Canaries in the chair: Frequent party leadership changes could be sign of deeper issues

Canaries in the chair: Frequent party leadership changes could be sign of deeper issues

Columnist Randy Stapilus suggests (Getty Images)In recent weeks, both of Oregon’s major political parties have changed leadership, under very different circumstances. Party leadership is only a small part of what makes the candidates under their banner successful, but it can be a coal mine canary of sorts, an indicator of underlying issues or strengths. Over the last generation, Democrats have been faring gradually better in Oregon, and Republic…