Oregon's next, campaigns kick it in high gear
By Thanh Tan and KATU Web StaffPORTLAND, Ore. - Now that the Indiana and North Carolina primaries are out of the way, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination moves to Oregon. The Clinton and Obama campaigns tell KATU News it is time to kick things up a notch ahead of the May 20 primary. The candidates agree Oregon's top issues include: getting out of Iraq, the economy, energy independence and better health care. However, their supporters are launching an all-out effort to prove their candidate is better than the other. Sen. Hillary Clinton's supporters spent Tuesday morning and afternoon calling voters in Indiana and North Carolina. "We have 600 volunteers making 150,000 calls to those states. We just want to get a victory for Hillary," said Julie Edwards, Clinton's campaign spokesman. She said their volunteers will finish the day by calling Oregonians. The Obama campaign said their opponent is in "do-or-die" mode. "Even if they do (win Indiana and/or North Carolina), there's still an insurmountable delegate lead for them. The focus for our campaign here is on Oregon. (We have) two weeks left, starting today," said Obama's Oregon Oregon Communications Director Nick Shapiro. Edwards said the Clinton campaign expects to be outspent, but they refuse to be knocked down. "I know as an Oregonian I don't want this process shut down until I have my say and until the state has its say - and I think the people of Oregon feel the same way," she said. The Obama side touts its grassroots campaign, which continues to grow. "We've registered more than 30,000 Democrats in Oregon. That's going to change the makeup of the political landscape here," said Shapiro. The Clinton campaign reports a total of 26,000 volunteers statewide. The Obama campaign claims it has 35,000 people signed up to help. One of Sen. Clinton's biggest supporters in Oregon is Gov. Ted Kulongoski. On Tuesday, her campaign announced 50 more locally elected officials have endorsed her. The Obama campaign announced they have received new support from over half of the Democrats in the Oregon Legislature. |
Weather & TrafficWeather & Traffic
Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV. Stay ConnectedYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
Most Popular
Viewer Poll |
KATU, 2153 N.E. Sandy Blvd.,
