Last night at the Sam Adams for Portland Mayor campaign kickoff and community event was visceral, seminal. The Wonder Ballroom was jammed to capacity, with people still waiting outside in line to get in. So many people had big grins on their faces, and everyone was talking about the future of Portland. The energy and potential in the room were very real. And along with it all came Sam Adams, running for mayor of our rose city.

Here's the campaign video that debuted at the event. It's a great peek into Sam's life, his values, and why he'll make a great mayor of Portland. He attends to details while remaining unabashedly idealistic. He works, and lives, as if he's trying to shape the early days of a better nation.

Work as if you were living in the early days of a better nation. Alasdair Gray has it right. Sam embodies that philosophy, and that's perfect for Portland. Indeed, with community effort and strong, principled leadership, he knows and demonstrates how our city's best days are clearly in front of us.

Disclaimer: I worked for Sam Adams' office in 2005 and an ardent supporter of his, but I speak and write only for myself.