Jeff’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate has been endorsed by every statewide elected official in Oregon,

Did Wyden endorse him? Did the statewide-elected judges?

If my In Box were representative of a popularity poll Jeff is only slightly ahead of Homeloan, but a little behind Drugs.

If he would swap the bio-this-and-bio-that with a call to train One Million New Nurses and Doctors, so as to reduce the cost of health care, . . .

. . . then we might have a little less hot air.

Merkley has all the quality of a gold plated Hong Kong wrist watch. His pure baloney "Ethics" legislation was exposed by Dec. 19th Willamette week as to what pure bulls*** he brought forth.
He also candidly keeps his gun control beliefs neatly hidden. He is a master of sleight of hand hypocrisy, making the adage " Never Trust a Politician" true

What is true, IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE, in a bunch of elected areas.

Being to the right of "Atilla the Hun" on elected types, all I want is commonsense.

If it must be a Democrat, he or she better talk like "Ronnie R", and defend this country like Harry Truman did.

If that doesn't happen...better buy a bunch of ammo and bottled water, cause it may get rough.

GO SHO FOR MAYOR!!!

But Jack...this is Oregon. The Goldy (establishment) Demo always wins.

Their only mistake was saying it out loud.

One of the most intriguing assets that Merkley brings to the table is that he's an expert on nuclear weapons and national security issues.

Their only mistake was saying it out loud.

Dear Mister Tee,

Do you mean like a certain retired firemen, or an ex- chief of staff?

If you're correct, and I know you are, they do say it out loud...that is the problem.

I think that there are two things that Merkley is getting ahead of: first, Steve Novick (especially in terms of fundraising, grassroots support and strong Democratic endorsements); and second, Gordon Smith in terms of eventual votes in the general election 2008.

Of course, it helps that Novick is running a self-styled 'insurgent' campaign when he's really a well-connected D insider.

It is also extremely helpful that Gordon Smith continues to shoots holes in his feet with his well-ammo'd mouth pistol. Talk about gaffe-prone! Then again, it really underscores why we need to replace him with Merkley in the Senate.

Unbelievable.

Before this, I might have given or voted for Merkley if he beat Novick. But, declaring victory before the primary has even occurred is such a clear mark of disdain for the voters, even those of his own party, let alone the other, and in my mind far more qualified candidate, that he'll never get a dime or a vote from me.

Merkley's told us all we need to know about his integrity. If Merkley wins the primary, I'm writing in Novick in the general.

On a related note, John Kerry recently sent out a mass-mailing which, among other things, named "Jeff Merkely" (can't even get his name right?) as one of three candidates across the country who needed support to unseat a Republican senator.

Yup, the fix is in. Merkley is all but assured to be the one who will ultimately lose to Smith in November...

He's also bragging about being endorsed by "Hardy Meyers."

On your theme about how predictable the NeilCo fixer/enabler set is...here's the prediction...

Approximately two beats after the MSM picks this up, we will be treated to a parade of emo/sincere party line types testifying to Merkley's integrity, how it was all really just an unfortunate misunderstanding. He never really meant to declare victory before the election was even held. He was just being a little optimistic. Etc., etc.

Pass the barf bags.

Jeff's way over confident, and arrogant to boot. I smell an upset. Bye bye Jeffy, hello Mr. Hook. It'll be fun watching the Hookster do his verbal jujitsu with Sen. Slick.

I have "advertised" my political leanings, but also said, I will accept a Democrat (cough cough)if that elected person will work for us all in a commonsense way.

My question: Does that person really exist in the form of the current crop?

Let us start with those running for mayor here.(or those testing the water)

Merkley has all the quality of a gold plated Hong Kong wrist watch.

That could be said for most of the field that is now running.

Not true at all, Jack Peek. Steve Novick is more like the old Timex that keeps on ticking...

Steve Novick is more like the old Timex

Sell me...commonsense on what issues?

You could start by reading this:

http://www.votehook.com/issues

Gil Johnson ...hey Gil, I know I said sell me, but the link nearly caused another stroke(had one),Steve, I'm sure is a really nice guy, but I wasn't kidding about me being to the right of "Atilla the Hun".

If I said or tried to debate his positions(most were counter) I'd just get kicked off here again.

Are any of these candidates able to stick with working on the BASICS of what we elect them to do.

The hell with all special interests, if he is elected as dogcatcher, he handles that, if he is a city council guy/girl, he sticks with my Basics...FIRE/WATER/SEWER/COPS.

He or she stays out of all the rest, or we recall them,or find someone the next cycle who will.

Mr.Steve has to many groups I avoid, he thinks he can "talk" to folks who want to cut our heads off...LOVE TO SEE THAT TAPE!

I want someone in DC,who see's reality ,and not pure "bullshit"(someone used that and their still here), If we need more troops to defend us, we get them.

If we need more oil, we don't avoid reality until we can run cars on water, we better drill where we can.

I think Smith has wiggled over stuff as well, but that link for Steve was a no -go.

Thank you again for the effort you made for your candidate.

Merkley's whole campaign is about trying to create a bogus aura of inevitability.

I have felt all along that it was blatantly obvious but it needed to be said by someone who isn't a partisan.

Thanks for calling him on it.

We, the Democratic voters of Oregon, will decide who our nominee will be.

Check out this commentary.

