http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_051308_politics_congressional_race.f78 9fc23.html

Yeah. We're going to have to put up with this CRAP until November (Not you Vitalogy, the candidates)

That’s one reason I think that TV ads should be limited to 30 days prior to the election.

Why can't the candidates just stick to what they are for and about instead of trying to dig the crap up on their opponent?

I think it's because they are afraid that if they come out and state their positions, the people will hold them too it if they get elected and they won't be able to waffle in the wind.

ALL politicians SUCK.

Mike Erickson is a proven liar from way back, making claims about a couple of endorsements he claimed to have received but did not. As for Kevin Mannix, I think the letter is sleazy. But Mannix is behind in the polls and needs an October surprise. I guess all is fair in love and politics. I vote Erickson sleaziest, just because he’s a hypocrite. You make noise about being pro-life but pay for your girlfriend’s abortion. Just another example of the Republican Hypocrisy Machine at work. Thank God I’m not a Republican.

I live in Darlene's district. Not voting for Mike or Kevin.

The only Mannix we can trust is Mike Connors.

Where's Herb on this? His ProLife Republican from 2006 appears not to be.

How did that Lincoln saying-"Fool me Once Shame on you, Fool me twice Shame on Me."

I guess you can say the Republicans are the party of fools.

"Where's Herb on this?"

I'm a Mannix guy.

Having said that, I believe people make mistakes and can change. If Mr. Erickson acted according to some of the accusations, my hope is that he's changed.

I will say that if Mr. Mannix, who has a very strong and lengthy Pro-Life record, did what Mr. Erickson is accused of, I'd be very disappointed.

Herb

I'm a Mannix guy.


Figures....
Dirty, underhanded, sneaky and just plain creepy.

Right on cue

"Dirty, underhanded, sneaky and just plain creepy."

Right on cue to show your radical leftist bent, yet again, Trixter. As you put it, it's you yourself who is actually far more "underhanded, sneaky and just plain creepy" than any average liberal.

You're a leftist who denies that you are what you are. At least Mr. Mannix is honest enough to admit he's a conservative. You're not man enough to admit you're a anti-conservative radical leftist.

From Kevin Mannix's website:

'Kevin Mannix is endorsed in this primary by the following organizations. Not one of these organizations has endorsed Kevin's opponent in the Republican primary.'

• Oregon Family Council PAC

• Oregon Right to Life PAC

• Oregon War Veterans Association

• Oregon State Police Officers Association

• Oregon Farm Bureau

• Crime Victims United

• Polk County Republican Central Committee

• AG-PAC

• Taxpayers Association of Oregon

• FreedomWorks

• Oregon Medical Association PAC



The following newspapers have endorsed Kevin:

• The Oregonian 4/26/08

• Willamette Week 4/30/08

• Statesman Journal 5/4/08



Commentary about Kevin

“We are lucky to have a guy with Kevin’s experience and conservative approach to government willing to serve in Congress.”
—Gene Derfler, Former State Senator

“But he’s a straight-shooter and listens to contrary views. If he disagrees with you, he’ll say it to your face instead of going behind your back. I respect that straight talk. Former Rep. Denny Smith exemplified that trait as well.”
— Dick Hughes, Salem Statesman Journal, 2/14/08

“Kevin will represent Clackamas county well.”
— Jim Zupancic, Clackamas county businessman

“Kevin is tried and proven – he is by far the best candidate to represent Congressional District 5.”
— Gayle Atteberry, Oregon Right to Life PAC

“He will fight for agriculture and farmers.”
— Kathy LeCompte, Brooks Tree Farm

“No one’s worked harder or more effectively to make us safer.”
— Steve Doell, President Crime Victims United

I don't trust Mannix or Erickson. To me they are both SOB's.

Agreed.

Richard Reinhard wrote a GREAT piece on the Erickson affair. Reinhard has the inside scoop on why Erickson is a liar and should not be elected by voters hold office, EVEN if he wins the GOP primary Tuesday. As it turns out, Mannix did us a favor.

Reinhard's piece comes out tomorrow.

>>SOB's

Sons of OBama's

Mannix is endorsed by just about every organization I despise.

