Document text
50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, December 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 13, 2004 McColgan in ‘uphill battle’ against Walden Also vying for Walden’s 2nd Congressional District seat are Libertarian Party candidate Jim Lindsay of Sandy and Constitution Party candidate Jack Alan Brown Jr. of Grants Pass By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Greg Walden isn’t taking anything for granted in the 2nd Congressional District race. Never mind the fourth-term incumbent Republican is in an overwhelmingly GOP district or that no Democrat has been elected to the seat since 1978. "I always hear footsteps," Walden said. "I never quit working. I’m haunted by the last guy who got about 70 percent of the vote, then got beat two years later." He was referring to the late Al Ulmann, a longtime Democrat who was easily re-elected to the seat in 1978 only to be defeated in 1980 by Republican Denny Smith. Walden, 47, of Hood River, faces Democrat John McColgan, 49, a Talent building contractor. Advertisement Two third-party candidates — Libertarian Jim Lindsay of Sandy and Grants Pass area resident Jack Alan Brown Jr. of the Constitution Party — are also vying for the seat in the Nov. 2 general election, but veteran political observers say the race is between the Republican incumbent and the Democratic challenger. "I’m definitely fighting an uphill battle," McColgan said. "The analogy I like to make is David versus Goliath. But I always remind people that David won that battle." Both were interviewed via cell phones while traveling in the vast district, which blankets most of Jackson and Josephine counties and all of Eastern Oregon. Walden, named chairman of the 19-member House Resources subcommittee on forests and forest health this year, said he is focused on district and national issues in this campaign. For example, he is keeping an eye on how the Healthy Forest Restoration Act he pushed through Congress last year is being implemented. Other issues include the air tanker base in Medford and the former Department of Veterans Affairs domiciliary in White City, he said. "I want to make sure they keep progressing the way they should," he said. Walden supported last year’s Medicare Modernization Act, noting he believes it will ultimately reduce the cost to senior citizens. He also endorsed a study to ensure that any prescription drugs imported through Canada are safe. "We need to know the drugs aren’t cooked up in a third-world country and transshipped through Canada," he said. When it comes to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, Walden supports those actions. "Look what the United States has done: There are free elections in Afghanistan now," he said. "We have seen a sea change there." He believes a democratic movement will also occur in Iraq early next year. As a result of those actions, Libya has given up its program to obtain weapons of mass destruction, he observed. While Walden said he unabashedly backs Bush, he said he has developed a reputation of reaching across the political aisle to Democratic lawmakers. Evidence of that can be found in the legislation involving the Medford air tanker base, the Steens Mountain legislation and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, he said. "The proof is in the pudding," he said. McColgan describes himself as a pro-life Democrat who is opposed to the war in Iraq and the increasing federal deficit, particularly when the funding is shifting from domestic to military needs. "I represent a very different set of viewpoints with respect to national issues," he said, noting that has been his emphasis in the race. "I’m trying to stress that a representative is responsible, not only for our district, but for things like national budget issues and whether we go to war," he added. "I also believe the tax cuts, especially for the wealthy, have not benefited the economy," he added. "Instead of having growing surpluses, we now have deficits again." McColgan said he is reaching out to independents and moderate Republicans who share his views. His perspective is that the Bush administration has been bad for America. One way to gauge the result is to look at the potential impact on the environment, he said. "This whole administration has been terrible for the environment," he said. "They supported drilling in the Arctic wildlife refuge. They have rolled back clean air and clean water acts. They are allowing governors in each state to make decisions about logging roadless areas." McColgan is also concerned about the Medicare prescription drug legislation signed into law last year, and calls for a law that allows prescription drugs to be purchased in Canada. McColgan accepts contributions only from individuals and limits them to $500. One contribution he has received was $200 from Michael S. Dukakis of Brookline, Mass., the 1986 presidential candidate. "His father was our family doctor — he delivered me when I was born," explained McColgan, who was local chairman for the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign in 1986. McColgan, who has put some 26,000 miles on the campaign trail this year, believes he has a shot at an upset. "I think it’s possible," he said. "When I talk to voters, they understand that I know what it takes to work for a living. The big question is if the Republicans will turn the page (in the voter’s pamphlet) and look at what I have to say." Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Gregory P. Walden Age: 47. Residence: Hood River. Background: A former state legislator, he owns several radio stations in the Hood River area. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Oregon. Campaign manager: Jeff Eager. Campaign contributions: $874,636 as of June 30. Largest contributors: Seneca Jones Timber Co. of Eugene, $4,000; Michael and Angela Wheelock, Merlin, $6,000. Further information is available at www.waldenforcongress.com John C. McColgan Age: 49. Residence: Talent. Background: General contractor who owns Nature & Grace Inc.; former teacher at Central Point Elementary School; graduate of William and Mary College, double major in government and philosophy. Campaign manager: Austin Aslan. Campaign contributions: $11,803 as of June 30. Largest contributors: $500 from Michael Brayman, Baker City; Chris Geyer, Lostine; and Evelyn Swart, Joseph. Additional information is available at: www.mccolganforcongress.com . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities