Political Chat
Geoff Norcross, OPB political analyst Bill Lunch and Oregonian senior political reporter Jeff Mapes discuss the political events making news each week.
Political Chat: Both Sides Have Something To Hate In Budget
OPB | April 12, 2013 10:55 a.m.
President Obama floated a budget proposal this week which fits the current definition of bipartisanship beautifully. Both sides found something to hate about it.
Political Chat: Indictment, Gov's Proposed Budget News To 'Chew On'
OPB | Dec. 03, 2012 10:37 a.m.
Though the election is mercifully over, there's political news to "chew on" including Gov. John Kitzhaber proposed budget and an indictment against a Clackamas County poll worker.
Political Chat: Gun Debate On Capitol Hill, Salem
OPB | Feb. 01, 2013 11:04 a.m.
This week the gun control debate moved to Capitol Hill, with emotional testimony at hearings. There were echoes in Salem, where a state gun control proposal was unveiled.
Political Chat: NW Lawmakers Consider Gun Laws, Immigrant Tuition
OPB | Feb. 22, 2013 10:05 a.m.
In Salem, advocates for gun control measures are rolling back their goals a bit. Meanwhile, a proposal to offer tuition at in-state rates to undocumented students made progress this week.
Political Chat: 'Sequestions' Abound
OPB | March 01, 2013 11:14 a.m.
The White House and Congressional Republicans still haven't come up with a plan to avert $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts. And the so-called sequestration cuts will begin Friday, if there's no late deal.
Political Chat: Filibuster Fun On The Senate Floor
OPB | March 08, 2013 2:01 p.m.
Now THAT was a filibuster! Rand Paul, Republican Senator from Kentucky, took to the floor just before noon on Wednesday, and started speaking.
Political Chat: Gay Marriage, PERS Cuts And Oregon Voting Law
OPB | March 29, 2013 10:23 a.m.
OPB's political guys join us each Friday to make sense of the political developments of the week. This week we discussed the U.S. Supreme Court's look at gay marriage, as well as issues coming out of the Oregon Legislature in Salem.
Political Chat: Filibusters, The Oregon Legislature And Roe V. Wade
OPB | Jan. 25, 2013 11:46 a.m.
It's Friday, and time to look back on the week in Northwest politics.
Political Chat: Guns And Gun Laws
OPB | Jan. 18, 2013 9:30 a.m.
Political analyst Bill Lunch and Oregonian political reporter Jeff Mapes joined OPB's Geoff Norcross to discuss guns and control efforts.
Political Chat: Back From The Abyss
OPB | Jan. 04, 2013 12:32 p.m.
The arrival of the New Year was hardly a cause for celebration on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers peered over the “Fiscal Cliff” of automatic tax increases and spending cuts. They pulled back from the abyss with a late compromise.
Political Chat: Reviewing Top Stories Of 2012
OPB | Dec. 27, 2012 2:15 p.m.
Geoff Norcross spoke with OPB Political Analyst Bill Lunch and Jeff Mapes, the senior political reporter for The Oregonian.
Political Chat: Gun Debate, Nike Taxes On Minds Of Oregonians
OPB | Dec. 14, 2012 11:20 a.m.
Gun law is thrust into the headlines after the deadly shooting at the Clackamas Town Center. Our political guys talk about that and other news in Oregon in their weekly chat.
Political Chat: Guns, Nike On Minds Of Oregonians
OPB | Dec. 21, 2012 10:23 a.m.
Gun control proposals are being considered in Salem and the Oregon legislature has approved a tax proposal to benefit Nike.
Political Chat: Gay Marriage Makes History In Washington
OPB | Dec. 07, 2012 11:56 a.m.
The biggest political story in the northwest this week was the official start of same-sex marriages in Washington.
Political Chat: Washington State Brings Drama To Elections
OPB | Nov. 09, 2012 11:14 a.m.
If you like your elections with a lot of drama, Washington state was the place to be this week.
Political Chat: Northwest Issues Still Worth Another Look
OPB | Oct. 26, 2012 11:21 a.m.
While the national campaigns are spending a lot of time and money in the swing states, the Northwest has some political developments worth another look.
Political Chat: Smith, Fluoride And CRC Hot Topics This Week
Oct. 13, 2012 midnight
The race to be Portland’s next mayor is touching on police behavior, the Columbia River Crossing and even fluoride in the water. But the big talking point appears to be an incident involving Jefferson Smith, when he was a student at the University of Oregon.
