(4:50) Hi, all! In moments Michael and I will be walking down to the Merkley for Senate kickoff event at 1125 SE Madison, in the UNITE Here parking lot. The event begins @ 5:30, and people will begin to speak at 6.

We'll be by the RV with silver pens, so please come on by and show your support for Jeff Merkley by signing the RV!

I'll be updating throughout the evening from my phone, so away we go!

(5:00) Down at the site, and thins are finished being set up. Now we wait for the main players and the show can get on the road.

(5:10) Crowd's starting to pick up! Electeds, union-types, and regular joes and janes.

(5:12) Uh oh- lawn signs are out. I'm now a human poster.

(5:25) Picking up. Band's warming up, and we just discussed union politics with an old school elected. Fantastic. And there goes the band.

(5:30) 75 and counting! And the band is called The Retrofits. And they sing political songs. Sweet.

(5:38) 100 here and growing. Big crowd!

(5:40) Just met Jeff Alworth of Blue Oregon. We offered to buy him a drink after the event, but he's joining the kickoff tour to blog for BO, so no dice.

(5:48) Merkley's slogan: "Change. It's coming."

(8:42) Sorry about the huge gap. The site crashed and my phone ran out of gas at the same time, but here's the rundown of what happened after we lost each other. First, the music ended and State Rep Diane Rosenbaum introduced everyone to the event. Then, State Rep Chip Shields spoke and was emphatic about why Jeff Merkley is the right man to lead for Oregon in the U.S. Senate. Then, City Commission Sam Adams spoke on why he's voting for Merkley and why he's just fantastic. Then, finally, former Gov. Barbara Roberts spoke on a wide range of topics and introduced the man of the hour: Jeff Merkley himself.

Then the Speaker and Senate candidate came up to the podium amidst wild cheers. The crowd was huge, and everyone was there for him. It was amazing. Being right at the front, watching this dynamic individual lay out his case for why it was the right time for him to run for the U.S. Senate. It was really inspiring. I don't have the transcript of his remarks, but he was pretty damn good for someone who only officially announced his candidacy tonight.

After the event, I shook hands with Jeff and thanked him for everything. Then, a bunch of us went over to the nearby Jolly Roger Tavern and enjoyed happy hour. There's nothing quite like drinking with a bunch of committed progressives. Then, I wandered home, and here I am!

The event was great, and I'll decompress it more as the weeks progress, but there's one sure thing: Jeff Merkley is here, and he's running for the U.S. Senate.