Oregon Universities Asking for Help

Oregon's public unversities need help from the state government to compete with other schools around the country, according to University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer. From the Statesman-Journal: University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer says the state needs to increase funding for higher education or tuition increases and more financial independence will be needed to help maintain quality and remain competitive. Frohnmayer warned the state Board of Higher Education on Friday that the university will drop from the ranks of the nation's premier public universities unless funding is improved. He said the university ranked last in state support when compared...

Gen. Tony McPeak of Oregon featured in new Obama ad

Barack Obama's new Iowa ad features Oregon's General Merrill A. (Tony) McPeak, and speaks directly to the judgement and experience brings to the race: From a conference call with reporters: "Many of you probably know I have a little combat experience," McPeak said on a call with reporters. "I watched a couple Commanders-In-Chiefs up close. I maybe can give a little expert testimony on judgment. …I’ve gotten to know Barack Obama very well in the last 6 to 8 months. He has precisely the kind of judgment we need. “Lives are at stake, and that can’t be left to business...

Oregon's Whiskey Rebellion

This month, Food & Wine magazine takes note of the burgeoning whiskey distillery industry in Oregon - calling our local product "America's Best New Whiskeys". And it's no accident. Sometime in the late 18th century, a band of small-batch distillers fled to the Kentucky countryside, where corn was abundant and a new liquor tax—which had just spurred a bloody rebellion—was rarely enforced. They shipped their whiskey in charred oak barrels, which imparted an amber coloring and a pleasant, sweet-smoky flavor. Recognizing a good thing, they made some more and, with a stroke of marketing ingenuity, stamped the barrels with the...

Senate '08: Third Quarter Money Numbers

Fundraising reports for the U.S. Senate campaigns aren't due until October 15, but the Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick campaigns released their numbers today. Here's the box score. Dollar totals are rounded to the nearest thousand (as they were released.) Steve NovickJeff Merkley Entered CampaignApril 18August 1 Days in Race166 days61 days Third Quarter$125,000$294,000 Total Raised$322,000$294,000 Cash On Hand$218,000$215,000 Contributors1300720 Average Donation$246$408 Fundraising Pace$1939/day$4819/day No word yet on Gordon Smith's numbers, nor John Frohnmayer's. We'll update when those become available. Discuss.

Ballot Measure Activist Indicted

In his Daily Kos diary, Pete Forsyth calls attention to the indictment of ballot measure activist Paul Jacob: Paul Jacob, one of the chief strategists behind the recent flood of libertarian ballot measures, was just indicted on felony charges -- and unless you live in Oklahoma, you didn't read about it. The charge? Conspiracy to defraud the state. But if you do a Google News search, you won't find any coverage outside that state -- even though Jacob's groups operate all over the country. Jacob is one of the key players in the rapidly accelerating movement to pass cookie-cutter, far...

New GOP Convention logo

Just a little fun for your Friday afternoon. Here's the actual, authentic, 100% true logo for the 2008 Republican Convention - to be held in Minneapolis. What's wrong with this picture? On the jump, the rundown from Markos at DailyKos...

Steve Novick on Outlook Portland

On Sunday, U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick takes his campaign to the airwaves. He'll appear on Outlook Portland with Nick Fish -- the local Sunday current events show that often beats the national shows for ratings in the Portland market. Here's a segment that KRCW has made available as a preview. Outlook Portland airs on Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m. on KRCW - channel 32 broadcast (or channel 3 on Comcast cable.) Set your alarm! Discuss.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow ...

(click to enlarge)

Kulongoski Proposes Driver's License Revamp

Governor Kulogoski proposed implementing a new system of Oregon driver's licenses today. Kulongoski's plan would create two types of licenses in the state; an official identification card for drivers who prove they are legal residents, and a different license for all other drivers. From the Oregonian: Gov. Ted Kulongoski is suggesting a two-tiered system for Oregon driver's licenses: one card for those who can prove they're citizens and another for those who can't. The proposal, which drew swift condemnation from people who say Oregon is too lax on illegal immigrants, is part of the governor's plan to bring the state...

Novick, Merkley, and the DSCC

David Steves, the political reporter for the Eugene Register-Guard, has an interesting blog post about the connection between Jeff Merkley and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Echoing a complaint we've heard a time or two here on BlueOregon, he argues that it's about time the DSCC fessed up about its support for the Merkley campaign: It’s common knowledge that Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who runs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, brought Oregon House Speaker Merkley back to D.C. last June to talk to him about running against Oregon’s incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith. That’s about all DSCC spokesman...

Sam Adams Running for Portland Mayor, Amanda Fritz for Commissioner

Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams announced yesterday that he is running to Mayor of Portland in next year's election. Adams first confirmed his candidacy in the morning in City Hall, and then formally announced his campaign later at a jam-packed Roots Organic Brewery in Southeast Portland. From KATU: Commissioner Sam Adams announced Wednesday morning he is running for mayor, confirming rumors that had been circulating for some time. He made the announcement outside City Council chambers, where he said he has the experience to be a great mayor. "My life, both personal and professional, has really been an apprenticeship for...

Westlund to Run for Treasurer

State Senator Ben Westlund has announced that he will run for Oregon Treasurer, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports: Oregon State Senator Ben Westlund says he’s running for treasurer. The Democrat from Bend made the announcement Wednesday at the state capitol in Salem. Westlund has served in the legislature for 10 years. But he says he’ll draw from his experience as a business owner if he gets elected treasurer. Ben Westlund: “I know firsthand the struggles of meeting payroll, the risk of expansion, and the prudence and discipline required of running a successful venture. They are lessons hard-learned and I will take...

Dennis Kucinich, Presidential Politics Visit Oregon

US Representative and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will be in Oregon next week to speak at the Oregon AFL-CIO convention in Seaside, joining fellow candidate John Edwards. From the Oregonian: One of Oregon's main labor groups has attracted not one but two Democratic presidential candidates to its annual convention. Dennis Kucinich and John Edwards are scheduled to address the Oregon AFL-CIO gathering in Seaside next week. The double-billing highlights labor's ability to affect the outcome of elections, AFL-CIO president Tom Chamberlain suggested. "In short, our members are being recognized for making Oregon a better place to live and work," Chamberlain...

A Homey Small Town at the Crossroads?

Ashland, is a small town of 20,000 people, right on Interstate 5, about 20 miles north of the California border. About 300,000 people visit Ashland every year so it's well known as a tourist attraction. Essentially Ashland is a retirement town with Southern Oregon University providing an influx of youth from September to May. Public school enrollment is on the decline and housing prices discourage young families from locating in Ashland. Many people in Jackson County view Ashland as a bedroom community to Medford. Medford is viewed by many as a thriving, growing city where many Ashland businesses often end...

Tobacco Companies Make Measure 50 Campaign Most Expensive Ever

Thanks to tobacco companies, Measure 50 has become the most expensive ballot measure campaign in Oregon history, with over a month left before Election Day. From the Oregonian: Cigarette companies have poured a record $6.6 million into defeating a proposed tobacco tax increase, making the ballot measure campaign the most expensive in Oregon history. "And it's only Oct. 2," said House Majority Leader Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone. "The really amazing part is, they've still got time to go." The previous record -- for a full campaign -- was the $5.6 million that insurer Liberty Northwest spent in 2004 trying unsuccessfully to...