Oregon Media Insiders

Congratulations Rick and best wishes in the future. You've been a valuable part of the Eugene news community and many people's lives in Oregon. Heck, you've been a stronghold at the station since I started watching TV. Good luck on your journey!

Dancer is not my cup o'tea but he is a community fixture in the Eugene/Springfield area. He was due a big on air tribute...but he was campaigning BIG TIME! He basically laid out his platform, and gave bullet points as to why he should win Secretary of State. Will KEZI have to run an open forum for his challengers? Good luck to Rick, but something just wasn't right about that newscast. Oh, yeah, the RG article also reads like a publicist’s press release. Guess we know who they'll be voting for.

They have Rick's announcement video and a top 5 stories package up on KEZI's website.

http://www.kezi.com/thanksrick.aspx

It seems to me a KEZI anchor resigned to run for Secretary of State 20 years ago. Don??? What happened to him after he ran? He certainly couldn't go back to TV.

Always a sad story when someone leaves the news business for a life of crime.

KEZI anchor Don Clark was also convinced by the Republican Party that he had a chance to win Secretary of State. He won Lane County(as Rick might) but was creamed elsewhere. He lost, went broke, and eventually landed on his feet again in Fresno.

Can any Republican win this seat? Someday maybe when the Iraq War and GW are forgotten. But this is 2008 and the question is can a GOP newsman with no political experience win?

No.

It's sad to me that Oregon's Republican party was so desperate for candidates that they played on a decent man's ego and convinced Rick to enter this race. He'll make some good speeches, shake a lot of hands, put in an admirable effort---and be eaten alive.

I hope his "plan b" is a good one.

Rick Dancer is a stand-up guy. I'm considering voting for him, because I know him personally, and let me tell you: He's a nice person. I feel like he'd be a great decision maker. That's that.

I'm a friend of Rick's, and nobody in the GOP convinced him or "played on a decent man's ego" to run for Secretary of State. Rick felt it was a calling that he wanted to go for, and he's passionate about it. Rick has been talking about getting into politics for well over two-years now.

It's not like the democratic candidates are well-know, or have huge political advantages over Rick. Vicki Walker, Kate Brown, Brad Avakian and Rick Metzger are not familiar names to people outside of their own districts. I think Rick Dancer has an advantage because while those three battle it out for their party's nomination, Rick can quietly campaign and get his message out. He'll have a jump-start!

"Can any Republican win this seat? Someday maybe when the Iraq War and GW are forgotten. But this is 2008 and the question is can a GOP newsman with no political experience win?"

I'll give you that if it were still 2006 when the Republicans were trounced by dems all across the country. GW is almost forgoten as McCain, Clinton, and Obama get more attention than the President anyway, and there's been very little news coverage from Iraq because it's entering its most peaceful time since before the war began (not to mention the fact that national polls show that the war in Iraq is not even among the top 5 concerns for the American public!) Democrats have horrible approval ratings in Congress (along with the R's), so I just don't believe your above statement carries credence any longer.

No, Rick has no political experience. But who does when they start out? Personally, I don't vote for somebody because they've been in politics for 20-years, nor do I believe that most people vote that way. I believe people are looking for someone who is believable, trustworthy, passionate, and gives them hope. I believe Rick can deliver all of those things, and more!

By the way, Rick knew from the beginning that everyone would go after him and critisize him for having no political experience. Trust me, not only is Rick prepared for that, so is the GOP who wouldn't be behind Rick if they didn't think he had a chance.

So what if he loses? Life goes on, and so will Rick. What fun would there be in life if you never took any risks or chances!

Dancer can finance a run for statewide office against a Democratic legislator with some $150,000 in her campaign war chest?

Wow, now I know who got all the money at KEZI.

The fact that Vickie Walker narrowly beat Jim Torrey in Eugene isn't a plus for Rick. Torrey is well known, well liked and more importantly, experienced. Vickie sucks but she still beat him. It wasn't her record but the little "d" by her name that won for her.

So it's possible that Rick will even have a hard time winning Lane County if Walker runs. If Lane County's in doubt what can he expect from do or die Multnomah County?

As for Republicans thinking Rick has a good shot---do you really think they believed that when they ran Bill Sizemore for Governor?

The Oregon GOP is avoiding embarrassment by finally fielding a Secretary of State candidate in Rick Dancer. There's a difference between avoiding embarrassment and expecting to win. Rick needs to campaign as though he has a legitimate shot but history isn't on his side.

You don't use all of your own personal money to run a campaign. Most of it is raised by political endorsements and other donations.

"Wow, now I know who got all the money at KEZI."

Get over yourself!

Who are you to say that Rick can't raise that amount, or more?

Anybody know what the issues will be regarding the SoS race and why the candidates are particularly well suited for the position? Frankly, the pols look like they're jumping before getting termed out and really, honestly, I think an anchor in Eugene can make a bigger impact on quality of life for Oregonians than a SoS can. So I really don't get it.

