Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement April 29, 2006 [an error occurred while processing this directive] Democrats shun conservative Worden By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County Democrats took the unprecedented step of officially shunning one of their own candidates Thursday night because of what they view as his extreme conservative leanings. The Jackson County Democratic Central Committee voted unanimously to dissociate itself from Carl Worden, a Southern Oregon Militia member, and endorse his Democratic challenger for county commissioner, Tom Winmill. The winner of the May 16 primary will challenge Republican incumbent Jack Walker in November. In order to take this step, the committee had to temporarily set aside its own bylaws that prevent endorsing a candidate during a primary. "We've never done this before," said Kurt Staicoff, campaigns coordinator for the committee. "We've never endorsed or unendorsed someone before a primary. It's an unusual step." Gail Beason, chairwoman of the Jackson County Democratic Central Committee, said Democrats thought there was a possibility Worden could win the primary against Winmill. "There's a chance," she said. "He can be very presentable." Beason and other Democrats hope their disavowal of Worden will undercut any support that he has among members of his own party. "We Democrats are going to work hard to see that Worden's election doesn't happen," she said. Beason said Worden, an Eagle Point resident, is more widely known than Winmill, of Ashland, and has been well received at some campaign forums. Also, Winmill hasn't appeared at many forums because of work obligations. "I think some of this might come from the fact that he Winmill is new to the political scene," she said. Worden, a self-proclaimed Christian right-wing conservative, thought the Democrats' action would ultimately hurt their own party. "I just don't know what they're doing," he said "They're trying to get Jack Walker re-elected." Worden said he was surprised at some of the attitudes of local Democrats. He said Staicoff warned him not to mention God during his campaign. "What kind of radical fringe is running the Democratic Party in Jackson County?" he said. Staicoff said he was only offering Worden campaign advice not to overly stress religion when Worden was first discussing the possibility that he might run against Congressman Greg Walden. "It was just a little political advice," Staicoff said. Worden believes there is a strong possibility that he will win the primary election. He wasn't sure how much of an impact this condemnation from Democratic leaders will cost him in votes. "If the average Democratic voter goes along blindly with the Democratic leaders it would hurt me," he said. But he thinks most Democrats can think for themselves and ultimately make the right decision. "I'm the only Democrat in Jackson County that can win against Jack Walker," he said. But Beason and other Democrats see Worden as a Trojan horse who wants to infiltrate the party to subvert it. They cite one of his writings on the Web site "The Ferguson Report" on Jan. 3 explaining why he is becoming a Democrat: "The Republicans are dead meat in November 2006, so the smart move is to infiltrate the Democratic Party with conservative voters," he stated. "We simply could not embrace this candidate due to some of his writings that are available on the Internet, as well as his history of involvement with extremist groups," said Staicoff. Beason said she was alarmed at an initial conversation she had with Worden in which he described how many members he had in the militia. She said Worden recounted what it was like to run around with assault-type weapons. Worden said he supports the right to bear arms, but rarely fires a weapon anymore. He said people like Beason and Staicoff might want to distance themselves from him, but he gets along fine with average Democrats. When he joined the Democratic Party, Worden said he thought he could help it attract more voters in a county where Republicans hold a majority. "It's like trying to stop a dog running around chasing their tail, and you stick your hand in and they bite you," he said. Winmill said he was flattered and honored by the committee's endorsement. He also acknowledged he was a political newcomer and hadn't been to many of the campaign forums. "I'm a working man also," said Winmill, who works for COBI Digital in Medford. "When I made my commitment to run for office I told everyone my first obligation was to my employer." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy