Blog Novick

Isaac Laquedem: Give Senator Smith the Hook

Andrew Gorry — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:15:37 -0700

Yesterday, Portland-based political commentator/blogger Isaac Lacquedem endorsed Steve Novick for the U.S. Senate:

I recommend voting for Mr. Novick both on policy grounds and as having the better chance to win in November. Both candidates have similar positions on the current Iraq War (we should probably begin to number them for ease of reference) and both have good track records; Mr. Merkley's is in Oregon and Mr. Novick's is mostly outside Oregon, but I pay that difference little heed.

Mr. Novick does take one bold position: he wants to raise or eliminate the cap on social security taxes on high earners. It's never popular to support tax increases, and I credit him for this. More to the point, his campaign has caught fire in a way that Mr. Merkley's hasn't, and I believe that this makes him the better nominee for the fall campaign.

Read the full endorsement on Isaac's blog.

Oregonian: Voters want that visceral connection

Andrew Gorry — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:35:09 -0700

By Steve Duin
Published May 11, 2008

He was a rookie in 2002, a rank amateur. "I give myself an 'F' in communication skills in that race," Nick Fish said. "I'd say, 'Hi, I'm Nick Fish. I'm a lawyer and this is what I believe,' and I only succeeded in putting up five barriers for a meaningful conversation."

His 2004 loss to Sam Adams in a City Council runoff wasn't much better. "I still had the natural reluctance to share who I am," Fish said.

But while hosting his public affairs show, "Outlook Portland," over the past three years, Fish got to watch the naturals in action. He learned what resonated with people. Barbara Roberts was a revelation. As difficult as I may find this to believe, Ted Kulongoski won over everyone in the studio. And Fish came to understand something that helps to explain why Steve Novick and Barack Obama are doing so much better this year than their overly scripted opponents.

PSU Vanguard Endorses Steve Novick

Andrew Gorry — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:35:05 -0700

Published May 9, 2008

U.S. Senate - Democrat

Novick knows what we need

Not only does Steve Novick know the issues that affect students, but he also knows how to resolve them. Although he is a politician, he avoids the nasty political games that other candidates fall into. He's brilliant, knowledgeable and has the fresh perspective that the Senate needs. He also isn't scared to be radical or upfront, something that Jeff Merkley could take a lesson on.

Eugene Weekly Endorses Steve Novick

Andrew Gorry — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:16:17 -0700

Published May 8, 2008

U.S. Senator — Steve Novick (D)

Change is the theme for this year's election, but the question for the Democratic Senate primary isn't just who can create change, but who can beat incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith in November?

Outsider candidate Steve Novick is EW's pick as a guy who can do both. Novick is strong on the environment and healthcare, strongly anti-war and most importantly not afraid to take a strong position on controversial issues like same-sex marriage (he's for it).

Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley is the mainstream candidate with a good record in the House (except for that pro-Iraq War vote in 2003, albeit with a mild disclaimer) and the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, but Novick's innovative campaign has shown he can get things done and do it a little differently. (And the whole little guy with a hook thing is pretty unforgettable).

KPOJ's Thom Hartmann & Carl Wolfson: "I voted for Steve Novick"

sysadmin — Sat, 10 May 2008 11:42:23 -0700

TRANSCRIPT (May 9th, 2008, Hour 3 of the KPOJ Morning Show)

Thom Hartmann: Ben in Aloha, nice to welcome you to the show, Ben.

Ben in Aloha: Hey, thank you guys, I would really like to thank that lady for keeping the faith out there. And I would also like to mention Steve Novick's campaign. I'm 70 years old and I think that Steve is the best chance that we have to move Oregon forward in the Senate --

Thom: I would tell you Ben, I voted for him yesterday. We mailed in our ballots this morning.

Oregonian: Steve Novick Campaigns

sysadmin — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:35:33 -0700

By David Sarasohn
Published Friday, May 09, 2008

If you'd never heard Steve Novick before, you might think he'd made one of the most unusual campaign promises of the year.

"The first thing," he told a fundraising rally in North Portland on Wednesday evening, deadpan, "I'll introduce a bill requiring the IRS to send each taxpayer a thank-you note."

At least we know the IRS has your address.

But with Novick, it's another sign of his insistence that he can run for office talking directly about how government works and how it gets paid for.

"Republicans don't trust people to know that those evil taxes go to popular services," Novick adds, "and Democrats don't want anybody to know that popular services are expensive."

Photos from the May Northstar Ballroom reception

Andrew Gorry — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:58:01 -0700

Gov. Kitzhaber and 30 co-hosts hosted a reception for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick at the Northstar Ballroom on May 7th in Portland. A fabulous time was had by all ... here's the photographic evidence!

John Kitzhaber and Steve Novick

Hi, Molly!

Eugene Register Guard: Merkley Goes Negative

Jake Weigler — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:57:54 -0700

By Dave Steves

Published May 8, 2008

Jeff Merkley is running this ad, his first attacking fellow Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick.