Political Chat: Sen. Wyden In The Presidential Debate
Oct. 05, 2012 10:06 a.m.
The first debate between the presidential candidates was on Wednesday. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney talked about a range of domestic issues in their 90-minute debate.
Political Chat: TV Ads, Debate Over Voter ID, Portland PD
Sept. 28, 2012 11:29 a.m.
The leaves are turning color, the footballs are flying, and the TV is telling you how to vote. It's fall during an election year.
Political Chat: Conventions, Fluoride And More
Sept. 07, 2012 4:45 a.m.
Jeff Mapes and Paul Gronke discuss Oregon and national politics.
Political Chat: 'The New Jersey Of The West'?
Aug. 31, 2012 3:23 a.m.
The Republican National Convention is over, and Mitt Romney has secured the nomination of his party for president.
Political Chat: Missouri Comments Echo In Northwest Politics
Aug. 24, 2012 7:45 a.m.
The week in politics was dominated by the comments of Republican Representative Todd Akin of Missouri, who said in a TV interview that a woman’s body is capable of preventing pregnancy in cases of “legitimate rape.” Akin is running for the U.S. Senate and many people in both parties called on him to drop out.
Political Chat: The Wyden Connection, Non-Endorsements And Sales Tax
Aug. 17, 2012 3:28 a.m.
The Ryan-Wyden connection, The O's presidential non-endorsement decision and talk of a statewide sales tax.
Money And Power: Political Chat Takes Aim
Aug. 03, 2012 3 a.m.
It didn't take long for the Oregon ballot measures to start getting politicized. Those opposing the initiative to abolish the Oregon estate tax say it would have unintended consequences.
Political Chat: Presidential Visit Tops Week In Politics
July 27, 2012 3:12 a.m.
President Obama’s West Coast swing included a stop in Portland. In a speech at the Oregon Convention Center, Mr. Obama told the party faithful that U.S. economic policy shouldn't favor companies that ship jobs overseas.
Political Chat: Obama To Visit; Cameron Steps Down
July 20, 2012 6:21 a.m.
OPB’s Political Analyst Bill Lunch and The Oregonian's senior political reporter Jeff Mapes discuss the president's trip to Portland and political party musical chairs in Salem.
Political Chat: Deportations, Contributions And Relationships With Aides
OPB | June 15, 2012 3:21 a.m.
This morning, we're following a major announcement from the Obama administration, which affects up to 800,000 young illegal immigrants.
Political Chat: Women Leaders; Romney Money
OPB | June 10, 2012 3:47 a.m.
This week, Governor Kitzhaber appointed Oregon’s first female Attorney General, former judge Ellen Rosenblum. She was picked to fill out the term, after John Kroger stepped down to become the president of Reed College. She said she wants to make the transition go as smoothly as possible.
Political Chat: Liquor Initiatives and Education Czar
OPB | June 01, 2012 8:07 a.m.
Politics and hard liquor often go together. Just ask Winston Churchill. But closer to home and our own time, Washingtonians can buy liquor in supermarkets, beginning today. The state supreme court narrowly approved a liquor privatization initiative yesterday. Can Oregon be far behind.
Political Chat: Where Have All The Voters Gone?
OPB | May 18, 2012 1:32 a.m.
Oregon's primary election decided some races and sent others to runoffs. But it also spurred questions: namely -- where were all the voters?
Political Chat: What Are Oregon Voters Thinking?
OPB | May 11, 2012 1 a.m.
The Oregon primary election will conclude on Tuesday, and pollsters have had a hard time getting a handle on just who the voters have supported or are likely to support.
Political Chat: A Close Race For Mayor And A Huge Medicaid Deal
OPB | May 04, 2012 6:15 a.m.
If you like your elections with a healthy dose of drama, the Portland Mayoral race might be the one to watch.
Political Chat: AG Kroger Trades Court For Campus
OPB | April 27, 2012 3:08 a.m.
When John Kroger announced he was not going to run for reelection as Oregon's Attorney General, many wondered what he would do instead. Now we know.
Political Chat: LNG, PDX And A Race For Supreme Court
OPB | April 20, 2012 12:38 a.m.
You can find politics in just about anything. At least, our political guys can.
Political Chat: Talking Dollars & Sense
OPB | April 13, 2012 2:48 a.m.
The Northwest political news was dominated this week by money: who has it, how they're spending it, and what legislatures do when they're short of it.
