Sen. Smith draws a crowd

2007-06-29

Source: Ashland Daily Tidings

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith might as well have a target painted on his back. Democrats within the state and across the nation are lining up to see if the Republican's only West Coast senator can be knocked from his post in 2008.

Smith is seen by Democratic strategists as particularly beleaguered this election cycle because of his loyalty to President Bush and Oregon's blue state voting record.

"Gordon Smith is one of the most vulnerable senators in the country," Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Matthew Miller said Thursday, adding that unseating Smith is one of the committee's "highest priorities."

Smith's potential vulnerability combined with the reticence of major Democractic leaders from the state to jump into the race has produced a growing line of candidates like expressing strong interest in seeking the Democratic primary, including former JPR Talk Show Host Jeff Golden, and state Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, both from the Rogue Valley.

Most recently, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley confirmed Thursday that he recently traveled to the East Coast to discuss a possible run against Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith in 2008, and that more talks could be forthcoming.

Merkley said the meeting in New York came at the request of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who as chairman of the DSCC is in charge of recruiting possible challengers to take on Smith next year.

Merkley said he told Schumer and others with the committee he would give the matter serious thought after the 2007 Legislature adjourned for the year.

"They contacted me; I was honored; and I said after the session we could have a further discussion," the Portland Democrat said in an interview.

With the Legislature having adjourned Thursday, Merkley said he's now going to spend time talking with family members and others about whether to mount a challenge against the well-funded Smith.

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