The Eye doesn't want to appear to be picking on Gordon Smith, but he just seems to be presenting a lot of targets of opportunity this week. The latest: He's come out with a video touting how he's cooperated in the Senate with - get ready for it - Barack Obama.
"Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment?" the ad asks. "Barack Obama! He joined with Gordon and broke through a 20-year deadlock to pass new laws which increase gas mileage for automobiles."
"The ad is ... further proof of just how far Smith will run away from the Republican brand in this blue state," Talking Points Memo comments.
The Obama campaign responded with an e-mail to reporters setting the record straight: "Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate. But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington."
