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With about 5 weeks until voting time, politicians are still out there making their case. And more and more voters are starting to pay attention. So I was thinking, "besides filling in a bubble on the voter pamphlet for the best pro-2nd amendment politicians, what else can I do to make sure they get elected, and the gun-control politicians to loose?"

Well, there are a couple things you can do!

1) Letters to the editor of your local paper. Just a few sentences, or a paragraph or two. Yes, people still read papers (and they often get published on-line as well). And the editorials are still one of the most read sections of a paper. Have you written your representative, or submitted written testimony, during our legislative pushes? It's about something like that. Just remember the adage "Catch more flies with honey than vinegar", and all that, when convincing people to vote your way.

2) Show up and support your candidate! Or show up and un-support your gun-control candidate ;). Give people a reason to vote for our guys, and not vote for the other guys. Politicians LOVE to hear public praise about them. Politicians HATE a negative spotlight highlighting something that could cause confrontation. Is a politician making an appearance in your area? Or a debate with a public Q/A afterwords? I'm sure some of the gun-control politicians are just eager to explain their relationship with donations and endorsements from out of state millionaires, and what the payback will be ;)

3) And of course there is always donations, or volunteering time as well.

Just to get things rolling, next post below is some public appearances from some politicians in the Oregon Senate race that could use our help to get elected so we can at least keep the Senate neutral when it comes to gun-control. With the governors office recent "friend of the court' filing to defend the NY SAFE act, it's our best line of defense!
 
Upcoming candidate events (candidate name, (Party)(OFF score card grade))
Betsy Close (R)(A) vs Sarah Gesler (D)(F)
Betsy's facebook page could use a few more likes of popular support!
https://www.facebook.com/SenBetsyClose

- October 3, from at 7:00 PM
Corvallis Gazette-Times Political Forum at the Corvallis Library, no cost
(also district 16 candidates: Dan Rayfield (D)(NR) and Jacob Vandever (R)(NR))
http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/lo...cle_f5aa26be-460d-11e4-8eed-6fa3c2c12413.html

- October 8, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
Corvallis Kiwanis Club Candidate Forum, Corvallis Elks Lodge, no cost
http://www.christonium.com/corvalli...e-forum-october-8-betsy-close-and-sara-gelser

- October 15, from 5 PM to 7 PM
OSU College Republican Candidate Forum at OSU, no cost (only republican candidates at this one)

- October 21 at 7, North Albany Neighborhood Forum at the Albany Library, free and open to the public.
Per Betsy's campaign, both candidates

- October 23, from 12 noon to 1 pm
Albany Kiwanis Club, no cost.
Per Betsy's campaign, both candidates

- October 29, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM
Albany Chamber Membership Forum, Linn County Fair & Expo, cost for lunch
Per Betsy's campaign, both candidates
Some questions to ask Mrs. Gesler about:
http://oregoncatalyst.com/28612-millionaire-gelser-turns-california-billionaire-buy-election.html
http://oregoncatalyst.com/27520-rep-sarah-gelser-payday-political-posturing.html
http://www.oregonfirearms.org/california-billionaire-tries-buy-oregon-senate

Bruce Starr (R)(B) vs Chuck Riley (D)(F)

I'm right next door, so I plan on attending this one.
October 1, from 7-9 pm - Oregon Legislature Candidates Forum - (just a few days away)
https://www.facebook.com/SenatorBru...95142660114/10152700324610115/?type=1&theater

Please attend this weeks Citizen Participation Organization special event. The CPO will be hosting the Oregon Legislature Candidates Forum this...


House races District 29 (Susan McLain (D)(NR) and Mark Richman (R)(NR)) and district 30 (Joe Gallegos (D)(F-) and Kyle Markley (R)(NR)) will also be in attendance.
Stuff to ask Chuck
http://www.oregonfirearms.org/sharks-circling
Looks like Chuck has the same Billionaire supporter as Gelser!!!
http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2014/09/california_billionaire_tom_ste.html

Alan Bates (D)(F) vs Marine Colonel Dave Dotterrer (R)(B+)

Mr. Dotterrer's facebook page could use a few likes for popular support!
https://www.facebook.com/davedotterrerforsenate
I haven't found any open forums for the public to interact with Bates. So I guess not much to add here
Some interesting info to remind voters about for Bates, not to mention asking about gun-control issues. The recall failed, but I think property rights are still an issue for voters in that area (another reason not to vote for Bates).
http://oregoncatalyst.com/24741-sen-alan-bates-facing-recall-effort-transparency-failures.html



In the spirit of knowing what the enemy knows, and leveraging their own tools against them: If you can stomach the bias and the site, still seems like a good overview of which races are competitive in Oregon. Is your candidate listed? Do they need your help?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/28/1331672/-Oregon-State-Senate-Races-Post-Labor-Day
 
Bloomberg's well funded Demanding Moms are getting geared up to spread their "gun-sense" this election. Do you have a few extra hours to help your local pro-2nd amendment candidate get elected?

