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| AP photo Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley, right, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., celebrate with supporters at a news conference Thursday in Portland. Despite his move to the political middle, two-term incumbent Republican Gordon Smith has lost his U.S. Senate seat to Merkley. |
Full roundups, results of Klamath Basin elections
Posted 12:10 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, BASIN REPUBLICANS REACT: A Klamath County Republican is concerned that rural Oregon will have less representation in Washington, D.C. now that Democrat Jeff Merkley has Republican Gordon Smith’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Joe Spendolini, chairman of the Klamath County Republican Central Committee, said Merkley’s past decisions in the Oregon Legislature were often to the detriment of rural Oregon. “I’m going to be watching with bated breath,” he said. See Friday’s print edition for more local reaction to the Senate race.
Posted 8:40 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, MERKLEY BUILDS LEAD, CLAIMS SENATE WIN: Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley has built a 36,000-vote lead over Republican Sen. Gordon Smith and plans this morning to address supporters with a claim to be the first Oregon leader in 40 years to defeat an incumbent senator. Smith, meanwhile, is returning to his Pendleton home.
Merkley's margin came as Multnomah County workers plowed through the largest number of uncounted ballots in the state. Multnomah County is Merkley's home and a Democratic stronghold where he expected to pick up a winning advantage. Early Thursday, about 80 percent of the vote statewide had been counted. Forty years ago this week, Republican Bob Packwood was declared the winner in an upset of Democratic Sen. Wayne Morse.
Posted 11:35 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, SMITH-MERKLEY RACE STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL: PORTLAND (AP) — Clerks slogged through a mountain of ballots Oregonians turned in at the last minute, but the outcome of the U.S. Senate race between challenger Jeff Merkley and incumbent Gordon Smith remains too close to call. Late Wednesday, only about three-fourths of the expected vote had been counted and the two candidates had swapped narrow leads. That raised the possibility the outcome of one of the nation's most-watched Senate races might not be known until Thursday.
The counting in Multnomah County was going particularly slow because of a last-minute flood of ballots.
Merkley, the Oregon House speaker, is a Democrat. So he was expected to pick up strength as the returns came in from Multnomah, which includes Portland. It is the state's most populous county and a liberal bastion.
Merkley said he felt good about where he stood in the voting and was hopeful he would be declared the winner Thursday. "I am very optimistic about the outcome. I'm looking forward to having it resolved," Merkley said. Smith kept a low profile as his camp waited to see whether the still-to-be-tallied ballots might turn things in his favor.
"Our campaign remains cautiously optimistic and eagerly awaits the counting of ballots," said Brooks Kochvar, manager of Smith's re-election campaign.
Multnomah County elections officials said their count could last well into the evening.
Posted 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, CHARTER CAN'T GO BACK ON BALLOT UNTIL 2010: It could be years before Klamath County voters see another home rule charter proposal on a ballot.
Charter proponents said late Tuesday when the charter was losing by nearly 4,000 votes that they would support another effort. But others involved since the charter’s beginnings in 2007 said Wednesday they would not participate in a future charter effort. Some proponents said if they did get involved again, they wouldn’t put a proposal on the ballot for at least two years.
“I think we’re just following too closely and it lost by too much,” said Reg LeQuieu, charter proponent and county assessor.
Proponents and opponents alike say they learned from the election, and agreed changing county government needs community consensus. “I think you leave your options open,” said Commissioner Al Switzer, a charter opponent. For the full story, see Thursday's Herald and News print edition.
Posted 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, LAKEVIEW VOTERS BUCK TREND, PASS HOSPITAL LEVY: Lakeview area voters bucked regional trends against increasing taxes by approving an $8-million, 30-year levy to upgrade the Lake District Hospital. Lake County Measure 19-12 passed 1,456 to 1,259, based on unofficial returns counted late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. In contrast to Klamath County and Alturas, where tax increase proposals were rejected, hospital district voters passed a levy that will up taxes $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or $160 for a $100,000 home.
“To me it says we have a community that’s willing to sacrifice a little to make our community better,” said Chuck Kelley, a member of the hospital board who led efforts for the proposal. “People here stuck their necks out and said, ‘We’ll make it better.’ We’re super-thrilled.” Thursday's Herald and News print edition will have more updates on the aftermath of election results.
Posted 11:40 p.m., Tuesday, CHARTER CANDIDATES STILL HOPEFUL: Klamath County charter commissioner candidates, who would serve if the charter passed, hadn’t conceded late Tuesday, despite failing by a 13-point margin.
They said that if the charter loses, they would work on a future charter effort. “We really feel it would have been the best way to go,” said Charlotte Rodgers, commissioner candidate for charter district 2. Rodgers said proponents didn’t get the word out about the charter or successfully countered misinformation spread about the effort. Rodgers said she’d only run for commissioner under a charter form of government.
The charter would have created a non-partisan, five-member board of commissioners, each paid $12,000 per year and elected by district. It also would require the county to hire a county administrator with a starting salary of $108,000 per year. Originally nine people ran for commissioner under the charter. Jim Caylor and Craig Rovzar campaigned for commissioner district 4, which includes downtown Klamath Falls. Caylor was declared ineligible more than a week ago after election officials learned he was registered to vote in Washington County.
Dennis Ensor, Ruth Patton and Charlotte Rodgers competed for commissioner district 2, which includes Merrill, Malin, Bonanza, Beatty and Bly. Michael Angeli and Ron Campbell competed for commissioner district 3, which included the Klamath Falls suburbs north of South Sixth Street.
Bill Scally ran unopposed for commissioner district 1, which includes Gilchrist, Chiloquin, Fort Klamath and Keno. Dean Peugh was unopposed for commissioner district 5, which included the Klamath Falls suburbs south of South Sixth Street.
Peugh said Tuesday night he didn’t know if he’d consider running for commissioner under the current form of county government if the charter failed. Both he and Rodgers said they were disappointed at potentially not being able to serve on the county board. “I’m disappointed in the lies that were portrayed, and they were lies,” he said.
Posted 11:35 p.m., Tuesday, KLAMATH COUNTY COMMISSIONER WINNERS: Klamath County Commissioner Al Switzer won his a fourth term and newcomer Cheryl Hukill will fill the seat vacated by departing Commissioner Bill Brown.
Switzer and Hukill both ran unopposed in their races Tuesday, but their positions were at risk if voters approve a proposed home rule charter that would have changed the county’s current government. The charter was failing by a 13-point margin as of press time Tuesday.
Both Switzer and Hukill said Tuesday they were glad to have the opportunity to serve the county and its residents. Hukill and Switzer said they are looking ahead to the beginning of their four-year terms. Hukill said she wants reach out to county residents by town hall meetings and other gatherings in the northern and eastern parts of the county.
Switzer said he had several objectives for his next term. Long-range planning and establishing stable law enforcement funding are among his priorities. Better communication about board activities and updating the county’s planning codes also are important, he said.
Posted 11:30 p.m., Tuesday, SISKIYOU COUNTY RESULTS: Siskiyou County voters defeated a proposed room tax increase while two Dorris City Council members and a newcomer were elected to three four-year terms.
County Measure M, the uniform transient occupancy tax, lost with 3,324 against and 2,591 in favor. If passed, the measure would have increased the current 8 percent room tax to 10 percent. The measure required two-thirds voter approval. Dorris council incumbents Harry Hickman and Liz Clontz had 40 and 38 votes, respectively, but challenger Julie Barkman was the top vote getter with 52. Trailing were Vicki Cockrell with 34 and Barbara Stewart with 7.
Greggory “Gregg” Surface, a write-in candidate for a two-year term, received 19 votes.
Posted 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, MODOC COUNTY RESULTS: Appointed incumbent Modoc County Supervisor Loren “Shorty” Crabtree apparently won a tightly contested race over Jim Willis, while a proposal for an additional half-cent sales tax in Alturas was defeated. Early returns for the runoff election for Modoc County Supervisor Position No. 4, which includes Canby, the California Pines subdivision and a portion of Alturas, had Crabtree and Wills in a dead heat with 280 votes each. Crabtree broke through later in the evening, finishing with 519 votes to 482 for Wills.
