Great to hear about someone from Jackson County contemplating a run for US Senate. Also am a fan of Alan Bates.

We can use all the voices criticizing Smith and advocating for Democratic causes that Oregon has to offer, but so far, all we have are third-tier, not even second-tier, candidates, and this does nothing to change that.

I suspect we'll get some half-way decent second-tier candidates after the legislature adjourns, who'll definitely benefit from a contested primary if it remains cordial and focused on Smith, not useless negative attacks on each other.

And for the record, I'm no longer promoting the possibility of Kitzhaber running for the Senate, I've got it from the horse's mouth that he's decided against it definitively (which was a much, much more recent decision than many people here would believe). The governorship in 2010, though, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax...

Sal, I read this book years ago:

Leaving Town Alive: Confessions of an Arts Warrior (Hardcover) by John Frohnmayer (Author)

Just now found that information on Amazon, and they have lots of other stuff (speeches, etc.) if you are interested. I was very impressed.

"but so far, all we have are third-tier, not even second-tier, candidates, and this does nothing to change that."

Ouch! ... but true.

This is looking more and more like that most recent Walden race, where he ran against 4 nice, but unknown Dems. That 2nd district is much more conservative than the whole state, but then Sen. Smith is percieved as more moderate than Walden, so maybe thats a wash.

Things will get more interesting when the sencond tier actually does show up.

Harry

i think jeff golden can give gordon smith a run for his money. portland people shouldn't discount him too soon. jeff is smart, he's thoughtful, he knows politics and policy, he's a great speaker, he can handle a debate or a difference in opinion, he's well-connected through an A-list people he's interviewed, and he's got a strong following from eugene south through his radio show, the jefferson exchange.

i think he's going to surprise everybody.

Comparing to 2006 when PA,OH,RI,MO and MT were percieved as top tier races.

In PA- Santorum was vulnerable and Casey was a top tier challenger. In OH- DeWine was vulnerable and Brown was a top tier challenger In RI- Chafee was vulnerable and Whitehouse was a top tier challenger In MO- Talent was vulnerable and McCaskill was a top tier challenger. Casey,Brown,Whitehouse and McCaskill have won statewide office.

I put MT in the top tier race because of the scandals involving Burns.

I put AZ,NV,and VA in the second tier collumn.

In those states the Republican Incumbents were vulnerable but the Democratic challengers were unknown.

I put OR in the same situation as AZ or NV 2006.

I disagree strongly about the "3rd tier" candidates opinion. It's no wonder we, the voters, get stuck with pandering money-sucking politicians - we get what we deserve. Complain, complain, complain about pols like Smith who are bought and sold to the highest bidders yet when election time comes we still have been conditioned to think only other pols are 1st tier candidates. Ridiculous, that just leads to more of the same. I thought this was a progressive blog, but what I'm hearing is a lot of tired old same as usual thinking.

Haven't you all figured out that our system is corrupt and it isn't working for the average citizen? Do you think electing a few more "seasoned"" Dems is going to change it? It sure doesn't seem to be working in the current Congress. Not only have they not gotten us out of Iraq, but the GOP strategy of blaming the Dems for Iraq failure is already working. Abu Gonzales is still AG. Cheney and his minions continue to run wild. The GOP is playing the obstructionist card they so desperately cried about the past 6 years and the Dems are taking the hit. Just look at the approval ratings, even worse then Dubya. So tell me again, what are all those great 1st tier candidates doing that is so worthy of praise and imitation?

I'll take my chances with someone who isn't already wrapped in a pretty package too mollify the masses. How about actually doing something to change the worthless status quo? Let's start with the entire campaign finance system that allows such whores as Smith to run and get reelected over and over. Then hammer home the importance of our Constitution and the rule of law, ie. checks and balances are not only good, but they're the law. Meanwhile, stop playing politics with our soldiers and get them out of that deadly fiasco the Neocons got us into for Cheneyburton's bottomline. Health care anyone? Who's actually got the cajones to step up and say enough is enough? Every Child Left Behind - how's that working? Anyone out there really acting as if they care about the next generation?

I would hope by now some of you get the point. I see zero usefulness in supposing we can only be "saved" by some current officeholder. I honestly don't want anymore "career" pols. I want some fresh blood, somone who is willing to think out of the box, someone who will work to change the system so that it will work for the 98% of us instead of the wealthiest 2% corporate barons. Read Golden's As If We Were Grownups, A Collection of Suicidal Political Speeches That Aren't and then let's talk about the problem you have with his stances. I want the unvarnished truth so we can act progressively to fix the problems we know exist. I'll take my chances with someone who sees the system for what it is and realizes it must change for our own future good. I believe that given the chance to be heard, The People will like what they hear and that he is electable. Until WE start believing such candidates are imminently electable, we won't get such politicians if office.

I just want to quickly echo and add to blubeagle's comment. Jeff Golden, while relatively unknown in Portland, is a pretty big deal in Southern Oregon, and also has (dare I say it) Kitz-esque authenticity going for him.

He's capable of being strongly and consistently progressive while still sounding thoughtful and not like a partisan or knee-jerk politician. He often has conservative guests on his show, and has tons of regular conservative callers. He calmly, politely, thoughtfully, makes them look like idiots. This strength alone, I think, would allow him to surprise a lot of people.

