New state GOP chair plans to add 200,000 new members
PORTLAND, Ore. – The new chair of the Oregon Republican Party said Sunday her top priority is to register more members, specifically 200,000.
There didn't appear to be any doubt in Suzanne Gallagher's voice when she told KATU's Steve Dunn on "Your Voice, Your Vote," that "We will be registering about 200,000 Republicans."
It's an ambitious goal and it also happens to be the number that would outstrip the Democrats' current registration advantage of about 190,000 more members than the GOP statewide.
Gallagher, who has been on the job for barely a week, didn't give a timeline of reaching that registration goal nor did she say specifically how she'd do it.
"We have a strategy, and we have some people who are going to help us," she said.
But one group she'll look to recruit from is women, saying she's the right person to connect with them.
"I'm the right one to do that now as the leader of the party to show them that there are lots of women who agree with these fiscally conservative ideas that we have," she said.
The 65-year-old business owner from Tigard, who also ran for a state Senate seat last year, has her work cut out for her. The Republican Party in Oregon hasn't won a statewide race in a decade and hasn't held the governor's office since the late 1980s, and four of the five state's congressional seats are held by Democrats. In the statehouse, the Democrats retook the House in the last election while holding onto their slim majority in the Senate.
The party's state central committee elected Gallagher Saturday, Feb. 2 for a two-year term to replace Allen Alley, who chose not to seek a second term. She beat John Lee Jr. and Art Robinson.
Gallagher's interview with Dunn follows a segment with state Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland.
KATU's political reporter, Patrick Preston, and Dunn pepper Greenlick with questions over some of his more interesting bills, including the repeal of the death penalty, making nicotine a controlled substance and also why he's supporting a bill to make it illegal to smoke in a car with children.
Click on the "Play Video" button above to watch the entire show.
I would just like to compare (contrast) the two interview segments in this Sunday's show.
Â
I don't know how many times you and Patrick Preston asked Greenlick about his "bill that has no chance of passing."
Â
By contrast, your first question to the new Republican chair, Suzanne Gallagher, was to read a viewer comment that mentioned that the Republican Party in Oregon was once fiscally conservative, but socially moderate, but that the party has changed significantly for the worse since the years of some of our most famous senators and governors. She did not pick up on the "socially moderate" part of the comment, but disagreed with something like, "who says we're not fiscally conservative, any more?".
Â
You did not go back and ask Gallagher once on the part of the comment about how the national and Oregon Republican Party has significantly shifted right-wing on social issues.Â
Â
If the two interviews had been equivalent, you would have had someone at your side during the Gallagher interview badgering, and badgering and badgering the Republican Chair to address the Republican right-wing shift on social issues.
Â
I've been autotuning this program on television, because I am so grateful that KATU would provide a local issues program.  It is much needed. However, Sunday's show disappointed me, and highlighted, once again, the serious conservative bias in media today.
Â
- Pat
Maybe she'll get Sarah Palin for a strategist.
200,000 new Republicans - possible. Losing 250,000 to Independent or Democrat at the same time - probable.
Good luck with that.
 @starshadow I was going to say that. :)
200,000 new Republicans? In Oregon? Maybe she is proposing annexing all or part of Idaho.
This comment has been deleted
 @nwipac And you don't think Democrats are doing the same thing - getting money to corporations? Do you enjoy having to pay more taxes and having less disposable income?Â
Â
Name one politician that doesn't have some kind of corporation or corporate CEO in their back pocket? Ever heard of George Soros?
 @scoreboard  @nwipac Ever hear of the Koch Brothers?  Bottom line, your party needs to bring it's platform into the 21st century. Â
Yet everyone seems to ignore the fact that the largest tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations came from republiCON administrations of uncle ronny and the village idiot That working class income has been stagnant since the early '80's while the uber wealthy income has gone up over 300 % . Ya , must be those dang dems forcing repubs to do that ?????
 @Sundowner  @nwipac Obviously you missed my point. Both parties do the same thing when it come to corruption and dealing with corporations. They all have someone in their back pocket.
I'm impressed that Oregon's GOP selected a woman to lead them who has no "timeline of reaching that registration goal nor did she say specifically how she'd do it". Â Jeeez, even Bobby Jindal and Ann Coulter have make recommendations on how the Republican party can win elections, and yet those ideas are poo-pooed by the base because it would involve change (OK, I'll say it: Â it would also involve giving a c**p how actual people think about things). Â I look forward to a year from now and seeing the progress she's made with her lofty goal.