Trixter has NEVER spoken truer words than when he uttered "Figures....
Dirty, underhanded, sneaky and just plain creepy."

Creepy being the theme here.

Right on cue to show your radical leftist bent, yet again, Trixter.

LEFTIST... Take that back COMMIE!

In this KATU interview, Erickson denies he paid $300 to get his girlfriend an abortion. Maybe he is telling the truth. Why would he lie now?

http://www.katu.com/news/election/19034474.html?video=YHI&t=a

Ok, ok..It was me. I paid his girlfriend to get an abortion. I didnt think a little version of Erickson running around in the world was needed.

But a smaller version of you is???
COME ON!

I think this just shows the shallowness of candidate Mike Erickson. I would bet the farm he paid for the abortion, but that aside, he's a one trick pony. His commercials are horrendously negative and don't offer anything of substance except he'll vote against any increases in taxes. How original is that for a Republican? If God forced me to support a Republican candidate in this primary, I’d go with Mannix. But my God would never levy such undue pressure on me. He knows it makes more sense for a Democrat to represent the 5th Congressional District. Remember, Jesus is a liberal.

David Reinhard sides with Mannix:

Last Sunday I handed out the much-uncoveted Wooden Slime Bucket Award for the sleaziest politics of our political season. Mike Erickson earned a dishonorable mention for his low-rent ads against Kevin Mannix in the 5th Congressional District's GOP primary. The next day, however, all Armageddon broke loose in that race. Mannix sent a letter to Republican voters publicizing allegations that the pro-life Erickson had impregnated a young woman and facilitated her abortion in 2000. Not long after, readers began asking if I wanted to revise my Slime Bucket picks. Mannix, they suggested, might retire the prize with this last-minute smear.

I might have thought so, too, but a dispassionate look at all the available evidence makes this clear: It's impossible to smear an opponent if what you're saying is true and relevant. I think it's both.

For starters, these really aren't Mannix's charges. They're the painfully specific statements of the named woman -- Tawnya (last name withheld in the Mannix material and this column) -- and the friend who held her hand during the abortion, Kristi Oetken. That material was the e-mail Oetken sent news organizations, Oregon Right to Life, and the Erickson and Darlene Hooley campaigns in September 2006.

This is from the 2006 e-mail:

"I was outraged to received [sic] his campaign flyer arrive at my house with implications of pro-life / pro-family. Where were these ideals in the year 2000 when he drove my friend (whom he impregnated) to an abortion clinic in NE Portland, handed her some cash, and left her at the door. Where was he when I was holding her hand through the entire process as she cried for her lost child? Ten years his junior and already a single mom, she really felt like she had no choice in the matter without his support. How dare he think that he could get away with these hypocritical lies. I realize that hypocracy [sic] is a part of political campaigning, but my friend deserves more than this. Again, I ask the question, what about Tawnya?"

Yes, it would have been better if a news organization, and not a campaign, broke this story. Another wealthy powerful man treating a young woman with cavalier cruelty, sex and hypocrisy, politics and more, names and contact information -- sure seems like a news story. I wish I had received the e-mail. But nobody bit on the story. Only after Mannix's action did Tawnya's story pique the media's interest, and then the focus was as much on Mannix's move. Was it the ultimate in late-inning hit pieces?

No sooner was the question asked than answered in the negative. First, Tawnya came forward and told her story to the Portland Tribune's Steve Law. Oetken also offered new details. It all cast doubt on Erickson's Monday denials of the "wild," "unbelievable," "not credible," "unsubstantiated and untrue" accusations and bolstered Tawnya's credibility.

Second, Mannix came in Tuesday to meet with The Oregonian's editorial board as soon as asked. He answered all questions about what he knew, when he knew it and why he went public.

Third, Erickson didn't respond to requests to discuss the issue until Thursday -- until after Oregon Right to Life's Gayle Atteberry wrote in a letter that Erickson should leave the race and voters should pick Mannix. Before that, he hunkered down with the categorical denial mentioned above. If the charges were bogus, wouldn't his natural reaction be to race into the state's largest newspaper to answer all questions about how these women and Mannix were doing him a great wrong? Why wait?

Fourth, there's Atteberry's account. In her letter, she recounted her history with Tawnya and Erickson, which goes back to the fall of 2006.

