GOP Senator Trumpets Obama Connection in Ad

A blue-state Republican senator up for re-election this fall is showing a serious case of candidate envy in a new ad, Talking Points Memo notes. Oregonian Gordon Smith's spot goes as follows: “Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment? Barack Obama! He joined with Gordon and broke through a 20-year deadlock.”

An Obama rep quickly reminded reporters that the Democrat is sticking with his party: “Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his … Republican colleagues. … But in this race, Oregonians should know” he supports Smith rival Jeff Merkley. Smith’s move is significant because he was an early John McCain endorser, MyDD adds. (More Gordon Smith stories.)