Sarah Palin: Governor of California?

The Oregon Senate debate was for the most part a display of two seasoned, well polished politicians. However, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) came up with the one noticeable gaff of the night.

"I met Sarah Palin once," Smith said. "She's a lovely person, she's a great governor of California."

Smith was answering a question asked by Jeff Mapes of the Oregonian regarding whether he thought Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee, was prepared to be president of the United States. Republicans have pushed the idea that Palin, the governor of Alaska, has extensive governing experience after being her state's chief executive.

"Governor Schwarzenegger is going to be very surprised to find he's been succeeded by Governor Palin," Smith's challenger, Jeff Merkley (D-Portland), said.

Smith laughed off his mistake, noting that he meant to say she was the executive of the country's largest state, not its most populous one. He went on to praise Palin.

"I think it's a wonderful thing that my party has reached out to women," Smith said. "Women are 51 percent of population. And I support John McCain. We need a reformer. Not someone that actually talks about it."

Smith said he would be sure to make up his misstatement to the real governor of California.

"I owe Governor Schwarzenegger a big apology," Smith said.