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Some endorsements are better than others. With the possible (and bizarre) exception of Sen. Avel Gordly, the "Democrats for Smith" list of endorsements was in some cases not even of Democrats, or a Democrat actually for Smith. Other endorsements are better; the two governors that Merkley got, and got early, were strong sentinels to party Democrats around the state that this was the guy to back. Some are in between--it's impressive that so many colleagues of Merkley's back him for Senate...except that they're all colleagues (and in 30 cases really subordinates to) Jeff Merkley.
But the Novick campaign has prepared folks for what they term a "significant" endorsement, and if my belief in who it is turns out correctly, it could indeed be significant. I think they've bagged some kind of maverick with a good history in state politics, someone who will signal to all the people looking for a sign to be bold with their vote and choose the change candidate--a guy (or woman!) who says "no, THIS is the guy to back, and it starts with me."
I'm not going to voice my guess because I could be wrong, and if I turned out to be right I'd screw up Steve's day if I spoiled the surprise early. Novick will be at PSU 11AM Monday to announce who it is--but he'll also be joined by a local maverick's gallery (which is why I think the big fish is sort of a topper in the same mold) headed by
Portland City Council members Randy Leonard and Erik Sten, Multnomah County Commissioners Jeff Cogan and Maria Rojo De Steffey and Washington County Commissioner Desari Strader.
The Novick campaign will also release a list of nearly 100 public officials, civic leaders and political activists from across Oregon who are supporting his campaign.
Good list, eclectic list. Any list with Randy Leonard on it carries a plus mark with a lot of people around Portland, IMO. Glad he's aboard, that he took the plunge.
But why should he have to be seen as plunging at all? The whole notion that complaints about DSCC are reflective of the money advantage is really somewhat of a ruse--Novick will make it to May without the logoed RV and the stage bunting, I think. What's bothersome is the influence, particularly the negative influence exerted--intentionally and not--on the non-favored candidates. It's one thing to compete straight-up for donors on a level playing field, but people in politics know where their bread is buttered, and where their future and career lie--and who they lie with--if they are liberals or progressives: the Democratic Party.
When the machine says to pull lever A and you start handing money to lever B (so to speak), the machine notices, and remembers. How many Democratic House members want to go into 08 session having backed Novick in the primary? Awwwk-ward! The national and state elites have signalled their choice, and that means that going against the choice is a consciously subordinate act to the party leadership. When you are hampered in your free choice by an imbalance of personal-social returns from the institution as a result of who you support, democracy suffers. More simply put, people have to go out on a limb a little bit in many cases, just to support Steve. That shouldn't have to happen.
But it does make those who are courageous enough to follow their convictions good character witnesses for the person they end up backing. So it will be interesting to see who that profile in courage turns out to be.
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