Juan Williams: Sen. Jeff Merkley is the man of the year in Congress

[Coyotl]

My Senator!

Juan Williams: Sen. Jeff Merkley is the man of the year in Congress
12/09/13 06:00 AM EST http://thehill.com/opinion/juan-williams/192419-juan-williams-merkley-is-man-of-the-year-in-congress

The 2013 winner of top political player on Capitol Hill is…

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.)

The senator stands out as the leader of the Democrats’ historic move to go to the “nuclear option,” ending the paralysis by threat of filibuster that tied the Senate in knots for the last five years.

The junior senator from the Beaver State showed a lot of political bite, in the form of persistence, and has become a left-wing hero as a result.

Merkley, with a big assist from Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), won the biggest vote of the year on Capitol Hill by convincing Democrats they were being trapped by Senate tradition into acquiescing to GOP obstruction.

The two first-term senators successfully argued to the Democratic caucus that the GOP’s use of more than a quarter of the filibusters in history against President Obama’s nominees was one of the root causes of today’s dysfunctional Congress.

They charged GOP obstruction with undermining the right of the Democrats’ in the Senate to govern .............

[libodem]

1. Goddess bless this fine man

We need more like him.

[broiles]

2. Oh how I wish he was my Senator! I'm in Texas.

[Lizzie Poppet]

3. He's one of mine.

Ron Wyden is the other. It's a proud time to be an Oregonian.

[cascadiance]

5. I love meeting him at his barbeques...

... here in Portland. The best money I spent in the 2008 election which happened right before I moved to Oregon from California was to his campaign then. Voting against prop 8 didn't help, and he was able to get elected without my vote then before moving.

Senator Warren, who needs to be our choice in 2016 mentions Jeff as her mentor on the banking committee in her first year in congress when she introduced him at NetRoots Nation.

http://www.blueoregon.com/2013/06/netroots-nation-starring-jeff-merkley-assist-elizabeth-warren/

I will do my damndest to help get him re-elected in 2014, and wouldn't mind if after working hard to get him reelected, Ms. Warren picks him or her running mate in 2016 if and when hopefully she runs! It will give us Oregonians a chance to vote for another progressive voice to represent us in the Senate later in addition to Senator Merkley.

So many issues where he's trying to help us the people out, whether it be to protect us from the practices of GMO food from the likes of Monsanto, or teaming up with Wyden to reform the FISA court. And he listens to everyone that meets him personally.

[Coyotl]

4. Just a reminder, he is up for re-election and they are throwing outside money against him already.

http://www.jeffmerkley.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JeffMerkleyOregon

[classof56]

7. Great poster!

Just printed it off to post on the wall next to my computer. Jeff's on my monthly contribution list, and the amounts will grow as the election draws closer. OR "rep" Jason Conger is running for Jeff's seat and is already spreading ugly rhetoric about him. Probably lots of voters over here East of the Cascades in Redneckland will agree, sorry to say. Gotta campaign hard for Jeff. Named Congressman of the Year for all the positive things he's done--wow! Makes me all the more proud to be an Oregonian.

She Flies with Her Own Wings!

[Maedhros]

6. The dilemma I faced over having to choose

between Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick in the primary was the happiest decision I have had to make for a long time.

Both men very deserving. Merkley has not disappointed.