I knew I liked that guy Kitzhaber--and I hated thinking any ill of Barbara Roberts for her Merkley endorsement--so this is good news...certainly for Brack Obama:
Portland, OR - In a sign that momentum is building for Barack Obama, today former Oregon Governors Barbara Roberts and John Kitzhaber endorsed Sen. Obama for President. The endorsements come just ahead of the Democratic Party of Oregon's Platform Convention this weekend.
"The people of this state are looking for a candidate that stands for their values and will bring change to America, and that candidate is Barack Obama." said John Kitzhaber, who served as Governor from 1995 to 2003.
Barbara Roberts, Governor of Oregon from 1991 to 1995 says, "I'm endorsing Senator Obama today because I know Oregonians are ready to turn the page on the divisive politics and failed policies of the past. When the Washington establishment was lining up to support the war in Iraq, Barack Obama had the courage and judgment to come out against this war back in 2002."
Governor Roberts added, "And Senator Obama is ready to take on the special interests and follow our lead here in Oregon to create a sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy, while revitalizing our economy for our growing local communities."
"I am honored to have the support of Governors John Kitzhaber and Barbara Roberts," said Senator Obama. "They are distinguished public servants who share my belief that we need fundamental change in Washington if we want to make the progress America so desperately needs. These two Governors have been fighting for Oregon and I look forward to fighting by their side in the months to come -- not just for Oregonians, but for all Americans."
(Welcome to LO, Cyreena Boston campaign! I love it when the political community uses LO as a place to get the word out. You see John Branam's face at right advertising his run for Portland City Council (and you'll see it a lot; he made a big buy), and Sean Cruz (like Boston, running for the state House) recently posted his own tip on the good media he's getting. That's what we're here for--to help progressives get their message out, and to connect candidates and their communities. Use us!
In this piece Cyreena touts her endorsement by former Governor Barbara Roberts. Good get... - promoted by torridjoe)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2008
For More Information Contact: eamon@friendsofcyreena.com
Portland, Oregon – Governor Barbara Roberts has endorsed Cyreena Boston for State Representative in House District 45 today. This is the latest high-profile endorsement for Cyreena Boston and is expected to add to her campaign's momentum. The House District includes Northeast Portland and Maywood Park. “
Cyreena Boston is my choice for State Representative,” said Governor Roberts. “Cyreena really understands her community. Her hands-on approach to getting things done is exactly what we need in the Oregon Legislature.”
In the short couple of years I've been doing this, I've had the privilege of talking to dozens of people, well-known and unknown, about topics affecting life in Oregon. Sometimes I wanted to talk to them more than they wanted me to, sometimes the reverse. Sometimes it was friendly, sometimes awkward and downright hostile, and sometimes friendly THEN awkward and hostile. (Pretty sure it never went from hostile to friendly). But I've certainly not had one-on-one time with a higher profile individual than Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont and Democratic candidate for President in 2004, and currently elected National Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
It was my pleasure to chat with him for a brief few minutes and ask questions I conjured entirely on my own, although the primary schedule and any contested races in the state were declared off limits beforehand. Fine with me; the primary schedule sucks for Oregon no matter who goes first. I would have loved a Feb 5 primary but it died on cost concerns from the elections offices.
It's always nice to have Howard Dean roll through town as he will be this coming Monday; he's been a consistently frank breath of air since he burst onto the scene with his Presidential run in 2004. He's an idealist's pragmatist--he gets it; he's almost never fooled by stupid GOP tricks, but he also understands the art of the possible and steady progress towards change. He's sort of like what Jimmy Stewart's character would have been like AFTER the big filibuster to protect the scout camp--wiser, unawed, but still principled and sharp as nails.
I really hate that these things run $50, which essentially leaves you with the liberal elite 5% of the population, plus really interested college students and high school kids getting government extra cred. Of course, they can probably fill the Benson at that rate and do wonderfully, whereas if they went to $10 they might do twice the Benson but have to go to a place like the Convention Center, where Obama did very well but overflowed a small room and thus underfilled the bigger one he got to replace it. It was like trying to be inspired in a bomb shelter.
I digress. It's pricey for most folks, but if there's one national committee I'd recommend giving to it's DNC. I tend to prefer individual candidates and local organizations like the Bus or Sisters of the Road, but the DNC does excellent short and long term work on building the party the right way, and I greatly respect the way Governor Dean has enabled ordinary people in even the reddest of states to organize proudly as Democrats, and to encourage their neighbors to see why it's also in their best interests.
So get yer tickets here for the Benson Monday night. The speaker's list looks pretty entertaining, and Dean himself is always an engaging listen. And the project they're going to be pitching is something that is really the newest "best practice" for grassroots campaigning: repeated contact of core supporters. I'll talk about all that and more when I publish our interview with Governor Dean on Monday. Until then, sign up and hobnob with the sector of the state Democratic culture that I really admire. One thing I'll tease you with is that he's hoping for "a few hundred close friends from Oregon," so you don't want to feel guilty for crushing the Governor's hopes.
Which, by the by, will be keynoted this year by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, the prototypical new Western Democrat but also a fairly remarkable man in general. Definitely worth the ticket, if you can make it. I sadly can't, although I will be there Sunday morning (after a long, caffeinated drive) to participate in a panel on (what else) technology in politics. More on that, closer to.
Kulongoski and former Gov. Barbara Roberts will serve as co-chairs of Merkley's campaign, largely ceremonial positions but a clear boost to Merkley's chances.
"Jeff's leadership is just what we need in the U.S. Senate," Kulongoski said in a news release sent by the Merkley campaign. "He's tenacious, he's principled."
The announcement will help cement Merkley's claim as the choice of Oregon's Democratic establishment to take on Republican incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith.
Yeah, no doubt it will cement his claim--and quite probably affect the reality positively for Merkley as well.
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