IMG_9183.JPG

For a hoarse-sounding President Barack Obama, it was Bono, and not "Hail to the Chief." Apparently, the president ADORES this state.

A couple of snippets of that love:

"It's good to be back here in the state of Oregon. I love you back. I've got a special place in my heart for Oregon."

"My best friend from high school lives in Eugene and is a big Ducks fan. ... On the other hand, my brother in law happens to be the coach of the Beavers. ... But I'm not confused. I'll root for 'em both. I've got the whole state covered."

And in a shout to Representative Earl Blumenauer, a mention of "the bike thing on his lapel."

Then he hit on the governor's race, his mission tonight: "This shouldn't be a difficult choice." He went down the list of John Kitzhaber's talking points. The schools, health care, the economy, his penchant for ... fly fishing? "That's why John cares about the environment. He's out there."

Obama also spent a lot of time talking about Kitzhaber's experience, compared to Chris Dudley's. And Jesus, are people giddy and woozy, eating out of the man's (silken, right Sarah?) hand.

He's still talking. We'll keep posting.