Bill Currier was recently selected as the new chair of the Oregon Republican Party. He spoke to OPB for about 25 minutes on a host of issues, ranging from education, regulation and social issues. Here’s six key points we learned from his visit.
1. The Oregon Republican Party is working hard to rebrand itself as the education party.
While statehouse Republicans have been arguing for more funding toward education since the beginning of the legislative session (and even telling people "I told you so" on the kicker rebates), Currier made the forceful GOP argument for more education funding during his interview with OPB.
"Because education is important, and we’re not fairing well as a state in education, we’re near the bottom, clearly we need to provide better educational opportunities," says Currier. "The fact that we're dealing with education this late in the session is indicative of the low priority that the controlling members of the Legislature have put on education issues. Why are we dealing with education this late in the game?"
Currier also spoke out against the lack of local control in the Common Core educational program. "Common Core is a big concern here in Oregon, because it reduces the ability of local standards to be developed and implemented," says Currier . “It’s a one-size-fits-all sort of approach. While the concept of Common Core is good, those standards should be flexible so that there’s still local control and that we’re not just teaching to the test."
Currier also spoke in favor of charter schools, and public funding for private schools. "The options should be available to people," Currier says. "Clearly we support (public education), we've put a priority in funding it here in Oregon. That's not to say we should remove options."
2. The Oregon GOP does not want to talk abortion, same-sex marriage and other social issues.
The most awkward and tense portion of the interview came when Currier was pressed on abortion and same-sex marriage. He tried to pivot away from answering questions about social issues, and instead talk about economic issues. When it was pointed out to him that social issues are considered to be a loser for the GOP, especially in the west, Currier mentioned that social issues are divisive for all Americans.
That led to this exchange:
“OPB: Is it ironic to you that abortion and same-sex marriage were used as wedge issues in 2000 and 2004 as a way to drive voters to the polls in places like Florida and Ohio, and now they're being used as wedge issues by Democrats, especially in the West, in California and Oregon, to keep voters away from your party and donors from giving to your campaign?
Currier: Well, you got to remember that the Republican Party stands for a certain percent of the population.
OPB: Where does the Oregon party stand on abortion?
Currier: We represent the side that is opposed, generally, to abortion.”
Currier suggested that a GOP office holder wouldn’t look to reverse current policy on same-sex marriage or abortion. "One thing that the Republican Party particularly here in Oregon, is trying to do, is make sure that whatever government does, it does not enforce a particular perspective on people who don’t support that perspective," says Currier.
3. GOP leaders know they have a long way to go before they can sing this song.
… and Currier seems to know the return to political relevancy is going to take a lot of small victories strung together.
"We do have fantastic opportunities with an extra shot at the governor’s seat in 2016, and a number of statewide seats," says Currier. "At the county, district or state level, (people) are very interested in seeing a change of direction. And what we’re learning is that small successes lead to larger success."
4. Oregon's GOP is putting some daylight between itself and the national party.
On social issues, education, and even the general role of government, Currier broke with national party leaders and emphasized the "independent spirit" of Oregon’s Republican Party.
"Well, while we share a platform with the National Republican Party, the state Republican Party has different priorities, and education needs to be at the top here in Oregon," says Currier.
A recent OPB poll shows Democrat-leaning voters outnumber Republican-leaning voters by about 8 percent.
5. There's not a consensus GOP presidential candidate.
Currier was quizzed on all the major GOP candidates, and asked to sum up their appeal to voters. He wouldn’t speculate which direction Republicans might go when it comes time to nominate their Presidential candidate.
"I think the Republican Party should be commended for having a number of candidates to choose from, instead of a coronation," says Currier.
6. Currier is a cautious advocate for GOP causes.
During the interview, Currier had numerous opportunities to rhetorically broadside Democrats – including Gov. Kate Brown and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Instead, Currier opted to mute criticism and focus on what the GOP is offering as long-term strategies. This tact of muted and thoughtful minority party opposition suggests that Currier is more interested in building the party than his own brand for a future run.
"I am keeping my focus on turning the Oregon Republican Party around," says Currier. "(Success will be measured) when we are winning more elections, restoring some balance to the Oregon Legislature, when we take several statewide offices, when our party is seeing that the policies of the last 20 or 30 years are starting to change.”
