Democrat John Kitzhaber and Republican Chris Dudley fielded questions from Oregon journalists as well as questions collected from newspaper readers, television viewers and online participants.

Kitzhaber proved to be the better of the two candidates, offering detailed answers and solutions to the challenges facing Oregon.  Dudley, by contrast, regurgitated tepid talking points, while experiencing difficulties offering any specifics or examples.

The astute observer comes away with the distinct impression that Kitzhaber has a detailed and well formulated plan for Oregon's future, where as an inexperienced and unqualified Dudley seemed to have only some tired and vague ideological buttons to push.

Dudley's proposals represent the worst of Republican folly. As Kitzhaber pointed out during the debate, Dudley is proposing an $800-million tax cut that benefits the wealthiest of Oregonians and won't create a single job for the 200,000 Oregonians who are out of work today.

While Dudley likes to characterize himself as a candidate of change and job development through private-sector investment and the reduction of government, his real motives and intentions seem to be a desire to make life easier for the wealthy, along with a callous disregard for the welfare of Oregon's middle and working class families.

Kitzhaber, on the other hand, is a seasoned and experienced leader with an intimate knowledge of Oregon and the problems facing Oregonians. KItzhaber is a grown up, with a plan for creating jobs, and putting Oregon on the right track.

Kitzhaber proved he is the only candidate who is willing to stand up for Oregon’s middle class families, stand up for Oregon values and is ready to govern on day one.

“I’ve spent my life working in Oregon – for Oregonians and standing up for our values – for middle class families, for a women’s right to choose, standing up for our environment,” Kitzhaber said. “Those values are still worth fighting for – and that’s one of the key differences in this race.”