Measure K to increase the Alturas sales tax to benefit Alturas police, fire and public safety supplemental funding, was defeated with 585 in favor and 639 opposed. Alturas Police Chief Ken Barnes had initiated the measure to provide the police and fire department with money to hire more staff, purchase equipment and train personnel.
It appeared Newell area voters were willing to place challengers David Porter Misso and Danny Orr in two of the three vacancies on the Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District. Six candidates are vying for three 4-year terms.
In Modoc County, incumbent Jeffrey Boyd had 118 votes, Misso 91 and Orr 83. Trailing were incumbents Jerry LeQuieu with 81 and Tom Macy with 34. Registered write-in candidate Verancio Hernandez had two votes. Votes from both Modoc and Siskiyou counties will be determined to select the winners. Combined preliminary returns had Boyd with 217, Misso 170, Orr 138, LeQuieu narrowly in fourth with 133, while Macy had 99 and Hernandez 4.
Posted 11:20 p.m., Tuesday, LAKEVIEW HOSPITAL LEVY FAILING: Lakeview area voters were supporting a Lake District Hospital tax levy in early unofficial returns Tuesday night.
Lake County Measure 19-12 -- an $8-million, 30-year tax levy – would be used to expand and upgrade the Lake District Hospital. Supporters say the upgrades are necessary to provide services and to attract doctors to the community. If the levy passes, homeowners would pay $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value, a tax increase of about $160 a year for a $100,000 home.
Final unofficial results were delayed Tuesday night because of slowly operating counting machines, according to Lake County Clerk Stacie Geaney.
Posted 11:15 p.m., Tuesday, CHARTER FAILING: A home rule charter proposal, to change the form of Klamath County government, was apparently failing as of press time Tuesday night.
With more than half the ballots counted, the proposal was losing by 13 points -- more than 3,800 votes. Opposing votes started outdistancing pro votes as ballots were being tabulated starting just after 8 p.m., but proponents refused to concede defeat, citing the many ballots yet to be counted, especially from the north end of the county. “It’s not over until it’s over,” said Betty Dickson, charter proponent.
Opponents of the measure said they were not surprised by voters’ disinterest in the charter.
“I don’t think the voters were ever convinced we needed to change to a charter form of government,” said Dan Golden, spokesperson for a political action committee opposed to the charter.
Current county government has a three-member board of county commissioners, each paid more than $67,000 a year and elected at-large and by party affiliation. The board is responsible for policy decisions and overall management of county business. The charter would install five commissioners, each paid about $12,000 a year and elected by district on a non-partisan basis. They would have hired a full-time administrator, paid up to $108,000 the first year. The board would be in charge of policy-setting and the administrator would have management duties.
Posted 11:10 p.m., Tuesday, MAYOR'S RACE CLOSE: Longtime Klamath Falls Mayor Todd Kellstrom was leading in his bid for his fifth term as mayor against city council member Bill Adams. As of press time Tuesday night, Kellstrom had 1,737 votes to Adams’ 1,430 votes, or 48 percent to 39 percent. If he loses his mayoral bid, Adams would retain his council seat.
Adams, 54, owner of OneStop and You-Pull-It Auto Wreckers, didn’t concede, but said his campaign could have been more successful if he had gone door-to-door to talk to voters. He ran for mayor because he felt the city was going in the wrong direction. “Basically things (would) remain unchanged for another two years,” Adams said.
Even if Kellstrom wins, he said he felt he made a good showing and ran a fair race. “It wasn’t a total loss,” he said.
INCUMBENTS RETAIN KLAMATH FALLS CITY COUNCIL SEATS: Two Klamath Falls City Council members won new terms Tuesday, besting newcomers Jeff Ritter and Jeff Woodwick to fill out the six-member council. Trish Seiler and Bud Hart said their rapport with the community and walking campaigns helped with their successes.
Posted 11 p.m., Tuesday, BOND, LEVIES DEFEATED: Klamath County voters apparently defeated three local money measures in Tuesday’s general election.
With 42 percent of the ballots counted, Klamath Community College’s $7.7 million bond measure was losing 54 percent to 41 percent.
Meanwhile, the Klamath County 911 Communications District levy was trailing 56 percent to 38 percent, and the Klamath County Fire District No. 1 option levy was going down 57 percent to 35 percent. Full story in Wednesday's print edition.
Posted 10:10 p.m., Tuesday: Jubilant cheers arose Tuesday night from the Klamath County Democratic Party headquarters on Main Street in Klamath Falls as returns were announced. With each new state Sen. Barack Obama won, Democrats poured out onto the sidewalk, blowing noisemakers and ringing cowbells.
The mood next door at the Klamath County Republican Party headquarters was subdued, but still hopeful, even as Sen. John McCain gave his concession speech shortly after West Coast polls closed. “He shouldn’t have done that,” said Dan B. Williams. “He should have demanded that every vote be counted.”
Oregon was among West Coast states that supported Obama, but Klamath County residents overwhelmingly supported McCain, 64 percent to 33 percent.
Klamath County Central Republican Party chairman Joe Spendolini congratulated the Democrats, even though he said he felt the media skewed the results.
“I have a sneaking suspicion we may not know until tomorrow,” he said just before McCain conceded. “Calling early can have an impact on the election." Read the full story in Wednesday's Herald and News print edition.
Posted 9:35 p.m. Tuesday: What Klamath County voters said during the presidential election returns and their reaction to Obama's win:
-- “I wouldn’t concede. In a million years I wouldn’t concede.” -- Jo Chapman, McCain volunteer in Klamath County.
-- “Obama’s got the power, Obama’s got the beat, Obama’s got the power, so stomp your feet!” -- Children at the Klamath County Democratic party headquarters
-- “It’s happening. I feel like there’s going to be quality and a change. There’s a lot of potential here for health reform, for tax reform, for energy reform. And this is the beginning. That’s how I feel.” -- Dennis Sigo, Obama volunteer
-- “He shouldn’t have done that. He should have demanded every vote be counted.” -- Dan B. Williams, Klamath County Republican headquarters.
-- “I’m one of the few who’s being re-elected tonight.” -- State Rep. Bill Garrard, a Republican from Klamath Falls.
Posted 9:32 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: PORTLAND — (AP) Early returns showed Democrat Ben Westlund holding a lead in the race for state treasurer.
With 35 percent of the vote counted, Westlund led Republican Allen Alley 52 percent to 45 percent.
Posted 8:48 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: CHICAGO (AP) — Barack Obama asked John McCain for his help in leading the country in a telephone call Tuesday night, moments after the Democratic senator was declared the country's first black president.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama thanked McCain for his graciousness and told him he had waged a tough race.
"Senator Obama told Senator McCain he was consistently someone who has showed class and honor during this campaign as he has during his entire life in public service," Gibbs said in a statement. "Senator Obama said he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together."
Gibbs quoted Obama as saying to McCain: "I need your help, you're a leader on so many important issues."
Posted 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.
The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hardfought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.
A huge crowd thronged Grant Park in Chicago to cheer his improbable triumph and await his first public speech as president-elect.
Posted 6:40 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: The most recent polls project Obama as the winner in Ohio, taking him to 200 electoral votes. McCain has received 90 electoral votes so far, with recent projected wins in Arkansas and Louisiana.
Posted 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: PORTLAND, (AP) —With just a few hours left before the results will be tallied and made public, Oregon voter turnout stands at 76 percent and climbing.
Secretary of State Bill Bradbury expects a surge of last-minute ballots.
Totals as of late afternoon Tuesday show that a larger percentage of Democrats than Republicans have voted — 81 percent of those registered to 78 percent.
Independent voters were turning in ballots more slowly — only 70 percent.
Posted 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4: Obama has received 103 electoral votes to McCain's 34, according to the most recent polls. Obama has taken Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland. McCain has taken Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
Posted 4:25 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4: Klamath County political parties are gathering today to watch returns as the East Coast polls close and the nation waits to hear the winners of the 2008 presidential election.
Local democrats will watch returns from their downtown party headquarters, 1026 Main St., starting at about 5 p.m. The celebration will be a potluck.
Local republicans will be celebrating next door at 1022 Main St. starting about 6 p.m. Refreshments including pizza, cold cuts, beer and wine will be provided.
Posted 3:57 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: PORTLAND (AP) — With just a few hours left before the results will be tallied and made public, Oregon voter turnout stands at 72 percent and climbing.
Totals as of mid-afternoon Tuesday show that a larger percentage of Democrats than Republicans have voted — 77 percent of those registered to 73 percent.
Added to the Democrats' large edge in registration, that translates to about 214,000 more votes so far from Democrats.
Independent voters were turning in ballots more slowly — only 59 percent.
Posted 3:31 p.m., Tues., Nov. 4: WASHINGTON (AP) _ Democrats counted on solidifying their thin leadership grip on the Senate as voters flocked to the polls today to fill 35 Senate seats. Embattled Republicans braced for losses but hoped they would be modest ones.
Democrats were optimistic that the only two Democratic senators who will lose their Senate seats as a result of the national elections will be Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And if the Democratic presidential ticket prevails, Democratic governors in Illinois and Delaware are sure to appoint Democrats to replace them. Biden is running for re-election as senator from Delaware as well as for vice president. The Senate seats of Obama and GOP presidential candidate John McCain are not on the ballot.
Senate Democrats now have a tenuous 51-49 majority, and only thanks to the support of two independents. Piggybacking on aggressive Obama voter-registration and get-out-the-vote drives, especially in battleground states, Democrats' goal is reaching a coveted 60-seat, filibuster-proof Senate majority. Leaders in both parties portrayed that as a long shot.
Posted Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.: More than 70 percent of Klamath County voters have turned in their ballots as of 1:30 p.m. Exactly 25,001 ballots have been turned in, according to the county clerk's office. Another 3,500 are needed for the county to reach 80 percent voter turnout. The highest voter turnout in the county is 86 percent, reached in the 2004 presidential election.
Posted Tuesday, 8 a.m.: Almost there: After months of newspaper interviews and reports, television ads and televised debates, yard signs, stickers, and buttons, Election Day is finally here.
Oregonians have until 8 p.m. today to place their ballots in an official ballot drop box or hand it over to a county clerk’s office to have their votes counted. Californians can head to the polls beginning at 7 a.m. and have until 8 p.m. to have their voices heard.
Klamath County residents involved in the election in recent weeks weighed in on what motivated them, what set this election apart and how some of the races and measures may wind up.
Chuck Wells (retired Chiloquin Democrat, age 83)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: The Oregon senatorial race between incumbent Gordon Smith and challenger Jeff Merkley was a big motivator, Wells said. The Chiloquin resident is a lifelong Democrat. Most of all, though, he views the Barack Obama/Joe Biden ticket as the best for the country and views their potential victory as a chance for the neoconservatives to reassess who they want to represent.
“The last eight years is the primary thing,” he said.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Wells said how Obama organized his campaign was significant. It was a grassroots movement that helped him compete against contenders in the primary and against Republican John McCain during the general election.
Obama also utilized technology to his advantage, such as using text messaging to reach out to voters and supporters.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: “I’m going to be excited and ready to do it again and better,” Wells said.
Likewise, the local chapter of the Democratic Party is stronger now and better prepared for future elections.
Q. Election predictions?
A: Obama will be victorious over McCain for the presidency while Merkley will eke out a win over Smith for the Senate. The proposed home rule charter for Klamath County will fail.
Vicki Switzer (Klamath County sheep rancher and Republican, age 62)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Switzer’s husband, Al Switzer, is running to keep his seat on the county board of commissioners and she has supported him 100 percent in his efforts. She’s also the president of the Klamath County Republican Women, further illustrating her love of politics and elections.
“I enjoy it and I love doing it,” she said.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Switzer said she’s been most amazed by how long this election has gone on at the national level and how negative it has been.
On the local level, she said her husband’s campaign is unique in that instead of going up against a candidate, he’s competing against the ideology of a new form of government in the form of the proposed home rule charter.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: Relief will be the biggest emotion, Switzer said. But she would do it all over again, especially if her husband continued to run for public office.
Q: Election predictions?
A: The charter will lose by a significant margin while McCain will have a close win over Obama for the presidency. Smith will earn a close win for his Senate seat while U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., will easily hold onto his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Dennis Sigo
(Klamath Falls at-risk youth counselor and
Democrat, age 60)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Sigo changed his affiliation this year from Republican to Democrat, inspired by Obama’s speech during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He also thinks the nation needs to rethink some of its priorities.
“It is totally unfair that some people are making millions of dollars and some kids can’t eat,” he said.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: The difference in the parties set this election apart from others for Sigo. Particularly, Obama has focused on criticizing his opponent’s stance on the issues rather than resorting to personal attacks.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: “There’s no immediate gratitude, but the hope that it’s going to get better keeps me in,” Sigo said.
Q: Election predictions?
A: Obama will have a convincing win in the presidential election. The charter will fail, while the bond measure for Klamath Community College will pass.
Terry Mumford (retired Keno Republican,
age 62)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Aside from being a die-hard Republican, Mumford said, she senses the nation is in trouble. She said this election is very important on the national and local levels.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Mumford said she is most struck by the inexperience of Obama compared to past presidential candidates from either party.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: Mumford said she would go through it all again and will hopefully feel happy come the results of the election. She did say that after Ron Saxton lost his gubernatorial bid to Gov. Ted Kulongoski two years ago, it did upset her.
Q: Election predictions?
A: McCain will pull off a close win in the presidential race, with Smith pulling off another close win in the U.S. Senate race. The home rule charter will lose, garnering only 30 percent of the vote.
Dan Golden (assistant director of county
juvenile department and charter opponent, age 55)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Golden said he was concerned about the future of county government and was bothered by the charter’s ability to increase government’s size and expense. That alarm prompted him to get involved in the election.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Not much set this election apart from past ones, Golden said. People are still passionate about their stance on an issue or candidate, as people always have been.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: Golden wouldn’t be involved for the same reasons necessarily if a charter again appears on the ballot. If that charter addressed some of his concerns he has with the current proposal, he would potentially work for it.
Q: Election predictions?
A: The charter will fail to gain voter approval while the KCC bond measure may pass. Golden said he’s also interested in how state measures such as Measure 57 and Measure 61 impact law enforcement, but is not sure if they will pass or fail.
Betty Dickson
(co-owner All Star Trophy and charter proponent, age 55)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Dickson said she was impressed by the early meetings toward proposing a home rule charter. The need to update county government kept her involved in the election.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: This election will be set apart by the high voter turnout, with the charter helping to propel that at the local level. The election was also unique in how early it started—nearly two years before Election Day. Dickson said she’d like to see campaigning limited to just six weeks before an election.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: While she would willingly do it all again, Dickson said she’ll be relieved when the election is over.
Q: Election predictions?
A: The charter will garner 60 percent approval from county voters while the Obama/Biden ticket will take the presidential race.
Posted 8:40 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, MERKLEY BUILDS LEAD, CLAIMS SENATE WIN: Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley has built a 36,000-vote lead over Republican Sen. Gordon Smith and plans this morning to address supporters with a claim to be the first Oregon leader in 40 years to defeat an incumbent senator. Smith, meanwhile, is returning to his Pendleton home.
Merkley's margin came as Multnomah County workers plowed through the largest number of uncounted ballots in the state. Multnomah County is Merkley's home and a Democratic stronghold where he expected to pick up a winning advantage. Early Thursday, about 80 percent of the vote statewide had been counted. Forty years ago this week, Republican Bob Packwood was declared the winner in an upset of Democratic Sen. Wayne Morse.
Posted 11:35 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, SMITH-MERKLEY RACE STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL: PORTLAND (AP) — Clerks slogged through a mountain of ballots Oregonians turned in at the last minute, but the outcome of the U.S. Senate race between challenger Jeff Merkley and incumbent Gordon Smith remains too close to call. Late Wednesday, only about three-fourths of the expected vote had been counted and the two candidates had swapped narrow leads. That raised the possibility the outcome of one of the nation's most-watched Senate races might not be known until Thursday.
