In 2006 I was worked with Jill Thorn in Clackamas County during the GOTV effort.

Simply put, Jill was AMAZING. She was smart, hard working, committed and brought a level of understanding and clam to every campaign she touched.

I watched her work minor miracles in parts of Clackamas County all by using a very simple yet effective strategy: "Get the right people in the right places and let the grass roots take hold."

I can honestly say that Jill is an asset to our party.

In 2006 Jill helped delivered Clackamas County to the Democrats. Lets reward her with more work.

I can tell you as a member of the DPO Committee Body, I've received campaign letters from three of the candidates listed above... so the campaigns are obviously firing up! I've already decided my vote for chair, and am leaning on the other positions, but it is great to see competition out there among the activists for these positions in politics that most people don't hear about.

Anyone who has run against Greg Waldon has my vote. Plus, it may give Carol more cache as she runs again in 2 years to take back Eastern Oregon in the great Dem tsunami/takeover of the legislative branch 'o gov't in DC.

I haven't worked with all the people listed but if the rest are anything like Pat Ackley and you want more of them in the Democratic Party leadership, then pull out the chair and get me a freshly painted wall to watch dry while Republicans take back the state.

I can't think of anyone in politics or any part of my life who is ruder and produces so little. No thanks!

I coordinated with the DPO field staff and while we battled over priorities, they did a great job in getting county parties to actually do something for a change. But I also encountered party people like Pat who threw up obstacle after obstacle why they couldn't help the campaign, spend all their time saying why the campaign should do something different and are regularly rude to peons like me who apparently don't know anything because we're younger.

I worked with Mac during the grassroots effort for Dean and during the Kerry race, and I was continually amazed not only by his ability to be effective and deliver more than anyone thought possible, but also by his personal ability to connect with houseparty hosts across the state. He helped put Oregon on the map in the presidential race and made us matter even though we had a late primary. This cycle he's putting us on the cutting edge again with the Faith Caucus.

Mac has proved he can raise money, he has proved he can work statewide, he has strong connections with Dean and the DNC, and frankly, he's a heck of a nice guy. I have tremendous resepect for the effort Carol made against Greg Walden and the unending amounts of service Meredith has given the party over the years, but Mac has my support.

I am 100% behind Mac Prichard in his race to become the next Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon.

I first met Mac when he co-hosted a house party with Chris Beck in Lake Oswego for Governor Howard Dean. Over 75 people attended and hundreds of dollars were raised. My first impression of Mac was positive. Mac was approachable, he gave an excellent speech, and I could tell immediately that he is one who pays attention to detail.

A few months later, Mac and I were asked to be co-chairs of Howard Dean's house party committee for the state of Oregon. I had little experience or expertise in this area, but with Mac's leadership and guidance, we proved to be a formidable force. In fact, Oregon hosted more house parties than any other state except for Vermont and California!!

Mac easily transitioned into chairing the Kerry House Party Committee in Oregon, and again, with his organization and communication skills, he was instrumental in raising over $500,000 and helped to ensure a Blue State for John Kerry.

Of course, most of you know that Mac went on to become one of the most successful DPO State Finance Chairs, and once again Oregon was the beneficiary of many BLUE races because of his efforts.

Mac also has considerable expertise when it comes to dealing with the press. He has shared several tips with me that have made a huge difference in the Campaign for a National Nurse. I know one area he hopes to work on when elected Chair is improving the relationship the DPO has with the media, and increasing the number of press releases so that the public will see first hand that the Democratic Party is the People's Party.

However, as gifted as Mac is in the money raising and media departments, I believe his integrity, his honesty, and his desire to include others are crucial at a time when Democrats around the country are focusing more and more attention on the grassroots.

If Mac wins, every Democrat in Oregon wins.

Please VOTE MAC PRICHARD!!

As a former State Central Comm. member, I no longer have a vote. But here are the questions I would ask of any of the abovementioned candidates:

1) What do you see as the role of state party officers in the event there is a contested presidential primary in 2008? What do you see as your role at the 2008 delegate selection process and the Denver convention?

2) What do you see as the DPO role in other elections.

3) Please clarify how you see the current role of DPO in relation to county parties, legislative caucuses (esp. Future Pac as that group seems to be in the same building as DPO and FP mentioned DPO on their C & E ), grass roots volunteers who worked their hearts out for candidates which seemed forgotten by the state party, FP, etc. (see discussions on "how does a campaign earn national support?"). With regard to legislative campaigns, what are your views on Sal's DO and DON'T list under the "campaign earn national support" topic? Is that the way you see current reality, and is current status quo the way things should be?

4) If he were talking with you, how do you think DNC Chair Howard Dean would react to your answers to 3)?

5) Do you believe in 36 county strategy, or a strategy that targets certain races/ counties because "no one will ever win" in Yamhill County, in House Dist. 59, in Sen. Dist. 10, and so many other areas of the state?

