The three Republicans running for the GOP nomination for governor are prostrating themselves before the religion fanatics who have decided that the elimination of a woman's right to control her reproductive health is the only factor on which to pick our next governor.  Kevin Mannix has once again secured the endorsement of Oregon Right to Life, and he seems happy about it.  Jason Atkinson is pissed because he thinks his anti-choice record is stronger than Mannix's; he and his daddy, a religious broadcaster from down south -- Medford -- feel betrayed.  RTL made their choice, if I can use that word in conjunction with them, based on their belief that Mannix has a better chance to win than Atkinson.

They are probably right, but all this really means is that Mannix will lost by less than the Boy Wonder would.  Make no mistake: neither one can beat any of the three Democrats in the field.  Especially this year.  Oregonians may be ticked at politics in general, but they are really friend at the wingnuts in the Republican Party.  As this year progresses and the message gets played, over and over, that Karen Minnis and Wayne Scott aborted the democratic process in last year's session, Rs will suffer.  As the war in Iraq drags along and gas prices stay high and Bush continues to stumble along as the most inept Decider since Barney Fife (who at least was cute in his bumbling), voters will want less and less to do with any Republican.  Rs who kowtow to the religious right may gain those votes -- although I doubt Ron Saxton will gain many, no matter how he debases himself -- but they will lose the votes on indies.  And it's the non-aligned voters who will decide most of this year's elections.  Oregon's percentage of NAVs grows yearly, but what drives their vote changes annually as well.  This year, they are being driven away from the Right on a number of issues.  So let the 3 Stooges chase their Christofascist votes.  For every one of those they gain, they lose 2 independents.  Yet another proof they are too dumb to be allowed any elective office.