Democrat Jeff Merkley Running Against Oregon's Gordon Smith
Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) — a conservative who has broken with the White House on Iraq since this past November — officially has a Democratic opponent. State House Speaker Jeff Merkley declared his candidacy today, which had been expected since last week.
In his announcement statement, Merkley talks about his working class background and positions on education and health care — but also makes it clear that he does not intend to cede any advantage to Smith on the Iraq issue despite Smith's breaking with the White House over the war.
"Sadly, Gordon Smith is unwilling or unable to take a firm stance against the Bush Administration's tragic mistakes," Merkley says. "Unlike Gordon Smith, I have opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning, and as Oregon's United States Senator, I will work every day to bring our sons and daughters home."
Merkley's campaign Web site is here.
As a Oregon resident most of the year, I know that Merkley is not very well known in Oregon, and Gordon Smith has been immensely popular in his time in Washington. Smith will be very tough to beat.
August 1, 2007 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
As an Oregon resident all of the year I can tell you that Smith is not immensely popular. His re-elect numbers are terrible. That is not to say that he doesn't have the advantage of incumbancy and the support of the largest paper in the state, The Oregonian. However, this is not a normal year. He is losing support on the right with his switch on the war and the left is angry with his tight support of Bush. The middle is up for grabs. Smith has done well in the past, not because he is loved, but because people found him acceptable. Now we will see if that holds in 2008.
August 1, 2007 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hopefully, 2008 is just as bad of a climate for the GOP as 2006 was. If the Iraq War continues on its current trajectory or their presidential candidate falters at all, it will be. Having a good Dem candidate at the top of the ticket in a presidential election year will hopefully provide some coattails in blue states for Dem candidates down the ticket, which will be important in OR, MN, ME, NH, and hopefully VA Senate races.
That's why I'd like to see a presidential candidate who can win by more than 50%+1 (however that translates into Electoral College math).
August 1, 2007 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gordon Smith already had a credible Democratic opponent, Steve Novick; here's a kos post summarizing.
Novick and Merkley are both great, smart and with terrific values. Could they win? I suppose it depends on just how disgusted people are with Bush and how much they blame Smith for enabling him.
August 2, 2007 1:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just a slight technical correction... Merkley isn't running against Smith.
Merkley is running against Steve Novick in the primary for the chance to run against Smith. That is, granted that no one runs against Smith and wins in the GOP primary.
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August 2, 2007 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink