Rick Dancer, the only Republican running for Oregon Secretary of State, thinks people are tired of "politics as usual":

Politics as usual is not going to work. I think people are becoming too smart for that. When you go to meetings people ask lots of questions. Some of them have to do with the job you are running for and some don’t. Maybe it’s time to separate the two.

With most young people, I’m finding, you can simply lay it on the line.

Politics as usual? I don’t think it’s going work this time around.

Lay it on the line for me, Rick! Although I'm not entirely getting you when you say we need to "separate the two." You don't want people asking you questions that combine your personal life and your candidacy? But politics as usual. Right. Where have I heard that before? Hmmmm:

“Taking his physical differences and using them to show that he'll be a different kind of Senator, we think they will reach people people sick to death of politics as usual and hungry for change."

Or maybe it was here:

“Our ad strategy relied on cutting through the chatter to really stick in people’s minds that Steve was not going to be politics as usual,” Weigler said.

Wait, wait, I've got it. Yup, that's it. Nice.

Okay, Rick Dancer. You're not "politics as usual." Way to borrow that line from another person in the same election cycle. But, please, elaborate:

I am not a Professional Politician. I’m a former Television Journalist who honestly believes that the voice of the people is not only important, but desperately needed to govern the State of Oregon. At the end of February I gave up my career in Television to take on the job of running for Secretary of State. Why Secretary of State? The Secretary of State works for you. He or she works for the people. When elected, I will make sure your voice is heard and given attention.

Gotcha. The Secretary of State's job is to work for little old me? And for people? Does that include doing my dishes or emptying my cat's litter box, because I could sure use some help there. I'm glad were clear as to just what the Secretary of State does now. Phew. Thanks, Rick Dancer, for clearing that one up.

So, if by "politics as usual" you mean "someone who's actually qualified for the job" or "actually knowing what the Secretary of State does" then, yes, by golly Rick Dancer's sure going to not be "politics as usual." But, please, continue trying to channel Steve Novick. Go nuts. As a Republican.

If you want to have some real fun, scroll through Rick's Photobucket album. You get images like the one attached to this blog post, as well as other irreverent beauties.