Kampe campaign: mud slinging from the start.

With roughly 6 weeks to go until Dennis Kampe joins the long list of failed democrat candidates, his campaign, unfortunately, has already started the mud-slinging contest so reminiscent of the Jon Russell campaign.

Russell, who has publicly endorsed Rivers while privately supporting Kampe, who Kampe has described as his "good friend and political adviser," ran one of the most underhanded, filthy, inaccurate and flat out lying campaigns it has been my displeasure to witness.

Well, here's your sign: stick to issues, Dennis.

Look, I know you're a democrat with both hands tied behind your back: first, as I said, you're a democrat. In the 18th, that means you're in the wrong party in a year where democrats have become the political equivalent of child molesters due to their demand for tax increases in the middle of a recession, their kow-towing to union thuggery, their out of control spending, their efforts to bury this nation under a horrific mountain of debt, their failed economic strategies that screw the tax payer and their corruption and incompetence at the top.

Your second hand tied behind your back is your positions.

You support the bridge. You support light rail. You support a state income tax. You oppose privatization of liquor stores and any other government function.

So, you go so far as to attack Ann Rivers directly instead of talk about the issues... because, of course, you know you can't win on the issues.

"The voters of the 18th Legislative District have an important choice to make this November. Some people seem impressed that Ann Rivers already has plans. But are these plans that have been informed by her time lobbying for special interests?"

This is an excerpt from a canned Kampe campaign letter directly from Kampe's campaign organization that was farmed out to get someone who has no clue to sign it and send it in to a newspaper. (As a general rule, any letter that sounds like campaign talking points is, well, campaign talking points.) It is precisely the same thing that Jon Russell did, talking about precisely the same subjects.

And I'm surprised by all of this, given that Dennis now seems to be reduced to Russell's talking points... in this case, attacking a school district as a "special interest."

Of course, as a union leftist school administrator, Kampe wouldn't know anything about "special interests."

Would he?

So, here's the deal: stick to the issues. That way, when this is over and you get flattened, you'll at least have some shred of integrity intact.

Cross posted on 18th District View and Clark County Politics.
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I'm hearing it: throwing a tantrum, Jon Russell is supporting Dennis Kampe.

Showing his true colors... again... Jon Russell is picking up his football and going home with it, so to speak.

I've heard from a variety of GOP sources that "Republican" Jon Russell is working to get Dennis Kampe elected to the position of State Representative in the 18th District to replace Jaime Herrera in the open seat.

I'd heard rumors to that effect when I asked the rhetorical question, when is Russell going to endorse Rivers?

I admit I cheated when I asked the question. I already knew Russell was acting like a punk, and that he was going to support a fellow democrat for the position, meaning that I knew the answer to the question was "never," even while I was asking it.

To Russell, it's all about him. Screw those delusional enough to have voted for him because he's allegedly a "Republican;" he's going to do everything he can to get a democrat elected... like a spoiled, rotten brat.

Well, there you have it. Russell is actively working to get a democrat elected because he's playing the role of "victim." He's pouting in a way he wouldn't put up with if his 4 year old was doing it.

And the irony out of all of this is that Kampe is giddy... because he hasn't figured it out.

Russell wants Kampe to win so he can run against him in 2012. Period.

Does Kampe know that?

Russell thinks he can keep his abysmal political career alive only if he can target Kampe.

He knows that Rivers would flatten him... again... if he were stupid enough to go after her as an incumbent in the 2012 primary.

So, while Dennis may believe that Russell actually DOES support him, what Russell REALLY supports is his ability to run again in 2012. And Kampe winning is the only realistic way for Russell to get there.

Of course, Russell apparently doesn't realize that his multiple lies, exaggerations and public support of a democrat has killed his political future, so even if this fantasy were ever to see the light of day, Russell would still be unfit for political office... and he would still... lose.

Cross posted at Clark County Politics.

"Guilt by Association?" The wierdness zone, Jon Russell and Steve "Cold Hard Cash" Stuart.

So, Steve "Unmarked Bills" Stuart was out and about today. And what was he doing?

He, Stuart, was PERSONALLY taking his 4x8'S off Russell's 4X8 frames, removing Russell's signs, and then replacing them with the signs he'd screwed on directly over the top Russell's as shown in the post below.

How weird.

