Behind the issue of picking a presidential candidate, that's a primary question for Oregon Democrats. Smith is, after all, the lone Republican holding a statewide office.
Frankly, the choice comes down to three very different candidates - Jeff Merkley, Steve Novick and Candy Neville. All three were impressive when they appeared in the primary's first debate in January in Pendleton.
The other three names on the ballot - David Loera, Roger Obrist and Pavel Goberman - are not serious candidates.
We believe Novick's unconventional and audacious style presents the best option for Democratic hopes to unseat Smith.
Quite frankly, the three candidates seem to have only minor differences on the primary issues - the economy, health care and the war. All three take distinctly Democratic stances on those issues.
Merkley certainly has all the qualifications and the support of the party's leadership. He has served capably as the Oregon House speaker, emphasizing compromise over conflict. He is obviously a master of details and his quiet, unassuming style would serve him well in the collegial confines of the U.S. Senate.
For pure passion, Neville would be the hands-down pick. Neville has become known as a single-issue candidate, speaking out strongly against the war and arguing eloquently our struggling economy is linked to our massive expenditures in Iraq.
Novick is certainly an improbable candidate: a 4-foot-9 Harvard lawyer with a hook instead of a left hand. More importantly for voters - as his Web site boasts - he's smart, committed and willing to stand up for what's right.
Novick has proven he's a savvy campaigner. His ads have attracted positive attention and his direct, honest answers seem to connect with voters.
Novick vows to be an outspoken advocate for Oregon and the issues that matter to all Americans - the economy, health care and the war. He also has Beltway experience fighting pollution by huge corporations.
He promises, if elected, to work closely with fellow Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden.
While the Democrats face a distinctly uphill battle to unseat our Sen. Smith - or maybe precisely because of that - their best choice is Steve Novick.
