What is it about Smith in OR that gets him so many votes?

[AlinPA]

OR has 141,640 more Democrats than republicans.

[patrice]

1. churches?

[AlinPA]

2. Looks like a lot of Democrats voted for him

[Staph]

3. I have some friends in Oregon,

very progressive (he powers his vehicle with biodiesel), and they intended to vote for Smith. They view him as very progressive as well, and they aren't tied to a specific party.

[swishyfeet]

4. He's far from the douchiest repub around and keeps his head down

From his ads (those that weren't absurdly negative) you'da thought he was best buddies with Obama.

Big money and incumbency almost pulled it off for him.

And that big democratic advantage is only now coming into play. Portland was really slow counting votes.