Republican senator turns blue

Oregon Republican Sen. Gordon Smith expects a blue tide to roll accross his state this November, and he hopes to ride it all the way to Washington.  He's just released a new ad that implies that he and Barack Obama are total BFFs when it comes to developing better public policies.

"Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment?" the ad asks. "Barack Obama."

Dude is seriously tripping, said the Obama campaign.  "Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington."

 Hat Tip: Ben Smith at Politico