Biden's late push across West aims to deliver votes for Dems

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By COLLEEN LONG

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — President Joe Biden strode into the telephone bank at a crowded union hall and eagerly began making calls and eating doughnuts — one frosted, one glazed — as he tries every page in the political playbook to deliver votes for Democrats.

“What a governor does matters,” Biden said in a pep talk to volunteers who were making Friday night calls for Oregon gubernatorial hopeful Tina Kotek and other candidates. “It matters! It matters, it matters, it matters!”

Before leaving Portland on Saturday, the president attended a union hall reception for Kotek as he tried to boost her chances in a three-way race that could cost Democrats a reliably blue governor’s seat. He also gave a speech at a community center, warning that his administration’s progress “goes away, gone” if Republicans take control of Congress in the midterm elections.

Portland was the final stop on a four-day swing through Oregon, California and Colorado that has encapsulated Biden’s strategy for turning out voters on Election Day, Nov. 8: flex the levers of government to help boost candidates, promote an agenda aimed at strengthening an uncertain economy and haul in campaign cash.



President Joe Biden stands with Tina Kotek, the Oregon Democratic nominee for governor, as he speaks during a grassroots volunteer event with the Oregon Democrats at the SEIU Local 49 in Portland, Ore. Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-inflation-biden-oregon-colorado-2b890ad2efe0b151a05dc4b0a19048b4?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=TopNews&utm_campaign=position_05

[bucolic_frolic]

1. RARE to see sitting president campaign in midterms

Bill Clinton as I recall got burned pretty good. But Biden is exuding confidence here, and surely each move is well planned by his team. Maybe we need just a nudge over the finish line.

[niyad]

2. . . .

[Puppyjive]

3. The situation in Oregon

There is a third candidate who is running as an independent. She has a pretty good message that resonates with a lot of Oregonians. She knows that voters are tired of extremism. She will probably split the vote, giving the conservative runner a path. This is concerning. I'm kind of tired of extremism, but this election is about women's reproductive rights. I don't want to give any conservative an opportunity to rule in my state.

[Tree Lady]

4. I know I am concerned

My city Medford is crawling with Betsy signs.

[Puppyjive]

5. To be honest

I like her message. The only thing I really don't like about her is her stance on gun control. I'm wanting more candidates that can respond more to the middle. I live out in Eastern Oregon. We are the minority. Get ready for a bumpy ride!

[Tree Lady]

9. Things I like about hercto

But afraid republicans will win. Wish we had rank choice voting.

[MurrayDelph]

10. Betsy used to be my state rep

She was frequently endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans.

But this time she is running as a spoiler funded by anti-Kotek billionaire Phil Knight.

[Tree Lady]

13. I have a problem with anyone

Who takes money to be a spoiler.

[GreenWave]

6. What I hate to see are Dems distancing themselves from him.

Do you see any GOP attacking Trump or the Insurrection... because they are not on the defensive... 10 Senators and around 150+ Reps still voted to overturn AFTER their lives were threatened. But they are NOT on the defensive, are they?

Trump's oil dictator friends are sabotaging our economy and they don't comment because they are not on the defensive.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. "Do you see any GOP attacking Trump or the Insurrection"

Here in PA they are and several groups of Republicans have formed PACs that have been running ads in support of the Democrat running for Governor - Josh Shapiro - and against the RW Christo-fascist loon Doug Mastriano.

Some were associated with Poppy, Shrub and the PA GOP appointees like former governors Dick Thornburgh and Tom Ridge, who served under them.

Republicans 4 Shapiro

Also this one -

Republican Accountability Project - supporting multiple (D) candidates including Shapiro

And one that is posted continually on DU -

The Lincoln Project

[GreenWave]

11. Oops.

I meant the candidates. I should have clarified.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. The Republican Accountability Project

identified a group who were closest to it - https://accountability.gop/courage/

However most (at least in the House) are either retiring or were primaried and in the Senate, are either retiring or not not up this term. One of the exceptions is Lisa Murkowski who is running against a 45-backed (R) loon Kelly Tshibaka, and against Democrat Pat Chesbro. Since they have ranked-choice there, it will be interesting what happens - particularly given Turtle's PAC is actually running ads against Tshibaka.

[HUAJIAO]

7. He better come to NY. No kidding.

We could very well have a fascist governor in a month !