Senator Feingold traveled all the way to Oregon today to campaign for Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley. Feingold spent the day in Portland, Oregon and then headed out to Eugene, Oregon to hold a rally for Merkley at the University of Oregon. Feingold was joined by none other than Rep. Peter Defazio and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy. Follow me below the fold to find out more about today's event....
Full disclosure, I am the netroots director for OR-Sen candidate Jeff Merkley
Senator Feingold traveled all the way to Oregon today to campaign for Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley. Feingold spent the day in Portland, Oregon and then headed out to Eugene, Oregon to hold a rally for Merkley at the University of Oregon. Feingold was joined by none other than Rep. Peter Defazio and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy. Follow me below the fold to find out more about today's event....
The weather couldn't be better here in Oregon for a nice drive on down to Eugene from Merkley Headquarters. When I arrived, the place was bustling with students and local residents who were excited to get a visit from Feingold, and of course, to cheer on their Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley. Rep. Peter Defazio was the first up to speak.....
As many of you know, Rep. Peter Defazio was one of the leading members of Congress to oppose the recent Wall Street bailout. Defazio believed, just as Feingold and Merkley did, that they could have worked to pass a bill with real market reforms and protections for homeowners. Defazio didn't shy away from the subject, here's what he had to say.....
Last week we had a 700 billion dollar bailout, which did not target the underlying problems. I'm proud that Jeff opposed the bailout, it was not an easy position to take. Jeff also had the good sense to come out against the war. We need two Senators fighting for Oregon
Merkley and Feingold liked what they were hearing from Defazio...
Defazio also talked about what he believed was the worst vote of Gordon Smith's career. Defazio was appalled by Smith's support of the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2006. Defazio talked about how that Act supported extending tax cuts for wealthy investors. Bush, Gordon Smith and the Republicans paid for tax cuts for the wealthy by cutting funding for the poor, student aid and health care. Here's a snippet of what he had to say....
To say to those who are the most in need, kids who need health care, that you have to pay for the people who have already made it to the top. That's Gordon Smith, he's been on the wrong side of every issue.
Next up was Oregon's House Speaker Jeff Merkley, he started out by talking about why he jumped into the race in the first place.
Merkley spoke about his record as House Speaker and how under his leadership Oregon had the most progressive, most productive session in history. He's right btw! Merkley talked about some of the accomplishments they made....
Last session we passed domestic partnerships giving basic rights to same sex couples. We took on the payday lenders and the car title lenders, we invested in education by making Head Start available for any child who wants to go and we doubled financial aid for students. We led the effort to combat climate change and invest in a green economy. We passed green energy tax credits, encouraging the development of wind, solar, geothermal and wave energy. We updated Oregon's landmark bottle bill and saved the land-use system. It was thrilling to be part of it.
No matter how amazing a leader Jeff has been for Oregon, he recognizes that one state can only go so far. Here's another snippet....
How far can Oregon go when our nation is so far off track? I'm not willing to give up on the United States of America, and that's why I'm running for U.S. Senate.
Next up was Senator Feingold.......
Feingold started out by praising Rep. Defazio and Senator Wyden for standing with him on issues like the Wall Street bailout to protecting our civil liberties. Feingold said that there were plenty of great local races happening in Wisconsin and that he usually doesn't venture out of state for campaigns but there was one reason why Feingold felt he needed to come all the way out to Oregon.....Jeff Merkley! Here's what he had to say...
I came here today because I want Merkley to be the next Senator from Oregon. There are a couple reasons, one, it's a numbers game. We need to be able to stop the Republican filibusters. Another reason is because of his record. Wyden told me about his leadership skills in the legislature. It's not just about his leadership skills, it's also about his positions....
Feingold went on to talk about how we need to make inroads in regards to public financing and that Jeff supports public financing. Feingold also said Merkley will protect a woman's right to choose and support Obama's judicial nominations. Jeff understands how our deficit and debt has become out of control. Jeff believes in pay-as-you-go rules, Smith opposes those rules. Feingold then went on to talk about the differences between Merkley and Smith on Iraq....
I was on the floor and I heard Smith's 2006 speech on the Iraq War. I thought, finally, this guy will help us to end the war. What did he do? He talked but when it came down to vote he voted to keep the war going. Merkley will never do that. He'll fight with me and Obama to end the war.
Feingold had another big reason why he felt it's important to send Merkley to the Senate. Feingold said he has been stunned by the attacks on our constitution and our nations' laws. The torture, the illegal spying, he said we have altered our constitutional history. Feingold said for all of these reasons, please help me send Jeff to the Senate.
Here in Oregon, we have a real opportunity to send a Democrat to Washington who will stand alongside Feingold. I know what a difference Jeff's voice and leadership skills could make if elected. Feingold obviously realizes the opportunity we have here in Oregon too. Please, kossacks, help send a real progressive to the Senate. If you live in Oregon, we need you to knock on doors and make phone calls. Or, if you can spare a little change for Merkley, you can donate to Jeff via the Kossacks for Merkley Act Blue page. Ballots drop in Oregon this Friday, please do what you can and help send a voice that truly represents us to Washington.
Here are a few more pictures from the event today...enjoy!