Candidate Chris Dudley evokes RFK, Lincoln in new look for Republicans

FLORENCE, Oregon – In a scene reminiscent of Robert F. Kennedy running along the Oregon coast, Chris Dudley did likewise Saturday during a stop at the Florence beach to get some rest and relaxation with his wife and kids.  Dudley, who is 6 ft. – 11 in., cast a giant shadow on this bright, sunny day, with locals comparing his stature and hobbling gait with Abe Lincoln who, at six feet four inches was (so far) the tallest U.S. president.

Dudley enjoys the feeling of being relaxed and even invincible

During this beach visit, Dudley ran with free abandon as the sun sparkled across gentle rolling Pacific Ocean waves.  “This is beautiful.  This is sure a great day in Florence.  We’re going to win,” said Dudley as in stood in pleased surprise when other beach goers recognized him and asked for autographs.

But it was this candidates’ solo beach run; Dudley dogging waves and letting out a long exhalation of relief as he ducked seagulls that were splashing into the sea, that reminded many of that iconic photograph titled “RFK Beach Run” from May 1968 when Robert F. Kennedy also took some R&R along the beach during the Oregon Primary Presidential Campaign.

“I was positioned less than 20 feet from Kennedy for an intimate capture of this famous well published beach run.  The wide angle perspective captures Robert with his beloved dog, Freckles shown tagging behind as they run north along the Oregon coastline,” said Clyde Keller, the photographer of the RFK image during a documentary about this special photo.

Flash forward to Saturday, with Don and Anna Segal yelling for the Dudley’s to come over and look at a sea shell they unearthed in the Florence beach. 

“We saw he was with his family and we didn’t want to bother them, but they say he’s our next governor.  What a thrill,” exclaimed Anna Segal who’s a local retiree. 

Her husband Don was also excited and even applauded as the Dudley’s walked by. 

At the same time, Ellen Sabatini and family from nearby Eugene sat on the beach in satisfying silence as Dudley and family continued to frolic in what could have been a traditional public-relations-oriented campaign commercial.

“I’ve seen him on TV over and over again for this governor’s race, but it’s very different to see Chris Dudley as just a guy in jeans running barefoot.  It’s something to think about,” said Sabatini who’s a single mom of three and “concerned about Oregon’s future.”

But, with a sign louder than the surf before him, Dudley told his wife Chris, and their three children: Charles, 11, Emma, 10 and Sam, 8, “it’s time to go.”  Nearby on the beach was Dudley’s campaign manager with blackberry in hand and news that their campaign bus needed to get going.  The Dudley’s – Chris and Chris – have been married for 13 years and call Lake Os

Dudley, a moderate, pro-choice Republican with the complete package

While Robert F. Kennedy fought for Civil Rights when he served as Attorney General for his brother Jack; his positive vision for the advancement of peace, just, equality and responsibility is still relevant today, say those running for public office, because America is at a crossroads and needs a compass to steer by.

“So who is the new RFK,” asks Jeb Conroy, a Eugene-based political activist.  “I’d say this Chris Dudley has that complete package if you will.  He’s young, handsome, smart, rich and he has a nice family that’s been supporting him on the campaign trail.”

Conroy also notes “an air of confidence that Dudley and other young Republicans need if they are to retake control of the House and Senate with this next election.”

In fact, Dudley has been crowned by top political thinkers and the national media as one of the Republican’s “rising stars” who even has the right stuff to become president one day. 

And, this hype against the backdrop of Wednesday’s visit by President Obama who will be stumping throughout Oregon for Dudley’s opponent, former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber.

During Dudley’s 16 years as a professional NBA basketball star – although his opponents like to remind voters that he missed 13 straight free throws during one 1990 game – records state that he earned more than $40 million and invested it wisely.

One political ad of Dudley’s reminds voters that he’s a “successful businessman and well-known philanthropist whose given away millions of his own earnings to charity.”  The political ad, that’s been run widely throughout the state on TV, radio and in print ads, also makes note that he’s a “Yale graduate” and has the smarts.

Another famous Republican Yale graduate is former President George Bush.

Dudley out to beat Democrats with “jobs” as his main message

During a visit to Dudley’s massive 65-foot long campaign tour bus -- that’s painted in bright red, white and blue with the name “DUDLEY” in five foot letters and the slogan “Countdown to Oregon’s Comeback” – is yet another reminder of the candidate’s main theme, jobs.

Tim Crump, Dudley’s campaign tour bus driver, noted “what a nice guy Chris is,” and pointed to his boss as having the right stuff to bring jobs back to Oregon.  Nearby, several Oregon homeless who somehow survive along this remote central coast region, were hushed away from the van that seems sparkling new.

"Creating more jobs means valuing the businesses we have here now - small business, big business - all business. It means creating a positive environment for the job creators of today, those dreamers and doers that will create jobs in Oregon tomorrow, by rewarding, not punishing, investment and job creation,” says Dudley in one of his most persuasive campaign ads.

Thus, with Dudley’s deep pockets and the full measure of the Republican Party behind him as “one of their brightest stars,” this former NBA center is pushing and pulling out every political trick to be the first Republican since former Oregon Governor Tom McCall to take the seat of power in Salem.

In fact, media reports out of Portland note that Dudley is currently reading McCall’s biography, “Fire at Eden’s Gate,” while his opponent, John Kitzhaber, is said to be reading Louis L’Amour Westerns. 

McCall has been called “the Lincoln of Oregon,” for creating such things as the country’s first “bottle bill,” for recycling, the cleanup of the Willamette River, passage of the bill that made Oregon beaches free and numerous job creation programs that have created a lasting legacy for McCall in Oregon politics.

He’s no Tom McCall, at least not yet, say long-time Oregonians.

In addition, many voters view Dudley as a rookie politician in his first race for office.  They worry about his inexperience at a time when Oregon unemployment is near 12% and the second-worst in the nation.  Oregon also has the highest per-capita rate of homelessness in the country.  And, with Oregon’s lumber and wood projects industry still on the ropes after two years of recession and a continuing national housing crisis, this is not a time for a “rookie,” say Democrat voters.

“He would be scary as our governor,” says Deadwood local Ray Robinson who’s also not so keen on Kitzhaber because he’s “been there and done that,” when he served two terms as Oregon governor from 1995-2003.

Thus, the difference in this race could be Obama’s visit on Oct. 20. 

Democratic hopefuls think the president will give Kitzhaber the boost he needs to take back the governor’s job, and they’re not worried that Obama’s low standing in approval polls will hurt the other Oregon candidates who are in a neck-in-neck race to keep important House and Senate seats.

The future of the Republicans comeback may be a “free throw” that Dudley may be ready to hit for one of the biggest political upsets in Oregon’s long and strange political history.