FAQ

Click on a question below to uncover the nitty gritty details of Joel, and answer the question everybody can't wait to ask: This guy is a Republican?

I'm confused. You've endorsed Obama, you're anti-Iraq War, you're an environmentalist... and you're a Republican?

Several of your positions seem to differ with those of the Republican Party at-large. Are the state and national party organizations supporting you?

Why is the price of gas so high, and what do you plan to do about it?

I heard you're advocating for national service. Does that mean you support a draft?

It sounds like you have lots of great ideas for new programs, but how do you plan to pay for them?

You're running against an incumbent Democrat in a very liberal state. It seems like the odds are against you, so why should I vote for you?

Is it true that you once ran a race in front of thousands of people without pulling up your knee braces, so that they were flapping wildly around your ankles the whole way around the track?

 

I'm confused. You've endorsed Obama, you're anti-Iraq War, you're an environmentalist... and you're a Republican?

When we recall some of Oregon's greatest leaders, several of them have been what I would consider progressive Republicans. The most notable of these was perhaps Gov. Tom McCall, and between my belief in the importance of conservation and my disdain for partisan games, I do indeed consider myself a Tom McCall Republican.

I am an optimist and believe that our best days lie ahead of us once we return to the foundations that Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Eisenhower built for us. (If interested, please download the 1908 Republican Platform here.) Furthermore, if we borrow JFK's concept of “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” the Republican Party can help lead the nation to provide the world with a model for economic success and democratic principles. This cannot be done at the end of a gun barrel, but must be achieved through actions that demonstrate our commitment to spreading freedom by example and collaboration. These are the Republican ideals that I believe in and hope to re-build by working with, and not against, our Democratic colleagues to build a better world.

And, from the 2008 Oregon Republican Party, I endorse the following statements:

• I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.
• I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.
• I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.
• I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they honestly and fairly* earn.
• I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.
• I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.
• I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.
• I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
• FINALLY, I BELIEVE the Republican Party should be* the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government, providing it functions with integrity, adherence to our constitution, and respects opposing philosophical views.

*Source: Oregon Republican Party 2008, excluding red italics, which have been added by Joel Haugen

 

Several of your positions seem to differ with those of the Republican Party at-large. Are the state and national party organizations supporting you?

By and large, no, and I am not currently receiving financial support from the party organizations.

Why is the price of gas so high, and what do you plan to do about it?

The high cost of fuel is a result of an irresponsible energy policy for the last 30 years. We have the capacity to change our primary energy sources from fossil fuels to various clean alternatives that make economic and strategic sense. The logjam of special interests must be broken in order to move America forward to a secure energy future.

 

I heard you're advocating for national service. Does that mean you support a draft?

No, I do not support a military draft! I advocate for economic, social, and education incentives to engage our youth in some form of national service commitment.

 

It sounds like you have lots of great ideas for new programs, but how do you plan to pay for them?

We need to simplify and broaden our tax base such that wage-earners are not penalized and those who are not paying their share begin paying.

 

You're running against an incumbent Democrat (David Wu) in a very liberal state. It seems like the odds are against you, so why should I vote for you?

If you want to maintain the status quo, you should not vote for me! If you are looking for someone to help break the choke-hold of special interests with fresh ideas and innovative thinking, and one who is not mired down in the political trench, you may want to consider voting for this progressive Republican who will work to convince Republican colleagues that working for the best interest of the nation is a win-win.

 

Is it true that you once ran a race in front of thousands of people without pulling up your knee braces, so that they were flapping wildly around your ankles the whole way around the track?

Unfortunately, my son recorded this spectacle for posterity.