What do you get when a local TV station, MTV and a maker of documentaries
Paulie Brading
are in the same room? You get U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick. Since I covered candidate Jeff Merkley's visit to Medford back on September 18th here on BlueOregon it's Novick's turn. The owner of Elements, a very cool tapa's bar with a Spanish wine list to die for, agreed to open early for Jackson County Democrats. Yes, the owner is a Democrat and proud of it. Arriving 20 minutes early, the Novick for Senate signs were in all the windows and a large banner was already hung up inside. Campaign literature was spread across the bar. Shortly after I greeted Steve and his campaign manager Jake, Channel 12's reporter sat up his tripod to shoot an interview with Steve. I wondered who the other two men were also placing cameras on tripods. Curious, I introduced myself because I thought perhaps one of the men might be a tracker for Gordon Smith or even for the Merkley campaign. Wrong on all counts. One guy is making a documentary about Steve and his campaign and the other makes online videos for MTV. The MTV guy drove down from Portland for his shoot. That's a lot of video coverage!
SEIU members showed up to hear Steve Novick, a public defender I'd met at a Kroger event appeared, and active Democrats who attend most of the events arrived. Then, folks new to me wandered in. The Democratic Chair from Josephine County turned up too which was super!
I first heard Steve Novick back in March when he met with the Jackson County Ex. Committee to explore his run. I heard him at the recent Democratic Summit in Sunriver and today. His transition to sounding every bit a Senator is complete now. He was asked several very tough questions. He gave very specific direct answers. He recieved several bursts of applause throughout the afternoon. His answer on impeachment was the best I've heard anywhere. In getting to know the Democratic candidates before voting in the primary I urge folks to attend Steve and Jeff events before you make up your mind about which one you will be voting for in the May primary. My hunch is we will have a stuggle because both candidates are just that good!
After three speaking engagements in Southern Oregon and a house party tonight Steve and Jake are headed over the hill tomorrow morning to Klamath Falls. I expect him back in Medford around January.
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7:11 p.m.
Oct 20, '07
" His transition to sounding every bit a Senator is complete now. "
Happy to hear he is growing into the role. The more I learn about Jeff and Steve, the more I feel we are very lucky to have two people like them running. Giving us all a choice to make a change both on the conservative and progressive sides of the spectrum.
Fred
Oct 20, '07
Great coverage, Paulie.
I hope someone will give us more detail about
"He was asked several very tough questions. He gave very specific direct answers. He recieved several bursts of applause throughout the afternoon. His answer on impeachment was the best I've heard anywhere."
Fred is right that we have two high quality candidates running. I look forward to hearing their specifics on issues (yes I have heard Steve in person once already this year, and have known both of them before they announced for US Senate.)
Inspiring major campaigns (like Senate)are about discussions of issues which move the debate along and get people involved.
9:05 p.m.
Oct 20, '07
Can't wait to see what MTV does with video of Steve!
Thanks for the report.
I agree that he is sounding more and more Senatorial. I haven't been able to see Steve campaigning in person for awhile, but I have been so pleased by the eloquence and command he has displayed in the various videos I've seen online recently. He really connects with people. I saw that in its earlier stages at my house party and it seems to continue, grow, and deepen every day.
Oct 20, '07
I said eight or nine months ago on these pages that Steve Novick is a rock star. And many of you scoffed. Now MTV shows up.
9:59 p.m.
Oct 20, '07
The first time I saw Steve speak in person, I was impressed by the content of his message, but he seemed a little shaky with the "on-the-stump" portion of his presentation.
Since then, he's improved immensely in his style of delivery and he hasn't watered down his message one bit. I'm glad that he's "sounding like a Senator" and not "sounding like a politician."
The thing that struck me most about Steve (and won me over), is that when he was asked questions, you felt like he was actually listening. He would take a moment to formulate an answer (no scripted responses), and then addressed the issue that was asked about directly. I'm glad to hear that he's keeping with that practice. It's definitely his strong suit, and a perfect answer to Gordon Smith's style of dodging tough (or even not so tough) questions.
Oct 20, '07
Seeing how hot some folks have gotten this article should get a lot of play, so I'll make mine now:
If you want to take the "big money" influence out of politics, pick a guy and make a contribution. We can tilt at the "money as free speech" windmill until the cows come home, the answer is for the people to buy it back - yep, $25 - whatever. Do the math.
10:03 a.m.
Oct 21, '07
With all due respect, Chuck... I don't believe it's realistic to expect that individual contributions can "buy back" elections with anything approaching consistency or lasting over time.
While I do firmly believe that the "$$$ = free speech" argument is, to put it kindly, intellectually vacuous... it is nevertheless not realistic to expect that the USSC or Congress will do anything to alter the status quo.
What I do believe is realistic is the propagation of the voter-owned election model used in Portland, Arizona and elsewhere.
10:43 a.m.
Oct 21, '07
I'm glad the Medford event went so well. I'd also strongly encourage folks to get out and meet the candidates, especially in this race. Both Speaker Merkley and Steve are great candidates and very intelligent people.
For those in the Eugene area, Steve will be at the UO campus for a candidate forum on Wednesday (8/24). It starts at 2pm, and will be held in the Ben Linder Room in the basement of the EMU. It should be a whole lot of fun!
5:57 p.m.
Oct 21, '07
(I think you mean 10/24, as in October 24, right?)
11:33 a.m.
Oct 22, '07