John Kitzhaber for President in 2008?

[liberalpragmatist]

So there's some buzz that former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber may be mulling a run for president in 2008. This could be interesting, although given how crowded the field already is and given that Feingold's already going to be running as the gadfly/maverick in the race, it'll be interesting to see if he does run and how he runs.



http://www.westerndemocrat.com/2006/02/kitzaber_08_buz.html

Can you hear it? Apparently Joe Trippi made time for the Beaver State to visit the good doctor.

Matt Singer at Left in the West:

I’m hearing some buzz out of Oregon that Governor Kitzhaber, M.D., may be eyeing an ‘08 run for the Presidency. Consider this Dean round 2 but less likely to piss people off. Kitzhaber was hugely popular in Oregon, is a doctor, is not a Clintonite, and is declaring war on America’s health care system.

Whether there’s much to these rumors remains to be seen. But it’s worth noting that Kitzhaber came out of Oregon, which is actually a purple state with its rural Eastern half, with wide marks for popularity.

Political Wire:

From a Political Wire reader: "Rumors are flying around in Oregon... Apparently, Joe Trippi was in Portland last week and met with former Gov. John Kitzhaber (D). Recently, Kitzhaber declined to run for a comeback third-term as Governor -- but announced instead a campaign to reform health care in America."

"Win or lose, a presidential campaign would be a heckuva way to launch a campaign to fix health care. Seems like Trippi might be picking another horse."

[murphymom]

1. Kitzhaber spoke today

at the City Club of Eugene on "Fear and Loathing in the U.S. Healthcare System". The talk will be broadcast on Monday at 6:30 on KLCC 89.7 FM (www.klcc.org) if anyone is interested.

[safi0]

2. I don't think he

Can gain a lot of steam as a Presidential contender. But if he wants to reform health care, Gordon Smith is up for re-election in 08 and he would definitely be a formidable opponent.

[Reader Rabbit]

3. Archimedes Movement

I'd love to see Kitzhaber run, but I suspect that he is fully committed to his new health care reform project, the Archimedes Movement.

http://www.archimedesmovement.org/index.php

Still, if he ran for either president or Gordon Smith's seat in 2008, he sure could bring a lot of attention to some worthy causes.