Jeff Merkley at Netroots Nation with Photos!

Posted by Sarah Lane on July 19, 2008

Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley flew out to Austin Texas to meet with bloggers from all across the country. He was very excited about the event as was I. Follow me below the fold to find out about Jeff Merkley's visit to Netroots Nation....

Let's make the NW Bluer!

On Friday night, Wes Clark and Howard Dean gave rousing speeches to kick off the weekend celebration. Jeff mingled about, meeting bloggers at as many tables as we could get to. He also had the opportunity to meet with one of my favorite candidates running for Congress, Darcy Burner.

Electing both Jeff and Darcy would not only make the NW bluer, it would make our Congress more progressive. That's what we want right? Jeff not only met with Darcy Burner, he also had a chance to meet General Clark and TX-Sen candidate Rick Noriega.

Jeff Merkley and General Clark



Jeff Merkley and Rick Noriega

Hanging with the Bloggers on Friday Night

After the keynote, we headed over to the Turn Texas Blue Party. It was the place to be on Friday night, bustling with bloggers and candidates. It's hot in Austin so there's nothing like a warm night and a cold beer. Jeff enjoyed a beer and chatted with bloggers and activists.

After we left the party, Jeff said to me, "I'm having so much fun!" He said, "There are so many interesting people to talk to at this convention." I think Jeff really felt like he was in his element. After all, Jeff Merkley and the netroots share the same values. Jeff is a progressive Democrat who opposed the war, is an advocate of UHC and opposes immunity for telecom.

Chatting over Coffee with the next Senator from Oregon

On Friday morning, Jeff met with bloggers at a coffee meet and greet. Bloggers were able to grab a cup of coffee, have something sweet to eat and chat with Jeff. This is exactly the kind of event that all candidates should have in their own states. Small events are important where everyday citizens have a chance to talk with their future Senators and Reps about the issues they care about.

Energy Smart Jeff

Jeff was lucky enough to be able to participate in the Energizing America panel, moderated by A Siegel. Other participants included Devilstower, Jerome a Paris, AK-Sen candidate Mark Begich and Debbie Cook CA-46. Jeff spoke about the need for an Energy Smart Congress and how we all need to mobilize to push serious reforms through Congress.

Jeff was very appreciative of the opportunity to speak on the panel. Fighting climate change and reforming our energy policy is one his top priorities and he is determined to lead on the issue once in the Senate. I will be posting video and pics of the panel early next week, so keep an eye out.

As I was taking Jeff back to the airport, he reiterated to me how much fun he had at the convention. He respects my fellow bloggers and all the work they do to elevate important issues that the mainstream media is not covering. Keep on scrolling down for more pics of Jeff chatting with bloggers at Netroots Nation.

Here's a pic of Jeff chatting with bloggers before the Keynote on Friday:

Here is a great pic of Jeff talking to the wonderful folks at Act Blue:

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Jeff Merkley is Heading to Netroots Nation!

Posted by Sarah Lane on July 16, 2008

Oregon Senate candidate Jeff Merkley is heading to Austin to attend Netroots Nation! Jeff has always believed that the netroots is a critical part of how we make progressive change in this country. He also knows that upstart, passionate Democratic challengers like Jon Tester and Sherrod Brown need the netroots to defeat entrenched incumbent Republicans like Gordon Smith.

The Merkley Campaign has been gaining momentum in the online community. Not only did Jeff out-raise Gordon Smith this past quarter, he also had an amazing showing online. He raised over $420,000 online which was twice the amount he raised online from all three quarters combined! Pretty amazing isn't it?

This is an opportunity for bloggers to meet with Jeff face to face and an opportunity for Jeff to hear the concerns of progressive activists from all across the country. You and I both know that Gordon Smith is out of sync with Oregon and out of touch with the challenges everyday people face. Smith was instrumental in blocking the Employee Free Choice Act and voted against raising the minimum wage. Smith voted for telecom immunity and has been a rubberstamp for Bush when it comes to illegal surveillance. Smith spends millions misleading voters into believing he is a moderate, so it's up to the netroots to hold Smith’s feet to the fire when the media gives him a pass.

