By KYLE ODEGARD
Gazette-Times reporter | Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 12:00 am
Democrat Jeff Merkley, who aims to unseat U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith in November 2008, made a stump speech in Corvallis and was met with rousing applause on Tuesday night.
"The country has been way off track for far too long," said Merkley, of Portland, to more than 30 people at the Old World Deli.
Merkley said America, under the leadership of Smith and President George Bush, has changed from the land of opportunity to the place where only a few have opportunity.
"We deserve a senator who has opposed the Iraq war from the beginning," the Oregon House Speaker added, saying that U.S. troops needed to be brought home.
Before Merkley challenges Republican Smith, however, there's still that whole matter of a primary election. Democrat Steve Novick, a lawyer and political activist from Portland, also wants the Senate seat.
And then there's John Frohnmayer of Corvallis, who is campaigning as an Independent, and was present Tuesday to check out the competition.
In what has become a standard practice in politics, a representative of Smith was present to tape the speech.
Diane Safford of Corvallis was happy to hear a candidate early, because she's anxious to campaign for whoever she chooses to support - and that would be someone running against Smith.
Jessica Pankratz of Albany said she thought Merkley had a real chance. "It sounds like he's going to be able to stand up for his ideas instead of caving in," she said.
"I think we need serious change in Oregon and in the country," said Sean Ross of Corvallis. "I think a good, serious progressive has a chance with the climate."
Although Merkley didn't answer questions for the audience as a whole, he met and chatted with residents after his speech.
Kyle Odegard can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.