Blurring The Lines

Just how bad is it out there for cong. GOPers? Just ask OR's Gordon Smith.

-- It's no surprise Smith isn't eager to remind voters of his party ID. But his latest ad is so complimentary of Obama ("Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment? Barack Obama!") that the Obama camp felt obliged to reiterate his support for Dem Jeff Merkley. If Senate Dems get to 58 or 59 seats, does Smith's ad suggest he's the first recruiting call they'd make?

-- To be sure, Smith's success in OR depends on his ability to appear non-ideological and bipartisan. It's not a new tactic. NE's Nelson (D) featured Pres. Bush's complimentary words of him in his '06 ads.

-- But is this unique to Smith or the start of a trend? If so, who's likely to follow? MN's Coleman and ME's Collins are also running as moderate, aisle-crossers. Yet Obama's margin in OR is likely to be bigger than in the other two states.

-- What does Smith's ad say about how GOPers plan to deal w/McCain? It's one thing for GOPers to run from Bush, but ignoring their WH nom suggests the GOP label is still a big problem.