Let's say good riddance to Karen Minnis. She has done more damage to the State of Oregon than anyone would have thought possible. But she was determined. She was bought and paid for by out-of-state big corporate, big tobacco and big pharma. She was anti-fair wage, anti-working family, anti-health care, anti-woman, and anti-education. She turned the Oregon legislature into a partisan war zone that is the laughing stock of the nation. She allowed this state to fester in mediocrity for too long. She treated voters and the democratic system with contempt. She lied. She cheated. She was a thug.
We need to elect Rob Brading as District 49 State Representative.
Rob is the real thing. He has a genuine interest in helping people and in doing the people's business. He is a decent and fair-minded person, who has dedicated himself time and time again to meaningful actions that improve life in the community. He is a seminary graduate. He is also a business leader.
He knows how to strike the balance this state has been missing for far too long.
Elect Rob Brading and watch the partisan logjam that is the Minnis House fall away. See what it means to have an effective, busy, honorable, professional, responsive, balanced and accountable legislature that we can all be proud of for a change.
To elect Rob we need to get Democratic voters out in District 49. There are more registered Democrats in District 49 than Republicans.
Let's get them motivated and out to the polls. All of them!
Here's what you can do to :
1. Vote!
2. Write Postcards
It's important to keep communicating by mail with local citizens and this is a great way to do it. The Brading campaign headquarters supplies all the materials.
3. Canvass
Go door to door to Democrats who haven't voted yet (the Brading campaign gets a daily update) reminding people to vote and asking them to support Rob.
4. Phone-Bank
Call Democrats who haven't voted yet and remind them that we need Rob in the Oregon House to work for US for a change.
5. Visibility Work
This is the political way of saying "stand on a street corner and wave a sign with Rob's name on it"---this is a great way to improve name recognition. Most of us are political junkies to some extent, but there are folks who ignore the ads and don't read the papers. The only way some folks choose who to vote for is if they recognize the name of the candidate. So, they are sitting on their couch filling out their ballot and come to the District 49 race---"Rob or Karen? Who should I vote for? hmmm...the other night on my way to/from work I saw someone waving a sign with Rob's name on it...folks must like him...I'll vote for him". Yes, this will be the process by which some folks decide for whom to vote---so come out and wave a sign. You can come by the Brading campaign office and pick up some great signs and find out where other folks are (more people, more impact). Visibility work is happening every morning and every evening and it's fun!
Thanks to the East Suburban Democrats for the above tips.
Not sure what to say when canvassing or phone banking?
-Read Rob's website. www.RobBrading.com.
-Skim my prior diaries - all are on the Minnis/Brading race.
-Look up Rob on the Oregon House Democrats blog, including the Oregonian's endorsement of Rob: Oregon House Democrats blog.
-Look up Rob at BlueOregon.
Did you know that Rob is a seminary graduate, a preacher's kid, and his wife is an associate chaplain at Willamette University? link - Rob's plan to protect our kids.
The East Suburban Democrats have a few more ideas:
In 2004, if those who voted for Kerry had gone down the ballot to fill in their choice for their state rep, Rob would have won! He lost because they didn't vote, so it's critical that we get out the vote.
... Rob's record as a public servant and his FAITH that government can serve not merely special interests is evident in his record of civic volunteering and, for instance, in his forming a group opposing excessive payday loan rates -- a group that's already made a difference. Accenuate the positive to eliminate the negative (Minnis).
If Minnis is going to claim not only "leadership for East County" but also "Leadership for Oregon," then we need to understand how her actions, such as choking off discussion of bills with bipartisan sponsorship, show her failure to be a conciliator who has all Oregonians' interests at heart. Her role as speaker affects all Oregonians, not just East County.
Minnis continually tries to associate Rob with those evil "liberal elites in Portland." As supporters of Rob, we need to make it clear that his campaign has drawn on the grassroots and small pocketbooks, and that he's being outspent 7 -1. Rob would insist that gift giving by lobbyists to legislators be prohibited. Minnis tries to make hay by claiming Rob's support is from aliens to the west of East County. If you're from East County and canvassing, make that known.
Visit Rob's website (www.RobBrading.com)
and also get campaign material from the Troutdale office. Canvassing is the best strategy for getting Rob's name out there.
Call the Brading campaign office at 503-661-3786 today. Talk to Mike or Trevor and schedule a couple hours to help Rob out in the next few critical days.
Schedule that weekend time now. Plan it, and do it.
I can assure you, every volunteer is welcome.
Here's what the Multnomah County Democrats have planned to get out the vote for all of our great Oregon Democratic candidates: www.multdems.org