No elephants in Smithville

As reported by the Oregonian and later detailed by an email from the Merkley camp, U.S. Senator Gordon Smith is stepping down as GOP presidential nominee John McCain's honorary campaign chairman.  Smith was one of McCain's early supporters in the presidential primary, snubbing his fellow morman Mitt Romney and back when the McCain campaign was strapped for cash and support. 

This news comes as yet another attempt by the Smith campaign to keep the big elephants out of the campaign room.  Smith consistently refers to his bipartisan work in the Senate and regularly promotes any Democrat willing to speak on his behalf (although, so far no success in nabbing any much loved elected Dems in the ever increasing Blue state), and is bringing in the California's pro-choice Governor Arnold Schawrzenegger to keep his reputation as moderate as possible.

Responding on behalf of Democratic nominee Jeff Merkley's campaign, Matt Canter called Smith's resignation a "flip flop" and warned Oregonians "Smith has switched his position on John McCain in an election year."  Not quite sure how Smith changed his position on McCain other than to clearly distance himself from the Arizona Senator.  Should we be expecting an email from the Smith campaign denouncing Merkley for "flip flopping" and admonishing former Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards on his extra-marital affair during the campaign season?

At the very least, both campaigns will likely keep us well entertained for the next three months.