Here is an interesting item from today's National Journal "Hotline" e-mail summary:

Golden Nugget One thing might haunt Dem Golden as he eyes OR SEN: His '03 film about a 34-day nude rafting trip that talks about how he cheated on his wife.

Jeff Golden is very well known from Eugene to Southern Oregon. And how many strong progressives do you know that can get elected to office in a county (Jackson) where republicans enjoy a 12 point registration advantage? Sure, he doesn't have much name recognition in Portland...but then there's the whole rest of the state. A progressive candidate that enjoys a lot of popularity in rural Oregon and doesn't fit the typical political brand sounds like exactly what we need to take on Smith. But I have an idea. Maybe all of the amatuer prognosticators on here should stop complaining about 2nd and 3rd tier candidates and wait to see how some of these campaigns actually shape up? After all, we're still over 10 months away from a primary. What do you think?

well, mr. forbes. i'd call that "nugget" being young, growing up in the '60s, and being honest about it. it's the candidates who hide this stuff that worry me. kudos to jeff for talking about it. (don't you wish you had a 34-day nude rafting trip to talk about in your golden years?)

Huh. Jeff Golden sounds like the most interesting candidate yet. No slight intended to any of the other announced candidates thus far, but he seems like the type of real Oregonian character who could capture the imagination of the electorate, and actually have a good chance of beating Smith. Not to mention that, as a radio show host, it would be entertaining to see him in a debate against Smith.

Come to think of it, the primary debates themselves just started looking even more interesting! When can we expect the first one?

MANY OF US in Eugene would fully support Jeff's candidacy. His book on how candidates ought to speak is an invaluable point of reference. I encourage him to run, and would provide help. I want to write and distribute commentaries statewide based on his book on valid adult speech-making. Also would like to interview him on my videotaped half-hour weekly TV show on Eugene Community TV.

MANY OF US in Eugene would fully support Jeff's candidacy. His book on how candidates ought to speak is an invaluable point of reference. I encourage him to run, and would provide help. I want to write and distribute commentaries statewide based on his book on valid adult speech-making. Also would like to interview him on my videotaped half-hour weekly TV show on Eugene Community TV.

For once I agree with Les AuCoin. That's the most intelligent comment I have seen from him. Having read one of Golden's columns, I admire the way he writes. My guess is that in a primary debate between Novick and Golden, Golden could do very well. The secret would be to maintain the spirit of the 2006 Second Dist. debates, not degenerate into a nasty primary.

I don't agree with ". I think a Frohnmayer candidacy hurts the Democrat more. " It depends on how attractive the Democratic candidate is to voters who are not political insiders but looking for a candidate who makes sense to them.

There is a huge part of the electorate voting for the person instead of the party. A campaign of "we're the Democrats, you're supposed to like us" would fail just like it did in 1996. A campaign with the wit, good humor, knowledge of issues of the sort the late Paul Wellstone ran would be a credit to this state.

It is time for Portlanders to remember that there is the rest of the state to consider, and it sounds like Golden has quite a fan club.

I must wholeheartedly agree with all the good that has been said of Jeff Golden. He has the plain spoken wit, wide knowledge and verbal skills to win. I think Jeff, like a John Testor has exactly the sort of I'll call it, outside Portland appeal that will be very useful in defeating Smith.

If Jeff gets through the primaries, I'm thinking Smith doesn't have a snowball's chance. Jeff, please run!

Senator Smith is trying to rewrite history. He writes "When the Senate Voted in October 2002 to send American troops to Iraq, we rallied as a nation to remove a tyrant who was a chief financier of terrorism and a threat to our national security." He has voted with Bush and Frist all the way down the line. This man needs to be gone. We do not need further missaging of history to their liking. We do not need the greed, corrunption, lying and downright dishonesty of this man.

Indie voter,

None of the potential three top-tier candidates against Smith (Kitzhaber, DeFazio, Blumenauer) would have been "pandering, money-sucking politicians," they are each leaders whom we could have been truly proud to have representing us, and even some second-tier candidates might be able to grow into that mold.

I have zero problem supporting people who've made a career out of leadership in public service, such as the three named above. I don't want amateurs, and even the iconic "non career politicians" people like to cite these days as examples who've successfully transitioned into the U.S. Senate, like Tester and Webb, have demonstrated leadership in civil service. Public policy, good public policy at least, requires professionals.... let's let the other side elevate exterminators to the head of an entire branch of government (i.e. Tom Delay) and see the disaster that can cause. I'm not saying that none of the candidates may do a good job, but without significant experience in public office, it's hard to know that they can play ball, and it'll take someone with credibility to defeat Smith.

Just heard on NPR radio that Jeff Golden was resigning his talk-show hosting spot. Boy, that was depressing news, we love listening to Jeff! He is the embodiment of calm intelligence, understanding & patient listening, & forward thinking views. He handles his callers with honesty & fairness - attributes that you sure don't find much & whole generations probably aren't even aware of.
So, to say I'm pleased to see that he is considering a Senate run is putting it mildly! Goooooo JEFF GOLDEN !!! (but, we'll still miss your show...)