Category: Newsroom

Yes, yesterday I bungled Lars Larson’s question regarding IP 43.

Those of you who know me understand I don’t shy away from admitting mistakes, but my mistake yesterday was one of garbled message, not of belief or commitment.

OF COURSE the Constitution is inviolate and is the ultimate arbiter of our rule of law! If a law is created that does not conform to the Constitution, it’s not a law. Thomas Jefferson said it; I believe that in my guts and will never change my mind about it.

It is the Constitution that matters. In the 40 seconds I was given to answer the question, I chose to jump to a higher level than the actual question re gun laws, and then I got stuck there. The question that was posed could not be answered properly in a few seconds.

And yes, again, I accept responsibility for not handling it well.

My “higher level?” The point I decided was most important in that instant? It’s that this is a country of laws and that a leader cannot just pick and choose what laws to follow. In the few seconds I had to answer, I decided that was the first important point I must make.

Then I ran out of time and couldn’t get to my second point re 43.

Buehler and Wooldridge? Their jovial sound-bite statements were simple, that they would violate a law when it fitted their interests. Not a principled stance. In fact, that positioning is condescending to the rest of us: arrogant and stupid.

Yet again: my answer to Lars’ question yesterday was incomplete, not at all what I believe in my belly. I own that.

IP 43? If it passes by a vote of the people, of course I will aggressively challenge it – but I will challenge in the courts, not by executive proclamation, nor will I just ignore it. Executive dictates – ignoring our laws – is what Obama and Brown and all the rest of the progressive far-left does. We ARE a nation of laws. We don’t have kings in America. I would take the unconstitutional law all the way to the Supreme Court, fighting tooth and nail – and in the meantime, no one would have guns confiscated and no one would go to jail. I am confident we would ultimately win. But if we didn’t win and it became “law,” I would continue to fight it until it was rescinded – by legislative action or by the vote of the people.

That’s how the rule of law in America works.

But there is no reason to have to go down that road if we will, for once and for all, face the real problem: most of us don’t vote. Will even 35% of Republicans vote in this primary election? It is not up to a governor to juggle things, to rule by whim, to choose which laws to enforce. It’s up to the governor to enforce the laws on the books and if voters won’t partake in the process by electing proper representation, where does that leave us? Bad laws propagated by “the other side” and the continued search for a better king.

This lack of voter participation is ultimately the problem! It has been my aim that between now and November, I would “rally the base,” to get our side to vote like never before. To not just kill 43 and 44 but to take back the entire Salem government, The 2018 Oregon Red Trifecta, and get every element of this state fixed quickly and permanently!

We ALL must vote in order to get this government under control and to win back our freedom!

In my 40 seconds yesterday, I flashed back on Obama, Pelosi, Brown, and the rest of the far-left and I said what needed to be said about executive proclamation. Then I ran out of time without addressing Lars’ question. Bad on me. But understand that I am not a politician, and not a “polished” political speaker. I’m a CEO and I first look at life, business and government from a 40,000 foot perspective, and so I see what is happening in America and in Oregon and where the problems lie: we have allowed scoundrels too much power. WE did that! Most of us gave up or were just lazy. We allowed those people to take control.

The dirty business of primary election politics? Per yesterday’s Bend Bulletin, over the last two weeks Knute Buehler has spent $1,000,000 publicly trashing me (see http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/6225269-151/governors-primary-depletes-buehler-funds). To put this in perspective: our entire six-month campaign budget is $300,000.

Buehler has completely forfeited the political persona he’s carefully created over the last nine months, demonstrated who he really is as a man. His former mantra? He has repeatedly described himself as, “courageous, with an open mind, a tolerant heart, and a thoughtful voice.” That flimsy veneer is flat-out gone. Now he’s risked everything to be identified as just another smooth-talking, scorched-earth-if-necessary political hack.

Why did he risk everything here at the end? Because I lead in the polls. His panicked accusations are either outright lies or horrible distortions. Yet Buehler has taken huge donations from far-left leaning industrialists, left and right. He is pro-choice, a gun-grabber who has actually VOTED for gun control, and he detests our President. And there are allegedly some land-sales shenanigans (see http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/05/did-trump-hating-governor-candidate-profit-from-controversial-university-deal/). And as he stated yesterday, he will not commit to supporting any Republican nominee – just as he openly refused to support Trump for President.

