Oregon Elephant

Michael Reagan , writing an article for Human Events concerning John McCain's defeat, wrote this: This was not a referendum on Ronald Reagan. As a matter of fact, my dad might well have voted for Barack Obama just based on what he was seeing his party doing. Wow...

Bobby Jindal was interviewed on Hannity & Colmes tonight...wow, he's impressive. It makes me wonder if things might have been different with him as the nominee...

I'll have a longer post later tonight, but here are some quick thoughts: Barack Obama : Congrats to the new President. I hope he governs from the center - I guess we'll see. At any rate, we can all be even more proud today of our country. Obama's first primary victory was in Iowa, which is mostly white. Last night, he won Virginia, which was the cradle of the old confederacy. It's an amazing thought. John McCain : Maybe one of the best concession speeches I've ever heard. It was gracious, warm, and truly heartfelt. And anyone could see that John McCain's deep love for America is no act. He is a true hero, a true patriot, and will be a great asset in the Senate. California's gay marriage ban : Fascinating that the state that voted for Obama by double-digits also voted to ban gay marriage. It shows that the country truly is center-right. I was very happy to see this pass, especially after the vicious anti-Mormon ads the other side ran the day bef...

Merkley - He seemed somewhat uncomfortable, like he was gathering his courage for a schoolyard fight in which he wasn't the biggest kid. I think he was trying hard to show he belonged on a big stage. He recited his lines fine, but I'm just not sure he won over any undecided voters. His rhetoric was very populist, left-leaning. It will appeal to his base, but I'm not sure independents will be convinced. His statement at the end that "we don't run negative ads, we run issue ads" was just silly. It doesn't impress when the audience is laughing at you. Grade: C+ Smith - He seemed comfortable and ready to go at it. He seemed ready for the questions about negative campaigning, and put Merkley on the defensive with his offer to bilaterally stop the negative ads. He fell into pettiness at times, and seemed a little prickly in his confrontations with Merkley. But all in all, he seemed the more moderate, which will appeal to independents, who are the real...

Merkley - It was fine, but nothing unusual. Smith - says he was rated 50 out of 100 senators in ideology - says he is "the center of the senate". Two phrases he has used multiple times "you can believe his rhetoric, or you can believe his record." and "i have always been there for rural oregon." Smith's close was a little stronger, but neither statement was terrible or terrific.

Questioner mentioned Gordon Smith's offer to stop negative ads on both sides. Merkley - "I don't have negative ads, I have ISSUE ads." Audience laughed - I don't think Merkley was trying to be funny. Bad moment for Merkley.

Question on global warming.... Merkley - Basic stock liberal stump speech. Was fine. Smith - When salmon fisherman have problems, I've been there to help them. Talks about the farmers he's helped. I'm for natural resources, but people count too. Smith's answer was a little better.