There are issues… and then there are campaigns.
There is public policy… and there is politics.
And most importantly of all… there are the
People.
When I began this campaign six months ago, I
pledged to put people before politics… ideas
before ideology. Everywhere I’ve gone --
and will continue to go -- I’ve spoken of big
issues; to solve real problems for real
Oregonians.
Like fiscal reform and how to fix our fatally
flawed tax structure.
And universal health care that not only provides
access for those that don’t have it, but just as
importantly lowers costs for those that do.
For civil rights for all Oregonians.
And turning Oregon into not just ‘a’ leader, but
‘the’ national leader in the production and use
of renewable, sustainable energy.
And most fundamentally of all, I’ve championed
election reform that would for the first time
enfranchise Oregon’s independent voters who are
too often left out and left behind.
It’s the core principle of representative
democracy, and that’s what this campaign is
truly about. It’s not about me or my
candidacy... it’s not about the office I seek.
It’s about empowering people to come together
and participate in a government that plays a
positive and proactive role in their lives.
We must end once and for all extreme
partisanship’s bitter grip on Oregon’s future,
because if I have learned one thing in this
campaign so far… it is this:
Until we as Oregonians are allowed to vote our
hope… as opposed to being forced to vote our
fear … Oregon will continue to spiral into
mediocrity and below at an increasingly faster pace.
I pride myself on keeping my word. It’s
important for every reason.
At the beginning of this campaign, I made a
commitment to the people of Oregon, and that
was:
I was in it to win it… And that I
absolutely would not play a spoiler role.
Therefore, today, with no regrets (but some
sadness) I am here to honor that commitment.
I am proud to keep
that promise to the people of Oregon ... despite the fact that I unquestionably could qualify for the ballot... by
announcing my withdrawal from the race for
Governor.
It doesn’t matter that this was a painful decision. what matters is that it is the
right thing to do... and don’t get me wrong,
this campaign for Oregon’s future will continue.
We have accomplished much in these 6 short
months.
We have rekindled Oregon’s political center.
We have shown tens of thousands of Oregonians
that they may once again take the helm of their
own ship of state and chart a future free of
partisan intrusion and division.
We have invigorated Oregonians of all walks of life to hold their government accountable to find, as John Kennedy once said, not the Democratic answer... not the Republican answer... but the best answer.
The political center has awoken... and we have
discovered that we are united by far more than
what extreme partisans would have us believe
keeps us apart.
This campaign doesn’t end in August... or
November... or next year. It doesn’t end until enough of us finally realize that political success isn’t about holding office -- or winning elections -- it’s about inspiring the independent spirit of Oregon to repair our broken structures of governance until we truly can put people before politics... ideas before ideology.
I’m proud to continue to give a voice to this movement.
See ya’ down the trail everybody!
Salem - August
10, 2006
Ben
still needs your help!
Ben is dedicated to
creating a viable political center in Oregon...
and the last few months have proved that the
power is there.
Contribute to help Ben make a lasting
independent base in Oregon politics!
"... TABOR would insidiously “lock” the state’s budget
down in lean years, unable to restore cuts to services
when times got better." --
Ben Westlund
More info at DefendOregon.org
"He's
not in anybody's pocket. I really admire him for having the
courage to stand up for what he believes." Gert Boyle,
Chair, Columbia Sportswear
"Today,
Oregon needs strong leadership. As the parent of a student that
attends public schools, I believe Ben will be a champion for the
students and their future." Elizabeth Blackney,
Bend
"He
is determined to make this place we call Oregon a better place,
for all Oregonians." Ernest Bloch,
Portland
(838 kb)