It's time for the netroots to come face to face with progressive Democrat Jeff Merkley. Jeff is a candidate who will always fight for the best interest of working Americans. Jeff will not fold on FISA, ending the war or voting to pass harmful energy policies. Don't you think it's time you meet Jeff in person?

Meet Jeff at Dean's Keynote Speech

This Thursday Jeff will be greeting bloggers as they enter the exhibit hall to hear Howard Dean's keynote speech. Grab a Merkley bumper sticker and meet the next U.S. Senator from Oregon!

Thursday Night in Austin

Jeff will be meeting with bloggers from all across the country to talk about the issues YOU care about. Jeff will be discussing major problems facing our country like ending the Iraq War to reforming our insane energy policy. Want to talk to Jeff about how we progressives can make a difference in DC? Come find Jeff after the keynote on Thursday night and let's have a conversation!

Friday Morning Coffee Meet and Greet

This Friday at 8am - 8:45am, Jeff will be meeting with bloggers in front of the Java Jive coffee shop in the Hilton Hotel. How does rolling out of bed, grabbing a cup of coffee and chatting with the next Senator from Oregon sound? It's a great way to start your day!

Energizing America; Setting an Agenda for Progress

On Friday at 9am, Jeff will join the Energizing America Panel, moderated by A Siegel. Other participants include Devilstower, Jerome a Paris, AK-Sen candidate Mark Begich and Debbie Cook candidate for CA-46. The panel will focus on critical environmental problems and innovative approaches to the challenges we face.

Yep...I'm going to Netroots Nation too!

This will be the first time I attend the yearly blogger convention. I've wanted to go the in years prior but was never able to. I am so excited to meet my fellow bloggers in person. I mean sheesh, we talk enough online, we should meet offline! I've been blogging for a number of years now and I've come to feel like a part of the progressive blogging community so attending Netroots Nation is a big deal to me.

Now, back to the task at hand.....Jeff Merkley wants to meet YOU! I hope that you'll be able to meet Jeff at one of the events I listed above. After all, you'll be meeting our next progressive champion in the U.S. Senate!

If you want to get a hold of me so you can make sure to meet Jeff, email me at sarah@jeffmerkley.com

See you there!

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Little Time, Little Money, Big Change: Host a Jeff Merkley House Party for Change

Posted by Ben DuPree on July 15, 2008

Jeff Merkley's campaign to change Washington is heating up. Our 100 Towns for Change tour is in full-swing, and Jeff is bringing his message to every corner of Oregon. The response is overwhelming: Oregonians are letting us know that they're tired of politics-as-usual from our leaders and that it's time to send the likes of George W. Bush, Gordon Smith, and John McCain packing.

But our work doesn't end there.

Yesterday, the campaign launched its latest grassroots effort: 100 Homes for Change. Starting in August, Oregonians will invite their family, friends, and neighbors into their homes to learn about the campaign and how they can help Jeff bring change to Washington. These house parties will occur all over Oregon and will give people a chance to come together around a common goal: working to fix the mess in Washington by electing Jeff Merkley to the U.S. Senate.

If you're interested in becoming a "home for change", there are three opportunities to do so: Tuesday, August 19; Tuesday, September 9; and Thursday, October 2. It's simple to host a party. We'll provide you with a full kit as well as support from experienced organizers.

Most importantly, this is all about the grassroots: connecting Oregonians and requesting low-dollar contributions so our campaign has enough support to win in November.

To help Jeff send Gordon Smith back to Pendleton, sign up today to host a party for change! Contact Andy Parker at grassroots@jeffmerkley.com or call our office at (503) 274-4439. With your support, we can bring change to Washington and give everyday Oregonians a stronger voice in Washington, D.C.!

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New Video - This is Our Time, This is Our Responsibility

Posted by Mike Westling on July 11, 2008

Bandon was stop number 14 on Jeff's 100 Towns for Change tour.