"[A]s the Election Day drew near," she wrote, "we heard from Tawnya, a young woman who claimed to be the mother of Mike's child, the one she ultimately aborted with Mike's aid and money. We talked personally with Tawnya. She is very credible and remains to this day devastated over the events. When we approached Mike about these allegations, he admitted giving her money and dropping her at a 'doctor's office.' He said he did not know she was getting an abortion. Now, less than two years later . . . Erickson issues a flat denial about everything, even the parts he openly admitted in our presence."

She wasn't done: "No matter where you stand on abortion, Mike's actions are troubling, To begin, his callousness towards his one-time 'girl-friend' is unimaginable. Secondly, seeking a pro-life endorsement to further his campaign while paying to abort his child is completely dishonest."

Atteberry is one of the most upstanding people I know. She's also more familiar with these sad and ugly situations than almost all Oregonians. She believes Tawnya. She doesn't believe Erickson. Based on all the evidence -- including Erickson telling The Oregonian Thursday that he knew Tawnya and helped her out financially, but didn't knowingly pay for abortion -- I'm with Atteberry.

When she ends her letter by saying Erickson's character flaws will make him unelectable in the fall, she's not only making a prediction. Her opposition will almost guarantee that her prediction becomes a reality -- if he even makes it to the general election. For political and moral reasons, 5th District Republicans should see that this never happens.

I think if you take a look at the facts, Mike Erickson is lying. His behavior right after this broke is text book guilty as charged.

I am just guessing here, but I bet the abortion cost right around 300 dollars. I also am guessing that she used the 300 dollars to get an abortion. And I'm guessing that he gave her 300 dollars right before dropping her off at the doctor's office.

I'm guessing that was not just all a coincidence.

To be honest, I hope Erickson wins the primary. It will ensure that my beloved 5th district will stay in the hands of Democrats come fall.

I don't believe Erickson is telling the truth. I don't know if it's his speech, his eyes, his body language, or what, but I just don't buy it.

Thye're both an embarrassment.

Will the real Mannix backers sit out if Mannix loses (Mannix is only 1,300 behind, he was behind by more than 3,000 last night.)?

Chime in Herb.

WTF? Did something happen last night to slow down the reporting process of our vote by mail program? Why is it taking so long to process these returns?

I feel like I am setting myself for something obvious and will feel stupid, but that wouldn't really be a good enough reason to pretend that I know the answer.

I think it was the extra scrutiny required for the double ballot mail in that happened because more people than usual changed registrations.

Nope there are some idiot County Clerks (Clackamas County as an example), who wanted to save money and were scanning the signatures with the same staff every day, so if they didn't finish up one day, they would leave the rest for the next day.

Instead they should have been proactive and stayed ahead of the curve, but they didn't so there are several thousand ballots to count today. But do you think the talking heads care to report this error?

? Nope there are some idiot County Clerks (Clackamas County as an example), who wanted to save money and were scanning the signatures with the same staff every day, so if they didn't finish up one day, they would leave the rest for the next day."

I'm not doubting you, but how do you know that? It would make sense, but I'd like to understand why someone did that, this time. I don't recall it taking so long in previous elections. What's the delay this time?

"Will the real Mannix backers sit out if Mannix loses (Mannix is only 1,300 behind, he was behind by more than 3,000 last night.)?

Chime in Herb."

GREAT question, Saveitnow.

I can only speak for myself. But my sincere hope is that whatever Mr. Erickson may or may not have done, that he is truly pro-life.

I'm no respecter of poseurs, be they leftist or conservative.

My hope is that if Mr. Erickson did what he's accused of, that he has changed.

I know that in some very important ways, I'm a different person than I was even five or ten years ago. Let's hope that's the case with Mr. Erickson, if indeed he is guilty as charged.

But liberals need to remember as they constantly chime in with 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone' and 'Innocent until proven guilty.'

Or do those principles apply only to radical leftist pro-abortionists?

Herb

If there were any, it probably would apply to them.