Of course, I'm sure Stuart's had a few questions to answer just like Russell over his strange bed fellows.

How sad is it that Russell is so screwed up that he's given his locations and his wood to a fringe left democrat like Stuart, instead of Alan Svehaug, Stuart's GOP challenger?

And how sad is it for Stuart that he can't use his own wood and put up his own signs?

But to take Russell's signs down... and then put his own back up using Russell's wood, as if none of this had happened?

That is totally bizarre.

Note the Svehaug 4X8 attached to what had formerly been a Republican sign. Note the obvious signs of removal and re-attachment on Stuart's 4X8.

Why didn't Russell invite Svehaug instead of Stuart to use his sign locations and frames?

Inquiring minds want to know.

And Steve... Jon... I've got people everywhere.

Cross posted on Clark County Politics.

18th District Wrap Up.

More numbers are out for the 18th. Most of them speak for themselves.

Details BITTNER ANTHONY R... $4,571.77....... $1,338.08

Details KAMPE DENNIS C D ........$29,868.75 ..$21,202.19

Details RIVERS ANNA M R...........$64,319.15...$51,893.62

Details RUSSELL JON D R............$16,097.49......$13,437.02

Details VICK BRANDON P R.........$7,633.04...... $6,943.65

The others running but not fund raising include the excitable Rich Carson, and Jon Haugen.

With the NRA's endorsement of Ann Rivers and her continuing enviable fund raising prowess, unmatched by all the other candidates combined, The Vancouver Business Journal called it right when they named her the Republican front-runner. She banked around $8700.... last week.

Dennis Kampe, the lone announced democrat running (Jon Haugen ran for the state senate against Zarelli as a democrat back in 08) Banked a respectable $2400 or so for the week.

Jon Russell impressed, just not the way he might think; by banking $160, $60 of which came from Russell himself.

Brandon Vick, whose family landscaping business must be in the height of their season, has not raised any reported funds since June 20.

Anthony Bittner stopped campaigning months ago. He last reported income in April, and last filed a C4 (Expenses) for May; he's skipped all campaign events to include parades, editorial boards, forums and CVTV's video voter guide. He does not have a picture or statement in the Voter's Pamphlet, although he claims he submitted both.

Do these kinds of numbers guarantee victory for Rivers? Of course not. In a primary scenario, one need go back no farther then the legendary Burkman-Campbell primary for state representative back in, what was it.... 06?

But the fact remains that Rivers is receiving the most POLITICAL support in addition to her monetary accomplishments.

Russell has gone increasingly negative, following the pattern that, well, has resulted in precisely zero political victories around here for candidates where Russell has received a pay check, to include $16,000 from Liz Pike.

His minions are scrambling. But he lacks the time and money needed; too many people know about his proclivity to lie and exaggerate; too many are turned off by his use of Washougal City Government as a campaign prop and far too many find it impossible to believe, as he finds it plausible to believe, that he bears no responsibility for the Beverly Hillbillies type government in place on his watch.

Brandon Vick has worked hard and well. He hasn't been able to devote the time he's needed to run an all out campaign but he's done the best that could be expected under the circumstances.

Bittner, on the other hand, seemed to think that all he needed to do was file and put up a few signs.

Good luck with that.

The "independents" running for this gig have yet to address the "how are you going to get anything done" aspect of the "what next?" in the equation.

Out numbered 97 to 1, chances are few that they could get anything done, or keep anything harmful from getting done.

It's been a fascinating 8 months are so... a learning experience for some, and exercise in futility for others. And we'll know 2 weeks from today who moves on... and who moves into obscurity.

Cross posted at Clark County Politics.

Another nail in Russell's political coffin: Vancouver Business Journal names Rivers "Republican front runner."

So, in addition to Russell's veracity and integrity problems, the Vancouver Business Journal has named Ann Rivers as the "Republican front runner."

From this article:

New names, new faces
Candidates look to join SW Washington's state legislative delegation

BY PAUL LEONARD of the VBJ

July 9th, 2010

With the primary campaign season just beginning, only one thing seems certain: whatever the outcome, in at least two key state races, Southwest Washington's legislative delegation in Olympia will get some new blood.

....

In the contest to replace Herrera, who is currently making a run for Congress in the Third Congressional District, Republican front runner and small business owner Ann Rivers hopes to make it through a broad field of GOP candidates to face the Democrat, Clark County Skills Center director Dennis Kampe.

