Merkley or Novick? Novick or Merkley?

[LWolf]

I still can't make up my mind. I REALLY want to see Gordon Smith go down in November.

I'm browsing through their websites and trying to make a choice.

Make a case for your choice right here!

[Pastiche423]

1. Last month I re-registered, so that I could vote for

Steve Novick.

If you go by tv ads alone, Novick wins hands down. Merkley's are borrrring. They are same in person. Novick has great energy and is strong on Dem issues. Merkley is a nice guy, but rather bland.

No More Gordo!

[sandnsea]

2. I don't know either

Merkley was against the war from the start, has done great things in Salem, seems like a true Democrat and someone who can really get things done. And he has national backing and is most likely to beat Smith.

But I really like Steve Novick and think he will be a real thorn in the side of DC. I just don't know if he has the organization to beat Smith. But Kitz is on his side, so that says something.

I want to campaign for one of them so I feel bad I haven't chosen.

[LWolf]

3. On the positive side,

it's good to have two candidates that I know I can enthusiastically support in November, no matter who wins.

Still, we've only got a few weeks, and I'd like to offer one of them some actual support.

I keep bouncing back and forth between their web sites, hoping that something will suddenly stand out and help me choose.

I'd love to hear from some people who HAVE found a deciding factor.

Meanwhile, a Democrat is actually running to oppose Greg Walden in the 2nd District. It took until the voters' pamphlet arrived for me to find him. There's not much information to go on. I wonder if Walden will finally be vulnerable this year. Or not. There ARE Democrats east of the Cascades, but I don't think we outnumber the republicans yet.

On a positive note, I saw my very first campaign sign in someone's yard yesterday, and it was for a Democrat. I've seen that one very large sign, and signs promoting the school bond we're trying to pass; nothing else.

[sandnsea]

8. I'm voting Merkley

I want to win. He's got the money, the backing, the resume, the personality. He's the best to beat Gordo.

[davidpdx]

4. My advice is to look at the voter's pamphlet

and then log on to the Oregon League of Woman Voters website and read the information they have. Look at all of that and then go with your gut.

[LWolf]

5. That's good advice.

The Oregon League of Women Voters posted responses from candidates on 3 questions: immigration, the economy, and NCLB.

Since NCLB is a key, deal-breaking issue with me, that helped a lot.

While I'm mainly focused on Merkley and Novick, I had a sneaking desire to support Candy Neville, as the underdog. I have a hard time resisting underdogs, lol. Her NCLB answer knocked her "off my table," as she wants to continue it as is.

Both Merkley and Novick had good answers, but I liked Novick's better on all 3 issues. Novick included a path to citizenship for undocumented workers, spoke clearly against free trade and FOR national health care, and called for abolishing NCLB.

Based on those 3 questions, he's got my support, unless more information comes to light between now and the time I mark my ballot.

I'll HAPPILY vote for either Merkley or Novick in November, but I've got to go with the man who offers the strongest support for key issues in the primary.

Here's a link to the question page; I'm going to browse it for a couple of the measures in my voters' pamphlet that just haven't made a case, yes OR no:

http://www.lwvor.org/VGFiles/primary/VGPrimary08.pdf

[davidpdx]

6. I agree with you about Novick

I voted for him as well. Also I voted no across the board on all the state ballot measures.

[LWolf]

7. I'm leaning that direction

on the state ballot measures.

I always vote "no" unless I can see a clear and obvious benefit, and I'm not seeing that here.

I will vote "Yes" on the local school bond. We have the largest high school east of the cascades; it's bursting at the seams.

[quakerboy]

9. Damn.

I came here looking for an answer, not questions. Why must you all torment me so.


As a side not, I really hate uninformative uncontested nonpartisan positions. Shouldn't people care enough to have info out, people seeking these things? And who have you met who is really nonpartisan?

[Trajan]

10. Perhaps not an embarrassment of riches ...

But two excellent candidates ...

I will let you guys fight over the minuscule differences .... It isn't worth the frustration ....

[LWolf]

11. I agree that they are both good candidates.

I will support either in November.

I needed to make a choice for this month, though, and it was a tough call. I've decided to go with Novick, as noted above, but I still like both of them.

[Blue Belle]

12. I went to see the candidates debate today...

And I still don't know who to vote for. I left thinking that both candidates could have said more and not given circular aswers to questions. I like both candidates too... it's tough.

[Greyhound]

13. Novick got me with the "strong left hook" joke. n/t

[Pastiche423]

14. The ad w/him in the bar?

I love that one!

He sealed the deal for me when he came out strongly against LNG.

[Arugula Latte]

15. I was just going to post this ... I have no clue, yet.

[LWolf]

16. I got my ballot today.

I'll probably do my voting this weekend, if I can come to a conclusion about this, and a few of the ballot measures.

[ellisonz]

17. Merkley.

This is about beating Gordon Smith.