Cynicism by any other name...

Tomorrow is the last day for Oregon voters to turn in their ballots for the primary election. With that deadline upon us, on my commute home from work I listened to a piece on OPB radio about school districts across Oregon who have to win a double majority (majority turnout, majority vote in favor) in order for their school levies to pass. Which is a legit concern as early predictions are for a pretty weak turnout.

Independent Gubernatorial candidate Ben Westlund has encouraged Oregon voters of both major parties who may be holding back to go ahead and vote. This even though a new Oregon law which prevents anyone who voted for a major party candidate in the primary from being counted as a valid signiture towards Westlund's required 18+k signitures which he has to get by the end of August in order to be listed on the general election ballot this November. Which is why some of them likely want to not vote in the Primary.

Just a minute ago I wandered over and read Torrid's very cynical post questioning Westlund's motives. And while I was disappointed by it, I wasn't surprised.

While I've listened ad nauseum as Democrats proclaimed their dedication to school funding here in Oregon, the bigger picture obviously takes precedence for many of them. You see, they're worried as hell that Westlund could prevent whomever wins the Dem primary from ending up in the Governor's mansion.

So a few school districts don't get the funding they sorely need. Small price to pay to win the Governorship, eh Democrats?