DeFazio v. Robinson, Part 2: 'It's the best political theater in Oregon'
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Two years ago, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio weathered a surprisingly strong challenge from tea party favorite Art Robinson, an independent research scientist in molecular biology, sheep farmer and producer of a home schooling curriculum who got major support from a New York hedge fund manager.
Robinson is challenging DeFazio again this year, and is considered unlikely to do any better than his 11-point loss in 2010.
The super PAC contributions from Renaissance Technologies CEO Robert Mercer, which have financed independent attack ads against DeFazio, are less than half the $650,000 donated in 2010. Mercer is also a major contributor to Robinson's research lab. The Register-Guard newspaper has reported tax records show from 2005 to 2010 the Mercer Foundation made annual donations totaling $360,000 to Robinson's nonprofit Oregon Institute for Science and Medicine.
But the rematch continues to produce more than its share of unusual twists and turns.
"It's the best political theater in Oregon," said Jim Moore, assistant professor of political science at Pacific University and longtime observer of Congressional races in the state. The four other congressional races are all "snoozers," with incumbents — three Democrats and one Republican — facing only token challenges.
DeFazio is a populist Democrat seeking his 14th term in the 4th Congressional District, which covers a base of liberal voters in Eugene, and spreads out through conservative timber country around Coos Bay, Brookings, Roseburg and Grants Pass.
DeFazio came to office the old fashioned way, learning the ropes as a congressional staffer, building name recognition as a Lane County Commissioner from the blue-collar city of Springfield, and surviving a tight three-way primary before first being elected to an open seat in 1986.
Like many of the Republican Party's candidates for major office in Oregon in recent years, Robinson is an outsider who did not take that traditional route.
He is a darling of the tea party, and symptomatic of the Oregon GOP's difficulty recruiting candidates for major office, said Moore.
An ardent constitutionalist who lives outside Cave Junction, far from the district's population center in Eugene-Springfield, Robinson is basing his campaign on a 410-page manifesto titled, "Common Sense In 2012," which he has mailed to more than 150,000 households in the district. It calls for creating jobs, balancing the budget, reducing the deficit, maintaining Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, and improving public schools.
"This is a basic debate between allowing the government to grow bigger and bigger and continue to intrude more in our lives, or reducing that intrusion into our lives and returning more to what the founders had in mind when they wrote the Constitution." Robinson said.
DeFazio snorts that the book is a brazen attempt by Robinson to moderate extreme views that failed to get him elected last time.
"It's a kind of parody of the much more sophisticated 'Etch A Sketch' (reset of political positions) that Mitt Romney is trying to pull," DeFazio said.
Two years ago, a campaign forum degenerated into name-calling, with Robinson calling DeFazio a "dishonorable liar," and DeFazio retorting with "pathological" — a comment Robinson proudly used as a cover quote on his book.
After the 2010 loss, Robinson wrote on a conservative website that Oregon State University was hounding two of his children out of the doctoral program in nuclear engineering because he was mounting a second challenge against DeFazio — accusations both the university and DeFazio denied.
Then Robinson's youngest son, Matthew, a graduate student in nuclear engineering at OSU, decided he disliked DeFazio so much, he would change his party registration from Republican to Democrat, and mount a last-minute challenge to the incumbent in the primary. The youngster won 10 percent of the vote.
The candidates have not come face-to-face for debate this time around. Robinson refused to appear at any of the traditional venues suggested by DeFazio, but offered to meet on Lars Larson's conservative radio show. DeFazio has refused to accept any format allowing Robinson to ask direct questions.
