As has been pointed out with Libya, the debate over Libya, sometimes we allow diplomatic relations with imperfect regimes because progress can best be made through engagement instead of isolation.

Starting before law school in 1970 and continuing until 1977 he worked as an assistant to the president of Portland State University. Following his time in the Oregon Legislature he served on the Multnomah County Commission from 1979 to 1986. At the time he was described as "the man who probably knows the most about how Portland works" but left local politics to run for Congress.

S. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Earl Blumenauer (born August 16 1948) is the U.