X-Message-Number: 8819 Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 19:40:43 -0700 From: David Brandt-Erichsen <> Subject: Oregon update Senator Wyden optimistic Oregon will prevail in assisted-suicide case By SCOTT SONNER The Associated Press 11/20/97 5:47 PM Eastern WASHINGTON (AP) -- Oregon's legal team scored some constitutional points with Justice Department lawyers Thursday, increasing the chances the state will be allowed to implement its assisted suicide law unimpeded by federal threats, Sen. Ron Wyden said. "I think we're going to win at this point," Wyden told reporters after the meeting in his office. "My judgment that our case is strong was strengthened today." Oregon's Democratic senator and representatives of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber's office met with Justice Department lawyers to try to end the dispute over whether the federal government will allow Oregon doctors to help patients commit suicide. Wyden's chief of staff, Josh Kardon, and other members of the Oregon team received additional encouraging signals during a meeting at the White House later Thursday with Clinton's domestic policy advisers. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8819