It looks like a three way race at this point between Avakian, Witt, and Bonamici.
Interesting article here today about building trades support, and support for labor unions.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/mapesonpolitics/2011/08/avakian_witt_compete_for_build.htmlI think all three support labor unions, but Avakian probably is king there with his current position being one of authority in this area, and his long history of supporting union causes, etc.
Not sure exactly when this meeting happened. Whether it was today or last night. If it was last night, then the scheduling conflict would make sense, as Bonamici was at the Washington County Democrats meeting and the other two were absent from that despite being asked to give their "elevator speeches" there. If they were speaking at the other event, that would explain her "scheduling conflict" she mentions there.
Now, the bridge crossing project over the Columbia river has been a controversial one, and one that people on the left criticized in the Metro Council election battle in 2010 that utimately Hillsboro's slightly more conservative Tom Hughes Democrat won. So that isn't necessarily a clear measure of who the most progressive candidate is.
Note in the article the following paragraph, which is why I have a concern about Witt, and I'd like to hear more of some of his other accomplishments that might balance out this concern.
...
Witt also focused heavily on his support for the controversial – and now defunct – proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at Bradwood Landing near Astoria. And he also noted that he was a prime sponsor of a measure passed this year by the Legislature that aids the siting of pipelines, electrical transmission lines and other linear projects. House Bill 2700 was passed over the objection of some environmental groups and was opposed by Bonamici, which some building trades officials said would make it harder for her to win their support.
Avakian said after the appearance that he had not taken a position on the Bradwood Landing project but said he did support the linear project bill.
...
Avakian didn't take a stand here, but Witt's stand seems to have me a bit concerned on what he would do on regulating energy like natural gas, coal, etc. if he were in the congress.
If you google Bonamici, her forte is more with helping defend consumer rights, that's she's been involved with in her legal career even before becoming active in Oregon's state government, and she's been heavily involved with many of the state's bills that deal with protecting consumers on things like foreclosures. She looks to have a good voting record on labor issues as well, even if she hasn't been as active as someone like Brad Avakian has been over the years.
While at the meeting last night, the Pakistani candidate Saba Ahmed spoke there as well. I liked her as a person and she was one to come out strongest on ending our war presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, which she's been heavily lobbying for recently in Washington. She also addressed some stances on economic and other issues that sounded like they were decent stances, but she seemed more focused on the issues of getting us out of the wars. She's probably too much out of the running for the nomination, but it was good to hear her talk too. It looks like Avakian and Witt both were cited in the article for having taken strong stances on getting us out of these wars too, perhaps prompted by her strong advocacy on these issues so that they don't lose too many votes if she gets heard.
When talking to at least one other attendee, I think this person liked all candidates at this point, but this person favored Avakian because he's a "fighter". And I do have to agree with the notion that whoever we nominate, we need someone that's willing to fight the battles that need to be fought, and not be too complacent which is a disease affecting too many Democrats in Washington now. I still haven't made up my mind, but I'll be measuring Bonamici and Witt with that in mind too to see how much I think they'll be willing to stand up and fight at appropriate times too. That is an essential characteristic that all "new Democrats" (and not the "new" Democrats that the Blue dogs, etc. like to call themselves) that we elect have. We need to replace those that are too much the compromisers with those that stand hard for our values and don't back down.
I'm probably going to choose between Avakian and Bonamici. If Avakian is the fighter that also stands on a lot of the principles that I feel are most important, I will solidly support him, which is exactly what labor needs today. But I'm also wondering if it would be cool if Oregon would get a woman in its congressional delegation, and someone like Bonamici could work together with an also newly elected Democrat Elizabeth Warren in the Senate to craft a bill to move through congress that would really put in place many consumer protection measures this country sorely needs too. That would be cool to see that sort of new "movement" happen as well.
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