When money talks, ethics walk

[BanzaiBonnie]

I am disgusted.

This morning on our local progressive radio, I learned that not only did Oregon gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley ditch the traditional first debate, he was, shall we say, not entirely truthful about the reason.

Ever since 1986, the July candidates’ debate sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association has marked the traditional start of the state’s gubernatorial campaigns. But not this year: Republican Chris Dudley has opted out.

Dudley’s campaign people told the ONPA he won’t take part in Friday’s event because it conflicts with family vacation plans. “Chris made a commitment to his family and he's going to uphold that commitment,” campaign spokesman Leroy Coleman told Portland's KPTV.

Awwwww-inspiring though it is, that excuse – especially coming at the last minute – is obviously phony. If you’re serious about running for governor you don’t pass up an important debate to go on vacation.

UPDATE: It turns out that Dudley's claim that he had to pass on the debate because of a planned family vacation doesn't quite hold water. On Friday, when the debate was to have taken place, he was in Aspen, CO attending a conference for Republican governors and gubernatorial candidates.

http://www.tsweekly.com/blogs/the-wandering-eye/Dudley-Dumps-Debate.html

[Angry Dragon]

1. That is the republican family values at work

He is with his family of sexually repressed cronies