Political Chat: Spring Week Brings No Break From Politics
OPB | March 30, 2012 4 a.m.
The Supreme Court, the presidential race, and big name speakers at Oregon universities are among the topics of our political chat this week.
Political Chat: Whatever The Weather, Politics Plays On
OPB | March 23, 2012 4:50 a.m.
Spring officially sprung this week, but nobody told the weather. Snow, rain and cold weather presented the opportunity to look inward to another week of political developments in Oregon.
Political Chat: Jeff, Geoff And Bill Talk Debate, Timber Money
OPB | March 16, 2012 7:17 a.m.
Geoff, Bill and Jeff talk debate, timber payments and Washington state politics Friday.
Political Chat: Sine Die, Super Tuesday Mark Busy Week
OPB | March 09, 2012 4:11 a.m.
The regular session of the Oregon legislature ended in the traditional way this week.
Political Chat: Kitzhaber Not Thrilled, Washington Caucuses Ahead
OPB | Feb. 25, 2012 11:33 p.m.
Gov. Kitzhaber is not thrilled with the way the Legislative session is going. With less than a week to go, three of his major initiatives are stalled: one relating to health care, two to education.
Political Chat: Timber Payments, Health Care, GOP In The NW
OPB | Feb. 17, 2012 2:35 p.m.
Geoff Nocross talks politics with Jeff Mapes and Bill Lunch.
Political Chat: GOP Primary In Florida And Gay Marriage In Olympia
OPB | Feb. 03, 2012 2:37 a.m.
It seems the biggest political news was coming from opposite corners of the country this week. Mitt Romney easily won the important Florida GOP primary on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, the Washington state senate voted to approve a same-sex marriage bill.
Political Chat: Big Day Close For CD-1 Candidates
OPB | Jan. 27, 2012 6:23 a.m.
Don't worry. It will all be over soon.
You've probably heard the ads for and against the top candidates in Oregon's First Congressional District special election. But the end of voting comes with the end of the month.
Political Chat: All Eyes On So. Carolina This Week
OPB | Jan. 20, 2012 5:46 a.m.
Record flooding in the Northwest was not the only news this week. Plenty of political news was swirling around, especially in South Carolina as four candidates head toward Saturday's election.
Political Chat: Iowa, Gay Marriage, AG Race Make For Interesting Week
AP | Jan. 06, 2012 5:51 a.m.
The first week of 2012 was one of many interesting political weeks you'll get this year.
Political Chat: Congress Refuses To Play Grinch This Year
OPB | Dec. 23, 2011 3:07 a.m.
It was a bruising fight, but both Houses of Congress passed a deal to extend the payroll tax holiday and jobless benefits, for two months anyway. This is a national story, but there are some important regional Northwest connections.
Political Chat: Strange Bedfellows, Better Employment Numbers
OPB | Dec. 16, 2011 5:03 a.m.
Strange bedfellows and employment numbers were among the topics Friday for Geoff, Jeff and Bill.
Political Chat: Only Two Things Still Certain -- Death And Taxes
OPB | Dec. 08, 2011 10 p.m.
The week in politics had a lot to do with those two sure things: death and taxes.
Washington legislators and Gov. Gregoire debated raising the state sales tax by half a percent while cutting the state budget.
Political Chat: Lariviere, Independent Endorsements, Bull Run Water
OPB | Dec. 02, 2011 2:07 a.m.
University of Oregon president Richard Lariviere was very publicly fired by the state board of higher education this week. For Dr. Lariviere, it's an opportunity to go back to the classroom.
Political Chat: Occupying A Bad Revenue Forecast
OPB | Nov. 18, 2011 1:05 a.m.
The "Occupy" movement has been making news in Portland and many other cities over the last month and a half. It's a wide-ranging story, touching on the law, the Constitution, legislative reform, and more.
Political Chat: A Mayoral Maybe And Some Income Gap Rage
OPB | Nov. 04, 2011 6:28 a.m.
Portland political watchers were watching the mayoral race this week, and they got a definite "maybe".
Political Chat: 1st District And Will Washington Privatize Liquor?
OPB | Oct. 27, 2011 11 p.m.
If you listen closely on the Oregon coast, you'll hear amidst the gusty winds and swelling seas the sound of a game of musical chairs. Oregon House co-Speaker Arnie Roblan -- who represents a district on the Coast -- announced that next year, he’ll run for the state Senate.