6) Do you understand there are not only young people but veteran activists who don't have a lot of trust in the current DPO structure?

7) Aside from Rules, Organization, Platform, which state committees do you believe are important and why? What is the division of labor between the Exec. Comm., the standing committees, the county and district level central comm. especially those outside the Portland metro area ?

8) 2006 was a great year for Democrats, but do you think any mistakes were made in the way campaigns were treated by any organized Democratic group or any Democratic official which need to be corrected before 2008? For instance, should someone from either the caucus or the party personally meet every filed candidate by some time in the Spring of an election year so that they don't find themselves in situations where a candidate has an army of volunteers or is otherwise doing well in the fall but leading Democrats have never met that candidate?

If what we want to do is not stand still, but forge ahead, then we have to study what the candidates will bring.

All of the candidates are talking about working with the Counties. Really? Over half of the Counties are in the Second CD. Meredith has been here, well visited here. Carol worked her heart out here. Mac Prichard - Hmmm, the name sounds vaguely familiar (I have a cousin married to a Prichard, but not this one.), but Mac I don't think you've been east of the Cascades.

-- The greatest weakness of the DPO is its lack of honoring what goes on at the County level.

I was bemused by the post above talking about how Pat Ackley was such a poor example. Here is a clear example of the thinking of a political insider/DPO Central type. I saw the other side of that - a Central Campaign office that wouldn't honor the County, and inane phone calls from the new people thrown at those of us in the Counties. When local people suggest, sometimes strongly, that what is proposed will not work well locally; perhaps its time for campaigns to listen and change their ways. What we typically get is the bulldozer approach. -- Pat Ackley is a fine person who did well for Deschutes County. Pat Ackely, and little old me, were frustrated beyond our personal limits by the senior leadership of the DPO.

So, the insiders are suspect. I know Meredith, I like Meredith, and she is an insider. I don't envision much change for the good from her, perhaps some for the worse.

Mac Prichard in the letter that arrived in my mail today projects himself as an insider who is really good at getting money. He claims, "I've led volunteer-run house party programs that raised more than $625,000..." Well good. If you raised that kind of money, why did the DPO only find $10,500 to spend this election cycle in the 20+ Counties in the Second CD? If elected, Mac, do you suppose that this CD over here with 20% of the State population and 70% of the land mass could beg for more than the 1.68% of the money you raised that came our way? Or, are you another machine politician who will only play the targeted race strategy during election cycles and talk building up the Counties between elections when there is no money on the line?

I'm voting for Voisin unless or until Meredith Wood Smith or Mac Prichard convince me that they will lead the DPO in a new and different direction that actually BUILDS THE PARTY even during election cycles. Carol Voisin is already there. So, its up to you others to prove yourselves better if you want my vote.

I'm an outsider to insider Democratic politics, but have had the pleasure to work with Mac Prichard on local, albeit Portland, politics. I don't know the other candidates in this race, but trust that they are also intelligent, diligent people willing to dedicate themselves to this relatively thankless job.

Simply put, Mac is one of the most thoughtful and committed activists I've ever met. He's a big thinker who can clearly articulate complex ideas. He's good at working with people because it's obvious he really cares.

I'd love to see our party reach deeper into the latent wells of support it has throughout the state. 2008 could be a great cycle for us. To do that, we need to continue to tap fresh talent and make sure that we don't get to wrapped up in our endemic internal squabbles.

I know Mac would do a great job, he's got that rare combination of a great big brain and a great big heart.

Cheers to all my friends out there...I've been preoccupied recently with my new favorite person in the world, my six month old daughter, Ramona Meriwether Runkel!

I am familiar with both Mac Prichard and Meredith Wood Smith. From what I read here I would like to meet Carol Voisi. But until then I am supporting Mac Prichard. Over the five years I have worked with him as a Precinct Committee Person I have gained respect and trust for him. He is a man of integrity and does what he says and is in no way self-serving. He always returns my calls and e-mails promptly. Mac's communications often have constructive advice that he has gained in his 26 years of political work in the trenches (found out just the other day he worked with my older brother in 1980 in Iowa on a Senate race). Mac’s work with Kerry was impressive and he delivered. He is an asset to our District, our County Party and our State Party. I have absolute trust in Mac Prichard and he has my endorsement of State Chair.

oops, he has my endorsement FOR State Chair.

Pat Ackley is a personal friend and a hard working Democratic colleague, I will stand for both her character and her committment.

I have worked on Platform and Resolutions Committee with Jill Thorn, attended many Exe Committee meetings with her, and she is one of the most accomplished managers and concensus builders I have ever seen. Jill has my absolute support in any endeavor she undertakes.

