Some Oregon Republicans endorse Kerry
Posted: Wednesday, September 1, 2004 5:26 PM
Reference Code: PR-17680
September 1 - PORTLAND – As more and more speeches are made at the Republican National Convention this week, more and more Oregonians are stepping forward to say they have heard enough and had enough of the Bush/Cheney brand of government. Today, current Republicans and recent departees of the Republican party stepped forward to voice their support for John Kerry and John Edwards. Among them are several very prominent Oregon Republicans who have been elected to statewide office.
Two notable Republican elected officials to announce support for John Kerry were Clay Myers, who served as Oregon’s Republican Secretary of State for 10 years and as State Treasurer for 8 years, and Bill Rutherford, who was Oregon State Treasurer and Chair of the Oregon Investment Council. Karen Anderegg, former president of Clinique, also added her name to the growing list. Additionally, today several more members of the Atiyeh family announced their support for John Kerry. In total, 5 members of the Atiyeh family have now publicly voiced their support for the Kerry/Edwards ticket.
“I was gratified to have been one of three Republicans in 1967 who recruited Vic Atiyeh to run for the legislature,” said Myers. “In December 1973, in our house, Elizabeth and I recruited Tom McCall to run for Secretary of State. Mainstream Republicans believe in fiscal responsibility, internationalism, environmental protection, the rights of women, and putting middle-class families ahead of big business lobbyists. Moderate Republicans should not be asked to swallow the right-wing policies of George W. Bush.”
Added Rutherford, “We must put the future welfare of our country first. That is why I will be voting for a stronger economy and fiscal responsibility by supporting and voting for John Kerry for President.”
The Bush/Cheney idea of “compassionate conservatism” has been proven as anything but. With huge deficits, record unemployment, cuts to health care and education, and a middle class feeling continually squeezed, George Bush would rather paper over three years of failed leadership by trying to convince Americans that we have ‘turned the corner’ rather than offering real solutions.
It is no wonder that more and more Oregonians are embracing the vision of hope and optimistic plan for the future that John Kerry and John Edwards offer. We need a president who will pay more than lip service to the ideals which have made our nation strong—opportunity for all and a government run on principles, not partisanship.
(see statements of endorsement and list of participants below)
Statement of Clay Myers, Endorsement of John Kerry
It is an honor to join General McPeak, Atiyeh family members, Bill Rutherford, and other moderates who represent mainstream principals that the Republican Party used to stand for. We continue our dedication to traditional mainstream American values by supporting Senator John Kerry for president.
Abe Lincoln fought for human rights and national unity. Teddy Roosevelt fought against the big business oligarchs and for American strength in the world. Tom McCall and Vic Atiyeh fought for the environment and livability.
The Republican Party under George W. Bush has abandoned traditional mainstream principles, and given in to a radical, right wing.
George W. Bush has created at atmosphere of fear in our country. His right-wing Administration deceived the American people and took our nation to war with the wrong enemies in the wrong place at the wrong time. They have attacked honorable veterans such as John Kerry, John McCain, and Max Cleland for their political gain. George W and his team have returned to the dirty tricks and gutter politics of Joe McCarthy and Dick Nixon. That is not the Republican Party I loved.
I have worked to bring moderate Republicans into the process. I was gratified to have been one of three Republicans in 1967 who recruited Vic Atiyeh to run for the legislature. In December 1973, in our house, Elizabeth and I recruited Tom McCall to run for Secretary of State.
Mainstream Republicans believe in fiscal responsibility, internationalism, environmental protection, the rights of women, and putting middle-class families ahead of big business lobbyists. Moderate Republicans should not be asked to swallow the right-wing policies of George W. Bush.
That’s why every week I hear from many long time republicans who also support Kerry/ Edwards.
Our cry for change is only two more months. We pray for a restoration of mainstream leadership, independence of judgement, and principal above politics.
Clay Myers served as Oregon’s Republican Secretary of State for 10 years from 1967-1977 and as State Treasurer for 8 years from 1977 to 1984.
Statement of Bill Rutherford, Endorsement of John Kerry
I am a Republican, but I don’t support the President’s policies that are out of the mainstream of Republican thought and history.
We must put the future welfare of our country first. That is why I will be voting for a stronger economy and fiscal responsibility by supporting and voting for John Kerry for President.
The current administration has run the largest deficits in U.S. history, incurring massive debts that our children and grand children will have to pay.
2.5 million people have lost their jobs, trillions have been wiped out of savings and retirement accounts.
The income of Americans has declined two years in a row, the first time since the IRS began keeping records
George W. Bush will be the first president since Hoover to have a net job loss under his watch—something Oregonians are all too familiar with.
President Bush wanted to be judged as the CEO president, it is time to say, “you have failed, and you’re fired”
John Kerry will bring the new direction and optimistic leadership our country needs. I am a Republican, but this year I’m voting John Kerry.
Bill Rutherford served as Treasurer of Oregon, and Chair of the Oregon Investment Council. He has been president and CEO of two international investment companies, and at present is the Chairman of a NASDAQ traded company.
Statement of Phyllis Fitzpatrick, Endorsement of John Kerry
I have been a life-long Republican, and have supported Republicans for over 30 years. I am a 20 year retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Though I naturally voted for George W. Bush in 2000, I soon became critical of, and then appalled at the reckless, and extremely dangerous direction in which Bush has taken our country.
The reasons I support Kerry are numerous, but the most significant are as follows:
-- George Bush has recklessly led this nation into war in Iraq, without the necessary allies, a mission to win the peace, or a clearly defined end state. The United States alone can't defeat terrorism. It takes the world working together to do this. Bush misled the nation about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, and used the threat of terrorism to justify a war that distracted our focus from our primary enemies -- the people who attacked us on 9/11. Don't misunderstand me. The use of force is necessary when dealing with terrorists. It should be used judiciously, and with other instruments of power (economic, diplomatic, informational, political).
-- John Kerry, knowing the horror of war and the danger of unilateralism, will not engage us in unwarranted aggression but rather shore up national security by leading the United States in what must be a global affront to terrorism.
--When George W. Bush began his term, the economy was strong and the federal budget had a large surplus; today our economy is flat and my grandchildren will be paying on a deficit created by profligate and unaccountable spending. He has played lip service to farmers and ranchers (which we know first hand because Jim is a rancher and farmer), while giving tax breaks to wealthy corporations and companies. We need to aggressively work our trade policies so they are not one way. I am confident that John Kerry will do that.
--As an Air Force officer, I know first-hand that "Flexibility is the key to airpower." This is what won the first Desert Storm. Kerry knows that the dynamics of a changing environment may necessitate a change in policy, and is not afraid to do what is best for the United States of America.
John Kerry is an extremely intelligent, well-qualified candidate, a man with both brain and heart. I am delighted to contribute what I can to the election of John Kerry as President of the United States.
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