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April 28, 2008

OR Sen. televised debate - why Merkley won (handily)

I wrote up my initial thoughts and analysis over at Blue Oregon. Upon more reflection I would sum up my impressions like this:

Merkley won by speaking to issues near and dear to rank and file Democrats - college affordability, taking care of veterans and the economy - with passion and conviction.

From The O:

One of the leading candidates, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, jumped out with a proposal to grant free college tuition for families of anyone in uniform who dies in the line of duty. The Oregon Legislature passed a similar bill, Merkley said, and he would push Congress to do the same.

"As a U.S. senator, I would continue to champion veterans," he said. "We need to adopt a new GI Bill for the 21st Century."

Here we have a perfect example of the confluence of veterans affairs, access to education and improving the economy.

The original G.I. Bill was a key component of the economic prosperity this nation enjoyed after WWII and was largely responsible for the massive surge in the American middleclass in succeeding decades. In the 21st Century with working class wage jobs being out-sourced every year - an estimated 70,000 here in Oregon - expanding Oregon's model to the entire nation is critically needed to help stop or at least slow down the decimation of the middleclass.

Posted by Kevin at April 28, 2008 12:04 PM