Democratic Senate Hopefuls Debate In Newport

ELECTIONS 

By Ethan Lindsey

Newport, OR  April 7, 2008 11:27 a.m.

Oregon's Democratic senate primary has emerged as a surprisingly close race, even though national Democrats have given more than $100,000 to their favoriteam Oregon house speaker Jeff Merkley. Merkley  is fighting one of several primary rivals, attorney Steve Novick, with all he's got. Ethan Lindsey reports on the latest skirmish -- a debate on the Oregon cost sponsored by the Associated Press and the League of Women Voters.

Like their presidential counterparts, Oregon's Democratic Senate hopefuls agree on most policy issues.   They differ on the question of how to create political change.   

Speaker Jeff Merkley, who worked in Washington and Salem in elected and appointed office, goes first.

Then, rival Steve Novick, a political consultant in Oregon.

Jeff Merkley: "You tore down Obama as a complete sell-out and a special interest fraud. You attacked Clinton as a coward and as a 'traitress'."

Steve Novick: "Sometimes I have too sharp a tongue, but I really don't think Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are going to be spending their time reading 2-year-old blog posts."  

Even as they pummeled each other, Novick and Merkley were most critical of Republican incumbent senator Gordon Smith.  

Despite Smith's large edge in money and name recognition, political observers say the Democratic nominee will have a legitimate chance to win in November.

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