started taking Dave Lister to task on Saturday.

In a post titled “Dave Lister Slides A Little Leftward. Is It A Good Thing?”, blogger Dare!PDX expresses some level of exasperation over seeing Lister praised in a recent Steve Duin column and having his photo in our coverage of last week’s election.

Filthy liberals

“Everywhere I’ve turned this last two weeks I’ve seen Dave Lister,” Dare!PDX writes. “The guy is getting out there and is successfully raising his credibility as a candidate inside Portland (not easy for an Eastside Guy).”

“Then I open up the Portland Mercury and what do I see? Dave Lister pictured with a crew of Democratic activists. Arm and arm with Randy Leonard (see picture above). Nothing like a photo op to solidify a lib-washing campaign. I trust Dave Lister as my kind of fiscal conservative. I also understand that if you want to play politics inside the city of Portland the only leagues you can get involved in are liberal. The only thing I wonder is why the liberal establishment is so welcoming?”

Wait, Republicans read the Mercury?

At any rate, it’s rare that I find myself agreeing with bloggers on NW Republican, but they’re on to something: If Lister is planning a run for city hall in 2008 (and all signs point to yes), he’s got a thin tightrope to walk—can he position himself as a friend to Portland liberals (at least enough to get elected) and still keep his conservative base? Is Portland’s minuscule conservative base even worth worrying about? Lastly, where is this liberal establishment, and how can I become a member?

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Comments

Scott,
I didn't really think they took me to task, they were mostly just surprised that Steve Duin wrote a complimentary column about me. I guess some people had made assumptions about where I stood on social issues despite the fact that I had never talked about those issues. Some of those folks were surprised and some were disappointed. The fact is I've held those views since I was in high school. A mighty long time ago, by the way.

Posted by Dave Lister | May 21, 2007 10:57 AM

And as I commented over there, it's not like Dave has made a state secret out of this views on social issues. I mean, I know I pay more attention than a lot of people, but frankly in order to even know who Dave is you have to be paying attention.

If anyone, while paying attention, somehow missed his views on social issues, I think that's their own fault.

Posted by b!X | May 21, 2007 10:59 AM

Of course we read the Merc.

I mean... well why not?!

I am not sure we were exactly taking Dave to task either. Well maybe slightly. But that happens all the time doesn't it?

I know I was taking a commenter to task for being a moron and not understanding the discussion. I am sure you have NEVER felt like doing that?....

No, I have known Dave's position on social issues for a long time. Mostly as a result of a weekend at Dorchester and consuming a glass or three to many Canadian Whisky's. And I still supported Dave's run for city council (perhaps also as a result of to many CWs?)

So it is not the social issues that brought out the minor hisses.

It is funny though that no one mentioned social issues yet it was the social liberals who immediatly jumped on that canard. What a thin skinned lot.

Now if I may... I need to get back to plotting the complete and utter takeover of the world.

Yip Yip

Posted by Coyote | May 21, 2007 2:17 PM

As a side note, every time I see the headline of this post, even though I'm the one who wrote it, I read it as "Are Republicans Turning Dave Lister On?"

Posted by Scott Moore | May 21, 2007 3:28 PM

Careful Scott. Don't give away all my secrets.

Posted by Dave Lister | May 21, 2007 3:42 PM

Portland is a tough place for qualified people to get elected. I support Dave for being brave enough to be a voice for the non-establishment class.

Dave has lots of friends, and it's your true friends who will ask you the tough questions.

Posted by Domonic Biggi | May 24, 2007 3:11 PM

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