07 February 2008
John Kroger for Oregon Attorney General
UPDATE:
I did this post some time ago, but want to move it to the top. After all, it is timely and you should go Krogering! *
*Kroger is a grocery based in Cincinnati (sin city to me) that owns Fred Meyer, QFC and Kroger. Krogering was their logo.
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After having a most interesting conversation with John Kroger this Saturday at the Rebooting Democracy event, I am even more enthusiastic about him becoming our Attorney General. It should go without saying that I do not speak for his campaign; I am just one man with some ideas and a blogger account.
On his website, you can read about Kroger's experience as a federal prosecutor, an activist for the Democratic party and his current position teaching law at Lewis and Clark Law School--items that more than qualify him to be a great AG. In person, he will articulate with passion the specific actions he will take as soon as he takes office: protecting consumers from crooked insurance companies or other scammers, and making polluters responsible for the harm they cause.
(I don't even hold it against him that he went to college and law school at private eastcoastintellectual fancypants schools).
Further, he is not afraid to disagree with voters on contentious issues. For example, during a conversation with a criminal defense lawyer who abhorred Measure 11, which imposes mandatory minimum sentences, he did not shy away from his support for mandatory minimum sentences for many severe crimes. I should note that his views on mandatory minimum sentencing are no doubt complex and you should talk to him or his campaign if you would like more detail. For instance, I think he is against Initiative 41, mandatory minimum sentences for property crimes.
It is worth saying a few words about Kroger's primary opponent, Representative Greg MacPherson. MacPherson is a fine legislator (I canvassed for his legislative campaign on more than one occasion), but I worry he lacks the experience and temperament to be a great Attorney General. As an employee benefits lawyer (primarily representing employers) I cannot see how MacPherson has the knowledge to initiate and prosecute criminal matters, and civil rights or consumer rights cases. Surely, he would have to defer to his deputies.
And more importantly, Greg MacPherson's career as an attorney drafting employee benefit plans has not inculcated the fighting spirit or aggressive posture that a great attorney general needs.
In sum, I suggest you vote for John Kroger, donate some money to his campaign, or volunteer. I know I will.
06 February 2008
It's gotta be Barack
Since Johnnie E. left the race, one has to be for Obama. Obama actually talks like a person; he does not speak in empty platitudes or political talk. As a rule, I absolutely hate listening to political speeches. Whether city council, state legislature or anything else, I run out of the room whenever a political opens their yap in public. Of course, Obama is a great speaker, but he also says real things in a normal, genuine way. That is nice.
And he was right on the War. This may be sufficient to trust him, his judgment and his values. In contrast, it seems clear that the Clintons--both Hillary and Bill-- may not have much in the way of fundamental principles.
Hillary voted for the war, voted for confronting Iran and has been nowhere to be seen in the FISA battle (neither has Barack by the way, which blows). What key votes have demonstrated her values?
For Bill, during his presidency he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which, among other things, prohibits same sex spouses from receiving important Social Security benefits from their spouses. His post presidency career has been crap compared to what Jimmy Carter and Al Gore have done. Now, I know that Bill did not have the dough those two guys did, so he had to work and bring in some money. But he has done that and the most interesting thing he has done has been opening an office in Harlem.
Bill may have been a fine president, but his values and philosophy have not been great for the party. By her record in the Senate Hillary seems very similar.
Let's rock for Barack! Or something like that.