Tag: Christine Drazan

15-44 How to Win (and NOT to Win) Oregon

15-44 How to Win (and NOT to Win) Oregon

Show 15-44 Summary: .When it comes to Republicans’ chances in Oregon for statewide races, they don’t need Democrats to defeat them. Because Republicans can, and all too often are, their own worst enemies. After Christine Drazan’s announcement this week that she is officially running once again for governor, there is already a slew of social media posts by Republicans saying they will never vote for her. Which is a great way not to win. So how do Republicans win? We talk with a long-time Republican consultant and a a recent “outsider” Oregon political activist to get their thoughts.

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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Air Dates: November 1st & 2nd, 2025 | Guests: Greg Leo & Chuck Wiese

This Week – Can Oregon Republicans Not Kill Their Chances?

Republicans can save Oregon but they have to save each other first. And that means stop savaging each other in the primaries.

Primaries are different than general elections. In general elections, you are voting for who wins. In primaries, you are voting for who competes. You are selecting your team while the other parties select their team.

But all too often, Republicans—more so than the sheep-like Democrats who will vote for anyone (or anything) with a “D” in front of their name—savage and tear down the other Republican candidates in favor of their choice. They announce they will never vote for “the other guy” that their Republican teammates chose.  And proceed to savage the other candidates, tearing them down. And inadvertently planting seeds why no one should vote for them in the general.

Is it more important to win the election? Or that your candidate wins?

Don’t discourage. Encourage.

Republican “Insider” and “Outsider” Views

Christine Drazan officially entered the race for Oregon’s governor this week. (Which as no surprise. No serious person thought she wouldn’t.) Up until then, Danielle Bethell, a Marion County Commissioner, was the only legitimate candidate. But what immediately obvious was the hateful comments — not by Democrats. But by Republicans.

Danielle  Bethell’s campaign website – daniellebethellforgovernor.com
Christine Drazan’s campaign website – christinefororegon.com

We talk first to Greg Leo, a long-time political communications expert who got his start in the Reagan White House. He also spent a lot of time working within and for in the Oregon Republican Party as their communications director. Now, he’s a political consultant. We get his take on Christine Drazan entering the race, how to stop Republicans from spoiling their fellow Republicans’ chances, and what Republicans can do to actual win. That means wooing Democrats and non-affiliated voters. Could an actual conservative Republican do that?

Then we talk with Chuck Wiese, a conservative Republican. But someone who is not involved in Republican party politics. But Chuck is becoming more and more of a political activists, having supported and been part of multiple lawsuits against Oregon, focusing especially on election integrity.

We know Chuck is no fan of Drazan, base don how she ran last time. To get his vote, what does she have to do different this time? How can she prove herself to him—one of her biggest doubters? And can Republicans put aside their differences and preferences to focus on winning the general election?

Because Oregon really and literally cannot afford another Democrat governor.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Greg will be speaking at the Capital City Republican Women’s luncheon on Nov. 13th. Meeting runs from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Lunch is optional but is $14.00 if you’d like to eat. To attend, please RSVP by sending an email to ccrwsalem@reagon.com.
  • Learn more about America’s 250th! Head to America250.org for events, state pages, and how you can get involved!
  • Danielle  Bethell’s campaign website – daniellebethellforgovernor.com
  • Christine Drazan’s campaign website – christinefororegon.com

 

It’s the Government, Stupid | Troubling Economic Indicators Right Now

It’s the Government, Stupid | Troubling Economic Indicators Right Now

Show Summary: This week, it is all about the economy with Jonathan Williams from the American Legislative Exchange Council who is on to discuss some troubling economic indicators that the propaganda media won’t tell you about. Are we in the beginning stages of the transition to socialism…? Because this is what it would look like.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of June 2021
Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: June 11, 2022 | Guest: Jonathan Williams

This Week – It’s the Government, Stupid

“It’s the economy, stupid.” 

That was the sign Bill Clinton had in the Oval Office. It was a reminder that what really mattered to people was a strong, growing economy, With jobs and opportunities, lower prices and a chance to live the American dream.

Now, with Biden residing in the office, it’s more like “It’s the government stupid.” Because instead of focusing on growing the economy, it’s all about growing government. At all cost. 

But as with all government-run economies, we are quickly lurching toward a crash when the big government types will have a reckoning. Government-dominated economies never work.

You are living in the transition stages of a switch from capitalism to socialism. High food prices. High energy prices. Exploding inflation. High crime. And effort to remove guns from law-abiding citizens. This is what the entry to socialism looks like. And to see how it ends up, look at Venezuela.

Jonathan Williams: Troubling Economic Indicators

It’s always a pleasure to have our friend, Jonathan Williams, back on the show. Jonathan is  the Chief Economist and Executive Vice President for Policy at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

This week, we walk through the attempted coup of our economy, troubling economic indicators that warn of impending slowdown and potential stagflation. These aren’t some distant economic indicators. These are deeply worrying economic indicators here and now. Like in the housing market.

Be sure to check out the American Legislative Exchange Council and their yearly publication, Rich States, Poor States.

And we talk about some of ALEC’s other programs. Like their  Education Task Force. Which has helped other states enact school choice. Can Oregon get it on the ballot? And get a win? (We’ll have Marc Thielman on next week to discuss the latest ballot initiative for school choice.)

And we talk with him about Oregon’s Republican candidate for governor, Christine Drazan, and what she ought to be focusing on in her economic platform.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Biden Administration Expected to Reinstate Price Controls, Bringing Back 1970s Gas Lines, Experts Warn (Epoch Times June 6, 2022)
  • Germans warned of further food price hikes: Soaring energy costs threaten the survival of farmers, the industry says (RT, June 8, 2022)
  • JP Morgan CEO Says There’s a “Hurricane” Coming for U.S. Economy, “You Better Brace Yourself” (Bloomberg News, via We Love Trump, June 2, 2022)
  • The First ‘Global Inflationary Depression’ Is Very Possible (Seeking Alpha, Mar 5, 2021)
  • Inflation Is Just Getting Started. (Peter Schiff, via YT, June 9, 2022)
    • May CPI est 8.3%
    • Oil over 122 per barrel
    • Atlanta Fed’s GDP Q2 estimate is 0.9%
  • Welcome to communism where you arrest your political opponents: “FBI Raids Home Of Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Candidate And Whitmer Challenger, Takes Him Into Custody” (Daily Wire, June 9, 2022)