 @Sundowner The question that immediately comes to my mind is if the OR GOP (and, arguably the national GOP) is actually becoming more inclusive of women and minorities in roles of authority, or if it's just PR.Â
Â
On a national level it's a given that the occupant of the oval office is as much a 'poster child' as an actual person who drives the party, the state level is debatable.Â
Â
I will say this, the GOP (in both venues) is really having struggles right now returning to being perceived as being for the good of the many as opposed to the benefit of the few. Of course, the irony is that the DNC is not much better, they just do a better job with their PR wing.Â
This comment has been deleted
...you mean taking lessons from the Dems? Nah, she'll probably do something legitimate...
Â
 @Dr. Rawdog No, because she is a Republican, not a Democrat (i.e. Christine Gregoire).
 @Dr. Rawdog No, those are already hardcore democrats.
Well word has it she hired the lady.../person who changed the voter ballots in Clackamas county..
So maybe it  Is the only way to win.??
Well lets see ..
1. She is too old to have children so she can't relate to the right to chose.
2. She comes from an era where it"s what the man says is law.
3. She beat John Lee Jr. and Art Robinson.
So they went with the least likely guy to loose republican votes...
Who is still looking at things like it was 1965..
Gee what could possibly go wrong there??
I'll bet she does not succeed, and will blame everyone and everything in the process.
Â
I will be right.
I'm glad her priority isn't doing anything for un-employment, promoting business, or improving life. Â She sure has her priorities figured out. Â Get a real job if you can grandma.
Registering 200,000 Republicans in Oregon is a little too ambitious.  There aren't all that many rich, white male theocrats in the state to begin with.
 @deathmetalcat Dear brainless twit.
I have to agree that there probably are a lot fewer conservatives in Oregon than there are drooling socialist turds like yourself.
You hit the nail right on the head.
Jack, you omitted , between "fewer" and "conservatives" , "inter-vaginal probe, legitimate rape,  my religion is the only one allowed, they're ALL illegals, dark skin people stand in THAT line, smaller government except for when I need it, he was born in kenya, they're going to take our guns republiCON. I think I got most of them....like that furniture salesman would say on late nite local TV commercials.."wake up, WAKE UP" !
 @Jack_Bauer  @deathmetalcat I guess that all depends on how you define "conservatives".  It would be difficult for any political party to bring in 200,000 newbies, especially women, when the political party needing the new voters wants to decide for women what they can and cannot do with their own bodies.  Yours is an antiquated, outdated party whose day has passed.  Buh bye. Â
You know if she was 35- 45 she might have an idea on how to appeal to younger women voters, but she isn't and she has no clue. Good luck with that 200,000. Younger conservative leaning voters are going Libertarian and they don't vote for the GOP. They are liberal on the social issues. The GOP will continue to shrink here as the their numbers die off.Unless they can change their stance on a number of issues. One of her plans is to get more out of state money from PACS. They still haven't learned that you can't just throw money into an election to win. The Dems have a great grass roots ground game and use technology. The GOP doesn't. Plus the GOP is viewed as the party of old white rich people. Not entirely true but as long as they let the extremists run their party they will continue to lose.Â
 @Techchefpdx Your wrong. I'll tell you why. Libertarian minded folks / voters vote GOP. Not cause they LOVE GOP... but because they are the closest inline with what they believe. Unlike Democrats. Take my area for example. I was a Ron Paul supporter. Many like me. We just took over Clark County GOP leadership. All Ron Paul like minded liberty individuals. Hoping for change in the PARTY. Fixing By-Laws, etc. The establishment is shocked by this but its not being reported. Its a younger generation wanting to fix the PARTY and get it back to its roots. Smaller Government, Fiscal Responsibility, etc, the whole 9 yards. Not just talking about it... actually doing it. That's the revolution that is going on. Some people may say its the Tea Party... okay whatever. But its us people. We are trying to change the old way of thinking.... and dare I say.. the corrupt way of thinking to make us better. We are getting back to the roots of what the Republican Party stood for. We are highly independent but in this political process you don't stand a chance unless you affillate with the two dominate players in the field. We are the Party of change, values, and rights.
 @Liberty4_WA  @Techchefpdx I wish you luck in your efforts, L4WA. If only there were some within the OR and national GOP who could throw out the 'old rich white guys club' that currently runs them, perhaps the GOP could once again be relevent.Â
 @Jack_Bauer  @MarkKpic  @Liberty4_WA  @Techchefpdx Careful with those knee-jerks, you might pull a hamstring.Â
 @MarkKpic  @Liberty4_WA  @Techchefpdx Not sure if you realize how racist this comment is.
I thought the socialists were supposed to be tolerant and accepting of others differences.
Â
Ms. Gallagher only has to speak the truth and present facts to shut down the mealy-mouthed Libtards that are hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy which pretty much describes them all.
This comment has been deleted
 @Dr. Rawdog  @boned We already know that those are attributes that escape politicians of all party association. Current POTUS being the current world champ in the lack of truth race.