"Boots on the ground and fingers on phones will win the election!". That's their slogan. And that's what they intend to do. Here is a snap shot of what they are up to. Yes, they are organizing (or received their marching orders) to help Chuck Riley by going door-to-door, making phone calls, etc. (anyone want to follow Mr. Riley with a "I take bloombergs money" sign? :s0087:)

<broken link removed> ! Yes, they want to control the Oregon Senate. Remember our victories over the last few years? How much harder would it be if one state Senator switches from pro-2nd to gun-control. OFF cannot do or be everywhere. This is why people who care about protecting the 2nd amendment in Oregon need to step up and get involved.

Do you have a few hours extra this Saturday? <broken link removed> , or any other pro-2nd amendment candidate you identify in a tough race, could use an extra hand! (I'm just picking Starr as he is the one closest to me). It's just one month to step up your game until November 4th. Let's fight the fight now instead of when the bills start getting introduced in Salem next year!

And this is what our opposition is doing to try to get pro gun-control candidates elected in Oregon. (they even RSVP'd for you ;))
https://www.facebook.com/shares/view?id=441152356023022
 
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Walked for a couple hours today supporting a pro-2nd amendment candidate. Mostly going to registered voters doors to remind them to vote and hand out pamphlets on candidates. It felt odd at first, but most people were open for the short conversation. And it was very educational, interesting, and I got to meet a bunch of people who felt the same way I do. It seems Bloomberg is pouring in more money to the senate race around Hillsboro as well. And the MDA moms are trying to get better organized (phone banks, doing their own canvasing) to push Starr out.

Say what you will about politicians, but it beats just watching the results on election night and HOPING that it goes our way. Donate time, money. Or see what you can do locally. Tis the season!
 
Oregonian just release a nice interactive map that shows the senate race across the state. Two toss-up states are very important: The senate seat held by Betsy Close (pro-2nd), and the senate seat held by Bates (gun-control) in the south. Looking at the "leaning republican races", the next important seat is Bruce Starrs.

It would be nice to think, if we won all the races and turned Bates seat to Dotterer, that pro-2nd amendment senators would then control the senate and we would not have to worry about any crazy gun-control bills for the next two years.

Truth is, we need to fight and get involved to make it happen. So pay attention, write letters to the editor supporting pro-2nd amendment candidates, ask the gun-control candidates questions they don't want to answer truthfully (publicly preferably) at every opportunity you can get!
 
For those of you in Southern Oregon, Bates and Dotterer are having an open forum/(debate?) in the Medford area tonight from 6:30-8:00 at 101 S. Bartlett, Medford OR.

If you can make it, please go and ask those questions that put Bates on the hot seat, and Dotterer shine, Or pass the word onto someone who can attend. We need to win this seat to keep the gun-grabbers at bay.


<broken link removed>
 
One significant thing that can be done is to pick a few candidates and carefully check them out to be sure of what they stand for. Then share what you find with each other. There are simply too many for us to each spend the time needed with all of them for this but by sharing and discussing it with each other much more ground can be covered.
 
I was hopping to just cover local races and help people get more involved. But after today's headline... WOW. Could the Kitzhaber first lady revelation (always link them together!) be an early October surprise gift? Could the governers race now be narrowing?

I'm sending this to Drudge. It sounds juicy enough to make national news, I would think. Help spread the word!

"Scandal at Democrat Oregon Governor's Office: First Lady admits to breaking federal law in third sham marriage to immigrant for $5k. Local paper also uncovers shady government contracts that made first lady rich while 'consulting' in the governor's office.
After over $500,000,000on Cover Oregon and Columbia River crossing, combined; will this sink democrat Kitzhabers chances at re-election for a 4th term as governor?

Short story

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/10/cylvia_hayes_marriage_bombshel.html


Long stories with more details

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23203-first_lady_inc.html

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-..._law_by_taking_part_in_an_illegal_marria.html
 
Voter pamphlets are out and ballots are not far behind! Have you talked to your neighbor, friends, etc?
Maybe take just a few minutes to write a quick letter to the editor sending a public endorsement.

How about volunteering a few hours to support your local candidate? I felt a little acquired at first, but it's actually pretty easy. So far, between this week and the weather, I've only been able to do about an hours work, but I think it's worth it in the long run.

Betsy Close (Corvallis/Albany), Dave Dotterer (Medford/GrantsPass), Bruce Starr(Hillsboro/Forest Grove), Alan Olsen (Canby, Oregon City). All critical races that could use your help. (wouldn't it be amazing if all four pro-2nd amendment candidates won?!). Be sure to visit their websites, facebook pages, etc to look and see how you can volunteer.

