Oregon Elephant

Merkley - He seemed somewhat uncomfortable, like he was gathering his courage for a schoolyard fight in which he wasn't the biggest kid. I think he was trying hard to show he belonged on a big stage. He recited his lines fine, but I'm just not sure he won over any undecided voters. His rhetoric was very populist, left-leaning. It will appeal to his base, but I'm not sure independents will be convinced. His statement at the end that "we don't run negative ads, we run issue ads" was just silly. It doesn't impress when the audience is laughing at you. Grade: C+ Smith - He seemed comfortable and ready to go at it. He seemed ready for the questions about negative campaigning, and put Merkley on the defensive with his offer to bilaterally stop the negative ads. He fell into pettiness at times, and seemed a little prickly in his confrontations with Merkley. But all in all, he seemed the more moderate, which will appeal to independents, who are the real...

Merkley - It was fine, but nothing unusual. Smith - says he was rated 50 out of 100 senators in ideology - says he is "the center of the senate". Two phrases he has used multiple times "you can believe his rhetoric, or you can believe his record." and "i have always been there for rural oregon." Smith's close was a little stronger, but neither statement was terrible or terrific.

Questioner mentioned Gordon Smith's offer to stop negative ads on both sides. Merkley - "I don't have negative ads, I have ISSUE ads." Audience laughed - I don't think Merkley was trying to be funny. Bad moment for Merkley.

Question on global warming.... Merkley - Basic stock liberal stump speech. Was fine. Smith - When salmon fisherman have problems, I've been there to help them. Talks about the farmers he's helped. I'm for natural resources, but people count too. Smith's answer was a little better.

What can we do to not become even more of a debtor nation? Smith - Gives the stock moderate position, strengthen the dollar, some public assistance Merkley - talks about bush/smith giveaways. Infrastructure, Green energy, Obama tax cut. I think Merkley's answer was a little better...

say three positive things about your opponent? Smith said three things personal, but not voting things.... Merkley said he voted with Bush 90% of the time, so he was with Oregon 10% of the time. That seems a little like a strange thing to say...does that mean every Bush position is wrong, and every non-Bush position is right? And Merkley is showing himself as a bipartisan....?

Doesn't want to punish business...relates it to jobs. Smart move. Merkley also talking about jobs, and how Smith's policies are resulting in lost jobs. They both know this is a hot button. "Cheney energy plan"....this is the second time Cheney has been mentioned. Ah, Cheney again! Now three mentions. Smith - Obama also voted for the bill. Merkley supports windfall taxes. Merkley doesn't address the fact that Obama also supported the bill.