PORTLAND --  Former Vice President Al Gore urged Oregonians on Friday evening to send Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) to the Senate in order to have a stronger Democratic majority that could help turn the country around.

Gore said that the choice was simple for Oregon voters. If they wanted change they could elect Merkley, he said. If they agreed with the government's current stances on issues from the Iraq war to oil prices to the economic crisis, then they could vote for U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith.

“If you think those policies have worked out great, then you have the change to reward them by re-election those who have been with them 85 to 90 percent of the time. But if you think they were wrong you have the chance to elect change for this country,” Gore said.

“Will we have a Democratic president Barack Obama and 60 Democratic Senators?," Gore asked. "It’s up to Oregon.”

Gore was speaking to a few hundred people at a Merkley fund raiser at the Oregon Convention Center.

“This is an unusual year,” Gore said. “I can’t remember a time when so many things were going wrong for our country. But this is a sign that this is one of those moments in our country where one era is ending, and another is beginning. “

Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who has been quiet this election cycle, hosted the event and spoke volumes of support for Merkley.

“This is our time,” Kulongoski said. “This election sets the course for America, and the Democratic Party is going to lead this train. We will bring prosperity to America. We will bring equality for all people. And we will bring our troops home. Be proud to be a Democrat.”

Kulongoski also spoke of working with Merkley to create a Democratic majority in the state House. Then he spoke of Merkley working even harder in the state legislature to put together what Kulongoski said was one of the most successful legislative sessions in 20 years. His words inspired Gore to praise Merkley as someone who would serve Oregon well in Washington, D.C.

“I was so moved by Governor Kulongoski saying Jeff Merkley was pushing for better and for more,” Gore said. “This guy’s got guts. He’s got smarts and he’s got heart, but he also has guts.”

Also on hand were U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and David Wu. Attorney General candidate John Kroger, Secretary of State candidate Kate Brown, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and state Treasurer candidate Ben Westlund also spoke briefly to support Merkley and remind voters to support Democrats up and down the ballot.

Blumenauer also said that 5th Congressional District candidate Kurt Schrader (D-Canby) seemed poised to win the seat left by outgoing Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-West Linn) and that across the nation Democratic prospects were looking good. But, Blumenauer said, Democrats would need more Democratic senators, including Merkley, to make a difference.

“As I’m going across the country, I’m hearing about our house seats, and I hear about getting 235, 240, 245, 250, 255--do I hear 260? But we can’t have the Senate be where good legislation goes to die,” he said.