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August 14, 2007

The Machine vs. Grassroots

Nate Currie commenting over at Blue Oregon best sums up my take on yesterday's announcement that Oregon Governors Kulongoski and Roberts are officially endorsing Jeff Merkley for Senate over his Democratic rival Steve Novick.

I think this is going to be a very interesting battle between grassroots activism and the establishment machine.

I like Merkley and in fact am one of the first 100 financial contributors to his campaign. But the "foregone conclusion" vibe I get from the Kulongoski/Roberts endorsement turns me off.

Now I understand the motivation to get the big guns to endorse Merkley. Those endorsements help loosen the purse strings of those with deep pockets. But that's one of the things that most turns me off about this. The ability to raise large amounts of $$$ may be hugely important in terms of real politik, however it seems to me that Big Money in politics is one of the greatest factors in betraying the Lincolnian ideal of a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

The other thing that I don't like about it is the timing. Major Democratic leaders endorsing the candidate chosen by the membership in a Primary election is one thing. Major Democratic leaders endorsing a candidate before the people have cast a single vote just feels smarmy to me... as if the will of the people is being disregarded. Again, it feels like a betrayal of the Lincolnian ideal that I hold dear.

What do you think?

Posted by Kevin at August 14, 2007 05:35 AM