Obama and Kitzhaber Live Tonight from Portland

The live web cast of the rally with President Obama and John Kitzhaber begins at 5:30 pm PDT

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - 5,000 to 10,000 people are expected in Portland tonight for a rally with President Obama and Democrat John Kitzhaber, contender in the Oregon governor’s race.

President Obama will speak from the Oregon Convention Center at 6:00 p.m. The event is free to the public but as news sources confirm, security is tight.

Kitzhaber Twittered this afternoon: "We are in the Convention Center about to be 'swept' out for security purposes. Back soon for the live webcast!"

This is the first time Obama has visited Portland in two years. The last memorable visit in '08 saw then Presidential Candidate Obama, attract a crowd of over 60,000 people to Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

The President is touring Oregon, Washington and California as part of his West Coast Tour to support fellow Democrats.

Around 200 NW 'tea partiers' in the meanwhile, are lining Martin Luther King Blvd. in Portland in protest of the President's visit, chanting "Obama is not my mama!"

It is interesting how tens of thousands of Bush protesters could gather with no mention on the news, but if pissed off white people chant racially flavored words, they are top story. I mention it because Portland media was quick to report this sideshow. People have a right to protest, but the media should not be so selective, or quick to give small turnouts large coverage.

Speaking of Republicans; Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Dudley is wrapping up a week-long bus tour. This man who is becoming known for statements suggesting that waitresses didn't deserve minimum wage, has visited 20 counties, making 30 stops throughout in cities in the Willamette Valley, on the Oregon Coast, in Eastern Oregon. His campaign tour continues towns next week.

Other protesters carried signs questioning the two politicians' positions toward medical marijuana. People are increasingly figuring out how the only groups that benefit from marijuana laws are the pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, cops, courts and corrections.

One carried a sign directed toward Kitzhaber that stated: "Pot Works- DO YOU?"

Kitzhaber is known for his position against medical marijuana. He has deflected the issue and at one point suggested he would wait to see what happens to Prop 19 in California before stating a position on the record.

Obviously he is seriously out of tune with the state he seeks to represent. The worst part is that the 'Kitz' has been known to blaze a doobie or two himself. It is sadly hypocritical that he would object to something so many people in Oregon favor. Add to that the fact that Obama's AG stated last week that the federal government won't recognize Prop 19 if it does pass, and you have a pair of real anti-medical marijuana crusaders on your hands.