[cross posted at Loaded Orygun]

Not that we didn't see this coming, but it looks like the DSCC is already unabashedly favoring Jeff Merkley over Steve Novick in the primary. They've put Merkley's picture and a blurb about his announcement on their front page flash animation and when you click through to race profile page, they have this to say:

Gordon Smith is considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for re-election in 2008. Oregon Speaker of the House Jeff Merkley is one Democrat ready to hold him accountable. Voters don't trust Smith as a June Grove Insight poll notes only 37% of Oregon voters approve of his job performance. Democrats are prepared to hold his feet to the fire for his staunch support of Bush's flawed Iraq policy. The DSCC has already run ads against Gordon Smith for his votes supporting Bush's Iraq escalation plan. Voters know Smith stands with George Bush and the Republican Party. In sharp contrast, Speaker Merkley just lead one of the most effective, efficient and progressive legislative sessions in Oregon's history. Merkley pushed through landmark legislation on health care, education, energy indpendence, ethics and tax relief for working families. Speaker Merkley is in a primary race against Steve Novick.

Obviously Schumer and Co. prefer Merkley to Novick, but is this fairly blatant and public preferential treatment* a sign that they're going to jump into the primary? I hope not. I like Jeff Merkley a lot. He has, indeed, done incredible things in the Oregon legislature, and he's a terrific advocate for his constituents and for all Oregonians. But that doesn't mean Steve Novick, who announced his candidacy in April has already raised more than two hundred thousand dollars, doesn't deserve a shot. He's got better name recognition than Merkley, and is currently taking 61% in an online poll at KPOJ. (I know, unscientific, ballot stuffing, etc. Still...)

That's why I'm going to call and email the DSCC and tell them to spend their money exposing Smith for the extremist he is, not telling me who to vote for in the primary. Let Oregon's voters decide who is best to take on Smith.

* Try to find Steve's name on the DSCC website anywhere else -- seriously, do a search in the news feed for "Novick."