Personally, I'm not voting for either Smith or Merkley. Merkley is a known left wing liberal and Smith doesn't have the guts to align himself with his own party.

His harangue against Bush and the republcans is nauseating considering the fact it's the republican base which has kept him in office.

My Vote might be limited to the Presidential candidates only!

I can't see any other politicians in Oregon who represents my conservative interest.

If Smith wanted to be a politician he would have voted No just to prevent Merkley from being able to attack him but it is refreshing that he actually cared more about doing what he thought was right than trying to prevent an ad. Also, whether you want to believe it or not, that bill is doing just as much for "main street". Financial markets touch everyone in one way or another - even union pension funds are invested in the markets. No one benefits from a financial mess like this whether you are rich or poor.

Having lived abroad for a few millennia, it has been my bane to grow less familiar with the political terrain in my home state, but I know that processed food is a killer, and I read via Smith's blog in a linked press release that he acknowledges his company polluting the environment in Eastern Oregon in the past because (and excuse me if I paraphrase) times were different but he and his firm know better now so please give him a break in these trying times. That, plus he admits that turning away from the Bush camp does have its political motivation, but hey, why don't you vote for me anyway, or words/sentiments to that effect. Merkley has backpacked in Europe, so he gets my vote. All very reasonable, rational, informed and incisive, don't you think?

And I guessed correctly.

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Funding Available, No Banks, No Loans, No Bailouts, No Bull

I am a conservative democrat that is not thrilled with either choice, but since the economy is bad and federal dollars are going to be tight in the future, would it not be bad to have a Senator with seniority to throw the dollars Oregon's way?
Obama will be Pres and the dems will have their 60 in the Senate, so why not have Smith continue to get us our share?

Methinks Ron Wyden will do a fine job aquiring federal monies for Oregon, and not having Smith there to cancel his vote will do wonders for the country as well.

Are you still waiting for a trickle? It ain't coming, didn't you hear? And what kind of damage was done to our self esteem to believe a trickle was all we deserved anyway?