Jeff Merkley Speaking at the Democratic Convention

Posted by Sarah Lane on August 21, 2008

Jeff Merkley has been chosen as one of four Senate challengers to speak at the Democratic Convention on Wednesday evening. The other Senate candidates scheduled to address the crowd are Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tom Udall of New Mexico and Tom Allen of Maine. Jeff is very excited about being given the opportunity to lay out his vision to get the country back on track. Here's what Jeff had to say:

“I am honored to have the opportunity to address the Democratic Convention and speak to my vision to partner with Senator Obama and make Washington work for working families again,” said Merkley. “Oregonians are ready for the kind of change Senator Obama will bring to Washington.”

Republican Gordon Smith has chosen to skip his party's convention and recently resigned as the honorary co-chair of the McCain Campaign. While Gordon Smith is running away from the Republican brand in an effort to fool voters into thinking he's not a Republican, Jeff Merkley has always been a proud member of the Democratic Party. Jeff's work in the Oregon legislature reflects the values the Democratic Party represents. As House Speaker, Jeff fought to strengthen the middle class, worked to provide transparency in government and helped jump-start a new energy economy in Oregon.

Next week will be an exciting time for America. The Democratic Convention will represent the opportunity that lies ahead for all of us. We all have a real shot at electing people like Barack Obama and Jeff Merkley, who will fight for hardworking Americans. It's past time that we had a government that legislated for the people and by the people, and not the powerful special interests.