"We've been down this road for six months," Rivers said. "It's almost like giving birth."

The owner of a public and government relations company since 1996, Rivers has based her campaign largely on business issues, advocating against what she called "onerous" regulations and taxes - in particular, the state's controversial Business and Occupancy levy on gross receipts.

"I'm fighting this idea that government can squeeze and squeeze businesses until they can't take it anymore," she said.

As in the race to fill Wallace's seat, the 18th Legislative District contest was overshadowed by a yawning state budget deficit and a persistently-high unemployment rate in many communities throughout Southwest Washington.

Kampe, the only Democrat appearing on this year's ballot in the district, told the VBJ last month he first considered running for the seat because of concerns about education. A fiscal conservative, Kampe looks to attract independent voters in this traditionally GOP-friendly district.

"I think Dennis is a pretty conservative guy," Probst said. "He's always described himself as a ‘Republicrat.'"

As of VBJ's press time, Rivers led with over $42,000 raised thus far, followed by Kampe with $16,495, according to PDC figures.

Rounding out the Republican field in the 18th District, Position 1, is Russell, Brandon Vick and Anthony Bittner, as well as independent candidates Jon Haugen and Richard Carson.

With turnout in Clark County expected to hit 35 percent, according to Clark County Elections supervisor Tim Likness, the election may hinge on who gets out more of their supporters to return their ballots, which will be mailed out July 28.

"It really comes down to how much effort the candidates put into it," Likness said.

Well, Rivers is, of course, the front runner and has been since she announced.

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(Note to Probst: Kampe is no conservative. No one who actually believes we should indebt the people of Clark County $100,000,000 a year to build a bridge to give his union buddies temporary jobs at out expense is a conservative. You can call Moeller a "moderate" all you like, and that doesn't make it so... to put a point on it, "Republicrat" my ass.)

Nevertheless, when a publication like the VBJ uses a label like that, it's got to hurt the more delusional of candidates.

Right?

Cross posted to Clark County Politics.

18th District wrap up.

Of all the candidates in the 18th District, only one actually filed this week.

Neither Dennis Kampe, Brandon Vick, Anthony Bittner (who hasn't filed a C-3 form since late April... not illegal, but a sign of zero fund raising) nor the educationally and integrity-challenged Jon Russell filed C-3's this week.

It is, of course, perfectly legal to not file C-3's when you haven't raised any money over the preceding week. But lacking the ability or reason to file?

That's not so good.

Ann Rivers, on the other hand, filed for $1300 for the week.

Russell, of course, has been and continues to be in violation of PDC laws since he announced as a state representative candidate, failing to file electronically; using state representative funds to pay congressional campaign debt (I'm looking into an FEC complaint over that one) and various other violations.

I won't be filing a complaint against Russell this week because he hasn't filed this week.

But until he gets himself into compliance with the law of this state (Kinda bizarre, ain't it? A state representative candidate who has deliberately violated the law for months?) EVERY time he files a manual report I'm going to nail him with ANOTHER complaint.

Yes.... it's been a bleak week for most in the 18.

I believe it's going to get bleaker.
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Reviewing the bidding in the 18th: Who's viable and who isn't?

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There are a wide variety of definitions for the two word phrase, "political viability." In reviewing the candidates announced so far in the 18th District, "viability" refers to even a possible likelihood that the candidate will ultimately be successful in their bid to become elected.

There are a number of indicators of viability. Money is a critical element; typically the one with the most money USUALLY wins (The only thing I've learned in this business for sure is that there's no such thing as a sure thing) and of course, name familiarity goes a long way to help.

Having a clue, a plan, a vision and knowledge as to how to achieve those ends is a pretty good indicator.

Understanding how government works, how to build coalitions, how to work across the aisle, how to compromise on goals but never on principle.

How to understand reality.

It's fairly clear that all the candidates in the 18th are having a difficult time raising money, save for one.

