Jeff Merkley's left Medford

Paulie Brading

Alba City Park in Medford 7:30 AM: white chairs were already lined up to face the gazebo where House Speaker Jeff Merkley would make his remarks at 8:30 AM. Merkley signs were on the seats, the sound system was tested and best of all, three long tables groaning with fresh pasteries from Medford's Artisan Bakery were all ready there. Hot coffee on a cool morning in a lovely park near city hall and the Jackson County courthouse, a perfect setting for the second day of Merkley's "Change is Coming" tour.

A group of Merkley folks had arrived the evening before. They were wide awake, chatty and busy tending to every detail. Looking across the grass I saw the Gordon Smith tracker set up his camera on a tripod..hoping for a Merkley macaca moment to report. All three TV stations arrived and a couple of reporters I knew showed up too. The crowd began to grow; sounds of happy greetings, hand shakes and hugs filled the air. Channel 12 grabbed me for a quick interview about Jeff Merkley's campaign. I made certain to mention Steve Novick's stop scheduled in Medford on October 20th. Soon, every chair was filled, with crowds standing behind. The Merkely RV pulled around the corner, impressive, official, serious business was about to take place. After the staffers, Kari and Jeff from Blue Oregon bounded out of the RV. A tall smilling Jeff Merkley strolled toward the gazebo holding hands with his wife.

D-Representative Peter Buckley, from Ashland gave Merkley a strong introduction. The crowd waved signs, cheered, and broke into spontanious applause several times. Jeff Merkey, surrounded by supporters after his speech was soon in front of the cameras. Well done, well organized and right on time.

Folks from a Mission near by along with regular park dwellers began to inch toward the food as the park emptied out. Invited to breakfast, I was soon chatting with Vets from Vietnam angry with President Bush and angry about the mishandling of the Iraq War. I met a guy hoping to find "a rent" as he called it. Pockets were filled with apples and bananas and paper cups were jammed with strawberries. Their stories about why this country has to change sounded similar to Merkley's speech, oh his remarks were sincere, these people spoke from the experience of the street, of struggling for health care and a place to sleep at night. I thought of my father, a World War II veteran and my husband a Viet Nam veteran. I re-dedicated myself to the values of the Democratic Pary.

By Paulie Brading Sept. 18, 2007