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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 14, 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate Sen. Jason Atkinson, R-Jacksonville, right, with from left, Ron Saxton and Kevin Mannix, answers questions during a candidate forum at Willamette University in Salem Monday. AP Gubernatorial candidates square off in Salem Would-be Oregon governors debate issues of abortion, immigration sans Kulongoski By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune SALEM — Six candidates for Oregon governor sparred Monday at a Willamette University forum, covering everything from abortion rights to illegal immigrants and the war in Iraq. Asked if he would make abortion illegal except in cases of rape or incest, state Sen. Jason Atkinson referred to the question as a "set-up," saying he doubted the issue would ever come before the governor. "I would sign that legislation, but I don’t see that happening," he said. The Central Point Republican was joined at the forum by gubernatorial contenders Democrats Jim Hill and Peter Sorenson, Republicans Kevin Mannix and Ron Saxton, and independent state Sen. Ben Westlund. Candidates made political hay out of the absence of their principal rival, Democrat Gov. Ted Kulongoski, at the forum, sponsored by The Associated Press. Advertisement "People ask where is Ted, but the more important question is where’s Ted been in the past four years," said Hill, a Democrat. Sorenson, a Lane County commissioner, said, "It’s too bad the governor is not here to defend his record," but added the governor’s record would be difficult to defend. The candidates took occasional potshots when they posed questions to their opponents. Hill, a former state treasurer, asked Westlund if he would be a spoiler on the November ticket, taking votes from the Democratic candidate and helping Mannix, should Mannix win the GOP nomination. "When did you stop being chairman of the Mannix for governor campaign?" he asked, referring to Westlund’s service as manager for Mannix’s 2002 gubernatorial campaign. Westlund, who served in the Legislature as a Republican before re-registering as an independent, acknowledged he was a friend of Mannix, a former Oregon GOP chairman, shrugging off the question by saying, "I will take more votes away from the Republicans than the Democrats." Mannix joked, "His chairing my campaign shows how inclusive we are in politics." Westlund asked Saxton, who has voiced opinions that differ from the Republican Party, whether he agreed with the party’s platform. "My campaign is about my platform," said Saxton, a former chairman of the Portland Schools Board and an attorney. Westlund said, "So you disagree with the whole platform." Saxton didn’t respond. Sorenson voiced his support for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, asking his opponents for their position on this issue. "Governor where are you, and Mr. Hill, where are you?" he said. Hill responded, "It is time to bring our troops home." Abortion and women’s rights also caused a stir among other candidates. Mannix said that women who are the victims of rape should have access to emergency medications to terminate pregnancies, but said some leeway needs to be given to pharmacists who choose not to stock the medication. "Nobody should be forced to do something against their conscience," he said. Saxton said he doesn’t support limitations on Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. A 2002 candidate for governor who lost the primary to Mannix, Saxton also argued that health care services should be denied to illegal immigrants, saying that to do so makes a mockery out of those who comply with the law. Mannix said he has a problem denying such access to children of immigrant parents, but felt more should be done to control illegal immigrants coming into the state. Atkinson also took issue with denying government services for children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens. Current law affords U.S. citizenship to children in such instances. "Are we going to deny someone access to services because of the color of their skin?" he said. Each candidate summarized what they believed is the most important problem facing Oregon. Westlund said the two big issues for him are health care and the tax structure with revenue based on income, which puts the state on a precarious financial footing because incomes rise and fall with the economy. "We have the most volatile revenue source in America," he said. "Our tax structure is our Achilles’ heel." Sorenson said the major problem is a tax structure that favors corporations, forcing those earning a wage to pick up the slack. "We need to make people who don’t pay, pay their fair share," he said. Saxton said both a strong educational system tied to a strong economy are vital, with strong leadership needed to stretch tax dollars. "Spending is up; services are down," he said. Mannix said Oregonians have become cynical about government, which has made the state more divisive. "I see one element of reform, and that is bringing all of us together." Hill said lack of leadership is the number one issue, particularly at a time when Oregon could benefit from more trading with other Pacific Rim nations. "The governor has to be, frankly, a salesperson for the state," he said. Atkinson said, "The greatest issue and the greatest crisis we face is credibility." He said the state can’t afford to wait for the six months it takes the Legislature to pass an education budget. "Legislators and the governor need to return to an era where there is a dedication to public service and commitment," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail Gubernatorial candidates square off in Salem ">[email protected] . 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 Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Advertisement s Advertisement