The counting in Multnomah County was going particularly slow because of a last-minute flood of ballots.
Merkley, the Oregon House speaker, is a Democrat. So he was expected to pick up strength as the returns came in from Multnomah, which includes Portland. It is the state's most populous county and a liberal bastion.
Merkley said he felt good about where he stood in the voting and was hopeful he would be declared the winner Thursday. "I am very optimistic about the outcome. I'm looking forward to having it resolved," Merkley said. Smith kept a low profile as his camp waited to see whether the still-to-be-tallied ballots might turn things in his favor.
"Our campaign remains cautiously optimistic and eagerly awaits the counting of ballots," said Brooks Kochvar, manager of Smith's re-election campaign.
Multnomah County elections officials said their count could last well into the evening.
Posted 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, CHARTER CAN'T GO BACK ON BALLOT UNTIL 2010: It could be years before Klamath County voters see another home rule charter proposal on a ballot.
Charter proponents said late Tuesday when the charter was losing by nearly 4,000 votes that they would support another effort. But others involved since the charter’s beginnings in 2007 said Wednesday they would not participate in a future charter effort. Some proponents said if they did get involved again, they wouldn’t put a proposal on the ballot for at least two years.
“I think we’re just following too closely and it lost by too much,” said Reg LeQuieu, charter proponent and county assessor.
Proponents and opponents alike say they learned from the election, and agreed changing county government needs community consensus. “I think you leave your options open,” said Commissioner Al Switzer, a charter opponent. For the full story, see Thursday's Herald and News print edition.
Posted 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, LAKEVIEW VOTERS BUCK TREND, PASS HOSPITAL LEVY: Lakeview area voters bucked regional trends against increasing taxes by approving an $8-million, 30-year levy to upgrade the Lake District Hospital. Lake County Measure 19-12 passed 1,456 to 1,259, based on unofficial returns counted late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. In contrast to Klamath County and Alturas, where tax increase proposals were rejected, hospital district voters passed a levy that will up taxes $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or $160 for a $100,000 home.
“To me it says we have a community that’s willing to sacrifice a little to make our community better,” said Chuck Kelley, a member of the hospital board who led efforts for the proposal. “People here stuck their necks out and said, ‘We’ll make it better.’ We’re super-thrilled.” Thursday's Herald and News print edition will have more updates on the aftermath of election results.
Posted 11:40 p.m., Tuesday, CHARTER CANDIDATES STILL HOPEFUL: Klamath County charter commissioner candidates, who would serve if the charter passed, hadn’t conceded late Tuesday, despite failing by a 13-point margin.
They said that if the charter loses, they would work on a future charter effort. “We really feel it would have been the best way to go,” said Charlotte Rodgers, commissioner candidate for charter district 2. Rodgers said proponents didn’t get the word out about the charter or successfully countered misinformation spread about the effort. Rodgers said she’d only run for commissioner under a charter form of government.
The charter would have created a non-partisan, five-member board of commissioners, each paid $12,000 per year and elected by district. It also would require the county to hire a county administrator with a starting salary of $108,000 per year. Originally nine people ran for commissioner under the charter. Jim Caylor and Craig Rovzar campaigned for commissioner district 4, which includes downtown Klamath Falls. Caylor was declared ineligible more than a week ago after election officials learned he was registered to vote in Washington County.
Dennis Ensor, Ruth Patton and Charlotte Rodgers competed for commissioner district 2, which includes Merrill, Malin, Bonanza, Beatty and Bly. Michael Angeli and Ron Campbell competed for commissioner district 3, which included the Klamath Falls suburbs north of South Sixth Street.
Bill Scally ran unopposed for commissioner district 1, which includes Gilchrist, Chiloquin, Fort Klamath and Keno. Dean Peugh was unopposed for commissioner district 5, which included the Klamath Falls suburbs south of South Sixth Street.
Peugh said Tuesday night he didn’t know if he’d consider running for commissioner under the current form of county government if the charter failed. Both he and Rodgers said they were disappointed at potentially not being able to serve on the county board. “I’m disappointed in the lies that were portrayed, and they were lies,” he said.
Posted 11:35 p.m., Tuesday, KLAMATH COUNTY COMMISSIONER WINNERS: Klamath County Commissioner Al Switzer won his a fourth term and newcomer Cheryl Hukill will fill the seat vacated by departing Commissioner Bill Brown.
Switzer and Hukill both ran unopposed in their races Tuesday, but their positions were at risk if voters approve a proposed home rule charter that would have changed the county’s current government. The charter was failing by a 13-point margin as of press time Tuesday.
Both Switzer and Hukill said Tuesday they were glad to have the opportunity to serve the county and its residents. Hukill and Switzer said they are looking ahead to the beginning of their four-year terms. Hukill said she wants reach out to county residents by town hall meetings and other gatherings in the northern and eastern parts of the county.
Switzer said he had several objectives for his next term. Long-range planning and establishing stable law enforcement funding are among his priorities. Better communication about board activities and updating the county’s planning codes also are important, he said.
Posted 11:30 p.m., Tuesday, SISKIYOU COUNTY RESULTS: Siskiyou County voters defeated a proposed room tax increase while two Dorris City Council members and a newcomer were elected to three four-year terms.
County Measure M, the uniform transient occupancy tax, lost with 3,324 against and 2,591 in favor. If passed, the measure would have increased the current 8 percent room tax to 10 percent. The measure required two-thirds voter approval. Dorris council incumbents Harry Hickman and Liz Clontz had 40 and 38 votes, respectively, but challenger Julie Barkman was the top vote getter with 52. Trailing were Vicki Cockrell with 34 and Barbara Stewart with 7.
Greggory “Gregg” Surface, a write-in candidate for a two-year term, received 19 votes.
Posted 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, MODOC COUNTY RESULTS: Appointed incumbent Modoc County Supervisor Loren “Shorty” Crabtree apparently won a tightly contested race over Jim Willis, while a proposal for an additional half-cent sales tax in Alturas was defeated. Early returns for the runoff election for Modoc County Supervisor Position No. 4, which includes Canby, the California Pines subdivision and a portion of Alturas, had Crabtree and Wills in a dead heat with 280 votes each. Crabtree broke through later in the evening, finishing with 519 votes to 482 for Wills.
Measure K to increase the Alturas sales tax to benefit Alturas police, fire and public safety supplemental funding, was defeated with 585 in favor and 639 opposed. Alturas Police Chief Ken Barnes had initiated the measure to provide the police and fire department with money to hire more staff, purchase equipment and train personnel.
It appeared Newell area voters were willing to place challengers David Porter Misso and Danny Orr in two of the three vacancies on the Tulelake Basin Joint Unified School District. Six candidates are vying for three 4-year terms.
In Modoc County, incumbent Jeffrey Boyd had 118 votes, Misso 91 and Orr 83. Trailing were incumbents Jerry LeQuieu with 81 and Tom Macy with 34. Registered write-in candidate Verancio Hernandez had two votes. Votes from both Modoc and Siskiyou counties will be determined to select the winners. Combined preliminary returns had Boyd with 217, Misso 170, Orr 138, LeQuieu narrowly in fourth with 133, while Macy had 99 and Hernandez 4.
Posted 11:20 p.m., Tuesday, LAKEVIEW HOSPITAL LEVY FAILING: Lakeview area voters were supporting a Lake District Hospital tax levy in early unofficial returns Tuesday night.
Lake County Measure 19-12 -- an $8-million, 30-year tax levy – would be used to expand and upgrade the Lake District Hospital. Supporters say the upgrades are necessary to provide services and to attract doctors to the community. If the levy passes, homeowners would pay $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value, a tax increase of about $160 a year for a $100,000 home.
Final unofficial results were delayed Tuesday night because of slowly operating counting machines, according to Lake County Clerk Stacie Geaney.