In his arrogance, Buehler ignores the facts of his persona and positioning and believes he can energize our Republican base and win the general election. Sad.

Wooldridge? The largest portion of his donations have come from a single progressive far-left donor in California, one who has contributed to numerous far-left candidates (see http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/05/why-is-this-republican-candidate-taking-from-a-democrat-bundler/ and http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/05/blurred_source_of_greg_wooldri.html).

WHY is Wooldridge in the race when he has never polled over 12%? It’s because his purpose is to split our conservative, grass-roots vote and deliver the nomination to Buehler, a “Republican” candidate who, as I said, has no chance in the general election (because our Republican base will be staying home…). That’s not just my opinion, either (see http://www.kxl.com/gop-fireworks-on-kxl/).

Ultimately though, either through scary political back-room hackery, greed, or sheer stupidity, all this is about is keeping Kate Brown in power.

But I’m here and I believe in you and me, We-The-People, and I salivate at the chance to reduce the size and impact of this Oregon government and deliver opportunity and freedom back to YOU.

I’ll always be transparent and I will not hesitate to admit a mistake.

That’s all I’ve got, three days before the numbers are counted. It’s up to you now.

-sam

Here is the April 25th Triton Poll

Roseburg Beacon Editorial 4/25/2018

Contact: David Gulliver
E-mail: davidg@makeoregongreatagain.com
Telephone: (541) 640-0363

April 3, 2018 – Bend, Oregon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carpenter Surges to Take lead in Oregon Republican Gubernatorial Contest

Closing a 13-point deficit in four weeks, Sam Carpenter has taken a slim lead in the race for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oregon, according to the results of the latest survey from Triton Polling and Research.

In this March 26^th -released major scientific poll, conducted among more than 2,000 Oregon likely voters, Carpenter edges out establishment-backed Oregon State Representative Knute Buehler by a fraction of a point, 23.1% to 22.9%. Former U.S. Navy officer Greg Wooldridge placed a distant third at 4.2%.

This poll comes a month after a February 26 Triton poll, taken shortly after Wooldridge entered the race, showed Buehler leading Carpenter 31% to 18%, with Wooldridge emerging at 8%.

Carpenter is now trending steadily upwards as his competition falls. “As we had planned from the beginning, we are gaining powerful momentum at this critical point in the race,” said Carpenter, a Bend-area businessman and turn-around specialist running on a Trump/Pence-like platform to Make Oregon Great Again. “Oregon Republican voters share our conservative values,” Carpenter continued. “They want a nominee who is pro-life, pro free-enterprise, tough on immigration, supports the Second Amendment, and who stands with our Republican President, Donald Trump.”

Voters may also be showing displeasure with Buehler, who has recently come under fire for skipping debates and candidate forums with Republican groups.

The poll also showed Carpenter performing best of the three candidates one-on-one against incumbent Governor Kate Brown. In this hypothetical matchup, Carpenter defeats Brown by over 5 points, 45.8% to 40.5%. “These numbers dispel the decades-old myth that it takes a moderate Republican who panders to the Portland elite to win,” said Carpenter. “We are winning this primary race by energizing the conservative Republican base and speaking for all of Oregon.”

The Republican primary is May 15.

November 18, 2017

These poll results (go here to see the actual poll) illustrate an important and significant contrast of voter sentiment between me and my leading opponent, Knute Buehler. Here is a political insider’s overview of the results:

“When presented with both positive and critical information on both candidates, there is a considerable shift from Buehler and undecided voters to Carpenter. The move toward Carpenter is quite impressive. The two negative issues focused on Buehler are very damaging indeed to his candidacy and present a wide opening for Carpenter”

Rating President Trump’s Performance, Question 4:

Poll Data: Strongly approve 67.8%. Somewhat Approve 18.5%. Total approval is 86.3%. (A previous Carpenter sponsored Triton poll taken in early October showed President Trump at 91.1% approval.)

Comment: Nine out of ten Oregon Republican voters support President Trump. This Oregon approval level is consistent with other national polls.

