Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama looking ahead to Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- We're guessing neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama has ever climbed Mt. Hood, hiked the Wallowas or pulled salmon from the Columbia River. But that isn't stopping the two Democratic presidential hopefuls from arguing their Oregon credentials in the run-up to this state's May 20 primary.

As they've done across the country, both candidates released state-specific issue plans here in recent days. They're mostly detailed highlights of the campaigns' national policy proposals with some local stats thrown in. But they each tackle a few local concerns too. Clinton's "Oregon Compact," for example, promises to protect the state's unique assisted-suicide law. Obama's "Change Oregon can Believe In" pledges to restore dwindling wild salmon runs.

These are big issues in Oregon, a state that equally prizes its natural resources and its political independent streak. So of course, as the Oregonian newspaper reported this morning, the campaigns are hammering each other over them.

Clinton's Oregon spokesman ripped Obama Thursday for including a reference to the Great Lakes in his plan, calling it proof that the state is an "afterthought" for ...

the Illinois senator. Obama's Oregon spokesman responded by noting Clinton misspelled "liquefied" in a section of her plan that deals with the siting of controversial new natural gas facilities in the state.

The actual policy plans show little difference between Clinton and Obama on Oregon issues. They particularly agree on one point: their willingness to suck up to the state. "Oregon has often led the nation when it comes to crafting creative, innovative solutions to complex problems," Clinton says in her Compact. "Even before Oregon became a state in 1859," Obama says in his "Change" plan, "Oregonians have pioneered new solutions to America's most intractable social problems."

Oregon is left to wonder: Do you say that to all the states?

-- Jim Tankersley

Jim Tankersley writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington bureau.

Comments

[Core Democrat]

Oregon, We are counting on you to send a message NO MORE DRAMA BY OBAMA! He followed MR. HIGHDRAMA for 20 years. Enough is enough is enough. tell him NO MORE.

[Native Oregonian]

As a native Portlander recently relocated to Los Angeles I can say with confidence that Obama won't have a problem. Northwesterners across the board hate Hillary, plain and simple.

[Helen Wheels]

No, Pacific Northwesterners do not "hate" Hillary Clinton. That is a ridiculous statement. I agree that Obama will win Oregon but not because of hate.

I am a native of Washington State and have lived in Portland (not one of the suburbs) for 12 years.
I have recently changed my preference to Obama, but I and no one else I know hates, or even dislikes, Hillary. They may not like her 'politics as usual' campaign style but for the most part think she is brilliant and capable. Speaking for myself, I am supporting Obama because he talks to you not at you and is not playing the game or letting the television so-called journalists define the issues. I do worry about his pandering to the coal interests in Illinois but highly respect his not pandering to taxpayers as in the recent gas-tax holiday issue. Americans need to be told the truth about our energy crisis and advised to drive much less.

Some of my friends are voting for Hillary and some for Obama. Oregon would be a red state if it were not for Portland, and many Portlanders tend to think and live outside of the box.

[BB]

WE LOVE YOU OREGON! PLEASE COME THROUGH FOR US. OBAMA 08'

[Anthony Q]

Ha, well Oregonians don't hate Hilary, but we're leaning fairly well toward Obama - he's just the more liberal, but he can still connect and challenge the republicans.

And it's nice to be sucked up to after FINALLY having our votes count, hahaha!