Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek normally plays the calm, measured leader to the Senate’s emotional and dramatic leader, Peter Courtney.

But on Thursday, just before gaveling the House’s half of the 2020 Legislature to an abrupt, early close, the Portland Democrat gave a speech brimming with fear, pride, idealism and – above all – anger.

She expressed concern about bedrock public institutions and the public’s faith in government. She excoriated Republicans for what she cast as a fundamental failure to keep their oath of office. And she used language of the sort she’s never before shouted from the dais.

Many of the best lines in Kotek’s prepared remarks would be well-suited for use in the upcoming campaign season as a cudgel against Republicans or as justification for a House Democrat seeking re-election. And she brought an extra-emotive interpretation to the script.

The Oregonian/OregonLive’s condensed video of her address, created by photojournalist Dave Killen, shows how well her words matched what her audience of fellow House Democrats wanted to hear.

-- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OregonianPol

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