Posted 11:15 p.m., Tuesday, CHARTER FAILING: A home rule charter proposal, to change the form of Klamath County government, was apparently failing as of press time Tuesday night.
With more than half the ballots counted, the proposal was losing by 13 points -- more than 3,800 votes. Opposing votes started outdistancing pro votes as ballots were being tabulated starting just after 8 p.m., but proponents refused to concede defeat, citing the many ballots yet to be counted, especially from the north end of the county. “It’s not over until it’s over,” said Betty Dickson, charter proponent.
Opponents of the measure said they were not surprised by voters’ disinterest in the charter.
“I don’t think the voters were ever convinced we needed to change to a charter form of government,” said Dan Golden, spokesperson for a political action committee opposed to the charter.
Current county government has a three-member board of county commissioners, each paid more than $67,000 a year and elected at-large and by party affiliation. The board is responsible for policy decisions and overall management of county business. The charter would install five commissioners, each paid about $12,000 a year and elected by district on a non-partisan basis. They would have hired a full-time administrator, paid up to $108,000 the first year. The board would be in charge of policy-setting and the administrator would have management duties.
Posted 11:10 p.m., Tuesday, MAYOR'S RACE CLOSE: Longtime Klamath Falls Mayor Todd Kellstrom was leading in his bid for his fifth term as mayor against city council member Bill Adams. As of press time Tuesday night, Kellstrom had 1,737 votes to Adams’ 1,430 votes, or 48 percent to 39 percent. If he loses his mayoral bid, Adams would retain his council seat.
Adams, 54, owner of OneStop and You-Pull-It Auto Wreckers, didn’t concede, but said his campaign could have been more successful if he had gone door-to-door to talk to voters. He ran for mayor because he felt the city was going in the wrong direction. “Basically things (would) remain unchanged for another two years,” Adams said.
Even if Kellstrom wins, he said he felt he made a good showing and ran a fair race. “It wasn’t a total loss,” he said.
INCUMBENTS RETAIN KLAMATH FALLS CITY COUNCIL SEATS: Two Klamath Falls City Council members won new terms Tuesday, besting newcomers Jeff Ritter and Jeff Woodwick to fill out the six-member council. Trish Seiler and Bud Hart said their rapport with the community and walking campaigns helped with their successes.
Posted 11 p.m., Tuesday, BOND, LEVIES DEFEATED: Klamath County voters apparently defeated three local money measures in Tuesday’s general election.
With 42 percent of the ballots counted, Klamath Community College’s $7.7 million bond measure was losing 54 percent to 41 percent.
Meanwhile, the Klamath County 911 Communications District levy was trailing 56 percent to 38 percent, and the Klamath County Fire District No. 1 option levy was going down 57 percent to 35 percent. Full story in Wednesday's print edition.
Posted 10:10 p.m., Tuesday: Jubilant cheers arose Tuesday night from the Klamath County Democratic Party headquarters on Main Street in Klamath Falls as returns were announced. With each new state Sen. Barack Obama won, Democrats poured out onto the sidewalk, blowing noisemakers and ringing cowbells.
The mood next door at the Klamath County Republican Party headquarters was subdued, but still hopeful, even as Sen. John McCain gave his concession speech shortly after West Coast polls closed. “He shouldn’t have done that,” said Dan B. Williams. “He should have demanded that every vote be counted.”
Oregon was among West Coast states that supported Obama, but Klamath County residents overwhelmingly supported McCain, 64 percent to 33 percent.
Klamath County Central Republican Party chairman Joe Spendolini congratulated the Democrats, even though he said he felt the media skewed the results.
“I have a sneaking suspicion we may not know until tomorrow,” he said just before McCain conceded. “Calling early can have an impact on the election." Read the full story in Wednesday's Herald and News print edition.
Posted 9:35 p.m. Tuesday: What Klamath County voters said during the presidential election returns and their reaction to Obama's win:
-- “I wouldn’t concede. In a million years I wouldn’t concede.” -- Jo Chapman, McCain volunteer in Klamath County.
-- “Obama’s got the power, Obama’s got the beat, Obama’s got the power, so stomp your feet!” -- Children at the Klamath County Democratic party headquarters
-- “It’s happening. I feel like there’s going to be quality and a change. There’s a lot of potential here for health reform, for tax reform, for energy reform. And this is the beginning. That’s how I feel.” -- Dennis Sigo, Obama volunteer
-- “He shouldn’t have done that. He should have demanded every vote be counted.” -- Dan B. Williams, Klamath County Republican headquarters.
-- “I’m one of the few who’s being re-elected tonight.” -- State Rep. Bill Garrard, a Republican from Klamath Falls.
Posted 9:32 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: PORTLAND — (AP) Early returns showed Democrat Ben Westlund holding a lead in the race for state treasurer.
With 35 percent of the vote counted, Westlund led Republican Allen Alley 52 percent to 45 percent.
Posted 8:48 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: CHICAGO (AP) — Barack Obama asked John McCain for his help in leading the country in a telephone call Tuesday night, moments after the Democratic senator was declared the country's first black president.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama thanked McCain for his graciousness and told him he had waged a tough race.
"Senator Obama told Senator McCain he was consistently someone who has showed class and honor during this campaign as he has during his entire life in public service," Gibbs said in a statement. "Senator Obama said he was eager to sit down and talk about how the two of them can work together."
Gibbs quoted Obama as saying to McCain: "I need your help, you're a leader on so many important issues."
Posted 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.
The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hardfought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.
A huge crowd thronged Grant Park in Chicago to cheer his improbable triumph and await his first public speech as president-elect.
Posted 6:40 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: The most recent polls project Obama as the winner in Ohio, taking him to 200 electoral votes. McCain has received 90 electoral votes so far, with recent projected wins in Arkansas and Louisiana.
Posted 6:02 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: PORTLAND, (AP) —With just a few hours left before the results will be tallied and made public, Oregon voter turnout stands at 76 percent and climbing.
Secretary of State Bill Bradbury expects a surge of last-minute ballots.
Totals as of late afternoon Tuesday show that a larger percentage of Democrats than Republicans have voted — 81 percent of those registered to 78 percent.
Independent voters were turning in ballots more slowly — only 70 percent.
Posted 5:10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4: Obama has received 103 electoral votes to McCain's 34, according to the most recent polls. Obama has taken Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland. McCain has taken Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
Posted 4:25 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4: Klamath County political parties are gathering today to watch returns as the East Coast polls close and the nation waits to hear the winners of the 2008 presidential election.
Local democrats will watch returns from their downtown party headquarters, 1026 Main St., starting at about 5 p.m. The celebration will be a potluck.
Local republicans will be celebrating next door at 1022 Main St. starting about 6 p.m. Refreshments including pizza, cold cuts, beer and wine will be provided.
Posted 3:57 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4: PORTLAND (AP) — With just a few hours left before the results will be tallied and made public, Oregon voter turnout stands at 72 percent and climbing.
Totals as of mid-afternoon Tuesday show that a larger percentage of Democrats than Republicans have voted — 77 percent of those registered to 73 percent.
Added to the Democrats' large edge in registration, that translates to about 214,000 more votes so far from Democrats.
Independent voters were turning in ballots more slowly — only 59 percent.
Posted 3:31 p.m., Tues., Nov. 4: WASHINGTON (AP) _ Democrats counted on solidifying their thin leadership grip on the Senate as voters flocked to the polls today to fill 35 Senate seats. Embattled Republicans braced for losses but hoped they would be modest ones.
Democrats were optimistic that the only two Democratic senators who will lose their Senate seats as a result of the national elections will be Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And if the Democratic presidential ticket prevails, Democratic governors in Illinois and Delaware are sure to appoint Democrats to replace them. Biden is running for re-election as senator from Delaware as well as for vice president. The Senate seats of Obama and GOP presidential candidate John McCain are not on the ballot.
Senate Democrats now have a tenuous 51-49 majority, and only thanks to the support of two independents. Piggybacking on aggressive Obama voter-registration and get-out-the-vote drives, especially in battleground states, Democrats' goal is reaching a coveted 60-seat, filibuster-proof Senate majority. Leaders in both parties portrayed that as a long shot.
