John Kitzhaber took high profile in this election

By BRAD CAIN
Associated Press writer

SALEM — John Kitzhaber took an active role in Oregon's just-ended 2004 election. The former governor went on the campaign trail for Sen. John Kerry, conducting news conferences and attending rallies for the Democratic presidential contender.

Hard to believe this is the same man who four years ago refused to attend the 2000 Democratic National Convention, saying at the time he "couldn't think of a worse place to be in the middle of summer than Los Angeles.''

Truth be told, Kitzhaber had a rocky relationship with Al Gore, the Democrats' 2000 presidential nominee.

But he decided to get involved in this election because he gets along with Kerry, likes his positions, and wanted to do what he could to get him elected.

For Kitzhaber, the biggest issues during this election were protection of old growth forests and expanded health care for more low-income people.

"There is just a world of difference'' between Kerry and President Bush on those issues,'' Kitzhaber said. "I think I still have some support around the state, and I wanted to use it to help Kerry in any way I could.''

Kitzhaber was also involved in state and local politics. He cut radio ads for Portland City Council contender Sam Adams; he did telephone messages and wrote a newspaper opinion piece against the Measure 37 property compensation plan, and he lent his name to the Measure 35 campaign to try to limit medical malpractice awards.

"I still feel strongly about this state, and I wanted to be as active as I could,'' the former Democratic governor said in an interview.

Kitzhaber had higher visibility in this election than Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a gregarious campaigner who enjoys getting out and pressing the flesh with voters.

Kulongoski spent this election season working more at the grassroots level, making appearances and conducting local fundraisers for Democratic legislative candidates around the state.

"Governor Kulongoski campaigned aggressively for all of our candidates,'' said Neel Pender of the Democratic Party of Oregon. "He helped raise a lot of money for those people.''

Though Kitzhaber's eight-year tenure as governor ended on a sour note amid partisan battles with the Legislature over the budget, Kitzhaber remains a popular figure among Oregon Democrats, Pender said.

"It made a lot of sense for the Kerry campaign to have Kitzhaber out in front as much as possible,'' Pender said. "Kitzhaber is a great symbol for Democrats — a Marlboro man figure who appeals to people on both sides of the urban and rural divide.''

Lisa Sohn, who was Oregon spokeswoman for the Kerry campaign, said Kitzhaber's background as a former emergency room physician and architect of the Oregon Health Plan made him a great asset for Kerry.

"Kitzhaber has a lot of credibility with people on health care, and that was one of the biggest issues for Kerry in Oregon,'' Sohn said.

Kitzhaber's involvement in this year's election doesn't mean he is mounting a political comback.

"I certainly don't have any immediate plans to do that,'' said Kitzhaber, who's staying busy as an advocate for expanded health coverage and sustainable timber harvesting.