Wyden: ‘I am enthusiastically for Jeff Merkley’

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Portland) Monday stated his support for Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) in his bid to unseat Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton), in spite of Smith's campaign touting his work with Wyden on health care.

"Here's the thing; I am enthusiastically for Jeff Merkley," Wyden said.

Despite re-clarifying his position, Wyden sought to stay above the campaign fray that has entangled Merkley and Smith in recent weeks, which has encompassed everything from Smith's voting record to the State Capitol remodel that occurred on Merkley's watch.

"I don't do negative politics," Wyden said. "But you got to have a senate that can pass President Obama's agenda."