"People have not been amused by some of his bizarre antics," said DeFazio, who has been dispatching volunteers with video cameras to Robinson speeches. "His negatives are way up. And we are going to drive them a lot higher."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
The final paragraph Peter DeFazio says he has been dispatching volunteers with camera's to watch Robinson's speeches. Why would he do that? I have been to some of these events and I assure you that what is portrayed in Art's book "Common Sense in 2012" is exactly what you will get at one of his speeches plus more. But absolutely nothing of use to his opponent. Unless of course you take words and sentences out of context, twist it all up and then put it on the internet to discredit by deception. If Mr DeFazio operates his re-election campaign like this do you really expect him to do constructive things for us in district 4? His only goal is to retain office. He only votes against his party when his vote will effect the outcome and it looks good to his constituents. He said he would not vote for Obama care and two days later his was one of the deciding votes to pass it.  His vote is owned by those who have donated over half a million dollars to his re-election campaign. I cannot abide a lair. Lets fire him and vote for Robinson.Â
About Robinson, âPeople have not been amused by some of his bizarre antics,â said DeFazio. I was not amused, I stood and gave loud applause. There is nothing bizarre about what Robinson is saying. Read his book, in it are outlines of what the problems are and many solutions to these job killing problems. There is also a section there pointing out some things about DeFazio which are obvious after reading it weather or not you are a supporter.  DeFazio is NOT a Populist Democrat, DeFazio is one of the founders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The CPC advocates, increase in welfare spending by the federal government, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and many other things that may not be for the mainstream voters of district 4.   Art Robinson is for reduction of job killing regulations. Utilization of our natural resources, fish, lumber, etc. Putting people back to work. The US Constitution is the control on government. It is the list of limits for government that has been under the attack of politicians and lawyers for more than 200 years. It appears that Art Robinson believes in the constitution.  The author of this article says "Robinson is basing his campaign on a 410-page manifesto titled, âCommon Sense In 2012,â I have read this book, it is filled with facts about many things, and with opinions by the author of why things are as they are. He offers methods and means to correct some of our major problems here in the fourth district and also in our federal government. His view is toward a safe, healthy, prosperous future for our children. I believe he is more knowledgeable about many of these problems and solutions than our present representative. As far as I know Mr DeFazio has not competed in the real world but instead has been a career politician since he left school. How could he know?  As for the claims in this article about who is supported by wall street.  According to the Federal Election Commission web-site, Peter DeFazio has so far received $581,805 from various PAC's while Robinson has accepted only $10,000. Robinson has received more than 97% of his money from individual donations. To date personal donation total is $997,387. He wrote and published the book "Common Sense in 2012" mailed them out into the district all at a cost of $2.09 per book. This book is more than 410 pages with photos and illustrations.  I do not believe that Peter DeFazio can write a office memo for $2.09.  I say elect a well educated, experienced man to the position of representative of district 4.  It will help our nation to have Art Robinson's voice in congress
Here's the deal folks. Pete isn't a "bad guy" but he just isn't getting our job done in Washington. He's been there during the entire fiscal decline of America. It's congress' job to decide how to spend our tax dollars and in what quantities and whether to borrow from our children's future to do it. It's now Peter and a few others left there who have been present while our nation got itself into this financial pickle on their watch. Congress is the custodian of our national purse and I for one will not blame the "other guy" as our system is set up to do.  DeFazio is my guy and he hasn't delivered a responsible fiscal policy and that's his job. Period. It's time to let him go and give someone else a shot before it's too late. The most maddening part is his news letters. He has always talked the talk but has never delivered.  An effective representative needs to do more than just vote a certain way. They must also sway others to do the same in order to get things done. We just can't afford to wait for him to deliver any more. It's time to try something different because this isn't working. Our $16,000,000,000,000 debt is the number one concern right now and will render most other issues moot very soon. Wise up citizens!!
@libertarian1 I gave Art Robinson's platform a look, and while I agree with many of his positions that appear to support the Constitution, after reading his book and seeing the section on foreign policy - it is a deal breaker. He is a neoconservative, evidenced by his unwillingness to cut a nickel out of the military budget. There will be no fiscal recovery without addressing the largest waste of our country's resources - the military-industrial complex. Regarding foreign policy, Art is all over the map. He says only Congress should declare war, which is good, but then he goes on to say that Congress should essentially write a blank check to the "military professionals" and not micromanage where our money goes. Also he says: "We live in a dangerous world. So, we should not reduce our military defense." Followed up by saying we should not try to run the world. So which is it, because our current military spending *specifically* goes toward trying to run the world. I will be abstaining from voting in this race as there is no reasonable candidate to choose from.
