If the Senate had to be associated with a political color, IMO, it would be purple. We have a 51-49 Democratic majority, which doesn't even feel like much of a majority. Without a strong progressive Democratic majority in the Senate, we witness milquetoast bills being championed and real reforms being shelved. If there is one candidate running for the Senate that can influence our Democratic Senators to move to the left, it's Jeff Merkley.
Full disclosure, I am the netroots director for OR-Sen candidate Jeff Merkley
It's the big money day for all the Democratic candidates hoping to post a good showing. I want to take just a minute and tell you why I believe your money would be well spent if you helped turn the Senate blue by helping elect Jeff Merkley.
The Senate votes that still haunt us today
FISA
In February of 2008, the Senate voted to pass the updated FISA bill which granted retroactive immunity for telecom. 19 Democrats voted for the bill. Senate Democrats like Chris Dodd led an effort to strip immunity from the bill. Unfortunately without more support from his Democratic colleagues, Dodd lost the battle in the Senate. Merkley's opponent Gordon Smith voted in favor of the FISA bill.
Jeff would have voted BLUE
Jeff Merkley would have stood next to Dodd in support of the FISA filibuster in the Senate. Merkley is adamantly opposed to illegal surveillance and immunity for telecom. Jeff spoke out on the blogs and urged his supporters to sign on to a petition in support of a FISA filibuster.
Mukasey
During confirmation hearings in October of 2007, Michael Mukasey refused to acknowledge that waterboarding is torture. The Senate confirmed him anyway, with six Democrats crossing party lines to confirm the nomination. Merkley's opponent Gordon Smith voted to confirm Michael Mukasey.
Jeff would have voted BLUE
Jeff Merkley opposed confirmation of Michael Mukasey and would have voted against him. Would it have made a difference? No one can know for sure. However, having another strong voice against such a confirmation, especially one with the national security experience Jeff has, would have been valuable to our country and the constitution.
Reid/Feingold Amendment to End the Iraq War
Back in 2007, Reid and Feingold pushed an amendment forward that would have redeployed troops within 120 days of enactment and cut funding for the war. 18 Democrats voted against the bill as well as Merkley's opponent Gordon Smith.
Jeff would have voted BLUE
Jeff Merkley would have stood alongside Reid and Feingold and would have done everything in his power to end the Iraq War. It's also worth noting that Merkley is opposed to leaving a single base in Iraq and wants all American contractors to leave the country. Merkley believes that Iraqis should be the ones rebuilding their own country and that Congress needs to investigate war profiteering.
Employee Free Choice Act
Back in 2007, the Democrats were finally united behind passing a bill making it easier for workers to form a union. The problem was that Republicans were also united in an effort to block the bill. Republican Gordon Smith voted to block the bill from hitting the Senate floor.
Jeff would have voted BLUE
As House Speaker, Jeff championed the card check and pushed it through the Oregon House. He also passed a resolution urging the Senate to do the same. Jeff has pledged to personally take up the Employee Choice Act if he's elected to the Senate.
It's all about BETTER Democrats!
Jeff Merkley is one of those "better" Democrats that we can depend on in the Senate. He's one of the most progressive candidates running for Congress, and arguably the most progressive of the Senate candidates. If 2006 has taught me anything, it's that we can't just be satisfied with electing candidates with a D next to their name. We need to work to elect candidates we can depend on when it comes to ending the war, passing UHC, protecting our civil liberties and fighting climate change. Jeff Merkley is that candidate.
It's the End of the Quarter!
Every campaign is working hard today hoping to post good numbers for the quarter. We're in a tight race with Republican Gordon Smith who has money to burn. We're not going to raise the millions Smith has, but as long as we can compete we can win this seat. Please consider donating to Jeff Merkley on my Act Blue page and help make our quarter outstanding! I have raised $40 so far. Will the Kos community help send a progressive Democrat get to the Senate? I hope so!