I've had the good fortune to work with Mac Pritchard on the Dean-Kerry campaign and, more recently, on Lew Frederick's run for county commissioner. Mac combines wisdom and insight with great organizational and people skills. He's proven, over and over, his capacity for organization and execution.

I've also been fortunate to work with Meredith Wood Smith and have great admiration for the water she's carried for the DPO. I guess the good part of a hard decision is that the DPO can't lose. Nevertheless, I'm enthusiastically endorsing Mac for party chair.

While I'm at it I also commend Jill Thorn for Vice Chair. As an activist PCP in Clackamas, a House District Co-chair and now briefly Vice Chair, I have had a close-up of the skill, effort and productivity that has breathed new life into the county party.

Pritchard and Thorn - what a team!

I have not had the opportunity to meet Voisin or Pritchard; however I know Meredith fairly well. I think she's been a fantastic Vice Chair for DPO, traveling all over the state and working with county parties such as ours (Polk) that desired her help in getting organized and becoming effective. Meredith has given a number of trainings here for PCP's, officers, and canvassers -- just because we asked. Thanks to her, our Central Committee has a strategic plan, and we are putting it into action.

Meredith is a grass-roots Democrat who understands where the real politics takes place -- on the doorstep or over the back fence in your own neighborhood. Yes, she is "city folk," but she has has attended Rural Caucus meetings and become familiar with the tougher rural landscape.

Meredith has the experience and proven leadership... and I daresay the loyalty of those of us who have worked hard to bring our county parties into the new millenium. She has been volunteering her energies full-time as Vice Chair, and the progress shows at the state level... Two years ago we didn't see anyone from DPO around these parts -- ever.

As Chair, Meredith would have an even greater opportunity to move us forward. She knows the DPO's strengths and weaknesses. When I asked her what she would change if she were chair, she said she wants to make DPO's committees more relevant, improve communication at all levels of the party, and put more emphasis on building effective county parties across the state.

Meredith has a "can-do" attitude. She is a true listener and a uniter. She is a leader with heart and appears to have no "higher agenda" (like running for public office). She just wants to facilitate our state growing the best Democratic Party organization in the U.S. She is with the Party for the long haul.

I like the idea of having representation from outside of Portland, including 2nd CD, on the Executive Committee. I hope that Carol Voisin will run for Vice Chair if she doesn't make it as Chair. Ditto for Mac Pritchard.

Meredith has earned the top spot in my book.

Thanks to Pat Ryan for the update on the DPO Chair and Vice Chair candidates.

Thanks also, to Jim Edmunsen for his great service and clarification as to his non-candidacy for Vice Chair.

I was very happy and excited, when I received Mac Prichard's letter over last weekend, announcing his candidacy. I had not previously heard of that possibility and was having a difficult time deciding which candidate to support.

I emailed Mac immediately with my support.

I first met Mac during the early 2004 Democratic meetups, when he and Lew Frederick were still doing such great work for Howard Dean. Mac was leading the Dean house party fundraising concept in Oregon, with great success.

After the media and Republicans destroyed Dean with his amplified primal scream, Mac didn't miss a beat in bringing his considerable talents to the Kerry campaign.

He is a gentle but effective politician and manager. He convinced me, my sister Lynn Bradach [who also supports Mac's current DPO Chair Candidacy] and our family and friends, to have what was a very successful summer backyard house party for Kerry. He also got me on board as one of the house party speakers, bringing my perspective on the Bush gang through the prism of our family's experiences and the death of Lynn's son Marine Corporal Travis Bradach-Nall in Karbala on July 2, 2003 (the very day Bush spouted, "Bring them on!")

Mac does not deserve all the credit for the monumental success of the house parties, but he does deserve a lot of it. Their impact is not just the money (important as that is). The house parties make active Democrats more active and draw a steady stream of previously dormant activists to the fore.

I have since encountered Mac regularly as a PCP, at MultDems, in Lew Fredrick's campaign, at State Central Committee meetings and at varous political fundraising and peace functions.

Mac is a Class Act. He is does not grab the lime light, but persistently and effectively works on the important issues of the Party and people. When he is recognized, he is almost embarrassed.

He is smart and able. His personality is collegial and noncombative. I expect that Mac will be a uniting and activating force, as DPO Chair.

I urge the support of all State Central Committee delegates, and their vote, for Mac Prichard as Chair of the Oregon State Democratic Party.

John F. Bradach, Sr., Delegate DPO State Central Committee and member DPO Executive Committee.

An amazing thing about Mac Prichard is the way he enlists your support without twisting your arm. You're having a pleasant conversation with him and the next thing you know you're on the finance committee. He gets a lot out of people without exhausting them. For me, it's a hallmark of a great organizer. Mac will be a great party chair, please support his candidacy.

Kevin Guinn

Elizabeth Leventhal, are you speaking here as a delegate from the 74th Assembly District in California?