@Libertarian Revolution I agree that Art Robinson is not 100% consistent but DeFazio is 100% fail. I get the feeling that Art will listen to reason and moderate some positions as he seems very pragmatic. I know what I'll get from Pete and it ain't pretty. Your right to abstain. At least you make your decision after taking a look and not just listening to propaganda.
@libertarian1 Just remember, when the election is over and the pandering is no longer needed to win votes, they all just fall in line with their own party, which is always at odds with the American people. If he will not commit to scaling back the imperialistic foreign policy that has destroyed our liberty, even by a little bit right now, what makes you think he will make a stand if elected and risk political heat for doing what's right?
Defazio has held office now for nearly three decades,since 1987,and during that time the area has declined,he got in office during the last days of the timber industry and as I said the area has declined,it's never once for a nano second looked up. It may have held it's own for a time,but it's never looked up. He oversaw this,and in nearly thirty years has done nothing meaningful to fix it. We can't totally blame him,he had help along the way,but it should be very clear to everyone that he's done us no favors,I'm sure he's a nice guy,but he isn't helping. It's time for anyone else besides him,and given the politics of Lane Co. and Eugene I'd be voting republican all the way except for position of the president,and that is how I voted in Washington,what has taken place the last few years,decades in some cases is not working,so it is time to change things. I normally side with the democrats,and am disgusted by the republicans everywhere except on the west coast. I was in Eugene for work last week and I was surprised at the amount of traffic I encountered,more than I remember from three years ago,and I still ask myself where are all these people going?? I think we can all agree that welfare abuse is bad,if you need it for a time to get back on your feet,fine use it,that is what it is there for,but 20+ years of it is abuse,and those timber payments from the feds amounted to welfare in my opinion,and here they've dried up and now these politicians are scrambling. All anyone should need to consider is that Defazio has overseen a time of great decline,since 1987. It was sure nice to see my friends and family,but I sure don't miss the area,I want more out of life than a low paying job,or a job period. He has had plenty of time to change things for the better,and I don't see Eugene or Lane CO. better off.
Decide the smart way ...don't let commercials tell you what is true...they are there to give one sided opinions. Here are two place to look at VOTING RECORDS of our congress and senate. And yes Peter DeFazio has his voting record available as well. Where is Art Robinson's voting records...he does not have one he has never been elected. Experience is important.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes
http://www.defazio.house.gov/
 @colorowdy In this case it isn't, Defazio has a proven track record and it isn't working for us! Give someone else a chance. I agree with E the Positions in Congress and Senate were always meant to be short term, serve your term go home let someone else from your district serve. It was never meant to be a lifelong thing.
 @colorowdy Thank you for the links, very helpful.  I agree that experience is important.  On the other hand, I'm not sure that career politicians necessarily provide the best representation.
Kval keeps mentioning the one big donor Art has. Who Cares? Have you looked at Defazios Donor List? What about his voting record? He cares nothing about bringing jobs back to Oregon or Helping out the little guy. He just wants to keep his big paying friends happy. His time is up. He has had plenty and failed!
 @redbarn I got to hand it to you,  you're persistent.  Very opinionated too.  YES,  I have seen his Donor list and I am on it.  His support is exactly what you'd expect to see.... his consequents like me, and labor and business groups with concerns in Transportation issues.  And YES, he does NOT have any Hege Fund Billionaire Financial Backers like Robinson. DeFazio has a Stellar record of bringing home the bacon, jobs and enterprise to District 4.  Something that we can't say about Robinson.  How many years would it take Robinson to Chair the Transportation Committee????
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BTW, Â ever notice just how many Robinson signs there are? Â Most printed on both sides? Â All the Magnetic ones on cars? Â Big signs? Â Does Robinson have a son in the printing business? Â Those signs are expensive! Â Where's he getting HIS MONEY??????