Watch video from the event below.

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100 Towns Tour for Change
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Hitting the Trail in Clackamas County

Posted by Mike Westling on July 7, 2008

Jeff kicked off his 100 Towns for Change tour on June 14th and already he’s visited 35 towns and talked to hundreds of people from all over the state.

Jeff spent Sunday traveling Clackamas County, starting at the Farmers Market in Milwaukie. Then Jeff stopped at the Gladstone Senior Center for a town hall meeting and Biscuits Café in Canby for coffee with local community leaders.

Later in the afternoon, Jeff headed to the annual Molalla Buckaroo and met with folks who were dressed for the event, many of them in jeans and cowboy hats.

The first Buckaroo Roundup (as it was then known) was held in Molalla in 1913 to celebrate the arrival of a connection to the Portland, Eugene, and Eastern Railway.

After the Buckaroo, Jeff headed over to Long Park for a discussion about the importance of weaning America off of foreign oil and investing in renewable energy.

One of the questions Jeff has asked in nearly every place he’s visited is: “when was the last time Gordon Smith held a public forum here?” He’s been to 35 communities and, so far, no one can remember a visit from Gordon Smith.

The Biscuits Cafe in Canby

The Molalla Buckaroo

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100 Towns Tour for Change
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Of Farmers' Markets and World-Class Athletes: Bringing the 100 Towns tour to Brownsville and Eugene

Posted by Ben DuPree on July 6, 2008

Only in Oregon could you hit some of the best farmers' markets in the morning and take in world-class track and field later that afternoon.

This past Saturday, Jeff took his 100 Towns for Change Tour to Brownsville and Eugene. Both towns are gorgeous and showcase just why Oregon is so unique.

We began the day in Brownsville, about 20 miles southeast of Albany. There we met with citizens, Mayor Don Ware, and State Rep. Phil Barnhart. Jeff took a tour of the town, including a stop at a farmers' market to meet with local growers, before sitting down with supporters at Randy's On Main Street to talk about his plans to bring change to Washington.

Next, we piled back in the car and drove down to Eugene, where Jeff stopped by the 2008 Olympic Trials at the University of Oregon to meet with event organizers and present the medals for the 20k Race Walk! When we arrived, Jeff met up with Trials staff and received a tour of Track Town, USA, where he spoke with University officials and met with Congresswoman Darlene Hooley.

Afterward, Jeff took to the field, where he awarded the medals and had a chance to talk to the
athletes.

In all, the day's events were another two fantastic stops on the campaign's 100 Towns tour. Jeff met many supporters and concerned Oregonians who are eager to change the way things are done in Washington D.C.

Entering Brownsville.

Jeff, Phil, and Don touring Brownsville.

Jeff meeting with local growers in Brownsville.

Hitting the road for Eugene.

Jeff and Congresswoman Darlene Hooley at the Olympic Trials.

Jeff awarding medals.

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Marionberry Cobbler and Independence Day on the Oregon Coast

Posted by Mike Westling on July 5, 2008

The Oregon coast is a great place to celebrate Independence Day. The views are beautiful, the weather is excellent, and the people truly embody the American spirit.

Jeff continued his tour up the Oregon coast on Wednesday, visiting cafes in Lakeside, Reedsport and Mapleton before heading to Florence for what may have been the first Oregon campaign event ever to be held in a yurt.

On Thursday, Jeff began the day with a town hall meeting in Yachats, talking to people about how we can protect our environment and grow American jobs. He then made stops in Newport, Waldport, and Toledo before sampling some delicious Marionberry Cobbler at the Spouting Horn in beautiful Depoe Bay. A quick Depoe Bay fact: it has the smallest natural navigable harbor in the world, consisting of six square acres.

Jeff kicked off the 4th of July at the annual Pancake and Ham Breakfast in Manzanita. He then headed over to parades in Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Warrenton before wrapping up the holiday at Heritage Days in Clatskanie.