What I want to know is whether she's speaking as an Assembly District delegate, or as a Bus Project volunteer. Which is it?

Ugh! Everyone on the that list, except for Carol, is from Portland tri-counties (Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington). Rural Oregon leaders, please file your candidacy. I'd like to have a choice of balance of urban versus rural needs.

What I think as urban is Portland tri-county area. The majority of counties in Oregon are rural. Why the need for balance? Messaging. We need a leadership team that understands that the messaging in Portland tri-counties is not going to work in rural Oregon (minus Eugene city proper).

Jim Edmunson from Lane brought rural + urban knowledge. Meredith from Multnomah brought urban knowledge with rural understanding. Thank you Carol for filing candidacy.

Could we see more Rural Oregon candidates filing?

Mac Prichard would make an outstanding chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. I was on the campaign staff for the DPO in 2004 and worked closely with Mac and the House Party Team. He led a team of volunteers that built an amazing grassroots operation from the ground up, reaching out to Democrats in every county of the state in just a few short months. He will work non-stop and he will deliver. Vote for Mac!

As past Chair of Jackson County, I think I can speak with some knowledge of the qualities that will benefit the DPO if you choose Carol Voisin for your new chair. We watched Carol develop as she took on Greg Waldon in her bid for the 2nd CD, and she is a huge asset who should not be lost to the state party. First of all, she is highly intelligent, focused,and committed to her goals. She does her homework, is not afraid to ask questions, has broad experience in executive decision-making, is courageous and highly ethical.

People from other "down state" counties (which I gather includes "east side" counties as well) have expressed their frustrations with the DPO's lack of attention. Until Howard Dean and the DNC included Oregon in it's sights and provided funding for the field staff, and we were blessed with the positive linkage provided by Autumn Wilburn, Jackson County was on its own and can take credit for the organizational growth that we now enjoy.

It is time for the DPO to shift its attention to include ALL of the counties, no matter how far away or limited in population. The best way to do that is to bring in a new Chair from outside of the larger metropolitan area, to shed fresh perspective on the overall state.

Mac Prichard is a tireless organizer, a throrough and articulate communicator and one of the most talented networkers I've ever met. He's got a demonstrated ability to raise money and engage the grassroots. He's hardworking, collegial and good at bringing people together. I can't think of a better candidate for chair.

The past several years I have become more active in the Democratic Party and have had the opportunity to get to know Mac Prichard. His assistance and guidance was crucial to the success of a fundraiser I pulled together for Kerry/Edwards. Mac is a visionary and effective leader and his excellent communication skills will help him move seamlessly in working with Bus Project people, Faith Caucus folks, labor, environmental groups, etc. While the other candidates are also excellent- we have a deep bench locally and nationally- we have the opportunity to bust a major move and put Mac in the DPO Chair role and get ready for the 2008 and beyond cycles..Go Mac!!

I'd just like to reiterate all the positive things people have said about Mac Prichard. I met Mac back during the primaries for 2004 when Howard Dean was running strong. Mac has an exceptional combination of skill, perserverance, and kindness. He is a strategic thinker with an open mind. His thoughtful and dilligent approaches to service would be a great asset to the Democratic Party of Oregon.

I'd just like to reiterate all the positive things people have said about Mac Prichard. I met Mac back during the primaries for 2004 when Howard Dean was running strong. Mac has an exceptional combination of skill, perserverance, and kindness. He is a strategic thinker with an open mind. His thoughtful and dilligent approaches to service would be a great asset to the Democratic Party of Oregon.

I have known Meredith since before I was a Delegate to the State Central Committe of the DPO, and now I wish I was a Delegate again, instead of Delegate to 1st CD...oh, well! But I CAN say that I would give her my vote and my 100% support- at least I can still do the last part!

I can only echo so many of the wonderful comments already made about Mac Prichard. I worked with Mac in 2004 on the Kerry presidential race and was so impressed with the job he did fundraising for the state party with the House Party program. His leadership and vision helped raise an outstanding sum for the campaign and serves as a model for future campaigns. Mac has the ability to keep his cool when problems arise and always seems to have a solution at hand. And I remain in awe of his commitment to positive change. Good Luck Mac!!!

I would like to second the support of so many here for the candidacy of Mac Prichard for DPO Chair. I have known Mac for over 15 years and watched him very capably take on more and more responsibility working for the Democratic cause. We worked together during the Kitzhaber for Governor campaign and later during the Kitzhaber Administration. Mac worked with me as Deputy Legislative Director during the 1997 legislative session in Salem. He proved to be extraordinarily hard working and reliable during that session and later moved up to the press office where he wrote speeches and drafted the text for the state budget among many other duties.

Mac will bring a wealth a strong experience, extraordinary abilities and a lifetime of relationships built working selflessly throughout the state. The DPO and all Democrats will benefit from his dedication.