OR: Coward Rich -- Too Scared to Defend His Ideas

Howard Rich, the ultra-rich New York developer pushing spending cap and land-use initiatives in multiple states this fall, has said he does this because he believes in it. But despite cutting millions in checks to make these ballot issues happen, he won't publicly defend the ideas. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski challenged Rich to a debate over the implications of Measure 48, a proposed spending cap in Oregon. Rich refused the challenge, apparently worried that he couldn't hold his own in a fair discussion of the impacts of his idea. You can bet he'll cut more checks for 30 second TV spots, though. (Hat tip to Blue Oregon.)