The ad pulls nine words out of four blog entries Novick wrote in 2005 and 2006 in which he criticized (or, as the Merkley camp prefers, “insulted") Hillary Clinton, Darlene Hooley, and Barack Obama (here and here).

Novick campaign manager Jake Wiegler called the ad “pathetic” and accused the Merkley camp of trying to “manufacture division” among Democrats by taking a few words out of context of the critiques his candidate authored. Merkley spokesman Matt Canter disputes that it’s a negative ad and says “Steve started it” when he sent to a TV station an ad critical of Merkley, which ran once on an early morning newcast.

An Open Letter to Kari Chisholm

Andrew Gorry — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:33:59 -0700

On the recent attack website you launched for Jeff Merkley, novickinsultsdemocrats.com, you used a substantial amount of work that I, and others, created for the Novick campaign and claimed credit for it as your own. This work includes graphics, logo design, photography, and layout design.

A quick look at the CSS file you are using (to the non-Web savvy, the CSS file is the program that controls the look and feel of a website) shows that it is an exact copy of the one I created for the Novick for Senate campaign. Here is a link to the CSS file you published, and here is a link to our published CSS file.

Yet despite copying and pasting my work onto your own server, you label the site as "Powered by Mandate Media." And in the comments on your blog BlueOregon.com on May 7, 2008 9:20:16 PM, you stated, in response to a question about who had built the website, "Yes, I built that one-page website."

Our famous volunteers, in full effect

Andrew Gorry — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:01:12 -0700

Check out these pictures of our visibility team getting the word out about our man Steve, plus some shots of our May 3 statewide canvass. See for yourself why our volunteers have been attracting attention from The Oregonian and Ridenbaugh Press!

Also, check out this great diary from one participant in Saturday's canvass, featured as a front page "Rescued Diary" on DailyKos.

Visibility team photos

Window Closing for Bets on Seabiscuit

Steve Novick — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:45:27 -0700

Dear Friends,

A little over a year ago, I started asking each of you -- one by one -- to suspend disbelief and help to do something almost ridiculously improbable. I asked you to defy conventional wisdom, the Washington, D.C. political establishment, and a good chunk of the Oregon political establishment, and help elect a guy who has never held elected office, and who has no personal wealth, to the United States Senate.

Your response has been amazing. You have stunned the political world -- not just our Oregon world, but an entire nation of political observers. You have created a new kind of political animal, an "outside-in" campaign. This is still an outsider campaign, a pickup team, a rag-tag band of idealists.

PSU Vanguard Op-Ed: Novick for Senate

Jake Weigler — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:46:19 -0700

By Jesse Thiessen

Published May 6, 2008

ESPN Magazine: Let 'Em Play

Jake Weigler — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:24:57 -0700

By Eric Adelson

Published May 5, 2008

The future of sports sits in a Massachusetts basement, down the hall from a roomful of Legos. The future of sports is happening in a cavernous building in Iceland. The future of sports lies under the bed of a 13-year-old boy with no legs in Florida.

The basement: It's in the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, and it's full of metal gizmos that surround an equation-covered whiteboard. A bilateral amputee professor named Hugh Herr works here. If anyone can predict what sports will look like in 2050, it's Herr, who lost his legs 26 years ago in a climbing accident. Herr wears robotic limbs with motorized ankles and insists he doesn't want his human legs back because soon they'll be archaic. "People have always thought the human body is the ideal," he says. "It's not."

[..]

Oregonian: Novick no stranger to beating long odds

Jake Weigler — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:11:36 -0700

By Jeff Mapes

Published May 2, 2008

Steve Novick's parents and brother all tell the same story about his decision to leave a well-heeled New York law firm just one year after he graduated from Harvard Law School.

As his family explains it, Novick found out that he would have to defend a giant pharmaceutical firm that had sold an allegedly dangerous drug and he just couldn't do that.

The only problem: Novick himself says the story isn't true. The firm did have a drug case that he might not have relished taking on. But he says he left because he was simply lonely and wanted to come back West.

By his early 20s, Novick had overcome so much in the eyes of those around him that they had trouble believing that he could fall prey to the normal doubts and uncertainties of life. Literally from the time he was born -- when his mother says a doctor saw his deformed feet and tried to strangle him in the birth canal -- he had been overcoming a deck stacked against him, often in spectacular fashion.

Jack Bogdanski Endorses Novick

Jake Weigler — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:51:32 -0700

Novick rates a 6 on the enthusiasm meter and an 8 in the degree of confidence in victory.

Look at the data for yourself here.

read more »

Randy Stapilus - Advantage Novick on Newspaper Endorsements

Jake Weigler — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:59:39 -0700

Published May 1, 2008

They’ve both got their backers. But in the newspaper endorsement race - for the Democratic nomination for the Senate - attorney Steve Novick is leading House Speaker Jeff Merkley. (Merkley did finally get today a positive story in the Oregonian, but that’s one of the few media breaks he’s gotten in months.)

How the endorsements, so far at least, break down:

Novick: The Portland Oregonian (this is by far the big one), the Medford Mail-Tribune, the Pendleton East Oregonian, the Ashland Daily Tidings, Willamette Week (weekly), the Portland Mercury (weekly).

