Obama touts Democrat Jeff Merkley in new TV ad in tight Oregon Senate race

[cal04]

http://www.startribune.com/nation/33264624.html

Barack Obama unveiled a TV ad Friday urging Oregon voters to support Democrat Jeff Merkley in a hard-fought race against Republican Sen. Gordon Smith.

The 30-second ad marks the first time Obama has done a TV ad for another candidate in the general election, according to Obama's Oregon spokeswoman, Sahar Wali. She said Oregon's vote-by-mail system made it important to get the ad up on the air now since voters already have received their ballots.

In the ad, Obama tells Oregon voters they have a choice: "Stick with the failed Washington policies that put CEOs and special interests first" or real change.

"That change is Jeff Merkley," Obama says. "With Jeff Merkley in the U.S. Senate we can get our country back on track."

[bhikkhu]

1. That's great to hear

Smith apparently has tons of $, and has used it to relentlessly smear Merkley for over a month now - radio, tv, direct mail - there's no escape.

I have to say, before this election I had only a mild dislike of Smith, but anyone who has such deep pockets to run such a vicious campaign really needs to go.