Statewide Name Recognition, Questions 5 and 6:

Poll Data: Carpenter 47%, Knute Buehler 52%

Comment: Just two weeks after announcing his candidacy, Carpenter’s campaign is neck-and-neck in name recognition with Knute Buehler’s. Sam’s candidacy began on October 25^th, and since September 1^st when he formed his exploratory committee, he has spent only 35K. Buehler announced his candidacy on August 3^rd and has expended nearly 300K.

Experience and History: Questions 9 and 10:

Poll Data: More Likely to vote for a candidate based on experience and background. Carpenter, “More Likely” is 68.3%. Buehler, 60.0%.

Comment: When voters are presented with Carpenter’s entrepreneurial/business/non-political background, he scores higher than when voters are presented with Buehler’s medical/political history.

“More Likely” or “Less Likely” to Vote, Questions 11 through 14:

Poll Data: Carpenter’s previous bid in the 2016 U.S. Senate race and his positioning as a political outsider, scored “More Likely” to vote, 37.9% and 57.3% respectively. In contrast, Buehler’s anti-Trump, pro-choice/pro- gay marriage posture, and his anti-parental voting rights voting record scored “more likely” to vote, 15.7% and 14.1%.

Regarding “Less Likely” to vote per the above listed positions: Carpenter scored at 18.2% and 14.0% respectively, while Buehler’ scored 69.9% and 75.0% respectively.

Comment: When voters are presented with perhaps “the” fundamental differences in positioning, Carpenter’s advantage is striking, and is further reflected in the answers to the following question:

Who do you prefer? Question 15:

Poll Data: In this “If the primary election were held today” question, Carpenter scores 44.6%. Buehler scores 11.7%

Comment: In stunning contrast, Carpenter garners nearly four times the votes of his leading opponent.

Additional Information:

Facebook followers: Sam Carpenter: 51K (30K new followers since Sept. 1^st)
Kate Brown: 26K
Knute Buehler: 9K

Go here to see the actual poll.

Here’s a quick ad-hoc interview that I did last Wednesday, at Lar’s request. We discuss the overall problem of electing moderate Republicans to statewide office, the mistakes that won’t be made this time around, and what has to happen if we’re going to turn the tide from blue to red next November.

Pledges to MAKE OREGON GREAT AGAIN

Bend, Oregon – Wednesday, October 25, 2017 – Sam Carpenter, Bend entrepreneur/businessman, author, philanthropist and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate, is declaring his candidacy for governor of Oregon today.

In his 2016 U.S. Senate bid, Carpenter was endorsed by former U.S. Senate candidates Monica Wehby and Jason Conger, as well as The Oregonian and Bend Bulletin newspapers.

Carpenter says:

“I confidently predict an enormous political and economic turn-around for Oregon as we leave behind the current failed progressive far-left leadership of Governor Kate Brown, and move forward to an executive branch that is laser-focused on serving the people of Oregon through a smaller, much more efficient government machine. In fulfilling its established obligations and duties, my administration of this streamlined government will have two special focuses: to assertively facilitate a private sector business environment that allows a robust economy to emerge, and sharply cut back government interference in our personal lives.

“Yes, I share President Donald Trump’s vision of a society truly in tune and serving the needs of regular Americans, not the needs of the intertwined cabal of big government, big business, and big finance.

“I’ll fight to put the power back where it belongs, in the hands of Oregon’s citizens.

“But there is much more to this than seating a Republican governor in Salem. I am also calling for ‘The 2018 Oregon Red Trifecta,’ in which both sides of our legislature will operate under Republican leadership. In this movement, the powerful winds of change are at our backs: nationally, there are now a total of 26 Red trifecta state governments, and just six Democrat. There were four new red trifecta state governments elected in 2016. It’s also notable that 70% of our governorships are now Republican.

“I am running on the Republican ticket, but this candidacy and the Red Trifecta movement are decidedly non-partisan. No matter individual political, economic or social proclivities, we understand that our decades-long economic doldrums are due to progressive far-left leadership’s largess, inefficiency, and over-reach.

“And Oregonians are tired of the progressive far-left’s relentless chipping away at the institutions and freedoms upon which this country was founded. This frustration falls across all political, socio-economic, and philosophical boundaries.

