Document text
71 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 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 Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest 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 July 30, 2004 McGowan enjoys convention spirit By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Joanie McGowan’s life has gone from topsy-turvy to a total rush this year. She quit her job in April to tour as a political entertainer, was severely injured in an assault in Ashland on June 3, was selected as a Dennis Kucinich delegate on June 5, and is now running on sleep deprivation and adrenaline at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. "My brain synapses are working like they’ve never worked before," said the 48-year-old Ashland actress and radio personality. She and Frank Hieber are the only two delegates from Jackson County. During the convention, McGowan has become something of a celebrity, appearing on network television and being featured in the New York Times this week because she was one of many Kucinich delegates who switched their votes to Sen. John Kerry. "Beyond that, the Democrats are on fire," she said of the convention during a phone interview Thursday. Advertisement She still is in constant pain and suffers from numbness in part of her face after a blow from her assailant crushed her eye socket. Coleman Price Nelson, 22, of Portland faces trial on assault charges Aug. 26. Apart from the emotional trauma and more than 11 hours of reconstructive surgery, she said, "Two days after I got assaulted, my life got better" when she was selected as a delegate. McGowan said she voted for Kerry after Kucinich told his delegates to vote according to their consciences. Then Kucinich delegates from Ohio decided to switch to Kerry. "When Ohio did it, I knew there was nothing holding me back," she said. Despite her enthusiasm, she criticized both the Democratic and Republican parties for failing to live up to their primary missions recently. Republicans, she said, have not reined in federal spending, while Democrats have failed to focus on the needs of the people. After witnessing the spirit of the convention, McGowan said, "I think we have returned to our mission." Though Democrats have been critical of the Bush administration, Bush bashing has been toned down, McGowan said. "We’ve gone from bashing to passion," she said. She gives a three-way tie for the best speeches to former President Bill Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Hieber, a 76-year-old retired physician from Phoenix, is an alternate delegate at the convention who has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Sen. Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean and Wesley Clark. "I’ve seen a lot of high-ranking military officials who oppose Bush," he said. For Hieber, the best speech up until early Thursday, when he was reached by phone, was former President Bill Clinton. "He is just a great orator," he said. He criticized the Bush administration for tax cuts that he says primarily benefit the rich, and for making the country less safe by tying up troops in Iraq. Hieber also took issue with Republicans for bashing Kerry over his war record. Referring to Bush, he said, "You can’t undermine his war record because he doesn’t have one." Typically after a convention, a candidate sees a bounce in ratings. But Bryan Platt, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Party, predicts Kerry won’t get the typical 12-15 percent bounce in the polls. "Maybe just 4 to 6 percent," he said, theorizing that most Americans have already made up their minds. Responding to McGowan’s comments that Republicans haven’t restrained government spending, Platt said he too was disappointed in the spending bills passed by the Republican-controlled Congress. But he did support the president’s efforts to defeat terrorism. While Democrats have decided to back off on the Bush bashing, Platt doubts if it will last on the national level. "I remain skeptical that either side can resist the temptation of name calling," he said. But, he added, "We are not going to get involved in name calling at this level." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] 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 RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times