Forward Oregon

Something that many hard core supporters (especially bloggers) both candidates in the US Senate primary in Oregon often forget is that a huge chunk of voters are not aware of either Democratic Senate candidate.  With such low name ID on the ticket, both the ground game and television will be hugely important, as candidates still have to introduce themselves to voters.  Jeff Merkley’s first TV ad is about to hit the airwaves, introducing him as a reformer, a fighter, someone who leads, and someone who gets things done:

My favorite story about Jeff Merkley fighting for what matters was his unrelenting pursuit of equality for LGBT families in the legislature.  In 2005 when Merkley and the Democrats were in the minority. Karen Minnis use an underhanded rule change to keep Merkley from bringing a Civil Unions bill to the floor and passing it less than a year after the state banned gay marriage. Merkley wouldn’t take Minnis’ flack and refused to stop questioning the rule change despite being gaveled down and ruled out of order by Minnis. Karen Minnis then cut off his mic on the House floor and threatened to have state troopers remove him. But Merkley kept right on fighting and in 2007 won passage of historic legislation for basic rights and domestic partnerships.

Thats the kind of fighter I want in the United States Senate, one that knows how to fight, when to fight, and doesn’t give up. That is why I am proud to support Jeff Merkley.