Entering Lakeside

Coffee at the Harbor Light Family Restaurant in Reedsport

The Yurt in Florence

Getting a new bumper sticker in Yachats

Walking in the Seaside Independence Day Parade

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100 Towns Tour for Change
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Giving Troops the Respect that they Deserve

Posted by Sarah Lane on July 4, 2008

Today we celebrate our Independence. There is no better time to honor the young men and women currently serving our country. By truly honoring our servicemen and women, we need to make sure that our veterans are given all the tools and support necessary to help them achieve the American dream. Here's a statement from Jeff:

"During this important holiday I will join with thousands of Oregonians to celebrate the birth of America and honor the sacrifice and dedication of our troops," said House Speaker Jeff Merkley, candidate for U.S. Senate. "These men and women have done everything we ask of them and deserve our undying respect. While we have delivered for veterans here in Oregon, politicians in Washington, D.C. have denied our troops a tax deduction for their combat pay and proper health care when they return home. It is time to give our troops the respect they deserve."

Jeff Merkley believes as I do, that we must do everything in our power to fully take care of our veterans when they return home from service. Merkley believes we need to fully fund the VA, extend full benefits that our soldiers receive to the National Guard and Reserves and enact concurrent receipt benefits which would allow disabled veterans to receive full retirement pay when they leave the service. Merkley is also advocating for revising deployment guidelines so servicemen and women can match the amount of time spent on tours of duty to equal the time spent at home with their families.

Merkley has been 100% dedicated to improving the quality of life for our veterans. In Oregon, Merkley championed a bill which provided college education to family members of the fallen which he has pledged to fight for at the federal level. He also pushed through a bill that provided additional financial aid to veterans and passed a personal tax exemption to more National Guards members. Merkley also passed a bill creating incentives for employers to hire veterans. Merkley passed tax incentives for health care providers who participate in the TRICARE program. Merkley also passed House Joint Memorial 9 which urged the President to bring the troops home and end the war.

Merkley has a long history of working to better veterans' lives, but his work is not close to being done. That's why we need to work hard to elect Jeff Merkley who will do everything in their power to honor our soldiers and reservists the way they deserve.

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100 Towns for Change: Moving up the Coast

Posted by Mike Westling on July 1, 2008

Jeff made his first stop of the day in Coos Bay to share lunch with members of the Coos Bay Rotary Club and talk about the importance of fiscal responsibility in government.

Up next was a town hall meeting in Bandon with over two dozen community members. People brought cookies, coffee, and brownies and discussed how we can end the war in Iraq and protect Social Security and Medicare.

Jeff ended the day in North Bend at the grand opening of the Southwest Regional Airport. The event was a community-wide affair attended by a few hundred people including Congressman Peter DeFazio, State Representative Arnie Roblan, and Coos Bay Mayor Jeff McKeown. The crowd was serenaded by a string quartet in celebration of the new venue.

Tomorrow, Jeff will continue his 100 Towns for Change tour in Lakeside, Reedsport, Mapleton, and Florence. If you live in or live nearby any of these towns, be sure to check the event times and locations here and stop by to say hello.

The "Old Town Bandon" archway greets visitors to Bandon.

Jeff speaks with a supporter after the town hall meeting in Bandon.

The brand new Southwest Regional Airport in North Bend.

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100 Towns Tour for Change
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Jeff Heads to the Oregon Coast!

Posted by Sarah Lane on July 1, 2008

Jeff Merkley is visiting twenty-three towns on his 100 Towns for Change Tour starting today and through the weekend. Jeff is starting out this leg of the tour meeting residents in Coos Bay and ending his tour on Sunday in Molalla. On Independence Day, Jeff will be attending 4th of July parades in Cannon Beach and Seaside.

These events are a great way for Oregonians to meet a Jeff in person. You can talk to Jeff about the issues you care about and find out more about what Jeff will do for small towns all across Oregon as the next Senator from our great state. Check out the list of scheduled events here. Hope to see you there!

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100 Towns Tour for Change
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