Oregon Senate: House Speaker Jeff Merkley to Run Against Gordon Smith

[TheresNoMoney]

This guy could definitely end up as the Democratic nominee against Gordon Smith. He's a 2nd tier challenger, but that could possibly be enough to get it done.


SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley plans to file notice with the Federal Election Commission by Aug. 1 that he'll be running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Gordon Smith, two sources close to the campaign told The Associated Press Tuesday.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-20/1185323381185390.xml&storylist=orlocal

[AndrewTX]

I agree, if he is the nominee, he can make the race very competitve

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

I assume that the Oregon Legislature is as wildly unpopular as just about every other state legislature in the country, so the question begs to be asked: wouldn't even that Steve Novick guy be a better choice to run against Smith than the guy who leads the wildly unpopular legislative branch?

[Verily]

I assume that the Oregon Legislature is as wildly unpopular as just about every other state legislature in the country, so the question begs to be asked: wouldn't even that Steve Novick guy be a better choice to run against Smith than the guy who leads the wildly unpopular legislative branch?

Hmmm? I've never had the impression that most state legislatures are particularly unpopular. Perhaps one of our Oregonian posters could enlighten us.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I assume that the Oregon Legislature is as wildly unpopular as just about every other state legislature in the country, so the question begs to be asked: wouldn't even that Steve Novick guy be a better choice to run against Smith than the guy who leads the wildly unpopular legislative branch?

Lots of state legislators go on to higher office. Jon Tester was the President of the MT state Senate.

[WalterMitty]

why on earth would anyone want to see smith gone?

he is an excellent senator!

[Alcon]

Both Oregon and Washington have a tendency to disapprove of their legislature (modestly) in polls during good times, and then deliver solid victories to whatever the incumbent party is.  It doesn't make sense, but it's what happens.

In any case, I doubt that people are going to blacklist him solely for being a member of the state legislature.  I think people here overestimate how much attention most people pay to the state legislature.  I think "second tier" is a good description.

[Sam Spade]

In any case, I doubt that people are going to blacklist him solely for being a member of the state legislature.  I think people here overestimate how much attention most people pay to the state legislature.  I think "second tier" is a good description.

Agreed.

[Conan]

why on earth would anyone want to see smith gone?

he is an excellent senator!

I'm sure he'd be perfect for Idaho.

[WalterMitty]

why on earth would anyone want to see smith gone?

he is an excellent senator!

I'm sure he'd be perfect for Idaho.

he is perfect for america!

[Verily]

why on earth would anyone want to see smith gone?

he is an excellent senator!

I'm sure he'd be perfect for Idaho.

LOL. He'd be a better fit in New Hampshire than Oregon, maybe (as Oregon is split between fundamentalists and hippies, of which Smith is neither, while New Hampshire is mostly centrist), but not in Idaho.