In the Senate landscape for 2008, we all recognize the chances for significant Democratic gains. In my view, the democratic candidate is now favored in VA, NM, CO, and NH. We also have races that are now toss-ups or at least potential toss-ups including MN, AK, NC, ME, and OR. It is my hope that we can move each of these five into the "toss-up" category (or better) on every pundit's list. As the voters in Oregon have just determined the Democratic candidate to take on Gordon Smith (R-OR), I'd like to urge everyone to take a minute learn something about him. He is not just some corporate democrat. He is a tough progressive. He reminds me of Jon Tester. Then, get excited. We can win in Oregon. Obama is going to carry it in November and this race is already close. In fact, Smith is already running ads that do not mention that he is a Republican. Finally, please do what you can to help Merkley RIGHT NOW. More below.
The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, is the son of a sawmill worker. In high school, he was an exchange student in a small town in Ghana where he experienced living with families who had to struggle just to feed themselves. He later studied International Relations at Stanford and obtained a Masters of Public Policy degree at Princeton. Along the way, he worked in villages in Mexico and spent a summer in India. He has worked for affordable housing and served as the executive director of Habitat for Humanity.
In 1998, Merkley was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives and in 2003, elected the Democratic Leader. In 2006, under his leadership, the Democrats gained a majority in the House for the first time in 16 years. Merkley led the 2007 legislative session to its most progressive and productive session in 30 years. It passed historic anti-discrimination bills, passed historic investments in alternative energy, made Oregon a national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, passed strong new laws protecting consumers and those in poverty, and made progress in education and health care.
As stated by sarahlane in an excellent diary last night:
Under Jeff Merkley's leadership in the House we passed domestic partnerships and anti-discrimination legislation. 2/3 of the payday lenders have left the state because they can no long charge Oregonians a 500% interest rate. Merkley was able to pass legislation to create a savings account for public schools so when we're facing a crisis, we'll always be able to keep our schools open. Merkley helped pass an 18% increase in public education funding. Merkley led the greenest session in Oregon in the last 30 years. He championed an updated recycling bill, and passed a bill making Oregon garner 25% of their electricity from renewables by 2025 to name just a few.
http://www.dailykos.com/...
In the Senate, Merkley will fight to end the war in Iraq, support veterans, fight for improved education, and fight global warming with plans for sustainability and renewable energy. His vote will enable us to break the McConnell delays and filibusters that Gordon Smith keeps on supporting. Merkley deserves our strong support.
As of January 31, 2008, Gordon Smith had a war chest of $5.1 million. Merkley had $473,000. Of course, in the following seven weeks, Merkley has fought a tough primary, and likely has used it all. Indeed, Smith had so much that he spent it attacking Merkley. But the polls are already tight. Rasmussen shows Smith well under 50% and only three points ahead, 45%-42%. Its trend is nothing but positive, as Smith's lead, month by month has gone from 18 to 13 to 3. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/...
For those of us (like me) who are outside Oregon, the most I can ask is to put this on your radar screens and to please help him raise some funds now. Would you please contribute any sum (maybe $10 or $25) so he can afford to run a strong race, without the constraints of lack of funds?
Please contribute here: http://www.actblue.com/...
I would really appreciate yen donations today, no matter the size.