Meet Jeff Merkley on Friday

To the editor:

On Friday, Aug. 8, Speaker of the Oregon House Jeff Merkley will be in Baker City to meet with voters. To this end the Baker County Democrats have arranged a "no host" dinner meeting at the Sunridge Inn at 6:30 p.m. Rep Merkley will mingle with attendees and present an address after dinner. This is an important opportunity to meet and hear the challenger to Sen. Gordon Smith.

This campaign presents some very real contrasts. Despite Sen. Smith's image as moderate Republican it is important to note that he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time. If one considers that Oregon is below the national median income and Eastern Oregon is well below Oregon's median, it would seem that an Oregon Senator's agenda might have something to do with the common voter – not quite the case with Gordon Smith. In point of fact, the legislation he supported was of direct benefit to big money and legislation benefiting the common citizen regularly received his "Nay."

That might have something to do with his being the child of privilege – though many have outgrown that, um, shortcoming. Jeff Merkley was raised in rural Oregon, the son of a millworker and the first in his family to attend college. There is some reason to believe he might be in touch with the ordinary citizen on that basis alone. Couple that with his record in the Oregon House and the success of the Oregon House under his leadership addressing ordinary Oregonians and you have something Gordon Smith hasn't demonstrated.

The Sunridge needs a fairly accurate count for the optional dinner so an RSVP to 541-519-7080 would be greatly appreciated. The menu should meet varied tastes and is one of four items: Blue Mtn Burger and fries, $6.95; Cobb salad dinner, $9.95; ribeye steak $19.95; grilled halibut, $21.95.

Neither Baker County Democrats nor the Merkley campaign makes any money from this presentation. This is strictly an at-cost event presented for the information of voters with the dinner offered for the convenience and social opportunity of attendees. Please plan to attend; it should be a pleasant and informative Friday evening.

Chuck Butcher

Vice Chair, Baker County Democrats

Baker City