Quick Hits: Filibusters, bellwethers, and free throws

Kari Chisholm

• This weekend, The New Yorker's George Packer has a fascinating story about the dysfunctional U.S. Senate - including a discussion about Ron Wyden's campaign against secret holds and prospects for reform of the filibuster. This particular tidbit caught my eye:

  The Senate is often referred to as “the world’s greatest deliberative body.” Jeff Merkley, a freshman Democrat from Oregon, said, “That is a phrase that I wince each time I hear it, because the amount of real deliberation, in terms of exchange of ideas, is so limited.” Merkley could remember witnessing only one moment of floor debate between a Republican and a Democrat. “The memory I took with me was: ‘Wow, that’s unusual—there’s a conversation occurring in which they’re making point and counterpoint and challenging each other.’ And yet nobody else was in the chamber.”

• Over at PoliticsDaily, national commentator Walter Shapiro has an excellent report on his recent trip to Oregon to cover the race between Congressman Kurt Schrader and State Rep. Scott Bruun (R-West Linn). (Hat tip to the O's Jeff Mapes.) Shapiro points out that the race is a bellwether (while cautioning against "[printing] up 'As Goes Oregon-5, So Goes the Nation' T-shirts".) Shapiro also finds a striking note of contrast between Schrader and Bruun:

  Asked about Schrader's recent House vote against the Afghan war, Bruun responded, "I guess I'm 180 degrees away from where Kurt Schrader is on the war. I was embarrassed by his vote on the troop funding." Words matter -- and "embarrassed" is a far more potent description than, say, "disappointed" or "saddened."

• Even conservative commentators are getting annoyed with Chris Dudley and his refusal to engage in a discussion about the issues with John Kitzhaber. The O's Elizabeth Hovde:

  His failure to acknowledge the value of joint appearances -- while overvaluing early campaign ads that don't really say anything at all -- is disappointing. ...
  
  And to a lot of moderate or independent voters, politicians can sound the same, especially when given a stage to themselves: They all want to create jobs, invest in "the children" and limit state spending. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
  
  But get two candidates in a room together, and voters start seeing subtle, or not so subtle, policy and style differences that help them make an informed choice.
  
  It's time for Dudley to start scrimmaging instead of relying on free throws.

• Governor Barbara Roberts told the Salem Statesman-Journal that she's finally finished her autobiography. It'll be published in the spring. I am, for one, looking forward to reading it.
• Finally, a pair of items for your social calendar: If you're a fan of Washington's Governor Chris Gregoire, well, she'll be in Portland on Wednesday - meeting and greeting fellow supporter of John Kitzhaber's campaign for Governor. Details here. And on August 20, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will be in Canby on behalf of Congressman Kurt Schrader. Contact the Schrader campaign) for details.

By Kari Chisholm Aug. 08, 2010