 blumenauer at peace.
IMAGE: krista Stryker |
For all the venom directed at U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer last Sunday by antiwar, pro-impeachment Portlanders, the anger hasn’t translated so far into any Democrat wanting to challenge the seven-term Oregon congressman in the May primary.
At a town hall meeting Sept. 23 at the Hollywood Theatre in Northeast Portland, Blumenauer sat silently as nearly 400 local activists and community members lashed out for 90 minutes on impeachment, the Iraq war, and other issues. The mood was unmistakable: Portlanders are mad about many of the Democrat’s current positions.
He has consistently voted against the war. But the crowd wanted the congressman to commit to impeach President Bush or Vice President Cheney. And many also felt he hasn’t done enough to bring the troops home—now.
“I would like to see some accountability, a voice representing Portland who is willing to stand up and say no,” said one man in the audience.
But even as support for the Democratic Congress plunges as low as 11 percent in one national poll and other Dems like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi face challenges from antiwar candidates, Blumenauer shouldn’t worry about his left flank in a Democratic primary.
“Blumenauer is not in any trouble,” says Pacific University political science professor Jim Moore. “There just isn’t any opposition out there.”
Blumenauer’s name recognition, $450,000-plus in his campaign account, and liberal voting record appear enough to forestall any serious challenge, says lawyer John Bradach, a leader in the local impeachment movement (see “The Reach to Impeach,” WW , April 18, 2007).
Bradach, a longtime friend of Blumenauer’s, says the congressman’s failure to address impeachment has created a gap between him and many constituents. But Bradach, who attended the town hall, says Blumenauer faces no revolt because “he’s got a strong connection with his district” otherwise. ?
FACT: Blumenauer captured 91 percent of the vote in the May 2006 Democratic primary and 74 percent in the November 2006 general election.
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If "Portlanders" were upset with Earl, he would be run out of office.
"Some" Portlanders, more vocal than credible, who do not represent most all of us Democrats, are upset with him. Typical of most leftist rags, WW puts this way out of proportion.
WW neglects to mention that the day after his raucous town hall forum, four labor and human rights activists--myself included--were arrested in his office. We were protesting the pending US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, an expansion of the broken NAFTA model. Earl voted to support the agreement Tuesday morning in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Earl is apparently more interested in keeping up with the chatter on BlueOregon than the opinions of the 900+ workers who've had their Freightliner jobs outsourced because of "free" trade.
I would also question WW's assertion that "Blumenauer shouldn’t worry about his left flank in a Democratic primary." Murmurs among Portland anti-war and labor rights activists indicate that there is could be interest in challenging Earl--maybe in the primary, maybe in the general election or perhaps in both.
Portland is a progressive city that supports labor rights and other social justice issues. Earl is OK. Portland deserves better.
Dan Denvir
--
Organizer & Marathon Runner At Large
N Chatham Ave
Portland, OR 97217
E-mail: daniel.denvir@gmail.com
WW neglects to mention that the day after his raucous town hall forum, four labor and human rights activists--myself included--were arrested in his office. We were protesting the pending US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, an expansion of broken NAFTA-style trade deals. On Tuesday, Earl voted for the agreement in the House Ways and Means Committee.
I would also question WW's assertion that "Blumenauer shouldn't worry about his left flank in a Democratic primary." Murmurs among Portland anti-war and labor rights activists indicate that there is strong interest in challenging Earl--maybe in the primary, maybe in the general election or perhaps in both.
Portland is a progressive city that supports labor rights and other social justice issues. Sometimes Earl is OK and so-so. Portland deserves better.
Dan Denvir
--
Organizer & Marathon Runner At Large
N Chatham Ave
Portland, OR 97217
E-mail: daniel.denvir@gmail.com