Political Chat: CD-1, Kroger Top Week's News
OPB | Oct. 21, 2011 4:40 a.m.
In this week's political chat, Geoff Norcross talks CD-1 and news John Kroger won't run again with Jeff Mapes and Bill Lunch.
Q&A: Romney Visit, Free Trade Highlight Political Chat
OPB | Oct. 14, 2011 5:49 a.m.
Mitt Romney visits the Northwest and a mixed vote on free trade top political news this week. Morning Edition host Geoff Norcross talks politics with Bill Lunch and Jeff Mapes.
Political Chat: Money & Politics Walk Hand-In-Hand
OPB | Oct. 07, 2011 2:39 a.m.
Money and politics were walking hand-in-hand through the Oregon rain this week.
Political Chat: Fall Brings New Beginnings In Northwest Politics
OPB | Sept. 23, 2011 12:16 a.m.
It's September, a month for beginnings. Fall begins today. School begins for kids, the TV season is underway. In Northwest politics this week, there were both beginnings and endings.
Political Chat: As The Weather Cools, The Campaigns Heat Up
OPB | Sept. 15, 2011 11 p.m.
The mayoral race in Portland has another entrant, the voter lines in Washington could shift dramatically soon, and we have a kindler, gentler GOP in Oregon, at least when it comes to gays.
Political Chat: Governor Kitzhaber Gives A Back-To-School Speech
OPB | Sept. 08, 2011 11 p.m.
This week, the kids headed back to school -- so Governor Kitzhaber chose this week to talk education. Meanwhile, initiative activists may be preparing another attempt to prevent unions from collecting campaign contributions through payroll deductions.
Political Chat: Fall Brings New Focus On The Blurry World Politics
OPB | Sept. 02, 2011 2:33 a.m.
It's the season of hard-won victories, agonizing defeats and even a few tangles with the law. But enough about the Oregon Ducks. Summer kind of ends with Labor Day, and that always brings a new focus on politics.
OPB Political Chat: District One Debate, New Public Union Contract
OPB | Aug. 26, 2011 2:55 a.m.
You could say the news of the week was all about the West Coast feeling smug: You call that an earthquake? No hurricanes here! We've got Congressional candidates campaigning already, so there!
Political Chat: Oregon's 1st, Kitz's Cannon, Obama's Approvals
OPB | Aug. 19, 2011 4:53 a.m.
The pace is supposed to slow in life and politics during the dog days of summer. But our political guys can't help themselves, and they're going to leave the hammock empty for another week.
Political Chat: Remembering A Great Oregon Statesman
OPB | Aug. 11, 2011 11 p.m.
The political news of the week was dominated by the death of former Oregon Governor and Senator Mark Hatfield, but there were other developments.
Political Chat: Campaign Contributions
OPB | July 15, 2011 6:38 a.m.
If money truly is the mother's milk of politics, milking season is under way in Oregon. Geoff Norcross reviews the latest developments with Bill Lunch and Jeff Mapes.
Political Chat: Who's Out?
OPB | Aug. 05, 2011 4:23 a.m.
The looming election cycle might be more interesting for who's out than who's in.
Political Chat: 'Sine Die!' What Got Done?
OPB | July 01, 2011 2:15 a.m.
The gavel has come down on the 2011 Oregon Legislative session. House and Senate leaders formally closed the session Thursday afternoon.
Political Chat: Pace Quickens As Legislative Session Draws To A Close
OPB | June 24, 2011 1:45 a.m.
Anybody looking for a source of alternative energy could have plugged into the Oregon Legislature this week. Lawmakers and the governor have been in a near frenzy as the session draws toward a close.
Political Chat: Education, Guns And Governor Gregoire
OPB | June 16, 2011 11 p.m.
Among the feverish activity at the Oregon capitol this week -- education politics playing out behind closed doors and in a very public spat.
Political Chat: Redistricting, Insurance And An A.G.'s Hat In The Ring
OPB | June 09, 2011 11 p.m.
All kinds of political intrigue this week. Things are so interesting here, we don't even need to talk about Anthony Weiner.
Political Chat: Another Eventful Week In Salem
OPB | June 02, 2011 11 p.m.
It was an eventful week in Salem.
A long investigation into the state Department of Energy ended with a whimper, not a bang.
Political Chat: Bottle Bill, Kicker Changes, Olympia Budget
OPB | May 26, 2011 11 p.m.
