Merkley sounds familiar tune in new television ad

For those following the U.S. Senate primary between Jeff Merkley and Steve Novick, Merkley’s new television spot, which went on air yesterday, will sound familiar notes.

The ad is a cheat sheet of Novick’s sometimes harsh words about his fellow Democrats: in 2006, he wrote "Obama gives me nothing to like very much and one thing to intensely dislike," as the conclusion of a run-down of the voting histories of John Edwards and Barack Obama.

In a post on Blue Oregon in 2006 urging Al Gore to run, Novick noted that “if Hillary Clinton is a coward on the war, and a traitress on the First Amendment, why should we expect anything else when it comes to global warming?"

Merkley has wielded these quotes throughout the campaign, saying in the past that if nothing else, they will make it more difficult for Novick to work with either Obama or Clinton on Oregon issues. They have come up at debates and on YouTube videos, and now are the centerpiece of the televised ad.

According to Merkley’s campaign, the ad “contrasts Jeff Merkley's positive leadership style with professional political consultant Steve Novick's record of insulting Democrats.”

The extent of the contrast in the ad is a narrator comment in the last ten seconds: “Jeff Merkley believes in bringing us together, not tearing people down. That's the change Democrats need.”

Matt Canter, Merkley’s spokesman, expanded on the contrast and further highlight the change mantra: "Jeff Merkley is a leader who brings people together to fight for change. That's how he took back the Oregon House, cracked down on payday lenders, took on big drug companies, and protected a woman's right to choose.”

Canter also pointed out that the ad was a response to negative spots run by Sen. Gordon Smith and Novick over the past couple of weeks. Smith’s ad hit on Merkley’s decision to fundraise during the legislative session (as well as on Novick for celebrating taxes), while Novick’s spot mentioned the difference between his view and that of his opponents’ on Social Security taxes.

“You can’t talk about hope and change,” responded Jake Weigler, Novick’s campaign manager, “and use the same old moves out of the establishment playbook.”

“The ad is a pathetic statement. He is trying to force a wedge among Democrats,” Weigler also noted.

Weigler’s comments were reflected in a statement released today by Novick regarding the ad, in which the candidate says Merkley must know it is ridiculous that his best argument is “some out-of-context quotes from strong remarks I made in 2006 blog posts.”

"Jeff Merkley is accusing me of dividing Democrats, but his campaign is the only one circulating these out-of-context statements – to the media, at positive Democratic gatherings around the state and now in advertising. He is doing a disservice to the Democratic cause in this election,” Novick continued.