Posted Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.: More than 70 percent of Klamath County voters have turned in their ballots as of 1:30 p.m. Exactly 25,001 ballots have been turned in, according to the county clerk's office. Another 3,500 are needed for the county to reach 80 percent voter turnout. The highest voter turnout in the county is 86 percent, reached in the 2004 presidential election.
Posted Tuesday, 8 a.m.: Almost there: After months of newspaper interviews and reports, television ads and televised debates, yard signs, stickers, and buttons, Election Day is finally here.
Oregonians have until 8 p.m. today to place their ballots in an official ballot drop box or hand it over to a county clerk’s office to have their votes counted. Californians can head to the polls beginning at 7 a.m. and have until 8 p.m. to have their voices heard.
Klamath County residents involved in the election in recent weeks weighed in on what motivated them, what set this election apart and how some of the races and measures may wind up.
Chuck Wells (retired Chiloquin Democrat, age 83)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: The Oregon senatorial race between incumbent Gordon Smith and challenger Jeff Merkley was a big motivator, Wells said. The Chiloquin resident is a lifelong Democrat. Most of all, though, he views the Barack Obama/Joe Biden ticket as the best for the country and views their potential victory as a chance for the neoconservatives to reassess who they want to represent.
“The last eight years is the primary thing,” he said.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Wells said how Obama organized his campaign was significant. It was a grassroots movement that helped him compete against contenders in the primary and against Republican John McCain during the general election.
Obama also utilized technology to his advantage, such as using text messaging to reach out to voters and supporters.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: “I’m going to be excited and ready to do it again and better,” Wells said.
Likewise, the local chapter of the Democratic Party is stronger now and better prepared for future elections.
Q. Election predictions?
A: Obama will be victorious over McCain for the presidency while Merkley will eke out a win over Smith for the Senate. The proposed home rule charter for Klamath County will fail.
Vicki Switzer (Klamath County sheep rancher and Republican, age 62)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Switzer’s husband, Al Switzer, is running to keep his seat on the county board of commissioners and she has supported him 100 percent in his efforts. She’s also the president of the Klamath County Republican Women, further illustrating her love of politics and elections.
“I enjoy it and I love doing it,” she said.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Switzer said she’s been most amazed by how long this election has gone on at the national level and how negative it has been.
On the local level, she said her husband’s campaign is unique in that instead of going up against a candidate, he’s competing against the ideology of a new form of government in the form of the proposed home rule charter.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: Relief will be the biggest emotion, Switzer said. But she would do it all over again, especially if her husband continued to run for public office.
Q: Election predictions?
A: The charter will lose by a significant margin while McCain will have a close win over Obama for the presidency. Smith will earn a close win for his Senate seat while U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., will easily hold onto his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Dennis Sigo
(Klamath Falls at-risk youth counselor and
Democrat, age 60)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Sigo changed his affiliation this year from Republican to Democrat, inspired by Obama’s speech during the Democratic National Convention in Denver. He also thinks the nation needs to rethink some of its priorities.
“It is totally unfair that some people are making millions of dollars and some kids can’t eat,” he said.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: The difference in the parties set this election apart from others for Sigo. Particularly, Obama has focused on criticizing his opponent’s stance on the issues rather than resorting to personal attacks.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: “There’s no immediate gratitude, but the hope that it’s going to get better keeps me in,” Sigo said.
Q: Election predictions?
A: Obama will have a convincing win in the presidential election. The charter will fail, while the bond measure for Klamath Community College will pass.
Terry Mumford (retired Keno Republican,
age 62)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Aside from being a die-hard Republican, Mumford said, she senses the nation is in trouble. She said this election is very important on the national and local levels.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Mumford said she is most struck by the inexperience of Obama compared to past presidential candidates from either party.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: Mumford said she would go through it all again and will hopefully feel happy come the results of the election. She did say that after Ron Saxton lost his gubernatorial bid to Gov. Ted Kulongoski two years ago, it did upset her.
Q: Election predictions?
A: McCain will pull off a close win in the presidential race, with Smith pulling off another close win in the U.S. Senate race. The home rule charter will lose, garnering only 30 percent of the vote.
Dan Golden (assistant director of county
juvenile department and charter opponent, age 55)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Golden said he was concerned about the future of county government and was bothered by the charter’s ability to increase government’s size and expense. That alarm prompted him to get involved in the election.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: Not much set this election apart from past ones, Golden said. People are still passionate about their stance on an issue or candidate, as people always have been.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: Golden wouldn’t be involved for the same reasons necessarily if a charter again appears on the ballot. If that charter addressed some of his concerns he has with the current proposal, he would potentially work for it.
Q: Election predictions?
A: The charter will fail to gain voter approval while the KCC bond measure may pass. Golden said he’s also interested in how state measures such as Measure 57 and Measure 61 impact law enforcement, but is not sure if they will pass or fail.
Betty Dickson
(co-owner All Star Trophy and charter proponent, age 55)
Q: What were your aspirations in this election? What drove you?
A: Dickson said she was impressed by the early meetings toward proposing a home rule charter. The need to update county government kept her involved in the election.
Q: What did you learn during this election? What struck you as significant during this election season or made it unique?
A: This election will be set apart by the high voter turnout, with the charter helping to propel that at the local level. The election was also unique in how early it started—nearly two years before Election Day. Dickson said she’d like to see campaigning limited to just six weeks before an election.
Q: How will you feel when it’s all over? Would you do it over again?
A: While she would willingly do it all again, Dickson said she’ll be relieved when the election is over.
Q: Election predictions?
A: The charter will garner 60 percent approval from county voters while the Obama/Biden ticket will take the presidential race.
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| What to fix first? |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
dee wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:34 PM:
" I sincerely think that the US congress needs to work together and I realize that the Republicans have the votes to fillibuster but I suggest that when it comes to passing legislation that both parties start caring more about their constituents than their lobbyist, or they will find themselves being voted out. I think there is a wave going on by the public to try to elliminate the fillibuster. senate. "
shadow wrote on Nov 6, 2008 8:08 PM:
" We are ALL responsible for what happens in this country. Unfortunately, a great lot of us are involuntarily responsible. We all have different opinions and beliefs, and have the right to voice them. Liberty is a great thing. We just need to realize that with liberty comes questions about ethics, morals, and values. Since these differ between each of us, no one will ever agree. The good thing is that opinions and beliefs can change with experience. See what happens in the next four years. Stick to your values and don't let anyone tell you how to vote or think. Even if the election sucked. "
The Llama wrote on Nov 6, 2008 7:08 PM:
" I would rather have a state that is formed and governed by a republican base, then constantly being outdone by our Liberal counterparts in Portland. Oregon isn't even a battleground state due to Portland and its overwhelming amount of liberals. We lose our vote every election. We were a John Kerry state 4 years ago an Obama state now. Which is not how the "rest" of Oregon feels.
Hey LEFT COAST, move back to the Bay Area where you're obviously from.
www.Jeffersonstate.com
Check it out. Become a member and lets secede.
If you don't like it. Oh well. There's a majority of citizens from Southern Oregon and Northern California who are now ready and would like their own voice.
Merkley won simply because of the half million liberal hippies that live in Portland and surrounding area's. Do you think Merkley will do anything good for anyone living east of the Cascades and south of Eugenge. Nope! "
Hey LEFT COAST, move back to the Bay Area where you're obviously from.
www.Jeffersonstate.com
Check it out. Become a member and lets secede.
If you don't like it. Oh well. There's a majority of citizens from Southern Oregon and Northern California who are now ready and would like their own voice.
