Pencils Ready...

[October 20th, 2004] A lot is at stake in this election, and it goes beyond putting the abysmal Bush administration out of our misery. There's the fate of our forests, the control of the state Senate, the welfare of Oregon troops in Iraq, the ability of gays and lesbians to make medical decisions for their partners.

Last week, we published our endorsements for the upcoming vote. This week, most of you got your ballots in the mail. So clear some room at the kitchen table and unfold that ballot right next to this handy reminder of our picks. Because the most powerful force on Nov. 2 is your No. 2 pencil.

^MEASURES

Measure 31 -- YES

Allows elections to be postponed if state candidates die late in the campaign.

In some cases, having a cadaver in office would be an improvement, but we still back this measure.

Measure 32 -- YES

Changes the constitution to treat mobile homes like homes rather than cars.

We think this is a great idea, and we're not alone: There's no organized opposition to the measure.

Measure 33 -- NO

Changes Oregon's medical-marijuana law, increasing the amount of pot patients can possess and allowing the establishment of non-profit dispensaries.

We're all for medical marijuana. We just don't think this overly ambitious measure is the fix it needs.

Measure 34 -- YES

Sets aside half of the state forests for recreation and wildlife purposes.

Let critters, hikers and campers have some forest to play in where the trees are still standing.

Measure 35 -- NO

Amends state constitution to limit non-economic damages for victims in malpractice cases to $500,000.

Rather than endorse this idea of limiting non-economic damages, we'd like to see some serious attention paid to reforming the insurance side of the equation.

Measure 36 -- NO

Amends the constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

A "Yes" vote on this measure is a vote for intolerance masquerading as reason.

Measure 37 -- NO

Requires government to drop regulations or pay landowners if those regulations hurt property values.

Pretty much everyone who knows anything about land use is opposing this measure.

Measure 38 -- NO

Abolishes SAIF.

SAIF is a big problem. But not the problem the sponsor of this measure says it is.

Measure 26-64 -- NO

Repeals Multnomah County's income tax.

The conditions that prompted the majority of voters to support the creation of the county tax haven't changed.

Multnomah County Charter Measures -- YES (26-57--26-63 )

Seven easy steps to clean up the county charter.

Twenty years ago, misguided voters screwed with the county charter. Seven local measures would help clean up the mess.

^PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

John Kerry (democrat)

More than "Not Bush," he's the right man for our troubled times.

^CONGRESS

UNITED STATES SENATE

Ron Wyden (DEMOCRAT)

A voice for civil liberties.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

David Wu (DEMOCRAT)

1st District (West Portland to the coast)

Revelations about a college assault damage Wu's standing, but his Republican opponent is simply wrong for the district.

Earl Blumenauer (DEMOCRAT)

3rd District (East Portland, parts of Multnomah and Clackamas counties)

On Amtrak and Afghanistan, a strong voice for a true Blue district.

Darlene Hooley (DEMOCRAT)

5th District (Southwest Portland and the Willamette Valley to the Coast)

A bread-and-butter representative for an ideologically mixed district.

^LOCAL RACES

MAYOR OF PORTLAND

Tom Potter (NONPARTISAN)

Potter's independence makes him the choice.

CITY COUNCIL POSITION ONE

Nick Fish (NONPARTISAN)

The newcomer is the clear pick.

METRO COUNCIL, DISTRICT 6

Robert Liberty (NONPARTISAN)

A needed dose of energy and backbone.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Lisa Naito (NONPARTISAN)

District 3 (Southeast Portland)

A competent commissioner with a steep hill to climb.

^STATEWIDE

SECRETARY OF STATE

Bill Bradbury (DEMOCRAT)

The only one in this crowd we could possibly imagine as governor if calamity strikes.

STATE TREASURER

Randall Edwards (DEMOCRAT)

Performs with a cautious competence.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Hardy Myers (DEMOCRAT)

Our AG is not a politician--let's keep it that way.

^STATE SENATE

Ryan Deckert (DEMOCRAT)

District 14 (Raleigh Hills, Beaverton, Murray Hill)

Like a Willamette Valley pinot noir, Deckert is aging well.

