Gordon Smith race gets crowded recently

Last week two Democratic challengers went public with their considerations to run against U.S. Senator Gordon Smith. House Speaker Jeff Merkley admitted he took a candidate fact finding Washington D.C. trip. The same week Ashland radio host Jeff Golden announced possible intentions to run. (You could also add in New Seasons co-founder Eileen Brady who announced three weeks ago).

These candidates are taking full advantage of the glorious media spotlight coronations that are being offered to anyone who will announce a run. You can see this when the Oregonian runs a large editorial headlined “Run, Somebody, Run“. Did the Oregonian run such headlines when there was no viable challengers to Senator Wyden? Congressmen Hooley?

On another note, this episode is a good lesson in how serious Democratic members take such races and the willingness to unload endless candidates to make something stick in the end. Do the Republicans have such people lined up for state races in 2008? Can’t name a solid candidate, can you?