Brown is a member of the club and the no-change candidate. Ms. Vicki has my vote.

She's why I'm changing my registration from R to D. For the first time, in a long time, I see someone who's not afraid to color outside the lines. That's a vote I'll actually enjoy casting.

Oh, and that's the only vote I'll cast as a D this time around - you guys don't need my help with the Obama/Clinton thing.

Vicki is my hero. She took on the Goldschmidt machine over SAIF and the higher ed board and was the only legislator that exhibited any guts. She was a pariah in Salem after that, at least until the rape scandal broke. She would make an excellent Secretary of State.

Ditto, Dave Lister. I am now up to 22 votes for Vickie.

Vicki voted for HB 2614, which prohibits members of a political party from supporting an independent candidate by signing his/her nominating petition. That vote alone makes her unqualified to be SoS because it shows that when push comes to shove, Vicki is a partisan hack.

In fact, the only candidate running for SoS who didn't support that turd was Metsger.

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I urge you to consider casting a vote for Kroger in the Dem AG primary -- simply because, like Walker, Kroger is NOT part of the usual crowd of Dem insiders descended from the Goldschmidt gang.

The same cannot be said for Macpherson.

I will be voting for both Walker and Kroeger, although I do hope both are strong enough to stay independent, given the partisan shenanigans that seem to be commonplace.

OSB's Ad Law section is sponsoring a debate between Kroeger and McPherson next Thursday, 7pm at the new bar center. They'd like people who would like to attend to make reservations; should be an interesting time.

Apropos nothing...when I read "favorite Oregon politician" I could not determine whether you were being sarcastic. I had to read and re-read to figure out what I think you intended to say.

As a relative newcomer to Portland and an occasional reader of your blog, I often have trouble figuring out when you are being facetious/sarcastic or sincere. Your message usually becomes more clear upon closer reading. (But who has time to read the Oregonian on Saturdays or read things closely these days??? Joking.)

When I first saw the phrase "Sam-the-Tram" a long time ago, I thought it was a term of endearment. Hee-hee.

HB 2614, which prohibits members of a political party from supporting an independent candidate by signing his/her nominating petition

I agree that that piece of legislation is abominable -- and no doubt unconstitutional -- and I quit the Democratic Party over it. (I rejoined recently, however, because for a lot of state races, the primary is the election.) And as I said in discussing the matter on this blog, Walker and the rest who voted for that law really should be ashamed.

Thanks for your support, Jack, and the wonderful comments by your readers. As to HB 2614, it is the one time I wish I had an eraser. It became obvious that the practical implications of the bill is that it effectively put an end to an independent candidate's ability to get on the ballot. I regret my vote and will work hard to convince the legislature to correct our mistake.

Thank you for your honesty, Vicki. I can see why Jack supports you.

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I urge you to consider casting a vote for Kroger in the Dem AG primary...

Hadn't thought about that, but I will. This could be more fun than I thought. Novicks's got my vote too. The entertainment value alone would make him a great Senator and Gordo just doesn't do it for me any more.

Now, if only someone were challenging that esteemed member of the National Academy of Sciences - NOT - Mitch Greenlick. That guy's just off the charts and should retire. Losing him would make me a happy Democrat.

Thank you for your honesty, Vicki. I can see why Jack supports you.

I have always believed public officials should be held accountable, and that everyone...regardless of the size of their pocketbook, or who they know...deserves a seat and a voice at the table. I find it easier, and more honest, to admit my mistakes than to try and make excuses for them.