Ginny Burdick (DEMOCRAT)

District 18 (Southwest Portland, Tigard)

An able legislator whose progressive views fit her district.

Kate Brown (DEMOCRAT)

District 21 (Southeast Portland)

A bright, diligent lawmaker who plays well with others.

Avel Gordly (DEMOCRAT)

District 23 (Northeast Portland, Mount Tabor, Foster-Powell)

One of the few who votes her conscience.

Laurie Monnes Anderson (DEMOCRAT)

District 25 (Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village)

Quiet and determined, without a personal agenda.

^STATE HOUSE

Rick Ross (DEMOCRAT)

District 26 (Wilsonville, Sherwood, Gaston)

A background made for building alliances.

Mark Hass (DEMOCRAT)

District 27 (Raleigh Hills, Beaverton)

A brainy pit bull who looks for solutions.

Jeff Barker (DEMOCRAT)

District 28 (South Aloha, Downtown Beaverton)

Sometimes nice guys finish first.

Mary Gallegos (REPUBLICAN)

District 29 (Downtown Hillsboro, Cornelius, Forest Grove)

A down-to-earth vote for common sense.

Derrick Kitts (REPUBLICAN)

District 30 (Hillsboro, North Plains)

We're giving him one more chance.

Mitch Greenlick (DEMOCRAT)

District 33 (Northwest Portland to North Plains)

No contest.

Larry Galizio (DEMOCRAT)

District 35 (Tigard, Metzger, King City)

Because Max Williams isn't here anymore.

Mary Nolan (DEMOCRAT)

District 36 (Downtown, Southwest Hills)

A sourpuss, but a brainy and tenacious sourpuss.

Jim Morton (DEMOCRAT)

District 37 (South Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin)

A pro-business social progressive with a record of making tough choices.

Greg Macpherson (DEMOCRAT)

District 38 (Lake Oswego, Riverdale, Southwest Portland)

Trade our 2003 Rookie of the Year? Forget it.

Doug Neeley (DEMOCRAT)

District 39 (Oregon City, Canby)

Incumbent Wayne Scott is too partisan.

Dave Hunt (DEMOCRAT)

District 40 (Gladstone, Oak Grove, Johnson City)

A thoughtful lawmaker with an independent streak.

Carolyn Tomei (DEMOCRAT)

District 41 (Sellwood, Woodstock, Milwaukie)

An advocate for the Oregon Health Plan.

Diane Rosenbaum (DEMOCRAT)

District 42 (Inner Southeast Portland)

An overachiever from the land of mellow.

Chip Shields (DEMOCRAT)

District 43 (Irvington, Concordia, North Portland east of I-5)

What's not to like about a guy who finds jobs for ex-cons?

Gary Hansen (DEMOCRAT)

District 44 (Northeast Portland north of Columbia Boulevard, North Portland west of I-5)

Slow and steady wins the race.

Jackie Dingfelder (DEMOCRAT)

District 45 (Hollywood, Cully, Maywood Park, Parkrose)

An aggressive progressive on her way up.

Steve March (DEMOCRAT)

District 46 (Laurelhurst, Mount Tabor, Foster-Powell)

A spreadsheet whiz respected on both sides of the aisle.

Jeff Merkley (DEMOCRAT)

District 47 (East of I-205 between I-84 and Clinton Street)

Like all the kids in Lake Wobegon, he's above average.

Mike Schaufler (DEMOCRAT)

District 48 (Lents, Happy Valley, Powell Butte)

A lunch-bucket Democrat with no patience for games.

Rob Brading (DEMOCRAT)

District 49 (Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village)

A good match for an evenly divided district.

Jim Buck (DEMOCRAT)

District 50 (Gresham, Powell Valley)

A résumé that suggests a leader-in-waiting.

Kathryn Firestone (DEMOCRAT)

District 51 (Clackamas, Damascus, Boring, Estacada)

Warm and fuzzy? No. Determined and ready? Yes.