Tim Kaine

The Democratic Party of Oregon was saddened by the news that Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean will step down from his post in the beginning of 2009, as reported by Politico.com.

According to the report, Dean plans to honor his commitment of serving a single term as party chair. During his tenure, Dean saw the Democratic Party earn two of its biggest wins in the 2006 and 2008 elections.

An internal poll conducted by Senate candidate Jeff Merkley’s (D-Portland) campaign shows Merkley pulling ahead of U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton), 43-41 percent.

The fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Thursday, with a theme of "Change You Can Believe In."

The final day's events will take place at INVESCO Field at Mile High, where over 70,000 people are expected to attend.

Featured speakers will include Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D), former Vermont Gov. and Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean (D), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), U.S. Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D), former Vice President Al Gore (D) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D).

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the Democratic presidential nominee, is scheduled to address the convention at 10 p.m. EST.

The full schedule is below.

None of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) most-discussed potential vice presidential running mates -- U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) -- would bring the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee a significant base of financial support in the state.