I attended a Democrat Governor's Candidate Forum last night at OSU...

[Blue Belle]

Of course, Kulongoski didn't show (I guess the 30 minute drive from Salem to Corvallis was too much to bother with) and he let the Corvallis Mayor speak in his stead, but it really gave me a good look at the other candidates with their hats in the ring. Both Jim Hill and Pete Sorenson have great ideas and are putting together really progressive platforms to run on. Both spoke of the need for protecting the environment, campaign reform, education, and eliminating the corporate tax kicker. Both were eloquent in their speaking, and both are immensely qualified for the position. And while I like Jim Hill and think he could be a good Governor, I think that Pete Sorenson is going to get my vote.

Jim Hill has the advantage of having already won two state-wide elections, and knows exactly what it is like to work with our current State House and Senate, and while this may be a positive distinction between he and Sorenson, I really kind of like the fact that Sorenson hasn't been in Salem for awhile. Sorenson has held office on the local level, currently serves as Lane County Commissioner, he has been elected to the State Senate, and has served at the National Level as a Legislative assistant (for Jim Weaver) and Special assistant for the Carter Administration. He isn't tainted by the current Governor's cronyism, and he has experience at every level of government - which is what every Governor is going to be faced with. Moreover, Sorenson spoke with passion... it made you want to hit the ground running after you heard him. His manner was authentic, he seemed to speak from the heart, and everything he spoke about were things he has been planning for the past year - not just an eleventh hour agenda thrown together by think tanks. He's a true Democrat with a lot of SPINE - and I encourage you all to go see him speak if you have the opportunity. He's the real deal in my opinion, and could make a lot of positive changes for our state.