I like Rick too, he's very nice and I wouldn't even mind if he were Mayor down here. But I wouldn't elect him governor, and by becoming Secretary of State he would be next in line if something happened to Teddy ; )

This from something called Rino Watch concerning Rick's appearance on Lars Larsen.

If you didn't hear Lars Larson's interview today with Republican Oregon Secretary of State candidate, Rick Dancer, you missed hearing from a TOTALLY uninformed and Weak candidate.
Dancer's answers to Lars questions were pathetic regarding this:
Lars: Should Oregonians have to prove their US Citizenship to register to vote?
Dancer: (after a pause) Gee don't we have to already? I thought that is already the law......
Sorry folks, Rick Dancer ain't the guy for Republicans......rw

Folks (especially you soon-to-be graduates out there):

Don't ever leave a well-paying, highly successful job before finding another job to go to. Chances are you will be left with debt and a heavy heart.

The problem with all of you is that you have no vision; you don't know how to dream. Having a dream means jumping out in faith, wading through deep waters to follow a passion and a desire you long for. Dreams aren't always realistic, and they certainly aren't logical; dreams are never meant to err on the side of caution.

As for the lack of experience issue....bla, bla, bla, bla, bla! As Shaggy would say to Scooby, "Zoikes! Like, what's up with that?" Experience does not automatically qualify you as one who is truly a servant to the people.

All of your comments are typical of detractors who lead only with your head and no heart - that's the difference between all of you and Rick. Life isn't always about doing what makes sense. Where's the adventure in that?

Are some of you seriously so naive to think that Rick doesn't undestand the uphill battle, or that he doesn't have a plan if he loses? Please! For some reason, people are convinced that Rick is an afterthought, or a last-minute throw in for the race. Trust me, there's been a lot more groundwork and preparation for this than any of you realize.

I love it when people make comments about stuff they know nothing about - your ignorance is laughable.

What was the name of the cute blonde who was a KEZI anchor in the early 2000s? One of the djs at 97.9 fm had a crush on her and would include her in challenges for listeners to get tickets. One of the needed items a few times was her signed business card or something else from her. That made Eugene media funny and entertaining for a little while.

Yeah, that's what we need in a candidate for Secretary of State: someone who's unrealistic, illogical and inexperienced.

YOUR ignorance is laughable, my friend.

"The standard practice is that the person resigns or takes a leave of absence at least a couple of days before they make their announcement independently from the station," she said.

"The problem is that the news staff, the people who are supposed to be providing fair, distanced, clear-eyed coverage of political campaigns, apparently have been co-opted into one of their own staff members' campaigns," McBride said.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Obviously, this McBride guy has no clue what he's talking about and is insinuating that people in the newsroom knew about Rick's campgain prior to his resignation. Nobody, not one person in that newsroom knew Rick was running for SOS until the day he announced. (In fact, KEZI ownership didn't even know until a few weeks ago when Rick had to talk with them about leaving.)

As for co-opted? What a crock! Rick made his announcement for less than five minutes, and only a small part of it talked about his campgain for SOS. It was more about Rick leaving after 20 years, and why. The problem with the above quotes from this McBride guy is that the RG is searching for some dirt that doesn't exist, and they went to a source that has no knowledge of the situation, and is from Florida for God's sake! There's gotta be someone at the U of O who could've provided local reaction to the issue. The only thing this guy could really say is that the station's treatment of Rick's resignation was not "standard practice." Gee, nothing unethical, is there? Of course not, and they won't find anything.

You know, here's something funny: when the other four democratic candidates announced their candidacy, like Vikki Walker, they didn't get the media attention that Rick's getting. In fact, the RG didn't do a front-page story on Walker, like they did with Rick. Is that fair? Maybe the RG should take a good look at itself, and it's "unfair" coverage of the candidates, rather than running a sophomoric story that has aboslutely no legs and purpose whatsoever. What a stupid story!

But it would be nice for everyone else in broadcasting if the dreamer did some homework before sounding like an airhead on the Lars Larson Show.

It's interesting that detractors are criticized because they "Lead with their heads not with their hearts..." Rick, the SOS office won't be like ad-libbing your way through a March Of Dimes telethon. It really does take some brains to be in charge of a government office with a budget and staff. Have you considered what would happen if you actually won the election? Do you really know what the Secretary Of State does? Do you think you'd just be speaking at luncheons? I'm sorry, but saying "Life isn't always about doing what makes sense" is hardly the attitude I look for in a high ranking state official.

No doubt you have a fall back option. No doubt you've been planning this for a long time (while remaining on the air. Meaning, I guess, the RG was correct to carry their recent very critical article.) We hear your salary continues for another year and that suggests at least some preparation. But what are you going to do if you're challenged to a debate? The Lars Larson show and the Register Guard were just the beginning. You could be facing nine months of death by a thousand cuts.