It's a fair question to ask what that means. Here's today's figures:

Name Office Pos Pty Contributions Expenditures Ind Sup Ind Opp BARNETT SHANNON (details) State Representative 01 R $12,077.39 $7,291.72 $00.00 $00.00 BITTNER ANTHONY (details) State Representative 01 R $00.00 $00.00 $00.00 $00.00 CARSON RICHARD (details) State Representative 01 I $477.50 $366.60 $00.00 $00.00 DEAN ROBERT (details) State Representative 01 R $3,150.19 $818.69 $00.00 $00.00 KAMPE DENNIS (details) State Representative 01 D $7,630.00 $1,375.11 $00.00 $00.00 RIVERS ANNA (details) State Representative 01 R $26,945.36 $15,695.96 $00.00 $00.00 RUSSELL JON (details) State Representative 01 R $00.00 $00.00 $00.00 $00.00 VICK BRANDON (details) State Representative 01 R $5,195.00 $2,986.08 $00.00 $00.00 Page 1 of 1 (10 items)

Some of these numbers are, well, curious. Did Jon Russell, best known for screwing up his congressional campaign while helping to turn Washougal into a train wreck (can we soon forget Stacee Sellers partying on city money... tens of thousands of dollars vaporizing... hiring the somewhat lacking city finance director... the thousands of dollars Russell personally made in running a campaign to implement a HUGE Port Levy increase? ) REALLY not raise or expend any money in his campaign?

I guess not. Otherwise, he would have reported it.... right?

Brandon Vick has brought in 15 donations in the 14 days between the 12th and the 26th for a total of $2450.

Rich Carson went short form, limiting himself to $5000 or less for the whole campaign, which means he can't raise money and he knows it; Anthony Bittner is an outstanding young man in every way, but apparently hasn't raised any money.

Shannon Barnett has put together $9,655. That's a VERY curious figure, given his past contacts as former Cowlitz GOP Chair, and his involvement with a contractors association along with his school board membership... why, you'd think that all these people would be falling all over themselves to donate to his campaign.

They're not.

Ann Rivers, on the other hand, has raised over twice that amount, at $20,655. A review of her PDC's show that she's getting a lot of support from both individuals and businesses in the district and in the area.

Some have whined about her money coming from out of the area, but those same people support Herrera, and they had no trouble with HER out of area money, and they had no problem with Herrera's decision to ditch us to go to an ENTIRELY special-interest fund raiser during session in Washington, DC.

The ability to raise money is an indicator of viability. The INability to raise money when you would think that past contacts and history with the community would lead to a groundswell of support is a truer indicator of a LACK of viability.

The ability to rise beyond rank partisanship is an indicator of viability, because it shows an understanding of the system and the practical reality that no man (or woman) is an island.

The ability to understand that while not everyone is going to share your view, they deserve representation as well and that means listening while you let the conversation continue.

Who among these candidates has those abilities?

I make no recommendation here. Draw your own conclusions.

Cross posted at Clark County Politics.
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Ever the political opportunist, and seeing the writing on the wall, expect Jon Russell to bail from the congressional race so he can get clobbered....

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...running in the 18th.

Russell had zero chance anyway. But with the advent of another empty suited opportunist, Jamie Herrera, Russell now has LESS then zero chance of winning in the WA 03.

Ahha! So, the beatty little mind of Russell thinks, "gee, I know... I'll just run in the 18th! I carried Jamie's water like Gunga Din once SHE got the appointment. There's no way she wouldn't endorse ME to take her place."

Wrong.

Herrera, Orcutt and Zarelli are out there beating the bushes for somebody who can get elected who will do precisely what Zarelli and Orcutt TELL them to do.

Herrera, unfortunately, is like one of those puppets you've got to run your arm up to the head... Kinda like Jeff Dunham. (In this case, Cathy McMorris plays the role of Dunham; Achmed the Dead Terrorist plays he role of Herrera.)

If Herrera ever had an original thought, it long since died of lonliness.

Nevertheless, Russell knows he's over, because Herrera will vacuum up the few people supporting Russell like a shop vac picks up sawdust. Unfortunately for Russell, he's over in the 18th as well.

There are actual adults interested in replacing the professional intern.

There are actually people of character and integrity taking a look.

Any one of them is more qualified then fake fiscal conservative Jon Russell, and none of them tried to ram the biggest tax increase in SW Washington history down anyone's throat.

Nope... that was Russell.

So, stand by. Any second now, when Herrera announces AGAIN, expect Russell to dump the few people who supported him for Congress and try to lower his sights a little bit.

I, for one, can't wait.
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