Rumor Mill: Steve Buckstein to the Oregonian?

Over the weekend, an interesting rumor emerged about who was being picked to replace Bob Caldwell as the Editorial Page Editor of the Oregonian. According to a tip picked up by blogger Jack Bogdanski, publisher N. Christian Anderson III & Co. have decided to hire Steve Buckstein, founder of the right-wing think tank Cascade Policy Institute.

This tip is far from being confirmed and could just be a wild rumor (Buckstein and CPI have reportedly responded to questions by saying “No comment”). But if the rumors were true, it would be the biggest lurch to the right the paper has taken since Anderson took over as publisher.

Steve Buckstein isn’t a household name, so we thought we’d fill you in on just a few examples of the corporate-funded extremism Buckstein has pushed while at Cascade Policy Institute:

1. Cascade Policy Institute has an intimate relationship with Americans For Prosperity, the Koch Brothers-funded organization pushing the tea party ideology around the country. AFP-Oregon’s president is Karla Kay Edwards, who used to work for CPI. She refers to CPI’s publications as the “intellectual capital” of Americans For Prosperity. We don’t fully know who funds CPI, but their summer internship program is funded by Charles Koch.

2. Buckstein and Cascade Policy Institute are closely aligned with the Oregon Tea Party. Buckstein spoke at the Oregon Tea Party PAC event in April, along with James O’Keefe, the infamous right-wing hidden camera “activist.”

3. Cascade Policy Institute was the lone voice to side with the chemical industry last year against the legislative ban on BPA in baby bottles. 

4. Buckstein is an ardent supporter of the American Legislative Exchange Council, otherwise known as ALEC.

And there’s much, much more…

Again, this might just be a crazy rumor, but if it’s true, it would put to rest any lingering doubts about Anderson’s goal of turning the Oregonian into the state’s GOP newsletter.

Hey O, say it ain't so!