Merkley: The Eugene Register-Guard, Salem Statesman-Journal, Bend Bulletin.

East Oregonian: Novick's style makes him best choice for Democrats

Jake Weigler — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:49:11 -0700

Who can defeat Pendleton's own, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, in November?

Behind the issue of picking a presidential candidate, that's a primary question for Oregon Democrats. Smith is, after all, the lone Republican holding a statewide office.

Frankly, the choice comes down to three very different candidates - Jeff Merkley, Steve Novick and Candy Neville. All three were impressive when they appeared in the primary's first debate in January in Pendleton.

The other three names on the ballot - David Loera, Roger Obrist and Pavel Goberman - are not serious candidates.

We believe Novick's unconventional and audacious style presents the best option for Democratic hopes to unseat Smith.

Quite frankly, the three candidates seem to have only minor differences on the primary issues - the economy, health care and the war. All three take distinctly Democratic stances on those issues.

read more »

Portland Tribune: Novick Offers a Strong Contrast

Jake Weigler — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:05:54 -0700

If Oregon Democrats want to put forward a U.S. Senate candidate who provides the greatest potential contrast to Republican incumbent Gordon Smith, they ought to select Steve Novick in the May 20 primary election.

Democrats can choose among six Senate candidates on the ballot in this primary. But the real race involves just two strong contenders — Novick, who has provided the policy brainpower for many Democratic politicians, and Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley.

In a year when Republican candidates — even established senators such as Smith — will face vigorous challenges from energized Democrats, either Merkley or Novick could mount a respectable campaign in the fall.

But our belief is that voters, if they are inclined to replace Smith in November, will be looking for someone who doesn’t fit the traditional political mold.

And there’s no question that the feisty Novick, who stands 4-feet-9, has a mechanical hook on the end of his left arm and speaks with sharp conviction, would break most anyone’s mold.

Ashland Daily Tidings: Novick the Best Choice for Senate

Jake Weigler — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:45:51 -0700

There's some sentiment that U.S. Senate candidates Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick are political peas in a pod — virtually indistinguishable from each other on policy issues. That's true in a number of areas for the two Democrats from Portland who hope to take on Sen. Gordon Smith in November.

But there are some significant differences, both in style and stance, and that's why we're endorsing Novick for the Democratic nomination.

Both candidates bring impressive credentials. Merkley holds a master's degree in public policy from Princeton; Novick a law degree from Harvard. Merkley has been a national security analyst for the federal government, a legislator and, most recently speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. Novick (who graduated from college at the age of 18 and from Harvard law at 21), worked for the Justice Department, successfully carrying the case for the Love Canal plaintiffs, and has worked as a policy wonk for a long list of liberal groups and politicians.

Portland Mercury Endorses Steve Novick

Jake Weigler — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:15:51 -0700

Published on May 1, 2008

We've gone back and forth on this endorsement for weeks. Were we choosing the candidate who would make the best US Senator, or were we picking the one best suited to topple formidable Republican Gordon Smith—someone who'd put up a better fight, even if they weren't ultimately successful?

Finally, we realized that attorney and political activist Steve Novick is the best choice on both counts. Not only will he give Smith the toughest challenge—just look at the momentum he's got against Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, a solid political leader, and the guy plenty of Democrats assumed would be coronated as the nominee—but assuming he wins in November (and we're starting to believe he can), we're excited to see what he'd do in DC.

Novick Asks Oregonians to Join Him in Opposing Loaded Guns in National Parks

Jake Weigler — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:06:55 -0700

Commends Candy Neville, Encourages Jeff Merkley to Take Position on Issue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2008

Portland – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick today asked fellow Oregonians to join him in calling on the Bush administration not to reverse a 70-year-old rule prohibiting citizens from carrying loaded guns in National Parks.

“I support the 2nd Amendment and an individuals’ right to bear arms, but I agree with park rangers that letting people carry loaded guns in Crater Lake National Park is a mistake,” said Novick, who has brought attention to the issue several times in recent months. “Gordon Smith and George W. Bush continue to play politics by pandering to a largely imaginary audience on issues like this, while ignoring the real challenges we face with our economy, health care system and dependence on foreign oil. I hope Oregonians will join me in asking the Department of Interior to stop wasting our time with this unnecessary and dangerous rule change.”

Willamette Week Endorses Novick

Jake Weigler — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:21:56 -0700

Published on April 30, 2008

Steve Novick

Tattoo he'd get: “This machine kills fascists”—a reference to the sticker on Woody Guthrie’s guitar—on his prosthetic arm.

Fifteen months ago, longtime liberal activist Steve Novick wrote a cover story for WW titled “If I Ran” (Jan. 31, 2007). In 3,000 words, Novick outlined what it would take for a Democrat to challenge—and defeat—U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.). Eleven weeks later, he jumped into the Democratic primary. “The question is not: ‘How can I beat Gordon Smith?’” Novick said then. “The real question is: ‘How the heck can he possibly think that he can beat us?’”

