I find it disheartening that this post links to Kari Chrisholm's (founder of blueoregon.ocom) novickinsultsdemocrats.com, which is a wholly dishonest representations of the the truth. While Merkley's policies are progressive, he is standard politician - the same kind of politician Gordon Smith knows how to beat. Steve Novick is the most inspiring, refreshing candidate to emerge from Oregon in a long time. His supposed "insults" to democrats is entirely disingenuous, as all of his criticisms were gleaned from year and a half old blog posts that are criticizing democrats for not being progressive enough. Novick represents the only real change that Oregon can afford.

Although Merkley adopts the right position on this issue, Novick has already spoken out against unacceptable FISA bills, as well as supporting Reid's recent delay of the bill.

Check out Steve's statement on the previous FISA rollover by democrats:
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title =1137840915&channel=1137862206

Everyone should support Steve, because he actually is the most qualified candidate with the best chance of defeating Gordon Smith.

In my view, Chris' analysis is spot on. It seems that Obama's support remains high in the blogospere due to his character even though he doesn't meet all the criteria, and Hillary will never be well-liked by us, as she's a triangulating centrist. Edwards is liked precisely because he meets the above criteria. To me, that seems to  suggest that Edwards is the best candidate.

Regardless of the algorithm, I continue to be amazed by the brilliance of the googlebombing concept. Fascinating.