[Full disclosure: My firm manages Ron Wyden's campaign website, but I speak only for myself.]

I watched Smith several times on the campaign trail while running against Merkley. Honestly, I didn't get the sense that his heart was in it at all.

After the sausage grinder of that Senate campaign ended--I think Smith was pleased to head into something with a little more peace involved.

I think this is just another example of Tiernan talking out his ass.

I'm thinking that Gordon Smith is probably have more fun than he's had in a long time, hanging out with the kids, working on his golf game, etc.

He sure has the golf clubs to do it with.

And, frankly, more power to him. There's nothing wrong with being rich. What's wrong is twisting all the levers of government you can to benefit the rich at the expense of everyone else.

I'm with Carla. Tiernan is just a loose cannon trying to get attention in the media. Smith will never run against Wyden. He would get slaughtered and it would be very intense hard work that he is not interested in doing.

This is also a way for Tiernan to imply that the Republicans have candidates who can compete state-wide when they actually don't have anyone.

Smith would get waxed by Wyden. Running against Wyden would undermine the entire bipartisan shtick that Smith has been trying to sell for the last two years. People have short memories but they don't forget that easily and they aren't going to be less tired of seeing his mug on tv.

What do I think?

That Tiernan and the Oregon GOP leadership are clearly abusing the medical marijuana law and lighting up for recreational, not medicnal, reasons.

ROFL

Ditto what Mitch said!

Frank -- He can be ambassador to New Zealand (which would make him the third Oregon Republican in a row to get that gig). But only if he promises to stay there at least through the end of 2010.

"That Tiernan and the Oregon GOP leadership are clearly abusing the medical marijuana law and lighting up for recreational, not medicnal, reasons."

And thanks to our new President, they don't have to worry about their door being beaten down by the Feds...

What do you think?

I think it's more likely that Kari runs against Wyden than Gordo. Poor Republicans, scrabbling around looking for something to inspire hope.

I think the economy is likely to create a lot of turmoil in politics two years from now, perhaps creating opportunities that do not now exist. I don't rate Smith a likely, but would not rate him out. I've been worried that the priorities in the pending stimulus (laying off teachers while funding roads and bridges, and generally leaving Oregon state government without the funding stability it needs, for examples) may create problems in the Democratic base. If the public over times come to see this stimulus, and others to come, as inadequate or incompetent, then there will be opportunities for non-incumbents.

Posted by: Dave Porter | Feb 12, 2009 5:40:06 PM

Worth keeping in mind of course.

But you might be overlooking the fact that this emergency stimulus bill is just the first step. We haven't even gotten to the regular appropriations or the actual budget yet. That is where most of the things that were cut from the emergency bill will go back in. Many of the things Snowe, Nelson, and others who were pushing for cuts in the stimulus bill were saying flat out that they support the funding for the National Science Foundation, the increase in education spending, etc. but through the regular appropriations bill process and not as part of the emergency stimulus bill.

Same thing with the reproductive services spending that Planned Parenthood were peeved when it got stripped from the bill.

The Omnibus spending bill, and the transportation bill is up this year, and we are going to move on universal health-care. This is only the first step of many big moves that can and will be taken. This, and the financial stabilization package are the triage stage.

There is more on the way to do the heavy lifting to turn this around.

Nah. I don't think Smith has the drive to be Governor. He's a glory-hound and a good-old-boy, and I think retirement suits him.

Let's draft DeFazio and make sure he stays out for good.

Whoops - wrong race.

The answer to the Senate question is heck no. He'd get smoked.

Steve M wrote about Gordon Smith: "What's wrong is twisting all the levers of government you can to benefit the rich at the expense of everyone else."

Yes, Gordon's good at that, as are Bob Tiernan, Dan Lavey, and the rest of the ORGOP crowd. That's why ORGOP and the RSCC will do everything they can to get Wyden out and Gordon back in.

You have to have been a member of Trumpeters to know the mindset. I was once and never will be again but I do know that the urge to purge Wyden is extremely strong and Gordon's their golden boy. One can never ignore the will of the Mormon church. Gordon will run whether his heart's in it or not because his ideology is willing and controlling. And if he doesn't, then watch out for the governor's race.