Turnout matters. That sounds a bit silly, but following most elections, we rarely hear about turnout. But because those who vote are the ones who decide an election – derp – the side that can get more of its people out to vote, wins.

This is not tautological silliness. This is the essence of winning an election. In 2010, 80,000 voters turned in their ballots in Multnomah County on Election Day, and John Kitzhaber was elected governor. On that same day across the country, state after state saw turnout rates of 30-40% – and Republicans won governorships and legislatures. In 2008 and 2012, voters came out in huge numbers, and Barack Obama...Read the rest

The Oregonian Editorial Board has called for "bipartisanship" regarding the four bills on gun violence that Senate President Peter Courtney has sidelined despite being passed by the Judiciary Committee. The problem appears to be that Democratic Senator Betsy Johnson is siding with the gun lobby, meaning the majority caucus lacks the votes to pass these four bills. No other Democratic opponent to the bills has been identified. Only Johnson stands in the way of these bills.

Demanding "bipartisanship" in this way is idiotic. These bills began as weak efforts against gun violence and have been watered-down even further. The bill to require concealed handgun licence holders to prove they could actually shoot their guns? That provision has been removed. "Bipartisanship" means a CHL is available to almost anyone who...Read the rest