East Oregonian gives Novick an edge for style in debate

So – who won Tuesday night’s Democratic Senate debate between Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick?

Today’s East Oregonian takes the position that Novick had an edge for style points.

“With so little difference in substance, style may influence some voters. And the edge from the first debate seemed - let's repeat that, seemed - to favor Novick.

“That's because while Merkley seemed confident, he also came off as, well, a bit smug. He kept his focus just above the audience of potential voters. His answers seemed almost memorized from a script, a script closely resembling his thoughtful position statements on his campaign's Web site. He only glanced at Novick once throughout the debate. There was a definite lack of emotion in his responses, although there also was a momentary rise in feeling when he talked about health care and education.

“Merkley showed his political acumen, talking with reporters and then individual voters until only a single convention center employee - and Neville - was left in the building. One-to-one, he was more engaging and knowledgeable. He is well-versed politically and that certainly could serve Oregon well if he were to ascend to the U.S. Senate.

“By comparison, Novick noticeably turned and listened intently whenever one of the other three candidates were responding to the questions the East Oregonian news staff posed. While his answers weren't overflowing with emotion either, at least they seemed spontaneous and less stilted. “

UPDATE: Here's Merkley spokesman Russ Kelley's response:

“Pendleton residents really got a good sense of who Jeff Merkley is. As the son of millworkers and a product of rural Oregon, Jeff showed last night that regular Oregonians can count on him to stand up for them. He shares their values and understands their problems because he’s one of them.”