Is it 100% factual to assert that Jeff Merkley is challenging Gordon Smith for the U.S. Senate seat. By running against an incumbent, he is by definition a "Challenger"--and the incumbent is the one being challenged. By this same measure, Steve Novick is also challenging Gordon Smith.

I think you're all just looking for an excuse to break out the Pepto Bismol.

And really, wouldn't you agree that, in order to defeat a 10-year incumbent with a $4+ million warchest, we Democrats need to focus on the eventual opponent? Both Merkley and Novick should be hitting Smith hard day after day for the truly stupid things he does as Oregon's Senator. And they both seem to be doing that.

Jeff Merkley, however, seems to be taking it more seriously by not attacking his primary opponent. Novick has refused to take this path.

Posted by Portlandia | December 22, 2007 11:58 PM

Tell that to non-Democrat and Novick-supporting blogger Mark Bunster over at LoadedOrygun.

Novick is attacking Smith. He's also pointing out that Merkley (who BTW is the official candidate of the Goldschmidt Machine) isn't that great a candidate. It doesn't much matter --- alas, Gordon Smith is going to clean either of their clocks in the general.

Gee Jack (Murray) - I didn't realize that the Democrats had support such that they could afford to be exclusive. I'd place a lot more weight on a local blogger's opinion (regardless of party affiliation) over that of a Washington establishment organization. It's too bad that Merkley thinks he needs DSCC support to defeat Novick. It shows what a weak candidate he truly is.

Jack (Murray)-- Merkley has hit Novick much more harshly and personally than the other way around. Novick went after Merkley's record, a perfectly legitimate method of providing discernible distinctions between candidates in a primary.

However, the Nolan-Greenlick letter, which was (it has been confirmed) at least cleared with the Merkley Machine (if not commissioned by), went after Steve as a PERSON. Not even as a candidate, but simply as a human being. It called him "crass" and accused him of "petty backbiting."

Now, is Steve Novick pointing out that Jeff Merkley voted for a resolution supporting the Iraq War further below the belt than Merkley having his cronies go after Novick entirely ad-hominem? I think the answer is pretty clear.

Notice how the Novick supporters here and elsewhere don't understand that beating Gordon Smith, not bashing on Democrats is the goal. Merkley is absolutely challenging Smith. It is like if you are on a baseball team, yes you have to win a playing time to get on the field but your mission is to beat the opposing team.

bdunn, that's exactly what we're talking about. However, there is a little thing called a primary election, and whether they want to admit it or not, the Merkley campaign are turning their brains inside and out to try and beat Novick in the primary. That's how elections work.

The Nolan-Greenlick letter is proof of that, as is much of the BS spewed around the blogosphere. The baseball analogy falls flat. It's more like a swim team (or other individual sport), where you have to challenge other members of your team for top spots. The coach and the team want to send their best athletes out against the other team, and that is found by having two of them duke it out (so to speak, not a reference to negative campaigning) before you get to the big meet.

We all want to beat Gordon Smith. Shouting loudly about how Novick supporters just want Jeff Merkley dead is ridiculous and off-topic. The Greenlick-Nolan letter was also ridiculous. It doesn't help the candidate to just say that he's better than the other; you have to SHOW it.

Notice how the Novick supporters here and elsewhere don't understand that beating Gordon Smith, not bashing on Democrats is the goal.

That sets the bar pretty low. Beating Smith isn't the goal, the goal is turning this country around and away from the disasterous policies of the current Bush administration.

Replacing Smith with someone who can do that is the goal. It's our Party's responsibility to sort that out and decide who that best person to do that is.

Jack Murray,

It's called a Primary Election.

Google it.

That sets the bar pretty low. Beating Smith isn't the goal, the goal is turning this country around and away from the disasterous policies of the current Bush administration.

OK....Frank, May I restate my case as the lone "underdog' that is allowed to post here, "if I don't get to far out of line for the host!

Me...NOT, a Bush kool-aid drinker,in fact,on a host of items, he sucks!

Turn this country around, I think you said, To what direction??

The economy isn't in a depression, we all for the most part, have a decent job.

We haven't lost 3000 lifes since 911, and before you get the loss numbers of our soldiers...THAT'S WHAT THEY DO, and thank GOD, we have still have the will to fight.

You guys need a dose of reality, we all better get our act together soon, cause if Steve Novick, or any other "Progressive" think's we can "talk" to IRAN, well,I'd love to see the tape of that conversation, they aren't noted for conversation, only sharp knifes.

Your party, who wants cheap votes, and my party who wants cheap labor both suck, and on that issue...FRANK, we all are in trouble.

All of us better get together quick, or the end of both parties, and this country are near.

Merry Christmas Frank...NOT, HAPPY HOLIDAY'S.

You guys need a dose of reality, we all better get our act together soon, cause if Steve Novick, or any other "Progressive" think's we can "talk" to IRAN, well,I'd love to see the tape of that conversation, they aren't noted for conversation, only sharp knifes.

Your party, who wants cheap votes, and my party who wants cheap labor both suck, and on that issue..., we all are in trouble.

All of us better get together quick, or the end of both parties, and this country are near.

I post the above after reading Jeff M's website.

The two of these guys must have sat down and copied each other.

My biggest issues: 1. fighting terror..period.

2. Fighting the other "terror" issue....THE FRINKING BORDER MESS.

Neither Progessive has a clue!