So Jefferson Smith, the Bus Project impresario and a state representative, has taken the stage. He's effervescent, as always. And he made a funny: His first anecdote gets in a good shot at GOP governor hopeful Chris Dudley's quasi-promise to slash down Oregon's minimum wage.

But mostly he started with a lot of hollering about the size of the crowd (one tenth of the big Obama rally two years ago, of course).

"The power for this election is you in this room," Smith shouted. "In a year when naysayers and national cable sows talk about a lack of enthusiasm, All i see here is enthusiasm."

From there it's been a recitation of Oregon's values, laced with praise for "once and future governor" John Kitzhaber's experience. The shout? "We were here." Presumably just like Kitzhaber.

It's time for the Pledge of Allegiance. So I'll stop here for now.