Yes, Memorial Day weekend is upon us, even though you wouldn't know it by the weather. But the cold and the wet haven't doused the spirits of politicians in Salem and Olympia, who were bubbling with activity this week.
Political Chat: Good News On Revenues, The Wrestling Starts On Redistricting
OPB | May 12, 2011 11 p.m.
It’s not as if the Oregon Department of Revenue was doing cartwheels Thursday, but it had a rare bit of good news. According to the latest revenue forecast, Oregon will have about $129 million more to spend in the next budget cycle.
Political Chat: Kicker Checks And The Bottle Bill On The Agenda
OPB | May 06, 2011 6 a.m.
This may go down as the week the Oregon legislature decided to take a whack at iconic Oregon laws.
The state legislature is working on revisions to Oregon’s bottle bill. And elsewhere in the capitol, a budget deal is being struck that includes changes to the kicker law.
Political Chat: From Education Funding To YouTube Sensation
OPB | April 14, 2011 11 p.m.
The Oregon legislature voted on spending plans for education this week. The Senate unanimously passed a plan for funding K-12 schools at a level of $5.7 billion.
Political Chat: No Shutdown In Salem
OPB | April 08, 2011 2:36 a.m.
Never mind what's happening on Capitol Hill. Oregon's government is in no danger of shutting down.
Political Chat: Wu's Privacy And Funeral Protest Legislation
OPB | March 03, 2011 10 p.m.
Oregon Congressman David Wu spent last weekend and the early part of this week on something of a "mea culpa" tour. He wasn't completely forthcoming, though.
Political Chat: The Weird Week Of Wu
OPB | Feb. 24, 2011 11 p.m.
Even more than usual, the political news this week had us looking up synonyms for “strange”.
Political Chat: The President's In Town
OPB | Feb. 17, 2011 10 p.m.
Down the road in Salem, Governor Kitzhaber decides not to purge state agency directors, but he is thinking about ways to fund at least one of those agencies.
Political Chat: The Huge Elephant In The Legislative Chambers
OPB | Jan. 26, 2011 10 p.m.
The 2011 legislative session is about to start in Salem, but lawmakers might have a hard time squeezing into the chamber...what with, you know, the huge elephant.
Political Chat: A Week Of Personnel Changes
OPB | Jan. 06, 2011 10 p.m.
This week, politics has been all about personnel changes.
Political Chat: Oregon's In A Death Spiral?
OPB | Dec. 16, 2010 10 p.m.
As the year draws toward a close, Governor-elect -- and Doctor -- John Kitzhaber delivered a grim diagnosis of prospects for Oregon, saying the state is in a "death spiral." In a speech to the Oregon Business Summit, Kitzhaber also showed some optimism.
Political Chat: Ballots Are In The Mail, What Will You Do With Yours?
OPB | Oct. 15, 2010 12:56 a.m.
Oregon ballots will go out in the mail starting Friday, and there’s no shortage of newspaper editors and political action committees telling you how to fill it out.
Friday Political Chat
OPB | July 15, 2010 6:14 a.m.
For the moment, oil is no longer spewing into the Gulf of Mexico. So we can turn our attention to other toxic substances bubbling up to the surface. Politics in Oregon, for example.
OPB Political Chat: Budget Cuts, The Independent Party And Casinos
OPB | June 04, 2010 2:45 a.m.
All the rain we got this week was nothing compared to the buckets of cold water being thrown on state agencies.
Friday Political Chat: Oregon Governor's Race Is Shaping Up
OPB | Dec. 04, 2009 3:37 a.m.
Yes, the Civil War game was exciting, and my prediction of an Oregon team going to the Rose Bowl came true. But we're going to talk about another Oregon contest this morning.
Political Chat
April 12, 2013 12:13 p.m.
Geoff Norcross, OPB political analyst Bill Lunch and Oregonian senior political reporter Jeff Mapes discuss the political events making news each week.
Political Chat: Casino Campaign Falters, Voter Registration Surges
Oct. 19, 2012 11:54 a.m.
Voter registration, the casino measures and the race for Secretary of State are in the news this week.
Political Chat: Dissecting The Polls As Election Day Looms
OPB | Nov. 02, 2012 11:41 a.m.
A full year of campaigning has come down to this: a final weekend of voting in Oregon and Washington.
Political Chat: Out Of The Campaign And Into The Chaos
OPB | Nov. 16, 2012 11:30 a.m.
Political junkies know that the weeks just following an election often feel remarkably similar to a hangover after weeks, if not months, of serious drinking.
