UPDATE: Barack Obama responds to Smith ad

As I mentioned earlier today, incumbent Republican Gordon Smith's campaign has released a new ad which claims that Barack Obama praised Smith.

Well, Barack Obama just released a statement on the ad, and he made it clear he's not neutral in Oregon's U.S. Senate contest.

"Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate. But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

Another Smith ad, another denouncement from a Democrat that Smith hoped to align with in order to reinforce his sinking campaign.

Smith's strategy? Pretend that he is a Democrat while voting to give big corporations a pass (telecom immunity, anyone)? continuing to support the occupation of Iraq, and blocking the adoption of universal healthcare.