DNC Executive Director Tom McMahon and Strategist Jason Leon presented the Democratic National Committee's Fifty State Strategy to take back Congress and the White House. They pointed-out that winning the Northwest is critical to the success of the plan.  McMahon and Leon also congratulated Oregon as an example of the kind of grass-roots organizing and involvement that will be necessary for Democratic success in coming years.

The 50 State Strategy  ( 40 minutes )

Superintendent Castillo presented good news and bad news, about Oregon's public schools. Despite deep spending cuts in recent years, she reported Oregon students continue to excel, posting the highest SAT scores in the nation. However, the decreased funding also increased class size, eliminated art and music classes, and meant pink slips for countless PE teachers and counselors. Castillo cautioned that current academic success can only be sustained if we make the investments to maintain our current facilities and build the infrastructure required for students in the 21st century.

Superintendent Susan Castillo  ( 30 minutes )

Rep. Jeff Merkley: The Final Frontier - Take Back The Oregon House Project

"Where the House goes, so goes Oregon," said Rep. Merkley, reminding us of the importance of working for Democratic control of the State Legislature. Merkley reviewed the 2005 session and the frustrations of receiving a good agenda from the Senate- but having no chance of moving the legislation past an intractable Republican leadership.

Merkley pointed to several key house races that could swing the lower house majority to the Democrats.  Once that happens, he said, we can pass legislation that meets the needs of the people of Oregon. "We want to be in charge, not just to hold power, but to use that power to make Oregon a better place."

Representative Jeff Merkley   ( 25 minutes )

Gov. John Kitzhaber: Face The Facts, Seize The Future

Former Governor John Kitzhaber urged Summit participants to face facts about the state of political parties. He accused the leadership of both parties of concentrating too much on the means of attaining power, rather than the ends that would accomplish. Kitzhaber said that many things we describe as social problems, are really the symptoms of underlying social ailments.

Kitzhaber called for Democrats to make a better case to the voters, saying that the party has a lack of clarity about what it stands for. He asked Democrats to have the courage "to lead our base, rather than react to it," and challenged elected officials cast their votes according to Democratic principles, rather than the potential future impact at the ballot box.

Governor John Kitzhaber  ( 22 minutes )