As expected, we're seeing Republicans all over the country try to blur the distinctions between themselves and their Democratic opponents this cycle, but none is more brazen about it than Oregon Senator Gordon Smith. You might recall the ad in which Smith, the Republican sitting senator, claimed to be the true agent of change versus his (then) two potential Democratic challengers. And then, in late June, once Jeff Merkley was the nominee, Smith released an ad in which he essentially implied that he had been endorsed by Barack Obama. The Obama campaign immediately released a statement that read:

"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.

Obama might want to break open that statement again now that Smith has featured him AND John Kerry in his most recent ad. Watch it below and see if you can spot the Republican.

One of the more satisfying things about Smith's embrace of Barack Obama as political cover has got to be the fact that Smith was an early supporter of John McCain's. You don't hear Smith touting that endorsement anymore. But perhaps even more satisfying is that since Smith began running these Smith = Obama ads, Merkley managed to gain 11 points on Smith. So, please, by all means, keep it up, Senator.

Why would Oregonians want to vote for a fake Democrat when they can send the real thing to Washington?