Here's some additional info about the Oregon state Senate races (and Betsy Johnson), and some info on Bloombergs latest big-bucks influence. A great conversation lead in if the gun-control candidate is taking money from Bloomberg, like Starrs opponent is doing.

Good luck and I hope to see some of you out there!
 
I volunteered a few more hours yesterday. It was pretty nice getting out for a walk, talking with people and getting a little more familiar with the neighborhoods in the district.

But now, it's crunch time now. I'f you've been dragging your butt about getting involved, NOW is the time to take some action and do it. Some of these races will be close and will be decided by who gets out more voters.

Lots of apathetic voters out there, and the pro-2nd amendment candidates still need your help.
 
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So I've seen three new things with Moms Demand Action (MDA) putting out a lot of pressure to get Chuck Riley elected over Sen Bruce Starr's seat. I don't have any inside info, but it seems like a lot more attention is being paid here than in other races. Last time Sen. Starr won, but not by much. It might be even closer this time.

1) Voter call in support from Ohio? (See main MDA facebook page here for Ohio reference: https://www.facebook.com/MomsDemandActionOR)

2) An OFF facebook post earlier about a Corvallis MDA phone bank party to call into Hillsboro tomorrow night.

3) And now this one: more canvasing in Hillsboro area. Special guest? Richard Martinez; One of the fathers who's son was a victim in the San Diego CA shooting will be here, in Oregon, supporting Chuck Riley and canvasing on Sunday. I don't think we need to guess to hard who is paying for the trip.

Ok, first get past the "WTF is Mr. Martinez doing in OR canvasing for a democrat who will support a law that has nothing to do with Mr. Martinez tragedy" and all that ( I am NOT recommending any kind of a counter protest or confrontation. But I DO want to motivate people to take that energy and use it to get Pro-2nd amendment candidates elected). A candidates can loose an election because the other side had a better "get out the vote" drive. It's happened before, and it is something that the democrat party in general does a good job of.

I DON'T want to loose to the MDA bunch and have to fight a one party majority for the next two years!

So if you live in or around the Hillsboro/Cornelius/Forest Grove area, please contact the Starr campaign office, stop by the campaign office below, or let a friend know. Even just a few hours can make a big difference.

Contact info:
https://www.facebook.com/SenatorBruceStarr
http://www.brucestarr.org/

250 SE Washington, Hillsboro, OR (Near downtown Hillsboro by the light rail station)
 
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I'm getting information to log in and use the NRA Call Center to make calls as well. If you would like to make some calls send me a message and I'll get you the log in info.

This is a great option for people who don't want to show up in person, or only have a 1/2 hour in the evening to help. It does make a difference.
Lots of lazy voters out there who just need a gentle reminder to vote! If it were not so, there would not be such a large "get the vote out" drive by every single candidate.
 
Votes are starting to flow in. So far, on average, only about 20% of Oregon voters have cast a ballot!

<broken link removed> .
And here's a breakdown of t <broken link removed> .

Ok. One more rant: In mid-term elections, only about 30-35% of eligible voters vote. The other 70-65% do not. Think about that. In a close election where only 30% of eligible voters actually vote that could mean 15%+1 votes is all it takes for a person to be elected to office. Anti-gunner OR a pro-2nd amendment candidate.

So far, with less than a week to go till election day, that 35% number is looking more and more likely. What does that mean? It means that if you have like-minded friends, remind them to vote as well. I think you will be shocked as to the number of "why bother" voters that are actually out there. If you even just get one other person to cast their ballot, you've done a great job. I know some of you think it is a lost cause in your district, but that is no excuse for not trying (see the 15%+1 comment above).

Some of these races will be close (Senate races Starr, Close, Olsen, Dotterer, Milne, Olsen as examples). So if you can help get in the votes, IT COUNTS. Especially when the legislative session opens and we get to see what bills there will be next year. Fight it now. And good luck.


Above links from this OregonLive article
 
2 days until the final ballot can be cast!

I was out volunteering yesterday to walk neighborhoods again. Most voters I talked to who are likely to support a pro-2nd amendment candidate said they already got their votes in. A few were lagging and said they would drop them off soon. There are still a lot of people with ballots on their kitchen tables!

A ballot not in the ballot box is worth nothing. So if you have like-minded friends, family, neighbors, etc. Please take a few minutes to call them up and remind them how important it is. Even offer to pickup and drop off their ballot for them (drop off locations are usually libraries, city halls, other large government buildings) and ask them if they know anyone else who hasn't voted yet.

The last week I've seen a surge in "get out the vote" from the other side. And they have the money to hire "volunteers" to do it. So it depends on people like us to counter that and get every vote for our side in. If you just help get 2-3 more votes cast, that counts. It's just a couple days more till the election. After that you can either rest easy with a legislature leaning on our way, or worry about a gun-control legislature ramming future gun-control bills down our throats.

Good luck to us all!
 

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