Wyden stumps for Merkley in latest ad

Jeff Merkley's Senate campaign released a new political ad Thursday featuring U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Portland) assuring Oregonians that they will soon be free from political ads.

“I'm Ron Wyden and I have some really good news,” Wyden says in the beginning of the ad. “The political ads will be over in less than a month."

But the senior senator had a more immediate, and more political message, for voters until then.
 
"So let's turn off the TV, and do something positive," Wyden says. "Let's support Jeff Merkley for Senate. Jeff and I will work hard to put the economy back on track.”

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) has been playing up his partnership with Wyden in recent weeks, but Wyden said that he was advocating for Merkley because he's someone who would be a good partner in the Senate for Barack Obama, should he be elected president.

"Even with a new President, Oregon won't get the change it deserves unless the U.S. Senate can deliver 60 votes to take the country in a very different direction from the policies of the Bush administration," Wyden said in a statement.  "Jeff will be a critical partner in fighting for Barack Obama's agenda for change."

Smith campaign spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride said it was nice of Wyden to offer support for Merkley's candidacy, but Smith was still looking forward to being Wyden's partner in the Senate.

"An endorsement is fine for a candidate, but the Smith-Wyden partnership is effective and works for Oregonians," Gilbride said. "Senator Smith looks forward to working with Senator Wyden next year, as he has the previous 12."