Political Desk

I just checked in with the Yamhill County Clerk’s Office, where I was told that ballots aren’t coming in at quite the pace they ordinarily do. It’s not a huge statistical difference, but there is a difference: By this point in 2004, 11.6 percent of Yamhill County voters had cast their ballots. This year: 10.8 percent.

The prevailing theory, which I’m inclined to agree with: Voters — Democratic voters, rather — are waiting to see if either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama have anything new to say over the next seven days as their respective campaigns pound the pavement in Oregon. Given how long they’ve been campaigning, I doubt it, but it is a welcome change to have presidential candidates giving Oregon some sustained attention. Sorta makes us feel like Iowa or New Hampshire.

Obviously, this has implications for all candidates, who — if they’re smart - must assume that there is still a significant number of undecideds out there who could be swayed before May 20. I heard from one well-known local conservative over the weekend who indicated that he’d actually changed his mind on one local race fairly recently. Didn’t say which one.

Keep checking back here, as it’s possible that Obama or Clinton (or both) might show up in Yamhill County before it’s over. We just got word (with virtually no detail) that Obama will return to Oregon next weekend. When I know more, I’ll put it here first.