NRSC airs first general election ad in Oregon's senate race

The National Republican Senatorial Committee released an ad during last week’s Republican National Convention that highlighted a moment where Democratic candidate Jeff Merkley was caught on tape not knowing about the Russian invasion of Georgia two days after the invasion took place.

This is the first general election television ad the NRSC has released in Oregon's Senate race. It comes despite the fact that NRSC chair Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) announced last month that the committee would be facing budget shortfalls.

NRSC spokesman John Randall said that in spite of the shortfall, Senate Republicans were committed to hanging on to incumbent Gordon Smith’s seat and were prepared to help out in that campaign.

“Our chairman has continually said that we’re going to compete in states we need to compete in,” Randall said. “And Oregon is a battleground state.”

The ad brings one of Merkley’s low points front and center. He was caught on video eating some sort of sandwich while trying to answer a question from a constituent about the Russian invasion. The event, which occurred shortly before the beginning of the Olympics, had made headlines, but Merkley was still caught off guard.

“Oh, I’m thinking Georgia, Atlanta, Jimmy Carter…” Merkley said, while taking a bite.

The sandwich was the NRSC’s inspiration for the name of the ad: “Chew.”

Calls to Merkley’s campaign were not returned.