GOP Senator Banks on Obama in Oregon Race

Sen. Gordon Smith (R), a two-term moderate, points at opponent Jeff Merkley (D) during a lighter moment in their second debate in Medford. Voters' enthusiasm for Obama has translated to a swell in Democratic voter registrations. Recently, amid concerns that Smith's embrace of Obama was working, the nominee has appeared in ads for Merkley. (By Jim Craven -- Medford Mail Tribune Via Associated Press)

"There has been so much icky stuff," said Marny Gleboff, a retired librarian in Washington County, a Portland suburb that analysts call pivotal in voting that began last week, when Oregonians received their mail-in ballots. "Why doesn't he just quit being a Republican?"

"I think it stinks," said Judy, a retired utility worker and registered Democrat who said she twice before voted for Smith and who would give only her first name. "I think Smith has just shot himself in the foot, cut his own throat.

"I think if he just laid in the woods and paid attention to his own business, he might be okay."

Merkley has also faced bumps along the path to Nov. 4. The son of a lumber mill worker in rural Oregon, he did stints as a presidential national security fellow at the Pentagon and running Habitat for Humanity in Portland. In Salem, the self-described "policy guy" presided over a new Democratic majority in the state House during its most productive sessions in years.

But he challenged Smith only after more prominent Oregon Democrats declined to run and was nearly beaten by Portland activist Steve Novick in a primary Smith tried to influence by advertising against Merkley.

In the general election, most of the $27 million the two sides have spent on advertising has come from outside groups. One Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spot accuses Smith's frozen-food business of hiring illegal immigrants.

"He voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time," said Merkley, irked by Smith's effort to slipstream Obama.

But some voters say that if Smith survives, it will be thanks to an Oregon tradition Hatfield embodied.

"We cannot get away from the fact that Oregon is benefiting from a conservative Mormon senator and a liberal Jewish senator," said Deborah Burton, head nurse at a Portland hospital, referring to Smith and Wyden, respectively. The registered Democrat said she was at Smith's side last week because of his abiding support on a long list of issues.

"I can't speak for the rest," she said, "but health care is nonstop where it needs to be."