I know you Libturds hate facts, but get this: The Rs are actually gaining ground, while In Oregon the Ds are losing the registration battle in significant numbers. Do some research instead of reguritating your PR lies.
 @Jack_Bauer  @Dr. Rawdog  @boned You can blame Obama, you can blame dirty tactics by Democrats, you can blame anything you like.  Fact is, your party is rapidly losing ground, you need to do something, and all you can come up with is.......nothing.  Here, read this:  http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2013/0125/The-stupid-party-Is-GOP-s-concern-what-s-said-or-how-it-s-said
You tend to talk alot but rarely say anything of substance. At least you're consistent.
 @weasel at least you are a weasel.
She'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!
 @xilef regnu Are you saying she is no fan of holy water?? lol
I'll be happy to register as a Republican...as soon as I see a Pro-Choice, Pro-Equality, and Pro-Gun Control platform. No, I am not holding my breath either.
 @NWskeptic There are already multiple socialist parties to choose from. Why create another?
 @NWskeptic We don't want you so don't bother......
 @scoreboard  @NWskeptic And therein lies the problem with the GOP -- the attitude of "we don't want you so don't bother...."  Keep up the attitude -- we see how well it worked for President Obama.
 @scoreboard  @NWskeptic It's not my intention or even desire to change your mind.  As I said, I respect your right to feel however you like.  But those beliefs are likely based on religious beliefs, and to many of us that equates to cramming your religion down our throats.  The GOP wants to bring many new voters under their umbrella but they keep using an umbrella that's too small.  Whatever, it's all good for the Democratic party. Â
@Sundowner@NWskeptic
If you want to argue about abortion fine but you'll never change my mind. Abortion, to me, is only acceptable in the case of rape, incest, or danger to the mother's life. In any other case, it's murder, period!
Â
So, you might as well stop now because, AGAIN, you'll NEVER change my mind.
 @scoreboard  @NWskeptic I'm telling you, your way of thinking is what the problem is with the GOP.  These social issues are NOT minor to 51% of Americans (women).  Want to talk about the debt ceiling, government spending, gun issues?  Great.  Just as soon as you back off trying to control a woman's body.  I'll debate an issue with you about all kinds of things, but not if you're trying to tell me what I can and cannot do with my uterus.  Government spending and public employee benefits and ammo magazines are great fodder for argument, but those things involve everyone.  My uterus involves ME, and I can't think about other stuff until you let go of my innards.  Maybe if we were talking about your family jewels you'd "get" it. Â
 @Sundowner  @NWskeptic I'm only pointing out these issues because that's what NWskeptic mentioned them in his initial post. There's many more issues - like deficit spending, entitlements, immigration, and smaller government - to name a few. Today's GOP wants to fix these problems.Â
Â
The social issues are minor in comparison and should be put on the back burner until these issues are dealt with. Unfortunately many with the Democrats don't realize this.Â
Â
Obama want to abolish the debt ceiling, Pelosi won't admit that the government has a spending problem, and when the GOP presents a plan to cut spending, the Democrats always shoot it down.
 @scoreboard  @NWskeptic Just to set the record straight in response to your questions, why would you want someone that goes against your platform?  Because you need 200,000 more voters seeing things your way.  And bottom-line, your platform needs to be changed.  You realize you had people at your convention, people whose job was to define your party's platform, saying abortion should NOT be allowed even in the case of rape and incest.  Do you think that platform needs to be changed?  70% of Americans do!
 @scoreboard  @NWskeptic You outed what your problem is (GOP, not sure about you) in your last sentence.  YOU believe abortion is murder.  I have no problem with you believing whatever you want, but abortion has been legal in the United States for over 40 years -- never in the history of the United States has "murder" been legal.  70% of Americans do NOT want to see Roe v Wade overturned.  How are you going to garner up 200,000 newbies?  If 50% of those 200,000 are women, and 70% of those women disagree with you ADAMANTLY, you don't have a chance without changing your feelings.  No one expects you to change your religious beliefs, but leave the rest of us alone, we will not back down on social issues.  You simply cannot alienate everyone from women to union members to teachers to Hispanics to those who fight discrimination and expect any result other than more and more people moving away from your far-right views.  It's mathematically impossible.
 @Sundowner  @NWskeptic Why would our party want someone that goes against our platform? Why would we want someone that is Pro Choice and pro-Gun Control?
Â
Pro-Equality, yes (and I think that's a problem for the GOP) but abortion is murder and Gun Control as currently presented by the Democrats is way overboard and against the 2nd Amendment in my opinion.
 @NWskepticÂ
Please stay where you are; no need to change.
This comment has been deleted
 @Luckylucy Why would she be recruiting people to be members of the Democrat party?
 @scoreboard  @Luckylucy Why?  Uhhhh....because apparently your "side" needs about 200,000 newbies to win anything?  That would be my thought.