The Oregonian: For Democratic Senate nominee: Steve Novick

sysadmin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:01:38 -0700

Gordon Smith draws a sheaf of determined challengers, but the race calls for a bold new direction

Published Sunday, April 27, 2008

Oregon Democrats have long coveted the seat of Sen. Gordon Smith, the only Republican currently holding statewide office. They consider him vulnerable because of the way he has supported the policies of an unpopular president while managing to rile many in his party. And in a year in which Democrats are expected to gain ground in Congress, they just may be right.

We think the candidate they should send to face Smith is, in some ways, the unlikeliest one of all: Steve Novick, an Ivy League lawyer who stands 4'-9" and has a hook instead of a left hand.

Novick Campaign Calls on Merkley to Explain Why He Tried to Hide Out-Of-State Support

Jake Weigler — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:16 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2008

Portland – With another national Democrat arriving in Oregon today to prop up Jeff Merkley’s campaign, the Novick for Senate campaign asked Merkley to explain why he had misrepresented how much out-of-state of financial support his campaign has received.

A Novick campaign analysis of Merkley’s 2008 first quarter financial filing found that 35 percent of Merkley’s itemized individual and political action committee (PAC) contributions had come from Oregon. Yet Merkley had previously claimed that 60 percent of his first quarter contributions had come from within the state. In contrast, 75 percent of Novick’s itemized individual and PAC contributions came from Oregon in the first quarter of 2008.

Chuck Butcher Endorses Steve Novick

Jake Weigler — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:36:59 -0700

An Actual Senate Primary Endorsement

Published April 27, 2008

OK, despite my reluctance to do so and despite my lack of belief that what I have to say carries any weight what so ever, I'll endorse a Senate candidate. Before I get to that, I want to be clear that I'm alright with either candidate winning and I'll go distances to help the winner; all they have to do is ask. Oregon has a surfeit of riches in this campaign and that is why I've kept myself quiet.

Jeff Merkley is a personable, intelligent, and accomplished legislator and has good policy points. He is not Democratic Lite or any such adjective. He has put together a campaign and endorsement list that is enviable and he can beat a Gordon Smith. What Jeff is not, is a sharp edged innovative candidate. That in my mind is the only telling deficit in comparison with Steve Novick. And it is why I'm coming out on Steve's side in this tussle.

"Pull the Plug" -- our new TV advertisement

sysadmin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:19:07 -0700

Ever wanted to pull the plug on traditional political TV ads? Watch what happens when Steve Novick does just that to focus the race on real, specific issues -- like tax fairness and economic opportunity.

Watch Steve's closing statement from the KGW/Oregonian debate

sysadmin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Watch the KGW/Oregonian Democratic Senate Debate

Andrew Gorry — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

If you missed the debate between Steve Novick, Candy Neville, and Jeff Merkley, or just want to watch it again, it's online at kgw.com in three parts:

Roll Call: The Rock Vote

Jake Weigler — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:12:41 -0700

Published April 14, 2008

Statesman Journal: Winner - Young Voters

Jake Weigler — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:10:17 -0700

Published April 12, 2008

WINNER: Young voters. Candidates are finding all sorts of ways to reach out to new, young-adult voters. This week Steve Novick’s congressional campaign announced endorsements from members of Pearl Jam, The Decembrists, Death Cab for Cutie, Spoon, Pink Martini, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney and other musical groups. Don’t worry if those names are unfamiliar; you must not be part of the target audience.

Major Music Artists Declare Support for Novick

Jake Weigler — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:33:28 -0700

Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), Thomas Lauderdale (Pink Martini), Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam), Michael Stipe (REM), Britt Daniel (Spoon), Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), Krist Novoselic (Nirvana & Flipper), Dave Dederer (Presidents of the United States), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Rufus Wainwright Co-Sign Letter of Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2008

GTFF (AFT Local 3544) Breaks with State Chapter to Endorse Novick

Jake Weigler — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:19:07 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2008

Portland – Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Steve Novick today received the endorsement of the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, American Federation of Teachers Local 3544. GTFF’s endorsement breaks with AFT-Oregon, the state affiliate chapter that has endorsed Novick’s opponent, Jeff Merkley.

Novick: Studies Offer Hope in Neglected Policy Areas

Jake Weigler — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:17:50 -0700

"Smiley Face, Frowny Face" Energy Conservation Program, Cost-Effective Health Care at Mayo Clinic Offer Hope

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2008

Portland – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick, noting two recent reports on successes in reducing energy consumption and controlling health care costs, today emphasized his commitment to offering comprehensive, evidence-based solutions to the national challenges of health care and global warming.

KATU/AP: Poll shows Merkley trailing Novick by double digits

sysadmin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:20:40 -0700

By Melica Johnson and Associated Press
Published 4/7/08

Video: KATU -- Poll shows Merkley trailing Novick by double digits

sysadmin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:20:40 -0700

Disability Nation: Steve Novick, Fighting for the Little Guy

Jake Weigler — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:36:31 -0700

Steve talks with Disability Nation, a national audio magazine by and for people with disabilities.

