“Democrat Jeff Merkley has ousted Republican Sen. Gordon Smith, a victory once considered unlikely against an incumbent who had highlighted his efforts to work across the aisle in hopes of surviving a wave of anti-GOP sentiment. It was the first time in 40 years that an incumbent senator from Oregon has been booted from office. Smith was the last GOP senator along the West Coast south of Alaska.” [editor’s note: And while the article doesn’t deign to mention it, Merkley’s 40,000+ vote margin of victory was more than covered by Constitution Party candidate Dave Brownlow’s 80,000+ votes - TLK] (11/07/08)