Hours after the primary, general election fight starts for Merkley, Smith

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee was really banking on a Jeff Merkley win last night. It had already commissioned a poll before the primary election, pitting the DSCC's handpicked candidate against the incumbent, Republican Sen. Gordon Smith.

The primary did go Sen. Chuck Schumer's way, with Merkley beating Steve Novick, and the poll of 800 likely voters taken by the Feldman Group was distributed to the media today.

The poll pitted Merkley in a match-up against Smith. While Smith lead, 45 to 42 percent, it was within the poll's 3.5 percent margin of error. The poll also found Smith's job approval rating to be at 29 percent.

The DSCC attributes the low approval rating to Smith's negative ad campaign.

"Instead of launching his campaign by offering any ideas for the future, he started with negative attacks on Jeff Merkley, and they clearly backfired.  Oregonians have figured out the Smith myth, and they're ready for change," DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Speaking of Smith ads, yesterday the incumbent released a set of television, newspaper and web ads focusing on his bi-partisan credentials. (Check out the ads at Smith's website.) The ads tout his Democratic supporters, including former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse, state Sen. Avel Gordly and former state Sen. Bob Shoemaker.

Smith also highlights his voting record on health care and the environment.

"With a crisis in health care and the economy, there's too much partisanship and not enough leadership in Washington, D.C.," said Smith.  "I've shown a better way finding common ground on health care, energy, the environment and our economy. I am honored to stand with so many Oregon Democrats for the change we want and need."

Smith's "maverick" record will surely shape up to be a big issue for the Democrats, who have repeatedly questioned the Senator's ties to special interests.