Former National Endowment for the Arts Chair John Frohnmayer (Independent) -- a staunch critic of the Bush Administration -- ended his US Senate run this week. He explained he was unable to attract the money and support needed to be a viable candidate. Frohnmayer's exit is likely to benefit State House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) in his challenge to US Senator Gordon Smith (R).
http://www.politics1.com/
I thought Frohnmayer was totally supposed to be hurting Gordon Smith cause they were both totally moderate Republicans and... oh, nevermind.
Actually, Frohnmayer was running to the left of Jeff Merkley on several issues. Frohnmayer was campaigning as the only pro-impeachment, pro-immediate troop withdrawal candidate in the race. On those two key issues, Frohnmayer was siphoning off far-left voters from Merkley.
Now that Frohnmayer has left the race, the only political gadfly in the race is a Constitution Party candidate who enjoys needling Smith from the right on social issues like abortion.