" My hope is that if Mr. Erickson did what he's accused of, that he has changed. "

But if no more information comes to light, you'll never really know for sure if he is telling the truth about what happened. Or if he is lying to garner votes. Or if he did do what he is accused of - but he'd do it again ( but not want anyone to know that ). Or maybe he just could give a rats ass about abortion and only uses it as a talking point and has already exercised his own decisions on the matter.

Let's hope that someone comes forward and admits they are lying.

Oh, by the way, they won't.

But it's cool that Herb has finally shown that he is willing to abandon his abortion stance in order to get a Republican elected. I mean, it is now down to " Yeah - if the guy paid for someone to get an abortion, I can only hope that he won't ever do it again. But even if he does, I'm going to vote for him because if I don't, Democrats will claim victory and that is all that matters. Winning. Even though voting for this Republican gets me nothing. I can't let the Democrats think they have opened my mind to anything leftist or socialist. Because I won't get into Heaven. "

It's fitting that a hypocrite would back another hypocrite.

So who are you backing then?

I'm backing Kurt Schrader.

So, Herb, you support a man who paid for an abortion over one who only speaks support for abortion?

I guess speaking in support must do less damage to the fetus than paying a doctor to kill it.

"But it's cool that Herb has finally shown that he is willing to abandon his abortion stance in order to get a Republican elected."

Wrong yet again.

We don't know if Mr. Erickson did what is alleged. He may have. Give us some reliable proof beyond what MAY OR MAY NOT BE a 'he said, she said' based upon a woman scorned. I'm not saying that's what happened, but you guys are the ones who are all about innocent until proven guilty. So where's YOUR consistency?

Also, if there is proof of wrongful actions on Mr. Erickson's part, are you saying there is no opportunity for grace, repentance or redemption?

I'm hearing from Mr. Erickson that he is now pro-life. Grace, redemption and repentance are all biblical if one truly has a change of heart and changes their wrong ways. So if we're going to allow murderers to come to Christ, then it would be fitting for someone involved with an abortion the same benefit of a reasonable doubt.

Herb

I will side with Herb on the accusation without indisputable evidence for the time being.

However, I am no Erickson fan politically. However my biggest disgust is for Mannix who, whether it is true or not, did one of the dirtiest political maneuvers I have witnessed.

If the accusation is true it could destroy a man's political career and beyond. If proven false, it can still have personal implications within his marriage or other relationships.

"...upon a woman scorned..."

I must've missed something somewhere that stated that she was "scorned".

As per usual with you, Mr. Misogynist, it's always gotta be the woman's fault or responsibility, and you'd love it if she'd wear the big scarlet "A" on her chest as her penance.

Is she "scorned" meaning that he dumped her before or after she got pregnant, or that she was a slut having sex outside of marriage, or what, Herrbocrite? What's your rationale or proof?

The proof has been presented and Mike Erickson has dodged questions and played loose with his denial.

He admitted the relationship, admitted giving her money, and admitted dropping her off at the clinic. Are you REALLY that gullible that he did not know she was pregnant and did not know she was having an abortion?

Mike Erickson is your classic hypocrite Republican who doesn't live up to his own rhetoric. And, he's a liar.

Vitalogy

I know you are posting for Herb, but I will claim ignorance on this one. I heard the accusations but haven't been following any of the follow up coverage.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/david_reinhard/index.ssf?/base/editoria l/1210974925299350.xml&coll=7

This should provide you with a pretty good analysis.

If you are going to read that make sure you start at the top where is says "opinion"

What would the accuser gain by making public the matter? It may have something to do with her integrity. He takes the moral high ground in his campaign, selling himself as one thing but lives in a way which is not reflective of the image created by the campaign. In reality he lives a somewhat hedonistic lifestyle, including getting a woman pregnant. Their reaction to the pregnancy, abortion. Now I have no issue with pre-marital relations or the abortion option, however I find Mr. Erickson’s behavior incongruent with the image he’s sold voters. And to wait four days to respond to the allegation seems suspect at best. His stated denial, conducted for the benefit of television stations in our media market, sounds as if it was crafted by the same people who advised Bill Clinton on how to respond to the Monica Lewinsky affair.

To deny her reality because it doesn’t comport with a campaign strategy, especially when dealing with a serious matter, calls his integrity into serious question.

As for Kevin Mannix, well, Bill Clinton’s political opponents accused him of much worse. But for around here, it was a pretty dirty moment.

Does us all a favor a vote Kurt Schrader this November.

"If you are going to read that make sure you start at the top where is says "opinion""

It's David Reinhard's "opinion" that Erickson should drop out. The facts surrounding the case are not his opinion. They are facts as given by interviews of all involved along with a little bit of common sense. Reinhard's not known for common sense, but he nailed it on this piece.

So if Erickson was to drop out, would Mannix automatically go to the general election?

To chickenjuggler's question-Nope.

If Erickson dropped out the Republican Party would select a replacement candidate who may or may not be Mannix.

And for those who say this involves a woman scorned, it doesn't. The person who sent out the email was a friend of the "girlfriend" who held her "hand" at the abortion clinic.

To many of you write like Lars Larson -Shoot first ask questions later.

Not all in GOP are behind Erickson:

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/12114267171764 30.xml&coll=7

Many believe he is damaged goods, and Gordon Smith has already come out and said he will not endorse Erickson.

The Oregonian says Erickson should drop out of the race for the good of the party.

http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1211577 903213280.xml&coll=7

I hope he stays, and I hope he blows a lot of his own money losing!

"Woman says pro-life candidate Erickson knew about her abortion."

http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_062308_news_erickson_abortion.2f60b3a2 .html

"An Oregon City woman says 5th District congressional candidate Mike Erickson, now a pro-life advocate, paid for her abortion in January 2001 after she told him she did not want the baby.

The woman, identified only as Tawnya, now 34, told The Oregonian that she sat with him in his new Mercedes across from an abortion clinic. Erickson agrees he gave her $300 for medical help and a ride to a doctor's office but says he didn't know she was pregnant or planning an abortion. He left her there.

Medical records and accounts of two people, one of whom accompanied her to the clinic, contradict Erickson's version.

They are both slimeballs! I can't decide who is sleazier.

I like Mannix a lot.

He's a pro-life guy from way back.

He's far more preferable than a so-called 'pro-choice' candidate.

Mark Hatfield, the pope and I are all in agreement on this one. Pro-life is the way to go.

Herb

Erickson should drop out of the race for the good of the party and let Mannix take his place.

Read today's Oregonian article. It's not just a he-says/she-says issue about the abortion. Erickson is quoted in the article as saying this woman was never his girlfriend. But since he never denied that he got her pregnant, then the implication is that he was just having sex with her. Sounds pretty normal to me and far from unusual. But it should offend greatly the values of the "pro-family" social conservatives whom Erickson is so clearly pandering to. Erickson wasn't a college student when this occurred - he was in his mid-30s. Why wasn't he settling down with a wife and starting a family? Why was he having sex with a woman he didn't even consider his girlfriend?

Andrew

Just in case Herrbocrite won't read the article:

"The woman told The Oregonian, "I was bawling so hard I could hardly speak. He looked so sad. He looked like he cared."

She said she asked him if he were sure he didn't want the baby.

"He shook his head. I opened the door, got out bawling and crossed the street and walked up to the clinic," she related.

Erickson, 45 and single, told the newspaper that he dated her for a couple of months but remembers few details about their relationship.

"He said she wasn't his girlfriend but rather "somebody that I had a relationship with." He said the two didn't date again.

Tawnya said the two went to Mexico in March (me: the abortion was in January) of that year with others before the relationship ended and provided documents and photos.

Erickson says he thought the Mexico trip was before the medical appointment.

A friend of Tawnya's, Joy Johanson, who was on the trip, said the two spent at least one night together, a claim Erickson denies. But she said it was obvious that the relationship was over."

What a lying scumbag!

Here's a link to the story: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/12141843272232 90.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

Erickson is a huge liar. He would have been better off to admit what he did and move on. I hope he doesn't drop out though, I'd really like to see this hypocrite get nailed this fall.

Erickson's campaign team must be mortified having to work for this guy. He’s a lousy, inarticulate candidate who can’t seem to do anything right.

I like Mannix.

Herb

It's sad this guy got elected...now he's backpeddling like crazy and this story alone will make him loose in Nov.

Looks like the Right to Life "outers" were right after all? (but just too late in the draw)

I did'nt vote for him in May.