Hillary Clinton

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have held events and met with editorial boards around the state recently. Obama gave an interview with the Medford Mail Tribune in late March and Hillary Clinton met with the editorial board of the Register Guard as reported yesterday.

Lost in the media attention to the “fundraising race" and record amounts raised by the Democratic candidates for president, is the sheer sleaziness of the big money both campaigns court. In a twist on those “The late dictator of Nigeria, General Sanni Abacha, has died and now his widow wants your help in getting his $80 million out of the country.” e-mails from Nigeria asking you to place money in a bank account, Nigeria has accused Hillary Clinton “Hillraiser” and Texas oilman, Kase Lawal, of forging

Over on the MSNBC website NBC News follows up on an earlier Jeff Mapes blog item about voter re-registration in Oregon.

In 2007, the Oregon legislature passed Senate Bill 863, a law that makes it illegal for political campaigns to make automated phone calls to households that are on the national "Do Not Call List". The bill was signed into law by the Governor and took effect in January, 2008.

NYT columnist Nicholas Kristof warned Hillary Clinton not to be the next Ralph Nader. Ralph Nader issued a statement to Hillary:

"This is America. Just like every other citizen, you have a right to run. Whenever you like. For as long as you like. It’s up to you, Hillary. Just tell them — It’s democracy. Get used to it." So for all of us who remember the '60s, here's Roger McGuinn (with cameo by Portland's Matt Groening, others).

A federal judge in Michigan has held the Michigan primary process illegal–but not for any reason you might think. Minor political parties challenged the Michigan practice of supplying voter lists of party registrants to only the Republicans and Democrats. This ruling will not have any practical effect on the 2008 election, but it adds weight to the argument that the Michigan delegates should not be seated at the Democratic Nominating Convention.

Barack Obama made four campaign stops in Oregon this week, with a reported 13,000 in Portland’s Memorial Colsium where Gov. Bill Richardson endorsed him, a well-attended forum in Salem, and large turn-outs at Mac Court and Medford. In January polling by Riley Research, Clinton led Obama 36% to 28% among registered Dems. Even with the crowds, the Register Guard reports that the Oregon Democratic primary race may be close.