With expectations that president-elect Obama might pick his cabinet in the next few weeks, we’re following his pick for Transportation Secretary very closely.

Previously, we reported early rumors that Obama was considering former City of Portland transportation commissioner and now U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer or Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar (whose arguably the most important and revered politician to the national bike movement).
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Amanda Fritz
(Photo © J. Maus)

With 70% of the vote, Amanda Fritz, a neighborhood activist and Registered Nurse, has been elected to Portland City Council.

Ms. Fritz, who lost a bid for Commissioner in 2006, won a decisive victory over Charles Lewis and she is the first non-incumbent to win a council seat using Portland’s public campaign funding system.

Fritz seems likely to be a very capable and effective commissioner. She’s very detail-oriented, has a lot of experience on local issues, and she listens and actively tries to engage all perspectives.
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President-elect Obama at a rally in Portland on March 21, 2008.
(Photo: Ethan Jewett/Stickeen Photography)

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(Photo by Steve Rhodes/Flickr)

I don’t care how you get to a ballot box today, just do it.

If you haven’t voted, make sure you swing by one of the ballot drop-off sites, get in line, or do whatever it takes to make it happen. And, while you’re at it, drag your friends, co-workers and neighbors along with you.

While riding into work this morning, with thoughts about the future of our country, a billboard I’ve passed by for several weeks took on a whole new meaning…[Read more…]

Wednesday’s regularly scheduled KBOO Bike Show will host the BTA’s public affairs director Karl Rohde for some post-election analysis.

Post election woes and victories. Guest Karl Rhode will discuss current pro-bicycle legislation, what passed, what didn’t pass and what’s coming down the bike lane.

9-10AM, Wednesday, November 5th
KBOO FM 90.7
Streamed live at KBOO.fm
Podcast here later that day

The Ace Hotel is throwing a big election night party that will raise a glass to a new era in American politics and will raise money for a few local non-profits; including the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA).

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Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN)
(Photo © J. Maus)

Politico published a story today about who might get cabinet-level appointments in a Barack Obama presidency (if he’s elected on Tuesday night of course).

Politico reporter Ben Smith and ABC’s Jonathan Karl (who used “well-positioned Democrats” as sources) have put two familiar names in the running for Obama’s Transportation Secretary — Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN).

Back in May we wondered out loud whether Blumenauer (who campaigned for Obama) might get the nod, but this is the first time I’ve heard Oberstar’s name come up.
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(Photo © J. Maus)

The Multnomah County branch of the Barack Obama campaign has a bike event planned following this Friday’s presidential debate.

First, they’ll host a viewing party of the debate at the Laurelhurst Theater in Northeast Portland. [Read more…]

According to Streetsblog, there’s an interesting meme about Sarah Palin and Barack Obama’s two-wheeled preference going around the right-leaning blogosphere. Here’s more from editor Aaron Naparstek:

“These two images (below) have been floating around the right wing blogosphere under the shrieky, all-caps headline, “THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.”

One of the websites is To The Point News (“The oasis for rational conservatives”). Here’s how they presented the story last week:
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It’s been way too long since I chimed in on the one remaining race for a Portland City Council seat. I hope to offer more coverage of both remaining candidates (Charles Lewis and Amanda Fritz) soon, but in the meantime, here’s a news release fresh from the Fritz camp:

“Mayor Elect Sam Adams Endorses Amanda Fritz

Amanda is passionate about doing good things for our city— and has a history of doing so. I want good people on the city council. She is my choice,” said Mayor Elect Sam Adams today as he endorsed Amanda Fritz for the Portland City Council.
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