Click here to listen to Steve's interview or read a transcript (interview at about 10:00 minutes).

Novick Offers List of Questions for Petraeus on Iraq

sysadmin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:53:21 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2008

Portland – With Army General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker scheduled to testify this week before Congress on the status of the Iraq war and the Bush's troop surge, today Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Steve Novick released a list of questions for Petraeus and Crocker on the conduct of the war and how they plan to end the conflict.

KATU/AP: Poll shows Merkley trailing Novick by double digits

Andrew Gorry — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

PORTLAND, Ore. - With just over six weeks to go until votes are counted in Oregon's May 20 primary, U.S. Senate Democratic hopeful Jeff Merkley appears to be trailing rival Steve Novick in the race to challenge Republican incumbent Gordon Smith next fall.

Daily Emerald: U.S. Senate candidates debate at law school

Jake Weigler — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:51:08 -0700

By Robert D'Andrea

Published April 3, 2008

Curry County Reporter: Who's afraid of Steve Novick?

Jake Weigler — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:37:51 -0700

Commentary by Mark Cogan

Published April 2, 2008

For Republicans, this November's race for U.S. Senate is a bit of a snoozer. It's the same incumbent, Gordon Smith, just waiting until May for his eventual Democratic opponent. In fact, it's a race most Oregonians haven't paid much attention to, but should.

Oregonian Editorial: Lottery Money Left Behind

Jake Weigler — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:44:03 -0700

Published March 29, 2008

Oregon leaves money on the table every year -- millions that should be going to schools, parks and other public services.

It may be legal for the state to do this, as the Oregon Supreme Court ruled this week.

But it's not good business -- and it's another symptom of the state's gambling addiction.

read more »

Slashdot: Oregon Senate Candidate Steve Novick Answers Your Questions

sysadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:53:32 -0700

By roblimo, Slashdot Interview Editor
Published 3/28/08

Wow. More politicians (of all parties) need to be as open and thorough as Steve Novick is here. We selected 10 of the questions you submitted and sent them to him by email, and his responses... let's just say that if every candidate spoke out like Steve, we'd have a much clearer view of our choices and would be able to cast our votes a lot more rationally.

AP: Oregon Democrats vying for Senate downplay immigration issue

sysadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:47:06 -0700

by Brad Cain
Published 3/29/08

Illegal immigration has been a hot-button issue in many American election races this year. But the leading Democratic contenders for the U.S. Senate in Oregon have spent most of their time talking about the war in Iraq, global warming and the slumping economy.

Novick to Merkley: “You Got Some ‘Splainin’ to Do!”

Jake Weigler — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:18:44 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2008

Portland – Today Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick asked primary opponent Jeff Merkley to explain some of the absurd attacks on Novick that Merkley’s campaign is currently poll testing. Merkley’s campaign confirmed last week that it had been surveying voters, telling them Novick had “made a political career out of developing negative attacks, poll-driven campaigns and advising candidates what to say to get elected.”

Mike Malloy Show -- March 25, 2008

sysadmin — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:12:53 -0700

Excellent 15 minute interview with national progressive radio host Mike Malloy.

OPB: Oregon Democrats Shift Debate To Economy

Jake Weigler — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:20:41 -0700

By Ethan Lindsey

Aired on March 26, 2008

Bend Bulletin: Serious Senate candidates spoof and goof for votes

Jake Weigler — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:04:00 -0700

By Keith Chu

Published on March 23, 2008 (Subscription required)

WASHINGTON — A campaign ad for Oregon’s U.S. Senate primary has joined the Obama Girl and Jack Nicholson’s creepy endorsement of Hillary Clinton as a YouTube hit — and drawn national attention to an otherwise under-the-radar race.

Novick Calls for Increased Federal Oversight of Wall Street to Prevent Home Foreclosures

Jake Weigler — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:58:26 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2008

Eugene Register Guard: Brewers bottle up special label for Novick campaign

Jake Weigler — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:49:30 -0700

By David Steves of the Eugene Register Guard

Published on March 15, 2008

Eugene entrepreneurs Nikos Brink and Jamie Floyd didn’t question where U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick stood on protecting civil liberties or reforming Social Security.

They just wondered: Is he pro beer?

Forest Grove News Times: U.S. Senate hopeful makes stop in Forest Grove for forum at Milky Way

Jake Weigler — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:40:28 -0700

By John Schrag of the Forest Grove News Times

Published on March 19, 2008

Steve Novick, like Barack Obama, has positioned himself as the Democratic candidate for change. Vying for the chance to unseat incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith in November, Novick says his primary opponent – state Rep. Jeff Merkley – is a bright and decent guy, but also a traditional, political insider.

Steve Novick Endorsed by Rev. Chuck Currie

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:30:55 -0700

Visits Transition Projects Social Service Agency to Underscore Commitment to Fight Poverty

The Oregonian: Novick stuns Merkley with victory at OEA

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:41:12 -0700

By Jeff Mapes of the Oregonian

Published March 8, 2008

SALEM-Portland lawyer Steve Novick won a big victory over House Speaker Jeff Merkley just minutes ago when the state's powerful teacher's union endorsed him in the race for the U.S. Senate held by Republican Gordon Smith.

Associated Press: Permit issue arises over Ore. political fundraiser

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:15:40 -0800

From the Associated Press

Published March 5, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Like all politicians, Oregon Senate hopeful Steve Novick wants to be seen as the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with.

And Novick hopes it's a "Left Hook Lager," a beer concocted for the campaign by a Eugene-based brewery and named in honor of the metal prosthesis the candidate sports in lieu of his left hand.

East Oregonian: Kitzhaber endorses Novick for Senate

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:11:20 -0800

From The East Oregonian

Published March 3, 2008

PORTLAND - Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has thrown his support to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick.

Kitzhaber gave the endorsement Monday morning at a news conference at Portland State University's Urban Center. He said Novick understands what it will take to secure the future of the nation.

CQ Politics: Political Clippings

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:54:13 -0800

By CQ Politics

Published March 4, 2008

Associated Press: Former governor Kitzhaber endorses Novick for U.S. Senate

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:50:04 -0800

From The Associated Press

Published March 3, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is endorsing Portland lawyer Steve Novick for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate race.

Kitzhaber says Novick "fully understands that in order to secure the future of this nation we must first be willing to face the facts. And the facts are not always politically popular."

The Register-Guard: Kitzhaber endorses Novick in Senate race

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:44:01 -0800

By David Steves of The Register-Guard

March 4, 2008

Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick picked up a big endorsement Monday from former Gov. John Kitzhaber.

The two-term governor, who served from 1995-2003, was himself wooed as a potential challenger to two-term Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

The Oregonian: Kitzhaber backs Steve Novick in U.S. Senate race

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:25:37 -0800

By Harry Esteve of The Oregonian

Published on March 4, 2008

Steve Novick's U.S. Senate campaign got a boost Monday with an endorsement by former Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Roll Call: Ex-Governor Endorses Maverick’s Senate Bid

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:13:38 -0800

By D.M.D. of Roll Call

Published on March 4, 2008

In a potential blow to state Speaker Jeff Merkley (D), former Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) on Monday endorsed attorney Steve Novick in his bid to win the Democratic Senate nomination and earn the right to challenge Sen. Gordon Smith (R) in November.

Video: KATU Covers Kitzhaber Endorsement

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:06:27 -0800

Video: Governor John Kitzhaber Endorses Steve Novick

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:26:03 -0800

John Kitzhaber Endorsement

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Governor John Kitzhaber Endorses Steve Novick

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:43:12 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2008

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Willamette Week: Novick Nabs Endorsement from Kitzhaber

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Beth Slovic of the Willamette Week

Published March 3, 2008

Steve Novick, Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, just announced his endorsement from former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, pictured above.

OPB News: Kitzhaber Endorses Novick In U.S. Senate Primary Race

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Bilal Qureshi of OPB News

Published March 3, 2008

One of Oregon’s most influential political figures threw his weight Monday into the upcoming U.S. Senate race.

Former Governor John Kitzhaber endorsed Portland lawyer Steve Novick to be the Democratic party’s nominee to challenge incumbent Republican Gordon Smith. Bilal Qureshi reports.

The Oregonian: Smith warms up campaign themes at annual meeting

Liz Kimmerly — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Harry Esteve of The Oregonian

Published March 2, 2008

SEASIDE -- U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith urged Oregon Republicans to get behind his re-election bid Saturday even if they object to some of his recent stands.

Philidelphia Inquirer: 'Politics as usual'? Not in Ore. campaign

Liz Kimmerly — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Brad Cain of the Associated Press

Published March 2, 2008

SALEM, Ore. - So a U.S. Senate candidate with a metal hook for a left hand walks into a bar . . .

ABA Journal: Lawyer Promotes Candidacy, Pokes Fun at His Disability, in YouTube Ads

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Debra Cassens Weiss

Published February 29, 2008

Portland lawyer Steve Novick is taking a humorous look at his disabilities and his looks in YouTube ads seeking support for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate in Oregon.

Associated Press: Candidate Makes Light of Own Disability

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Brad Cain of The Associated Press

Published February 29, 2008

So a U.S. Senate candidate with a metal hook for a left hand walks into a bar.

Steve Novick (OR-Sen): Why I’ll Be Voting for Barack Obama

Steve Novick — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:15:34 -0800

As you may know, I’m running for the United States Senate in Oregon because I’m really worried about the direction of the country. We face an awe-inspiring quintuple challenge of ending the war, stopping global warming, combating runaway economic inequality, reforming the health care system, and preventing the national debt from soaring out of control. We need to get moving on all of those issues – and we needed to do so yesterday.

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A Little Different

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:04:25 -0800

This is the Novick theme song, written and performed by Darryl Icard.

Gazette Times: Novick pledges shake-up if elected to the U.S. Senate

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Kyle Odegard of the Gazette Times

Published February 21

Democrat Herald: Novick worries about 'how to pay for stuff'

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Hasso Hering of the Albany Democrat-Herald

February 21

teve Novick, a veteran of Oregon politics, says he’s worried about lots of things.

For one, he worries about growing income inequality among Americans.

He’s also concerned about how to pay for the rising costs of Social Security and Medicare in the face of more and more government borrowing.

Loaded Guns in Our National Parks? Novick Says No, Merkley Says He Doesn't Know

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:10:37 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2008

Today's Willamette Week article on Gordon Smith's call to permit the carrying of loaded guns in National Parks underscored the clear contrast for voters in the upcoming Oregon Democratic Senate primary this May. Steve Novick joined National Park rangers in calling the proposal a mistake, while Jeff Merkley appears to be open to the idea - saying only that he needed to check with other Senators before taking a position.

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Sustainable Life: Pipeline debate turns green

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Christian Gaston of Sustainable Life

Published on February 14, 2008

After initially being cast as a property rights issue with some public safety concerns, the proposed liquid natural gas pipelines have recently emerged as environmental issues.

Eugene Weekly: Novick Gets Local Nods, Beer Time

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Jan Wroncy of the Eugene Weekly

Published February , 2008

U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick this week received the endorsement of Lane County Commissioner and former gubernatorial candidate Pete Sorenson as well as the Cottage Grove Blackberry Pie Society. Novick, a Democrat, is running in the May primary, hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith. His main opponent in the primary is fellow Democrat Jeff Merkley.

Cottage Grove Sentinel: Novick visits to discuss WOPR Cottage Grove native promises to fight for environment if elected

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Jon Hansen of the Cottage Grove Sentinel

Published on February 13, 2008

Novick Statement on Senate FISA Votes on Telecommunications Industry Immunity

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:25:34 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2008

Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick today issued the following statement on today's Senate votes to provide retroactive legal immunity for telecommunications providers that assist the Bush Administration in the warrantless wiretapping of American citizens.

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Smart guy, that Lincoln.

Steve Novick — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:17:15 -0800

The following is adapted from a piece of mine that the Register-Guard was kind enough to print a few years ago:

Abraham Lincoln is, of course, best known as the first Presidential candidate to win Oregon. (We became a state in 1859 and made the right choice.) Then of course there was that whole business of freeing the slaves and winning the Civil War. But Abraham Lincoln should also be remembered as one of America’s most eloquent explainers and defenders of the role of government.

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Novick Endorsed by Commissioner Pete Sorenson, Continues to Build Strong Support in Lane County

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:45:43 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2008

Steve's Birthday

Steve Novick — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:31:33 -0800

Dear friends,

Since it’s my birthday, my staff is allowing me to spend a few minutes talking with you about things other than my own campaign. Here they are:

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Novick Statement on Rep. Hooley's Choice Not to Seek Reelection

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:29:54 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2008

Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick today issued the following statement on Representative Darlene Hooley's decision not to seek reelection:

"Ever since wresting Oregon's Fifth Congressional District from the scandal soiled hands of Jim Bunn, Darlene Hooley has been a rock. And in the past two years, she's been an ever increasingly effective and progressive rock. Today we say, 'hooray for Hooley!'

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Novick Calls on Governor Kulongoski to Halt Liquefied Natural Gas Projects on Oregon's North Coast

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:42:46 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2008

The Hill: Congressional air war is already heating up

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:17:33 -0800

By Aaron Blake of The Hill

Published February 5, 2008

Voters all over the country have begun to see more and more campaign ads in recent weeks, but they haven’t all been about presidential politics.

Novick Decries Bush's Bank Busting Budget: Warns Smith, Merkley "Dodging the Deficits"

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:05:34 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2008

Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick said today that President Bush's proposed budgets for the remainder of the 2008 fiscal year and for the 2009 fiscal year showed the need for "true fiscal responsibility" in Washington. Bush's budgets project deficits of $400 billion each year despite assuming big cuts in Medicare and in smaller programs like home heating oil assistance for the poor.

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Steve On Lars Larson February 1, 2008

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:17:23 -0800

Steve talks about the current mortgage crisis, his new campaign ad, and his mourning for John Edwards.

Novick on KPOJ January 31, 2008

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:42:05 -0800

OPB: Oregon Supporters React To News From Giuliani, Edwards

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:36:59 -0800

From Ethan Lindsey of OPB

Published January 31

At one point last year, John Edwards could have been could considered the presidential frontrunner in Oregon. Now, he and Republican Rudy Giuliani have dropped out of the race for president. Ethan Lindsey reports on what that means for their local supporters.

Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, raised $145,000 in the state through September.

