In 1907, Oregon became the first state offering direct election of U.S. Senators. 101 years later, we the people of Oregon will once again exercise our right in order to elect Democrat Jeff Merkley and send Republican Gordon Smith home to his polluting, labor law violating frozen food factory. But it's going to be damn close.
Unfortunately, Oregon is known nationally as "Portland," a liberal, environmental Democratic stronghold that treats visiting Republicans to riot-level protests. Because of this, Oregon political races often don't get the attention they deserve from national media and blogs.
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Crossposted at Sandstorm.
But this year we have a Senate race that's a dead heat between a proven progressive Democrat and a sitting Republican who voted nearly 90% of the time with George Bush and was known for his single-minded devotion to the Iraq War- until he changed his tune in 2006 when Democrats took back the Oregon legislature and dominated Republicans across the country.
It's easy to point out the obvious differences between having a Democrat and a Republican in the Senate. Health care reform, ending the Iraq War, favoring workers over corporations, equality for women- the list goes on and on. Jeff Merkley will deliver on all these fronts; just check out his issues page.
So what distinguishes this race from other close Senate races around the country? Probably the most important factor is longevity; lasting change. Once we get a progressive Democrat in this seat, we're keeping it. See, Oregon's been getting bluer and bluer in recent years as Republicans see what their "conservative" party has become- a corrupt inner circle of corporate welfare advocates.
Before the primary, Oregon added 115,000 new Democrats, many of them party switchers, and the Obama volunteer army has continued their registration efforts relentlessly since then. Democrats took back both the Oregon House and Senate in 2006, and we're down to only one Republican congressman. We're ready to take, and to hold, this vital seat.
Also, Oregon is cheap. Advertising is the most expensive part of large campaigns, so with only one major media market that really isn't all that major, advertising in Oregon is very inexpensive compared to other states. Your donation to Jeff Merkley's campaign will provide more leverage than it would in other Senate races and definitely more than if you send it to Obama. Remember, dollars spent on down ticket races support the top candidate, but not necessarily the other way around.
So help me create a filibuster-free Senate full of progressive Democrats focused on solving the problems facing America. I just donated to Jeff Merkley over at ActBlue today, and you should too. It's actually a contest for which candidate gets the most donors, so even $1 will be a big help (but $10 would be better). Click here for the donation page; Jeff's three down from the top.