From the Campaign Trail...
Tags:Chris here with a guest post. It’s great to have Ali back home from her travels. I like having her here to share my daily campaign trail stories with. And boy do I have stories!
But first, thank you to everyone who voted for me in Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s challenge for a $1,000 campaign donation. Your votes put me in the finals! The final round of voting is happening right now and ends on August 29- so whether or not you voted in round one, please log on and vote for me in round two! You can vote here: Help Earl Decide!
These days, I spend a lot of time walking door-to-door talking with regular people about the real issues facing Oregon's families. And I’ve heard it all. I've met people with chronic illnesses, who have to take their medicine every other day- because they can't afford the prescribed daily dose and are forced to gamble with their health. I've met the parents of children in kindergarten classes with 25 other kids- and I know that is simply too many. The reality is, regardless of party affiliation, 90% of Oregonians want 90% of the same stuff- and we just need legislators to get to work for the people.
More and more, people want Representatives who are going to work hard for them in the legislature. People are checking out of the political process here in Oregon because they see how unresponsive their Representatives are to the real issues affecting their lives. Yet when special interests say "Jump", our politicians ask “How high?”
The way I see it, I am interviewing with every voter on their doorstep for a job representing them in our state capitol.
To most voters it’s more about hard work than party affiliation. And it’s undeniable that we are working hard! Long days, high energy, and an unrelenting focus on success. Not for me, but for the PEOPLE.
Even with voters who may not vote for me, they respect the fact that I am out there working hard to meet them and hear what is important to their lives.
So, that’s my update. And thanks again for your votes in Help Earl Decide! I’d appreciate your vote once more in the finals. I know scrapbookers have tremendous power with their votes, but I’m pretty sure you all don’t qualify as a “Special Interest.” ☺
That’s enough politics for now. I’ll turn it back over to Ali for Life Art and the like…
P.S. This is Ali Edwards, and I approve this message.
So go vote at Help Earl Decide! to help Chris win $1,000 contribution. Anyone can do it, and it only takes two minutes.
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65 comments
Although I am not a U.S citizen, glad to know that it seems like we all want the same stuff regardless of nationality. Chris, Good luck with the rest of your campaign! I am praying for your hard work paying off.
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Good Luck Chris I know with Ali as a support you will for sure go far, I believe the two of you are for sure a force to be reckoned with! Good Luck- God Speed!
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Good luck Chris! Wishing you all the success.
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As a neighbor to the north, I'm happy to continue voting to help Earl decide! It was interesting to read about the other 9 semi-finalists, and choose those that seemed to be following the issues I'm most hoping to see worked on. As a self-employed artist married to a self-employed graphic design artist/sign painter, we're really hoping Oregon can do something about the current bad medical & health cost issues. We have friends with insurance traveling to Costa Rica for dental work (they also have family there) but it's less expensive to get 5 cavities filled in another country, and fly two people there & back than it is to get them filled locally! Good luck Chris---sure would like to see you win---we need people like you willing to work for what Oregonian's need!!
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Husband is American, so that qualifies us to vote! All Done
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You got my vote (again) and if I lived in Oregon you'd have it there, too. We need people like you in Ohio! I really admire your campaign style and see eye to eye with you on the big issues. Good luck to you, Chris!
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he, he Ali!!
I approve Chris's message too! Off to vote (for one of the few times in my voting life for the candidate and not the party they represent!!)...
Mary
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Chris
best of luck! we are "oregonians" currently living in the bay area and I wish you success in your endeavor to become some new young blood in the oregon legislature.
~mary
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Go Chris!! you got my vote!
Love your PS Ali!
:)
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I am happy to vote--I am just north of you in Seattle! Can you please provide good ideas for the other 3 candidates?
Thanks!
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chris, we had a visit on our dairy farm this week from one of the wonderful (hmmm) representatives from pennsylvania . . .you know one of those that voted himself a pay raise in the middle of the night . . .he actually told us that the reason he was going out on visits was because of the "mistake" he made with the vote and that he knows he might loose his seat after 20 some years. makes more sense to do it for the reasons you are . . .please tell me that WHEN you get into office in OR that you will only stay for a few years and then head to Washington DC . . . he didn't seem to care when i told him that our cost of production per hundred weight (to produce milk) was $14.55 and we are ONLY getting $11.40 per hundred weight for our milk. in PA they are more interested in their own interests than those of the people who pay their salaries.
Best of luck and enjoy the time with Ali before she hits the road again.
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well, I'm thankful on a day like to today that I AM an OREGONIAN!!! YEAH!!!! I really hope you do win Chris, positive thinking and a clean campaign will get you far in this race, I'm glad to see that there are government minded individuals taht still care, wish you were door to door in Portland though! LOL!
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not sure if i could vote not being in the US but did it anyway !
good luck to you Chris, i hope you win
I am sure you are very happy to have Ali home, we were very lucky to have her here in OZ
thank you
Mimi
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Chris -- (and Ali!)
You've got my vote!
Love,
Jessica McDougall
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Chris...I voted
Good Luck!!!!
Nice of you to post.
peace
Kim
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Wish I could give you my vote in the actual election--but I live in IL. Guess I'll have to wait 'til you run for president. Wouldn't Ali be the coolest first lady?
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Chris,
I voted and hope you get the money.I will be an oregonian in about five days as we are moving there this weekend.I will in Earl's district.I know how hard it is to run a campaign as my dad was a judge for 26 years and did his campaigning the same way.
I hope you win both the money and the election.
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Hi Chris --
Wishing you decent temperatures and comfortable shoes on the campaign trail. I've emailed Ali before and expressed how I total empathize as my husband is running for the state senate here in Oklahoma. He knocks doors for several hours during the day, and then he and I knock doors together for about three hours most nights of the week. So, I know exactly what you mean -- talking to strangers and/or mere acquaintances on their doorsteps give you a glimpse into their lives and the issues that are important to them in a way that is otherwise impossible.
I wish you lots of luck (and of course, I voted with Earl) in the two and a half months to come. If nothing else comes of this experience, I have a much greater respect for our democratic process and for the strong stomach and stamina our candidates must have. People like you and my husband blunt my cynicism and give me faith in a future that my children will inherit. Keep fighting the good fight, and get as much sleep as you can each night!
Take good care --
Carole
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Hi Chris, I've just voted for you again. Best of luck.
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Hi Chris
good luck with the campaign. I'm an Aussie and can't vote but will in spirit. I'm a high school teacher who works in a government school teaching disadvantaged kids! So quality education for all is so important. The world needs more people like yourself. Keep true to your beliefs and best of luck!
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