U.S. Senate candidate said he's the change that's needed

Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley said America has veered off-track under Republican leadership.

The Democrat candidate for the U.S. Senate said Monday that he'll help restore the integrity of the nation, fighting to end torture and the war in Iraq, and working to ensure affordable health care and a quality education system.

"How about if we have an America that works for working Americans?" Merkley asked the audience. "It's way past time to put this nation back on track."

Merkley and a group of Oregon Democrats spoke to about 150 people in the Memorial Union Lounge at Oregon State University about 30 hours before tonight's 8 p.m. deadline for drop-off of election ballots. Most of the people in attendance were students.

"This is your chance to make history," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

The incumbent Republican, Sen. Gordon Smith of Pendleton, had stressed his ability to work with prominent Democrats in the waning weeks of the election, including during his Oct. 30 stop in Corvallis.

But Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden made it clear who has his endorsement.

"Jeff and I are going to show in the United States Senate that it's possible to fight terrorism ferociously without throwing your individual liberties in the trash can," Wyden said.

Other Democrats on the ballot were there on Monday, including Ben Westlund, who is running for state treasurer, and Kurt Schrader, a candidate for U.S. Congress.

The event was a hit for many OSU students, and Merkley shook hands for about 15 minutes afterward.

"I loved how they talked about not just working for the people at the top, but working for everybody," said Jesus Partida, a freshman from McMinnville who is studying political science.

Erica Emerson, a sophomore English major at OSU, said she's "really, really frustrated; so frustrated," because she turns 18 on Sunday and therefore misses voting in this election.

"Obama needs Democrats," Emerson said.

"After George Bush, I'm so far away from anything Republican," said Kim Coffey of Oregon City, a junior studying communications who said she'd already voted for Merkley.

"Our economy has just gone down the drain because of George Bush. And the war," Coffey added.

On the day before Election Day, Merkley had six appearances throughout the Willamette Valley to try to sway last-minute voters - or convince those who had already cast their ballots to talk to friends about the Senate race.

"It might very well be the younger generation that decides the outcome," Merkley said.

Kyle Odegard covers Oregon State University. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.