Jeff Merkley's US Senate candidacy in Oregon is raising hopes among salmon fishers
Recent polls show Jeff Merkely tied or ahead of GOP incumbent Gordon Smith who has supported the Bush Plan (keep the dams) on the lower Snake River in Washington state.
This is a regional (Pacific Northwest) issue, not a Washington state issue. Most fishery biologists think worthwhile salmon recovery in Idaho can’t happen with these 4 river blocking navigation dams in place. They were would to make Lewiston, ID a seaport.
Rocky Barker opins on the race and the issue. Dam breaching an issue in Oregon Senate race. “Letters from the West.” Idaho Statesman.
– – – – – –
Photo of the Lower Monumental Dam (one of the four dams) on the lower reach of the Snake River in Washington State.

Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
2 Responses to Jeff Merkley's US Senate candidacy in Oregon is raising hopes among salmon fishers
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Recent Posts
- Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands January 18, 2021
- An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit January 5, 2021
- Ochoco Forest Deceptions For Logging January 3, 2021
- Scientists Critique BLM Tri-State Fuel Breaks Proposal December 29, 2020
- Critique of “Fire Suppression” Mythology December 24, 2020
Recent Comments
- Paul Griffin on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Mexican wolf killings expose a dark underbelly of western culture
- Beeline on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Rich on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Maggie Frazier on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Maggie Frazier on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
- Maggie Frazier on Does Cattle Grazing Preclude Large Blazes?
- Maggie Frazier on Does Cattle Grazing Preclude Large Blazes?
- Maggie Frazier on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Protect the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Wildlands
- Ida Lupine on Wolverine ESA Listing Effort Demonstrates Political Influence
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock industry’s campaign to get rid of wild horses is a scam to cheat the taxpayers
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock industry’s campaign to get rid of wild horses is a scam to cheat the taxpayers
- Maggie Frazier on Livestock industry’s campaign to get rid of wild horses is a scam to cheat the taxpayers
- Maggie Frazier on An open letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. proposed permit
Watching television ads in Oregon, you would never know what the issues are.
Smith ads ~ there’s more than nature and i love everyone who extracts from it, plus that other guy loves rapists.
Merkley ads ~ the other guy has million dollar golf clubs and he loves Bush, loves Bush, … loves Bush.
Smith ads~ hey! i told Bush no once.. but that other guy has golf clubs too.
Merkley ads~ rich people, oil companies, rich people, loves Bush, golf clubs, loves Bush..
Apparently the issues are golf clubs and .. who you love…?
Welcome to Idioacry at its finest.