Novick On Edwards' Withdrawal from Presidential Race

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:48:30 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 200

Media Roundup: Beer With Steve

sysadmin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:02:37 -0800

Novick for Senate's latest ad made a big splash on its first day of release, receiving major coverage in the media and on the internet (including Eschaton and the Huffington Post). It seems clear that yes, people want to have a beer with Steve and and see him in the U.S. Senate. Here is just some of the coverage the spot received yesterday:

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Novick on Bush's Last (Ya!) State of the Union

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:51:38 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 200

Web Exclusive: New Novick Campaign Spot, "Beer With Steve"

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:10:37 -0800

A Beer With Steve

sysadmin — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Communications Workers of America, Local 7901 Endorses Steve Novick

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:53:58 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2007

Democratic Senate candidate Steve Novick has received the unanimous endorsement of the Communications Workers of America, Local 7901 for the upcoming primary election.

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Novick on Telecom Immunity Vote: Smith, Senate Dems Again Sacrifice Liberty For Fear Of Looking Soft on Terrorism

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:59:25 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2008

Novick Statement on the Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:12:35 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2008

Novick Pledges to stand up for full reproductive rights in the U.S. Senate

Novick Statement on the Commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:57:47 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2008

[Note: To honor an informational picket line by UNITE HERE Local 9, Steve contributed to the Skanner Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund and dropped off his canned food donations, but chose not to attend the breakfast itself. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute at Highland Community Church, Steve was interviewed by Reverend Renee Ward and participated in the tribute activities.]

To Tell the Truth: Media Roundup #2

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:00:12 -0800

Steve's first campaign commercial was released on Monday, January 14th and the press keeps rolling in. He was dubbed a winner by the Statesman Journal for the ad.

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Steve on Lars Larson January 18, 2008

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:17:47 -0800

Video: Thank you for paying taxes

sysadmin — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Novick Jackson County Media Roundup

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:34:00 -0800

Steve made a whirlwind trip through Ashland and Medford Monday, speaking at Southern Oregon University and later to area teachers. The campaign season is heating up and the media was there to take notice.

Ashland Daily Tidings: Senate candidates seek student vote

Novick Outlines Immediate Steps to Help Sub-Prime Mortgage Holders at Risk of Foreclosure

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:09:51 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2008

The Hill: In Oregon’s Senate primary, Dems mirror national debate

sysadmin — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

By Walter Alarkon of The Hill

Published January 16, 2008

The Democratic primary in Oregon’s U.S. Senate race, where a Harvard-educated activist is challenging a candidate with establishment backing and a longer history of accomplishments, can seem eerily familiar.

Novick on the Air: Media Round-up

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:55:23 -0800

Steve's clever new TV ad has been circling the "internets" and intriguing the media. What a great way to introduce a unique candidate to a state and country that truly need someone who’s going to "fight for the little guy."

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Novick Launches First TV Ad of Oregon Senate Race

Liz Kimmerly — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:31:51 -0800

The Novick for Senate campaign today launched the first television ad in Oregon's U.S. Senate campaign. The ad will begin airing on local news in the Portland and Eugene media markets and run in the Medford and Bend markets next week. A copy of the spot can be viewed on the campaign's website, novickforsenate.com, or by clicking here.

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Novick Pledges to Refund Congressional Pay Raises

Liz Kimmerly — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:40:58 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2008

To Tell The Truth

sysadmin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:00:00 -0800

The Oregonian: Merkley, Novick show contrasts at joint appearance

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:38:00 -0800

by Jeff Mapes of the Oregonian

Published January 10, 2008

House Speaker Jeff Merkley and Portland lawyer Steve Novick haven't reached a debate agreement yet, but the two Democratic candidates did show up in Lake Oswego Wednesday for a joint appearance that highlighted some of their differences.

Novick's Statement Against No Child Left Behind: Media Round-up

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:54:05 -0800

Steve's bold stand against the No Child Left Behind grabbed the attention of several media outlets and bloggers around the state. You can read his full statement at the Daily Kos by clicking here.

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Steve Calls for Repeal of No Child Left Behind-Full Statement

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:55:28 -0800

Six years ago, George Bush signed a law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), that told the states that every public school student in America would have to meet state standards for proficiency in reading and math, as determined by standardized testing, by 2014. That law said that schools that did not make what the law described as adequate progress toward that goal would face a series of sanctions, the last of which would be “restructuring” the entire school – by, for instance, firing most of the staff, and / or turning operation of the school over to a private management company.

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Novick Calls for Repeal of No Child Left Behind

Liz Kimmerly — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:50:49 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2008

Novick on Iowa Caucuses: Change, Authenticity Beat Money and "Inevitability"

Jake Weigler — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:21:46 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2008

Novick Asks Supporters to Join Cheney Impeachment Petition

Liz Kimmerly — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:14:45 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2008

Fairness In America, Goodwill Toward Peter DeFazio

Steve Novick — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:58:28 -0800

Dear friends,

As you know, I am deeply concerned about rising economic inequality in America. As you also know, I am a huge fan of Congressman Peter DeFazio. Two items in the news this last week reinforced both tendencies.

Clean Car Decision Underscores Bush Climate Agenda: Deny, Delay, Derail

Liz Kimmerly — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:05:37 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2007

Today Democratic Senate Candidate Steve Novick decried the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to block vehicle emissions standards enacted by Oregon, California and 15 other states to reduce global warming. The decision reflects President Bush's determination to prevent any significant action on climate change.

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