Merkley or Novick? What say the DU?

[funflower]

[FreedRadical]

1. Been for Novick for about a year now...

[0rganism]

2. I voted Novick, but it's not because I have anything against Merkely

Both of them seem like decent guys, and either one has an incredibly tough campaign in the general. Novick comes across as more convicted and more memorable, both traits will be key to having a ghost of a chance against Gordo.

[Pastiche423]

3. I changed my registration

so that I could vote for Steve Novick in then primary. Now, after seeing Merkley's latest tv ad, I'm very glad I did.

[funflower]

4. That's the add w/ snippets of something Novick alleged wrote on Blue Oregon?

[Pastiche423]

5. Yes

It's the same ad that Merkley says he approves at the end.

It's a disgusting ad.

[sandnsea]

6. Novick's attacks against Obama

are actually one of the reasons I decided not to vote for him. I don't care that he used to support Edwards, but it does seem a bit phony to have made some of the harsh comments he made at the time, and then think Obama's supporters will forget it when he jumps on the Obama train. Merkley pointed it out, that's fair and it's fair to consider Novick's personality when voting too. People who want a firebrand in office will know they would get one with Novick, maybe it'll help him in the end.

[Pastiche423]

7. Hey, if you like dirty campaigns - go for it

If a candidate has to resort to dirty campaignig, then it tells me he/she doesn't have enough postive attributes to win.

It's kind of like Clinton vs Obama.

I have only one more contest to vote for before I wheel my paper ballot over to the library. This time four years ago, I wrote in my choice for president. I may do the same this time.

[Blue Belle]

8. I'm writing in my choice for president....

althouh I'm still suck on who to vote for in the Senate race.

[Shoelace]

9. I think Merkley can actually beat Smith so am voting for him

he's better known, etc. Point being, I'd like to see Smith go and get another Democratic senator. Not voting with my heart this time but with my head.
Here's what electoralvote.com has to say:

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) is a moderate senator in a state that is trending Democratic. Although he won by 16% in 2002, his net approval rating is only 11%. While he has a fair shot at being reelected, his likely opponent, state House speaker, Jeff Merkley (D), could run the same campaign against him that Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) ran against former senator Lincoln Chafee (R) in Rhode Island: "Smith is a nice guy but do you want Mitch McConnell to be majority leader?" Merkley has a primary opponent, Steve Novick, but Merkeley is a well-known politician and Novick has never run for public office before, so the odds favor Merkley in the primary. This seat is definitely a Democratic priority.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Senate/Maps/May15-s.html

[Mme. Defarge]

10. Is this why Smith

is running an ad against Merkley? Because he'd rather run against Novick?

[Shoelace]

11. wish I knew

but knowing how the Republican political machine works, I'd not put anything past them, even Senator Smith who certainly has been more progressive during his friendship with Sen. Wyden.

Wouldn't it be great if we actually get a veto proof majority in Congress?

[Lefty-Taylor]

12. That was finally what tipped me to Merkley ... the electability issue.

Who knows, though. It was almost a coin toss for me.

[Athelwulf]

13. Three factors made me pick Novick.

One factor was I found out about him first, and knew more about him first. Merkley's outline of his issues on his website in fall 2007, which was when I started checking out the Senate election, felt lacking. Novick's, meanwhile, didn't. So I learned more about Novick. Merkley remained a mystery to me. His name took a short while to stick in my head, in fact. I believe I was aware he was the Speaker of the House, but I didn't realize at the time what it meant, namely that he was very influential in getting domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Which leads me to the second factor: I found out on Novick's site in fall 2007 that he supports same-sex marriage, a huge point-earner with me, looooong before I found out for sure a few weeks ago that Merkley did too. Novick declared it rather inconspicuously on his website, whereas you'd have to watch the Willamette Week endorsement interview video to hear Merkley say he supported same-sex marriage.

The third factor was that, soon after I learned about Novick, he came to Klamath Falls. And I'm not aware of Merkley doing any campaign tours like Novick did. He almost certainly never came to Klamath Falls. To me, that makes Novick seem a bit more dedicated. Any politician who comes to Klamath Falls (and thinks the right stuff) earns many points with me.

That said, I would certainly not be sorely disappointed if Merkley wins. He's quite good enough in my book. I just think Novick is a bit better, is all.

[hayu_lol]

14. Athelwulf...are you also in Kalamity Flats?

I went for Merkley over Novick based pretty much on educational background. I felt he was a slightly better choice who might just appeal to a larger voting block. Would be nice to return Smith to the frozen food bidness.

[Athelwulf]

20. Why yes!

And apparently you were right about Merkley appealing to slightly more voters. It does feel a little disappointing that my personal favorite didn't win, but needless to say, unseating Smith is the real goal. :)

[ellisonz]

15. Merkley...

...can actually win. Novick will struggle outside of Portland Metro.

[Pastiche423]

17. I don't think you are aware of Novick's popularity

in the southern part of the state. But we'll know in a few hours.

GO NOVICK!

[ellisonz]

22. 45-42-7 for Merkley.

Novick only carried 3 counties, and the 2 that were not Multnomah only by a hair, and none of them in the Southern part of the state.

[Quantess]

16. I just voted for Merkley, but it was a tossup.

They both seem great. I want to be sure that Gordon Smith loses, so if Merkley might have a better chance to unseat Smith, then I'm going with Merkley.

[bhikkhu]

18. I voted for Merkley, and it looks like he has it.

Based on little information...but Smith has been airing ridiculously negative "Merkley: more of the same" adds.

Usually when they will spend money for ads to destroy a guy that is a good indication of who they are afraid of...

[Athelwulf]

21. "More of the same" indeed.

I saw that ad and laughed. It basically said to me, "Vote for Gordon Smith: He'll bring change, because he's the incumbent!"

[bhikkhu]

19. Smith is a * tool - vote the dem

It looks like Merkley has it, and Smith is looking like a Rovian bastard. If I may say so.

If I knew nothing more of Smith than the campaign he has run against the Dems this time around I would be happy to see him forgotten. Oregon has had enough of * and his replicants.