Merkley won simply because of the half million liberal hippies that live in Portland and surrounding area's. Do you think Merkley will do anything good for anyone living east of the Cascades and south of Eugenge. Nope! "
Larry wrote on Nov 6, 2008 4:37 PM:
" I will layoff anyone that works for me that has an Obama sticker on thier car.Sorry.Maybe you'll think of the whole picture next time.When was the last time you were hired by someone on welfare?? "
Registered Republican wrote on Nov 6, 2008 3:44 PM:
" Get a life, fellow Republicans, the election is over. Time to get back to work. The next election will occur in two years. "
Sledge wrote on Nov 6, 2008 12:48 PM:
" Obama has already divided our nation. God help you if you work your tail off and be successful Just don't make anymore than 250 K or was it 200K? 150K? As Obama will declare you RICH and you will have to pay much higher taxes. The corporations and small businesses will either lay people off or raise their prices, effectively eating up any "tax cut" the middle class get. Welcome to Obamanation Economics. "
The Left Coast.... wrote on Nov 6, 2008 12:09 PM:
" The thought that any of us would move simply because we are (currently) in the minority in this area is absurd. We aren't going anywhere so you had better learn to accept people with differing opinions than your own. Like you have any more right to own your land than I do. We have one thing you don't the majority of the west coast. So maybe you should be considering resale value???? "
To The Llama wrote on Nov 6, 2008 11:20 AM:
" Llama:
Disclaimer, before you read this and fire back something you'll regret: I am a Republican.
Okay, so you create the "State of Jefferson", or whatever new name you give it to rid it of any of the negative connotations that currently surround it.
Now, you have a state with, let's say half a million people (personally, I don't think it would be that many, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt ... depends on where the lines are drawn).
Now, based on population, you get 3 electoral votes (and one representative in the house), and "Oregon" now only gets 4 electoral votes (with two representatives in the house).
You're sandwiched between democratic Oregon and democratic California, with democratic Washington to the north.
And now, Oregon and the State of Jefferson have absolutely zero influence in elections, in Congress, or in any other area that could make progressive things happen for our state. If you think you get little help from liberal politicians now, wait until you tell them you're so mad at them you're going to create your own state and "show them". See if they give you even an inch.
I might have missed it in your well-thought-out and detailed post above, but how again does this solve the problem for everyone?
Sarcasm aside, it's helpful to understand why we're even in this situation ... it's because when things don't go your way (I'll use the term "you" to represent the growing population to which I refer, not to you personally), your reaction is to try and pull back, isolate yourself, and insulate yourself from the "political power" rather than taking responsibility (as an individual, as a community, as a political party) for getting involved with the government - whether its blue, red or green - and doing what you can to make things better. It’s traditional (it’s also crap, but it’s traditional) for political parties to draw these lines to provide a stronger defense when they begin to complain that they can’t get anything done. I’ve learned both in business and my marriage that when there’s something I don’t like, it’s much more effective to address it head on with constructive solutions than it is to get mad, remove myself from the situation and complain that someone else isn’t fixing the problem.
You’ve heard the republicans (okay, at least those at the conservative end) whine about Obama and the democrats, and the only one with any influence to stand up publicly and say “Let’s work with them” is John McCain. You’ve also heard the democrats (yep, all of them) complain to each other, to the American people, and to anyone else who would listen what a terrible job George Bush has done. My question is this: what have the democrats done in a democrat-controlled house and senate to help him and our country be successful? Not a damn thing. They’ve done nothing but complain, blame and compromise for the sole purpose of winning this election. And you know what? If the tables were turned, Republicans would have done the exact same thing. Now, who is the only democrat to stand up and say “Let’s work with them”. You got it. Barack Obama. I don’t agree with his politics or his social leanings, but the fact of the matter is that the figurative and practical leaders of both parties have put the offer on the table. Now, we as a country have to accept the offer. Sure, it’s much easier said than done. And it won’t happen overnight. What an amazing opportunity we have right now, though. With the democrats holding power in the white house, senate and house, it seems like it’s the best offer the republicans are going to get for a while!
It will take a grassroots effort to change this way of thinking. We – as citizens – have to give the message to our republican leadership that stagnation is not acceptable, and that democratic power in government will NOT be an acceptable excuse the next time they are on the ballot and don't have anything to show for their efforts. It really wouldn’t be fair for us to hold them accountable at the next election if we haven’t set our expectation for them NOW. Instead of wasting your time on a concept that has never had enough support to be seriously considered, INVEST your time challenging your fellow citizens to let our government representatives know what we expect them to do, and holding them accountable for doing so.
At the end of the day, Jeff Merkley is one of my senators, whether I like it or not. I’m not willing to write off the next four years. I WILL tell him what I expect, and I WILL hold him accountable with my voice and my vote. "
Disclaimer, before you read this and fire back something you'll regret: I am a Republican.
Okay, so you create the "State of Jefferson", or whatever new name you give it to rid it of any of the negative connotations that currently surround it.
Now, you have a state with, let's say half a million people (personally, I don't think it would be that many, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt ... depends on where the lines are drawn).
Now, based on population, you get 3 electoral votes (and one representative in the house), and "Oregon" now only gets 4 electoral votes (with two representatives in the house).
You're sandwiched between democratic Oregon and democratic California, with democratic Washington to the north.
And now, Oregon and the State of Jefferson have absolutely zero influence in elections, in Congress, or in any other area that could make progressive things happen for our state. If you think you get little help from liberal politicians now, wait until you tell them you're so mad at them you're going to create your own state and "show them". See if they give you even an inch.
I might have missed it in your well-thought-out and detailed post above, but how again does this solve the problem for everyone?
Sarcasm aside, it's helpful to understand why we're even in this situation ... it's because when things don't go your way (I'll use the term "you" to represent the growing population to which I refer, not to you personally), your reaction is to try and pull back, isolate yourself, and insulate yourself from the "political power" rather than taking responsibility (as an individual, as a community, as a political party) for getting involved with the government - whether its blue, red or green - and doing what you can to make things better. It’s traditional (it’s also crap, but it’s traditional) for political parties to draw these lines to provide a stronger defense when they begin to complain that they can’t get anything done. I’ve learned both in business and my marriage that when there’s something I don’t like, it’s much more effective to address it head on with constructive solutions than it is to get mad, remove myself from the situation and complain that someone else isn’t fixing the problem.
You’ve heard the republicans (okay, at least those at the conservative end) whine about Obama and the democrats, and the only one with any influence to stand up publicly and say “Let’s work with them” is John McCain. You’ve also heard the democrats (yep, all of them) complain to each other, to the American people, and to anyone else who would listen what a terrible job George Bush has done. My question is this: what have the democrats done in a democrat-controlled house and senate to help him and our country be successful? Not a damn thing. They’ve done nothing but complain, blame and compromise for the sole purpose of winning this election. And you know what? If the tables were turned, Republicans would have done the exact same thing. Now, who is the only democrat to stand up and say “Let’s work with them”. You got it. Barack Obama. I don’t agree with his politics or his social leanings, but the fact of the matter is that the figurative and practical leaders of both parties have put the offer on the table. Now, we as a country have to accept the offer. Sure, it’s much easier said than done. And it won’t happen overnight. What an amazing opportunity we have right now, though. With the democrats holding power in the white house, senate and house, it seems like it’s the best offer the republicans are going to get for a while!
It will take a grassroots effort to change this way of thinking. We – as citizens – have to give the message to our republican leadership that stagnation is not acceptable, and that democratic power in government will NOT be an acceptable excuse the next time they are on the ballot and don't have anything to show for their efforts. It really wouldn’t be fair for us to hold them accountable at the next election if we haven’t set our expectation for them NOW. Instead of wasting your time on a concept that has never had enough support to be seriously considered, INVEST your time challenging your fellow citizens to let our government representatives know what we expect them to do, and holding them accountable for doing so.
