After the Wu announcement, Michael wrote us and concisely described the pain and frustration of so many Democrats:

July 27, 2011

You now know that Congressman Wu has announced his intention to resign from office, and plans to step down after the the debate on the debt ceiling is settled. As of this writing, we do not know when that date will be, but once Congressman Wu determines a specific date, he will submit a letter of resignation to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown. SOS Brown will then officially forward this to Gov. Kitzhaber, who has determined already that primary elections and a general election will occur for the vacant seat.

In accordance with law, the primary elections must occur at least 80 days from the effective date of the resignation. Third Party candidates may file with their respective Parties to receive their Party's nomination for the General election, as well. Even moving on a rapid time clock, these elections will occur at the earliest in the late fall and winter. According to the Elections Division of the SOS office, the Election will be conducted based on the old map of Congressional District 1 - i.e. before redistricting.

As this election develops in its own special cycle, I cannot emphasize enough to you about how important it is. When Democrats volunteer, Democrats vote. When Democrats vote, Democrats win. In what may end up the first election of 2012, Oregon 1 will be regarded as a bellwether election, and politicos nationwide will look to Oregon to both forecast and frame the political horizon. Plan now to be involved - whether you're in Congressional District 1 or not, Oregon needs you.

It seems ya can't win for losing, as the saying goes, and it seems pretty appropriate these days with Democrats. While Democrats nationally are taking heat for not taking a firm stance against the war, local Dems are feeling the heat FOR taking a stance. I write, of course, of the Multnomah County Party's vote to remain neutral on the candidacy of incumbant Governor Ted Kulongoski. PCP's were given little encouragement from the Governor's office at last Saturday's endorsement meeting; a young campaign manager was sent to deliver campaign rhetoric, and he was unable to address several questions regarding policy.

Daschle: Congress Denied Bush War Powers in U.S. By Barton Gellman Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, December 23, 2005; Page A04 The Bush administration requested, and Congress rejected, war-making authority "in the United States" in negotiations over the joint resolution passed days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to an opinion article by former Senate majority leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) in today's Washington Post. Daschle's disclosure challenges a central legal argument offered by the White House in defense of the National Security Agency's warrantless wiretapping of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. It suggests that Congress refused explicitly to grant authority that the Bush administration now asserts is implicit in the resolution.