Coffee and Questions with Jeff Merkley

This morning, Mike and I had the opportunity to have a cup of coffee and chat with US Senate candidate Jeff Merkley. He is currently the Speaker of the Oregon House and is challenging Republican rubberstamp Senator Gordon Smith.

21st Century Dems: How important are field organizers in your campaign?

Speaker Merkley: A good field program is incredibly important when you are running against an incumbent. If you’re going to win it’s going to be on the ground, working with the people and communities you’re trying to represent. A couple of years ago when we took control of the Oregon House we had to buid the best field program in the State’s history.

21st Century Dems: How have the internet and online activism affected your campaign?

Speaker Merkley: Well there is a reason I’m here at Netroots Nation. I’m fighting for people and I’m running against someone who fights for the big special interests, so I need to be connected with individuals and activists who are engaged in what is going on are on the ground. The dialog that takes place on the blogs is essential to try and match the power and money that incumbents have to communicate their message.

21st Century Dems: What is the first thing you’ll do when you get to Washington?

Speaker Merkley: Well there are a lot of things we need to do, but the very first is ending the war in Iraq. It is just so important and affects everything else we do.

21st Century Dems: What will be your other priorities as a US Senator?

Speaker Merkley: After ending the Iraq war we need to make sure every American has access to affordable health care. We must move toward energy independence and combat global warming. We need to create good jobs that pay people a living wage and we have to strengthen our education system so we have young people who are prepared to fill those jobs. Finally, I think it is critical to restore America’s integrity and good standing in the world. We have a lot of work to do, but those are the issues that I think we really need to address up front.

You can learn more about Speaker Merkley and how to get involved with his campaign by vising his website, www.jeffmerkley.com.