At the end of the day, Jeff Merkley is one of my senators, whether I like it or not. I’m not willing to write off the next four years. I WILL tell him what I expect, and I WILL hold him accountable with my voice and my vote. "
Applesauce wrote on Nov 6, 2008 9:25 AM:
" Tater
We could sit here all day but as of yet I have not made one statement against the republican party, and for the record I don't care for the Eugene crowd either (too extreme). My statement is don't act like your taking the higher road while giving us the finger on your way out the door. You haven't burst my bubble just reaffirmed my thoughts. "
We could sit here all day but as of yet I have not made one statement against the republican party, and for the record I don't care for the Eugene crowd either (too extreme). My statement is don't act like your taking the higher road while giving us the finger on your way out the door. You haven't burst my bubble just reaffirmed my thoughts. "
The Llama wrote on Nov 6, 2008 12:39 AM:
" Jefferson State needs to be finally created. With some fine tuning, it could be Southern Oregon and Northern California's way out of our two unbalanced states. Doesn't seem right that 3/4 of Oregon (south of Eugene and everything east of the cascades) is dictated by our liberal counter parts up north. Its time for Jefferson to be created. The rest of the liberals in Jefferson can simply move back to the bay area or back to Portland. Problem solved for everyone. "
Mike A wrote on Nov 5, 2008 8:01 PM:
" What a absoloutely amazing and hopeful night in American history. I wish President elect Obama all the best in restoring the hope of america both here at home and abroad. "
Olivia wrote on Nov 5, 2008 7:10 PM:
" "Remember the State of Jefferson"
Yeah, nice. The State of Jefferson has decidedly racist principles. That's a ridiculous thing to advocate in this day and age. "
Yeah, nice. The State of Jefferson has decidedly racist principles. That's a ridiculous thing to advocate in this day and age. "
tater_salad wrote on Nov 5, 2008 5:31 PM:
" Ashley, what do you honestly expect Obama to accomplish in the next four years?
And as for this blowout, I can accurately assume you're talking about electoral college votes, because after all the griping democrats did about the popular vote in the last two elections, I KNOW they aren't about to play that card in this election, which had a mighty narrow margin.
I seem to remember democrats advocating for doing away with the electoral college system after their candidate lost (twice) in the last two elections. Don't see them having a problem with it now. "
And as for this blowout, I can accurately assume you're talking about electoral college votes, because after all the griping democrats did about the popular vote in the last two elections, I KNOW they aren't about to play that card in this election, which had a mighty narrow margin.
I seem to remember democrats advocating for doing away with the electoral college system after their candidate lost (twice) in the last two elections. Don't see them having a problem with it now. "
tater_salad wrote on Nov 5, 2008 5:27 PM:
" Applesauce, sorry to burst your bubble, but the concepts I mentioned ARE the hallmarks of the liberal left. Sad, but true.
Expressing my opinion that Obama will not (heck, could ANYONE?) resolve the woes of our country in the next four or even eight years is not even anywhere compareable to the bitter, whiny comments I heard people in Eugene expelling when Bush first entered office in 2000.
Sorry, but for those of us that believe in avoiding socialism and reducing big government, this election was not the way we would have like it to have gone. I'm not bitter, just disappointed.
Who knows? Maybe Obama will improve things. It's certainly everyone's hope, my own included. But based on Obama's associations and his lack of experience, I have my doubts.
And, as a pre-emptive reply, don't even bother throwing out garbage about George W. Bush, and how HE wrecked the entire country, because that's just nonsense. No man is an island. It's been a rough eight years, no doubt, but Bush didn't do it all by himself. "
Expressing my opinion that Obama will not (heck, could ANYONE?) resolve the woes of our country in the next four or even eight years is not even anywhere compareable to the bitter, whiny comments I heard people in Eugene expelling when Bush first entered office in 2000.
Sorry, but for those of us that believe in avoiding socialism and reducing big government, this election was not the way we would have like it to have gone. I'm not bitter, just disappointed.
Who knows? Maybe Obama will improve things. It's certainly everyone's hope, my own included. But based on Obama's associations and his lack of experience, I have my doubts.
And, as a pre-emptive reply, don't even bother throwing out garbage about George W. Bush, and how HE wrecked the entire country, because that's just nonsense. No man is an island. It's been a rough eight years, no doubt, but Bush didn't do it all by himself. "
Ashley wrote on Nov 5, 2008 3:30 PM:
" Hi Grace. In defense of the H & N, they did speak to me, on record, on the print edition. I just turned 30 and have been working non stop for the Obama campaign and of course, was pleased with the absolut blow out he handed to McCain. This country was screaming for change. As important, is the new make-up of Congress. Now we can really start cleaning up the mess that has been made in the last 8 years. "
Congrats wrote on Nov 5, 2008 2:35 PM:
" To the town of Lakeview. It is nice to see that at least your community is willing to step up for the good of the community. "
Applesauce wrote on Nov 5, 2008 12:37 PM:
" Yeah Tater like that was graceful..... Oh and way to (suck it up) and move ahead gracefully.... "
tater_salad wrote on Nov 5, 2008 11:37 AM:
" Darlene, the majority of Oregon voted for Obama, at least from the numbers I saw on TV last night... I didn't vote for him, just noting what I observed.
That said, just watch: Republicans will not start crying out "unfair! the Democrats stole the election!" as the latter did almost immediately eight years ago... It's time for us to suck it up and move ahead gracefully, unlike the liberal left, who use racism and unfairness as their political battle cry.
I wish Obama well in strictly the most respective of luck, but mark my words: he will NOT be the saviour of this country. No way, no how and especially not in the next four years. "
That said, just watch: Republicans will not start crying out "unfair! the Democrats stole the election!" as the latter did almost immediately eight years ago... It's time for us to suck it up and move ahead gracefully, unlike the liberal left, who use racism and unfairness as their political battle cry.
I wish Obama well in strictly the most respective of luck, but mark my words: he will NOT be the saviour of this country. No way, no how and especially not in the next four years. "
Bill wrote on Nov 5, 2008 6:56 AM:
" Darlene he extended his hand in the spirit of co-operation (you should try it)and working together to pull us out of the mess we are in. So you sit back and laugh your a*$ off the rest of us have work to do. Your ignorant statement about the people of our state up north just goes to show you think your opinion is the only correct one that's the same mindset that has kept us down. Open your mind and try to let some light in sometime you might learn something about your fellow statemen. "
Darlene wrote on Nov 5, 2008 2:48 AM:
" Well Obama supporters here is your change. I can't wait to sit back and laugh my a*$ off when you regret your decision in about mid 2009. We are headed for a rocky road people so hold on. I found it ironic that he asked McCain for help on the phone, of course he did....he doesn't know what he's doing!!!! It makes me sick to look at the Oregon map and see almost the entire state voting for McCain and yet we are still a blue state because of the tree hugging owl lovers up north, remember the State of Jefferson anyone??? "
Grace R wrote on Nov 4, 2008 6:24 AM:
" I am amazed that there is not one response from someone under the age of 55. There are many people under that age who were very involved in this election and have opinions regarding the outcome of this election. Those over age 55 do not accurately represent the demographics of this county. H&N could have gone to OIT or KCC and gotten responses from a younger generation. The photo accompanying this story is of two 18 year women, yet no where in the article are the views of that age group represented.
I hope that H&N at least attempted to speak with the younger population, I can think of three or four people right now that would have responded. "
I hope that H&N at least attempted to speak with the younger population, I can think of three or four people right now that would have responded. "
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Bryan wrote on Nov 6, 2008 11:44 PM:
First, the whining and moaning, in both directions, is absurd.
Second, Larry, I don't know you... but if you'd layoff an employee for having an Obama sticker on their car... you're an idiot. Personally, I wouldn't work for you and god help someone who does. You're not a fair employer and people like you shouldn't be allowed to run a business.
I'm in the middle on this one and see both sides. What is starting to sicken me is that everyone seems to be missing the fact that both democrats and republicans are AMERICAN! Period! Obama isn't a socialist, he's an AMERICAN, beliving in freedom and liberty. McCain is an AMERICAN, and believes the same.
Whoever were to be selected, one thing we can be sure, it's still America, strong and true. It is our duty to support this country and the President, whoever that may be.
I'm not going to get into who I voted for, but rural America tends to vote republican while urban America tends to vote democrat. Such is life. Regardless, we're all in this together and must support one another as Americans do. It doesn't matter if you're black or white, jewish or christian. It's time to stop the bickering and work together to keep America great.
Folks, please remember... This is America and we all live together in this great country. Both republicans and democrats, working together, have made this country what it is. Let's continue to work together and keep our country the best place in the world to raise our children and make a living. "