Godspeed.

No one wanted to believe it but for months the entire KEZI newsroom knew Rick was running for office. A year ago he was still talking about a run for governor. His interest in Secretary of State was not just talked about in the newsroom but it was even out in the community.

If the RG wants to take this further they'd just have to run down the names on a KEZI employee directory.

If Rick told someone otherwise...

Thomas,

I like how you take my words completely out of context. I guess you couldn't come up with anything original!

Lynn,

As for the wrong pronoun reference, honest mistake. (Oh, BTW, aren't you the one who tells people not to nitpick about mispelled words and simple gramatical errors?)

"Yeah, that's what we need in a candidate for Secretary of State: someone who's unrealistic, illogical and inexperienced."

"YOUR ignorance is laughable, my friend."

Again, I love it when people take things out of context to make a point. It's funny how nobody can actually come up with some valid reasons why Rick wouldn't make a good candidate. What do you know about him, and his lack of experience? What kind of experience do you expect in a SOS candidate?

If you want to have a good debate about the issue, let's go for it!

Good grief. You'd think any of this matters? If Oregonians want to elect a television dude for SOS, they get what they deserve. Treating television "news" like it matters? Sigh.

Reading some of the comments from the stories about Dancer's move doesn't reflect very well on the station. Saying you don't know about your bosses political leanings, your co-workers plans etc. either marks you as an pretty poor journalist or a liar.
And there is another story out there - all the GOP stalwarts who have been giving their time and money to the party, campaigning, attending meetings and being involved in the party for years getting pushed aside for someone from the liberal media.
Either the GOP thinks its a lost cause and nobody else wanted it or the party is throwing a Hail Mary.

I think the above poster makes excellent points regarding the ethics or unprofessionalism (is that a word?) of Rick's decision to use his position as a news professional to announce his candidacy. It shows a lack of respect for those of us still in the business, and reflects poorly on his own code of ethics (though as a politician I suppose he no longer has one).

Just a reminder for those of us still sticking with it: http://www.spj.org/ethics.asp

Rick should not return to anchoring or reporting after he loses the SOS office.

It would be unethical and inapproriate to return to journalism after running a political campaign. He might be hired as a tv commentator or republican political analyst. But, once you air all your political opinions, your credibility is shot as a fair and unbiased journalist.

I'd be disappointed to see him back in any anchor chair because that would reflect badly on all journalists. It is hard enough now to convince viewers that tv news isn't just the "liberal media" or the "Fox News Right."

I'm sure Rick will land on his feet and find a way to turn his Eugene fame into a successful career.

If you're worried about liberal media or a liberal in government don't worry about Rick. He is a conservatie, churchgoing, godly man. He is against abortion, against gay marriage. His wife is a stay at home mom because Rick and Kathy believe that's what God wanted for his family. I applaud them for all of the above. At one time Rick even founded a loosely organized group that sought to counteract left leaning media. All this while doing a great job as a newscaster!

If you ever get a chance to see Rick speak before a church group I encourage you to do it. He is dynamic and unafraid to tell of his commitment to God. I may or may not like him as a candidate for Secretary Of State but I have never doubted his Godliness.

He definitely is not a liberal and he'll tell you that straight out.

Someone who runs for an elective office with a party's flag should NOT be allowed to be a news anchor. It's called The Fourth Estate. You're supposed to be neutral (notice I didn't say unbiased because so many people get their boxers in a bunch when you say the news media is unbiased ... although they should be) and we're supposed to be a watchdog of the other three Estates. Rick may be a great guy, a stand-up guy, and honest guy, a Family Guy, a Christian guy, a vote-for-him guy ... but he should not be in a newsroom as a reporter or anchor again. That's just my opinion and, as we all know, I'm never right. I applaud Rick's perfect life, and I hope he shows well in the election ... but he's now a political animal, rather than a news animal.

Diane Sawyer worked for Nixon. Bill Moyers and Pierre Salinger worked under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Brian Williams was in intern for Carter....just saying it's not unheard of.

Now, see, you've dissed Lars Larson in your "defense" of Rick Dancer. Isn't Lars also a "great guy, a stand-up guy, an honest guy, a Family Guy, a Christian guy?" What is Rick that Lars is or isn't?? Remember, Rick willingly appreared on Lars' show. Will Rick become Secretary of State? That remains to be seen. I'm 99.9 percent sure he won't. By the way, I really, really didn't get your Google reference. "His long-proven iron constitution for fairness is unaffected by exposure to the elements of bare-fisted politics. I trust Rick completely after witnessing 20 years of his responsible journalism." You like him. We get it. Please come clean and tell us your relationship with him. Friend? Family?