“I’m a fixer and a builder and have a special talent for getting inside a broken organization, quickly spotting what isn’t right, and then immediately proceeding toward a simple solution that benefits all concerned. It’s my profession.

“My personal background is rural small-town, working class, and I know what it’s like to manage a hard-hat construction crew, operate heavy equipment, run a chain saw, fix a fence-line, and fight forest fires on-the-ground. Those are my roots. But since the age of 35 I’ve been a multi-company CEO, author of a best-selling business book, and a business consultant/trouble-shooter, having assisted in the repair of over 500 small and medium-sized businesses across the country, the majority of which were on the edge of failure but now stand healthy and vibrant.

I also operate a small 501C3 international non-profit in east Asia and have business dealings in Western and Eastern Europe. For Oregon, I understand the importance of international trade and tourism.

“And I have a special desire to oversee a special Civilian Conservation Corps-like project, employing local workers, in which our 29,000,000 acres of forests are cleaned up and then cultivated on a sustainable basis, similar to how forests have been managed in Europe and in the southeast U.S. for the last 50 years. And with this huge project, we’ll not just end the mega-wildfire threat, but also bring rural Oregon back to economic life.

“Regarding our fiscal crisis: We can’t tax our way out it. We’ll need to grow ourselves out. We’ll accomplish this by inducing massive organic private sector growth, spurred on by a reduction in Salem’s enormous tax and regulation footprint.

“Yes, of course we have the capacity to assist those who are truly in need. We will never, ever, let these citizens down.

“I am pro-life, rely on God’s wisdom, revere our military and first-responders, love our flag, and always stand for our national anthem. I wish for a limited government based on our U.S. Constitution. And I will always put our own citizens first.

“In Salem and in DC, government is to be our servant. Not our master.

“With ​passion​, I look forward to the task ahead, intensely working with our legislature to bring our government under control and focused where it belongs, on the well-being of Oregonians just like you and me: Oregonians who show up to work on time, who pay the taxes, who raise the children, who fight for our freedom and safety both home and abroad, and who carefully manage their own local communities.”

Campaign announcement video and comprehensive information are available at www.makeoregongreatagain.com and Facebook page.

Media Contact:

info@makeoregongreatagain.com

800-664-7163/541-317-3868

Bend entrepreneur, CEO, business consultant and author Sam Carpenter has filed a Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee with the Secretary of State’s office, to consider candidacy in the upcoming 2018 gubernatorial contest.

In 2016 Carpenter ran for U.S. Senate in Oregon and was endorsed in the Primary election by The Oregonian and the Bend Bulletin. He was also endorsed by 2014 U.S. Senate candidates Jason Conger and Monica Wehby. Carpenter was narrowly defeated in that 2016 race.

Carpenter, a Republican, states, “I am considering this candidacy for governor because the hardworking families of our state deserve a leader who best represents their on-the-ground needs. Specifically, a candidate who embraces a pro-life, pro-small business, pro-jobs, school choice, controlled immigration, and limited-government/free market platform; a political outsider who will not be swayed by large corporate donors, and who won’t be intimidated by the Oregon progressive far-left faction which has dominated our state politics for too many years.

Carpenter continues, “I am troubled by the enormous debt with which we Oregon citizens are burdened, job-killing high taxes, over-regulation of small business, unfettered illegal immigration/sanctuary city policies, public sector union over-lording, pervasive rural poverty due to radical governmental strictures on our natural resources, and to that end, the escalating forest destruction by disease and wildfire due to state and federal policies of hands-off, non-management. (Look around right now: Oregon is on fire, and it’s not due to global climate change…).

“And I’m disappointed that the declared and rumored candidates currently in the field have not supported President Trump and his vision of economic growth and government reform. Therefore, as an early endorser and continued supporter of our President’s national agenda, it makes sense for me to assertively foster those concepts right here in Oregon.”

“But this is not just about winning a Republican governor’s seat. I am calling for an ‘Oregon Red Trifecta’ in which both sides of the legislature also come under Republican control. Nationally, Oregon’s Red Trifecta will be a cultural-capstone to the steady grass-roots political gains of the last eight years. If I choose to run, my candidacy will be wholly dedicated to this purpose.”
Carpenter says he will make a final decision regarding candidacy by October.