 @Richard Davison  @redbarn Labor groups, are a joke. My husband is in one and been looking for work for over a year they have given zero leads. The facts are that there are no real jobs being created, I don't care what you say his record is. We are living the reality. People want to work and take care of their families. What jobs has he brought in? I don't care about some special position with the transportation commitee. What matters this election is the economy or lack thereof. The little people are sick and tired of the politicians games.
Go to www.whoisartrobinson.com   Pick a category and see what he has said on the subject.  Even videos of him saying it.  Robinson made the Cardinal mistake the a politician should NEVER do~!  That is write down his opinions on all matters.  Robinson started his monthly newsletter in the 1990's.  Every month he has pontificated on every subject imaginable,  much to his regret.  From Nuclear Power, Education, Economics and more,  he put himself on his own record for anyone to see.  Oh how he wishes he could take back those words,  but they are there for the world to see!  The site links to the very source of the quote so you can verify and make sure it's NOT taken out of context.
Robinson is an ego maniac who's power hungry and seeking the spotlight.  His crazy madness of wanting us to put radioactive waste in our homes and dump the extra in the ocean highlights his bizarre ideas.  There's more!  Go to www.whoisartrobinson.com and see for yourself ~! Â
@Richard Davison Those are all DeFazio lies. I challenge you to prove anything that is said on that web site. Come on be honest, have some honor. I have said all along I don't know how Robinson would do, but we have decades of non performance from DeFazio. Are you so afraid that something good might come out of Robinson getting elected, that you are willing to sacrifice honor and truth?
 @Richard Davison That website is full of Lies. Have you read the Book Art wrote? I think they should all spell out what they want to do, otherwise you know nothing about them and it takes over twenty years to figure out he doesn't care and is only lining his own pockets.
Robinson is cray-cray! Plain and simple.Â
 @SAB17 then he's a perfect fit for the area.
The fact is government is Big Business. It was Benito Mussolini, the WWII Italy dictator and ally to Hitler's government that said," Fascism is the marriage of government and corporations".  When Robinson and other folks talk about less government intrusion they are really saying let huge companies that have so much cash and media control  do what ever they want.  Where are the moderate Republicans of Oregon and the country?  We are losing the middle of the road which is called a democracy.Â
It isn't that Robinson is a bad person that he will loose the election. It's because Oregon and district 4 are democrat progressive's. DeFazio is a jerk and makes all his appearance seems like he cares about Oregon. He cares about himself period.
 @Ah Shucks District 4 is "Progressive"?  You don't get around much do you?  The further you get from Eugene,  the more Conservative it gets. All the way down to Cave Junction where the Mad Scientist has his lair.  I'm on the coast and believe me,  it's mostly a Tea Party over here and drive thru the farmlands and note whose signs are up.  I fervently disagree with your opinion about DeFazio.  He's spent his adult life in service to a District that is very diverse, very successfully.  Many will say "I don't agree with everything DeFazio says,  But I agree with him on most things,  and on the important stuff".  DeFazio is an honest and caring person for all Oregonians,  especially his constituents.Â
@Richard Davison @Ah Shucks What are you afraid of? De Fazio is just another "career politician" who has figured all the right things to say, and buttons to push. He does not operate on truth and honor, he only operates on what is necessary to maintain his career. What are you afraid of? He hasn't done anyone any good. What are you afraid of? Giving someone else a chance to make things more successful for Oregon. What are you afraid of? I don't know Art Robinson and neither do you, what are you afraid of?
 @Blahblahblah  @souptonuts All the things you post are taken out of context by Defazio to make Robinson look nuts. Go to Artforcongress.com for the facts not Defazios distorted version of them.
@Blahblahblah Why don't you provide proof of what you just wrote. You can't, because it is just liberal progressive talking points. Whoever you are you should not say things that are not true. We have witnessed for decades what Peter Defazio has done and said. This man Robinson, I don't know if he could help or not, but we surely do have a ton of evidence about non performance of DeFazio.
@souptonuts I am afraid of electing a crazy man who wants to abolish public schools and deregulate wall street. I am afraid of a "scientist" that thinks nuclear waste is safe for use in construction of houses. The man is a lunatic.