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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 2, 2008)
1 MAY 2. 2008 vote out * 2008 * Hot on the Trail with... Nick Fish and Jim Middaugh Head, drugs and rock 'n' roll by Stephen Marc Beaudoin Applause, applause: Fish (left) and Middaugh get friendly April 28 at Candidates Gone Wild. ne writes beat poetry; the other juggles O signs into car trunks from supporters on the go. defining what ‘head’ meant.” They laugh. “I’m running against a person named Nick knives. One speaks in short, staccato He was also ruminating with a collection of aides Later that night, Middaugh is tipping back a Fish,” Middaugh says, and the crowd hisses. “You phrases; the other is prone to melliflu on his previous day’s performance in a Portland Heineken in the grassy back yard of a supporter’s guys need influence in City Hall,” he pauses. “It’s ous and winding flights of speech. And City Club debate. North Portland home, making his rounds to the 30 interesting to be a candidate. You’re all looking at Promise King, a former Portland Tribune colum or so guests, none of which looks to be older than, me. I’m not used to that.” blind when he removes his glasses; and the nist other, and City Hall staffer and now an aide to Fish, oh, about 35. Many are much younger. Most are There’s a scattering of applause as Middaugh makes a face when asked about how the debate there nor because of Middaugh, per se, but because wraps, then everyone heads inside and downstairs Meet Nick Fish and Jim Middaugh, the two went down, calling Middaugh’s tactics—including of an important behind-the-scenes player in Port to a Christmas-light-bedecked basement, where major contenders in the race for Portland city pointed questions on Fish’s pool of campaign con land politics: former Portland Mercury news editor Moore’s poli-pop band, Delightful Young Man, commissioner seat two. After the seat was abrupt tributors—Clintonian in their thrust. “Bang bang Scott Moore, who’s arranged thé party. holds court with a too-cool-for-school perfor ly vacated by popular homeless and housing advo bang!” he says, imitating the machine-gun rattle of An hour into the event, Moore hops on a metal mance of original tunes like “The Monster in the cate Erik Sten, Middaugh and Fish are in a hotly .Middaugh’s queries. Fish simply says, “People are chair and clinks his keys on a beer bottle to call the White House,” with these lyrics: “The president crowd to attention. “Jim is running to replace Erik is hungry, he’s eating the Cabinet/He’s cracking one has vision so poor he’s practically 20/20 vision and proud, does just fine without. looking for a fight” that isn’t there. contested special election race to fill it. And the two candidates couldn’t be more op A baggy-jeaned early 20-something enters, and to carry on his legacies,” Moore says by way of open skulls, snacking on the brain trust/Noth- posite, in most respects. Just ask them yourself: For laptop in tow: He’s John Savage, one of Fish’s introduction. Before he cedes the floor to the candi ing tastes better than government!” Middaugh instance, what’s the biggest difference in campaign field managers. He grabs a fistful of candy and date, he offers another reminder: “Once we’re done, bounces his head to the beat for a few tunes before style between them? Fish on Middaugh: “Jim goes high-fives King. there’ll be some rock ’n’ roll in the basement.” announcing he’s heading off to yet another musi cal engagement: his daughter’s school production “Are you wearing that belt?” Fish asks, casting Middaugh, who chooses to stay on the grass, a glance at a prominent metal belt buckle shaped offers “a quick primer on Portland politics” to the More telling distinctions between them can be like a human face. “Oh yeah,” Savage says. “Show semicircled assemblage and hits his usual stump “Jim Middaugh everybody!” trumpets the DYM drawn from their style on the campaign trail. On him,” Fish says, indicating me. “Tell him what ing points. “We want to clean up the Willamette lead singer, to raucous applause. Middaugh waves a recent Saturday morning at Fish HQ, a former Barney said.” U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., River and make it fishable and swimmable,” he says. and mounts the stairs, then turns back with a warn carpet sales storefront at Northeast 37th Avenue had just been in town the previous week, stump “Swimmable?” asks an attendee behind me under his ing: “Stay out of trouble.” The crowd laughs, Mid and Sandy Boulevard, Fish started up a pot of cof ing for the candidate. Savage smiles: “Barney breath. “Huh.” Then he hops on his cell phone to fee, downed handfuls of M&M’s and piled lawn made a comment about, like, whether I was re fire off a text message. daugh leaves. There’s a pause. “Ah,” the bandleader offers with a smile. “Now we can do drugs.” © right to the checklist of things he’s done.” Mid daugh on Fish: “Nick doesn’t answer questions.” Spring Into FREE Lunch Don’t be fooled. Who you partner with in real estate does make a difference! Gall Celia to find out how good it can be! Reliable, Relentless, Restorative & Reachable NEW PRICE! 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