Forward Oregon

Big Winners

Democracy - Its hard for democracy to do anything but be a big winner when you get 400 of the best and brightest activists from across the state (even some from across the nation) to come and discuss how we make Oregon more progressive and democracy more responsive to young people.

The Bus Project - The Bus has shown its staying power as a force for engaging young progressive voters, getting them excited about politics, and actually making a huge difference in Oregon politics. The Bus Project showed its ability to get “cleaned up”, if you will, putting on far more that a great party, but rather creating a great civic space for talking about the issues that matter to our state. The Bus Staffers who I know and love very much including Alex Tischenko, Emily Kintzer, Alex Arronson, Clare Seekins, Caitlin Baggot, Tara Sultzen, Jefferson Smith, Garret Downen all deserve mountains of credit for an amazing job, as does anyone who volunteered to make such an outstanding event happen.

Ben Westlund - One sentence says it all “Jizz Pimp for Treasurer.” Well, maybe if you weren’t there you will need more than a one sentence explanation. Westlund was hilarious during the SOS Debate, including a video making fun of his profession as owner of a company that sells bull sperm.

Winners

Jeff Merkley - Had a great speech to kick off day two and the “Policy Battle Royale” that brought the crowd to their feet and thoroughly energized sleepy young people at a far too early hour of the morning, a daunting task to say the least. Further, his leadership lunch with Representative Nolan showed exactly the same qualities that I remarked on during my interview with him, and impressed all that attended. Merkley certianly solidified his position with those who know him for his leadership during the session and with Future PAC during the 2006 election.

Steve Novick - Used a quick off the cuff format for his role in the Policy Battle Royale very effectively to show off his wit. Plus. I sat next to one of his staffers, Ted Gliechman (I probably spelled that wrong and I am sorry) at the banquet, who was a very nice man. Our conversation convinced me that if I had never read Loaded Orygun I probably would like Novick much more than I currently do.

Joe Bassler - AFSCME representative lost the funnist person at the conference to Ben Westlund, despite his outstanding performance as devil’s advocate during the Battle Royal.

The SoS candidates - All of which maintained their places in my mind as excellent candidates in a comical and effective debate. I’m still sticking with Kate Brown as my choice.

Losers

The AG candidates - Both support mandatory minimums and were boring as all get out, though Kroger was livelier and certainly won the debate. I still have yet to start caring at all about this race.

Big Losers

The Republican Party - Do you think anyone on the other side could pull something like Rebooting Democracy off? Hell they can’t even get a state wide candidate to run for anything.

John Frohnmayer who was the moderator for the AG debate lost big time with his “the legislature is the branch of government with a veto” comment and routinely botching jokes and the debate in general.

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Tags: RebootingDemocracy, Ben Weslund, The Bus Project, Jeff Merkley, Steve Novick, John Frohnmayer, OR-Sen, Joe Bassler, Mary Nolan , Alex Tischenko, Emily Kintzer, Alex Arronson, Clare Seekins, Caitlin Baggot, Tara Sultzen, Jefferson Smith, Garret Downen