Blogtown, PDX

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Election 2008 The Dozono Campaign Responds to Ruling

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Thu, Mar 20 at 2:51 PM

Amie Abbott, Sho Dozono’s campaign manager, says “we’re disappointed, we’re surprised, but of course respect the rule of law,” in reference to today’s ruling stripping Dozono of public funds.

What’s next for the mayoral contender? “Sho is meeting with his family right now, and he’s going to meet with his volunteer advisers and his volunteer attorneys to talk about whether he’ll continue on or not,” Abbott says. All options are on the table—running with the $40K he already collected, private fundraising, or dropping out. “He recognizes his commitment to public financing, but he needs to weight that against the outpouring of public support [for his candidacy].”

“He has people telling him ‘you can’t stop now, this is a full blown campaign,’” Abbott says. “He’s doing this because he thinks he’s the best leader for the city” She adds that Dozono offers an alternative to Sam Adams, who’s leadership style is “it’s Sam’s way or no way.” Dozono, by way of contrast, is “a collaborative leader, he brings people together to solve problems. He doesn’t believe that his solution is the only solution.”

Dozono is speaking to the press at 4:30 this afternoon.

The campaign sent out a statement—which didn’t mince words about Adams, saying “Commissioner Adams stated that he wanted a robust debate about the future
of the city, but he clearly wants to be pronounced mayor.” The entire thing is after the cut.

DOZONO RESPONDS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RULING

"The City Auditor and the Elections Officer's decisions were well-reasoned,
objective decisions, and we are disappointed that the administrative law
judge did not agree", said campaign manager, Amie Abbott.

Abbott said, "In the next few days, he will meet with his family, volunteer
lawyers and advisors to discuss whether he will remain in the race or
withdraw completely. He recognizes his commitment to be a publicly financed
candidate and needs to weight that against the overwhelming support and
encouragement he has received to continue on." Over 4,000 people signed
Voter-Owned Election forms for Sho and asked him to lead a discussion about
how we build on Portland's progress, and how we ensure it remains among the
best and brightest in the world."

"Commissioner Adams stated that he wanted a robust debate about the future
of the city, but he clearly wants to be pronounced mayor. He wants to win by
default rather than win on his own merits. The thousands of dollars in legal
fees Adams has spent in a determined and blatantly political effort to
eliminate serious competition rather than dealing with important city issues
reeks of the politics as usual approach he would bring to City Hall. Sam
was a vocal advocate for Voter-Owned Elections which granted the City
Auditor the authority to interpret the Code. However, he was the one to
challenge a decision which he viewed as a threat to his campaign.
Portlanders are tired of those who choose their political futures over a
positive debate about the future of their city" said campaign manager, Amie
Abbott.

Permalink

Comments

I'm a Sam supporter for sure, but it certainly seems like it would be dumb for Sho to drop out now since (as Amy pointed out) his name will be on the ballot regardless. Might as well keep up the debates and media interviews even if you don't bother to raise more money.

Posted by no one in particular | March 20, 2008 4:36 PM

I am glad to see that the oversight process is working. Sho knew the system well enough to think he could game it by taking a donation of nearly 30,000 dollars from a lobbyist just before announcing he was a candidate. This ruling has proven him wrong. Whether he stays or leaves now we all know that he is the big money candidate.

Posted by Econoline | March 20, 2008 5:11 PM

My yardstick for political ineptitude is the Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard debacle. That battle was initiated, led and strategized (supposedly) by His Irrelevance, Mayor Tom Potter. And it was a fucking nightmare. Chavez has become Exhibit A in my case in favor of professional politicians. Sam Adams didn't exactly robe himself in glory during Chavez, but at least he was eventually able to see the writing on the wall. The wall had to fall on Potter before he got a clue.

Sho has Potter's blessing and Potter's political background. Sho seems to have had abysmal political advice (to be generous), or an utter lack of political common sense (to be cruel about it). These are not traits I want in a mayor. Not any more. I voted for Potter. I wouldn't vote for him again. To the extent Sho is the new Tom, he makes Sam look real good.

Posted by Guffman | March 20, 2008 5:47 PM

I hope Sho stays in the race, but I can certainly understand why he would not want to throw away huge monies in an attempt to unseat the insider, Sam Adams. Sure, Sho made a few missteps, which is understandable given his lack of political background, but he brings business acumen and compassion into City Hall and that is sorely needed. Adams is an irresponsible tax and spend pet project dictator who needs to go away. I don't expect Sho to be a smooth political hack like Adams who has been running and preparing for mayor for about a decade now and has never spent any time in the private (real world) sector. I will vote for Sho and encourage my friends to do the same if he stays in the race.

Posted by Bill | March 22, 2008 8:49 AM

"Sure, Sho made a few missteps, which is understandable given his lack of political background,...": His use of a minor's trust-fund money to bail out his businesses wasn't a "political" misstep. It was a dreadful lapse of judgment. It shows an utter lack of foresight. Can you rationalize that "misstep" for me?

" ...but he brings business acumen and compassion into City Hall and that is sorely needed": For notes on "business acumen," see above. Also, the conflating of "government" and "business" has resulted in some serious problems, the privatization of education and the criminal justice system, to name two. Government isn't a business. Regarding "compassion," that was one of my biggest reasons for voting for the last political outsider to run for mayor, four years ago. Combine compassion with a failure to look ahead, and you get the Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard debacle, the "strong mayor" campaign, and all the rest of it. BTW, let's not mistake Adams' occasionally abrasive nature with a lack of compassion. If you have other evidence, I'd be glad to read it.

"Adams is an irresponsible tax and spend pet project dictator": Crapola. If you're thinking of the tram, it fits perfectly into Portland's burgeoning reputation for public transportation. Yes, it ran over budget. No one in the Council made much of a fuss, as I recall.

We vote for flawed human beings to do difficult jobs. Dozono's flaws make me nervous, although I haven't dealt with him one-on-one. He has zero political acumen, which strikes me as a huge negative. Adams seems like a reasonable guy for a chronic Type A personality. He has the vision, and tons of political acumen to make it happen. In Potter's wake, I like our chances with Adams.

But I'm flexible. Convince me I'm wrong.

Posted by Guffman | March 22, 2008 12:55 PM

Sho made his own bed out of the VOE mess, now he has to sleep in it. Nevertheless, which candidate is the best person for a given elected office shouldn't necessarily be measured by which person makes the shrewdest political moves. After all, Karen Minnis was loaded with political acumen, too.
As far as the tram goes, the assertion that it is a 'perfect' fit to Portland's public transportation reputation is quite a stretch. Sure its a sexy project with a neat view, that I enjoy as an aesthetic matter. But, the tram really isnt' 'public transportation' in the sense that it does anything to help an average mass transit riding Portlander with their commute. Nor is it the strongest argument to point out that since the rest of the city council, Mayor Potter included, acquiesced in the budget overage for that project that everything is just hunky dory.
I voted for Adams over Fish in '04 and I don't regret that, especially given Bojack's love for Fish this time around. But, Adams hasn't shown me enough to earn my vote a second time around.
I too am flexible, just not convinced.

Posted by joan q public | March 23, 2008 8:51 PM