Before yesterday, forty of the forty-five (not counting Bernie and Hillary) Senators in the Democratic Caucus had each made an endorsement for President. And every one, without exception, had endorsed Hillary. Yesterday, at long last, a Senator finally stepped forward and endorsed Bernie. I’m proud to have done volunteer work for his campaign in 2008, when Jeff ousted goose-stepping Gordon Smith and became the junior Senator from Oregon.
[O]regon Democrat Jeff Merkley endorsed Bernie Sanders on Wednesday for the party’s presidential nomination, becoming the first member of the Senate to announce support for the fellow U.S. senator from Vermont.
In a New York Times column announcing his endorsement, Merkley said he supports Sanders for his work battling economic inequality, opposing trade deals and fighting for the middle class.
“It is time to recommit ourselves to that vision of a country that measures our nation’s success not at the boardroom table, but at kitchen tables across America,” Merkley wrote. “Bernie Sanders stands for that America, and so I stand with Bernie Sanders for president.”… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Raw Story>
Rachel Maddow interviewed Jeff about his endorsement.
I was particularly pleased with the way Jeff had nothing but good things to say about Hillary, but said even more good things about Bernie.
With almost all of his colleagues in Hillary’s camp, it would have been so much easier for Jeff to follow the pack, or make no endorsement at all. He deserves our kudos for the courage it took to do right, standing alone in the face of adversity.
In summary, Oregon leads the way!
8 Responses to “A Senator for Bernie”
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It isn't a surprise to me that Jeff supports Bernie. It does sadden me that no one else has. I am aware Elizabeth has not taken a position, and I understand that. Who are the other three?
I have no problem with any Senator who supports the winner of his or her state's primary or caucus. Jeff is doing just that. My Dem Senator isn't. Many are taking positions before their state's primary even happens. I guess we will have to see.
I have liked whatever I have heard about Merkley!
Great news!!
WTG, Mr. Merkley!
Thanks, Tom for this.
My political thinking only differs from Jeff's in that I can't think of anything good to say about Hillary; she's a corporate candidate, as are all the others save for Bernie (Trump is his own corporation). Bernie is the people's candidate, and Jeff, being a people's representative in the Senate, did the proper thing by endorsing him.
Senator Jeff Merkley is a rising star, and I predict that at some point in the future, he will find himself in the same circumstances that Senator Sanders now finds himself — a darkhorse candidate on his way to the White House.
Aaaalllllrrrriiight! FINALLY, a Senator for Bernie!!! Merkley is right on time!! And the rest of them are just following the party line. That's sad! They can't think for themselves and just spit out what Wasserman-Shultz tells them to and the Dem. Party is taken with Hillary! She needs to step down if she can't be neutral. Bernie has fought them tooth and nail for support from the Dem party.
If, no when, he wins, I hope the so called leadership of the Democratic party are replaced!
Good for Senator Merkley! I am envious of you Oregon voters for having him. But, look who I have, and you can understand why.
Kudos Mr Merkley!
Question — Once a senator has endorsed a candidate, can they rescind their endorsement and move to another?
From what you have shown us of Jeff Merkley here on PP, it had become quite clear that he thought along the lines of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and is a Social Democrat at heart. So I'm not really surprised by his endorsement, but it does show great courage to step away from the rest of the Democratic pack and go for your own convictions. Kudos to you Jeff Merkley for doing so!