Dudley talks jobs, economy with KATU.com
PORTLAND, Ore. - On Sept. 8, KATU.com posted an interview with Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber and today it posts its interview with Republican Chris Dudley.
The interviews were focused on jobs and the economy and were conducted by KATU News anchor Steve Dunn.
To watch the full interview, please click here or the above video tab.
Dudley, a former NBA basketball player and Yale graduate, was interviewed on Wednesday, Sept. 8 for about 15 minutes and was not shy about tying the state’s woes to his opponent.
“I think he (Kitzhaber) set the table that we’re now eating off of, and it’s not a pretty meal,” he said. “We’re in a bad position, and when you look at our state unemployment rate, Oregon has been above the national average for 14 consecutive years, which started under his watch.”
Dudley said his lack of political experience was an asset and blasted Kitzhaber on his and the years of experience the former governor has in politics.
“The experience he brings to the table is what got us into this mess in the first place,” Dudley said. “Would you ask the arsonist to come back to put out the fire?”
As far as getting Oregon back on its feet, Dudley said he wants the state to practice zero-based budgeting, prioritize spending, sunset programs that are found to be no longer useful and control spending.
He said there is a fundamental philosophical difference between him and Kitzhaber.
“His answer is more taxes and mine is more taxpayers.”
He said he’s not a politician but he’s driven to make Oregon better.
His plans for Oregon, especially in the area of education, are ambitious. For example, he wants to reward students with 3.5 GPAs with full-ride scholarships. He acknowledges that funding such an initiative will be difficult.
“I’m fully aware of the fiscal realities we’re facing, but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t have some objectives that we want to reach. It doesn’t mean that the state shouldn’t dream in what it’s going to accomplish and how we’re going to get out of this mess.”
He said he will be looking for some private-sector help to fund the scholarships.
Dudley said he wants to debate Kitzhaber four times. The two sparred over a debate schedule for weeks, finally agreeing to a single televised debate at the end of September in Portland. The two will also appear together in Eugene but each campaign will have been given the questions beforehand.
Dudley says he’ll debate Kitzhaber in Medford and Eastern Oregon, as well.
“In looking at it, let’s have at least two that are televised, and I want to represent - get across the entire state,” he says.
Other topics discussed were reforming the kicker, Dudley’s thoughts on polling data that shows him neck and neck with Kitzhaber and how concerned he is about having no support from the unions. Kitzhaber does have union support and has received lots of money from them.
Dudley touches on all of these questions in the full interview.
Read more about Dudley's plans:
- Oregon's Comeback: A 26 Point Plan to Control Spending and Reform Government
- Jobs First: Oregon's Recovery Plan
On the Web:
