Feldman Group (D) OR-SEN: Smith Slightly Ahead

Feldman Group (D) Oregon Poll conducted 5/12-5/16 of 800 LVs:

Sen. Gordon Smith (R) 45%
State House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) 42%

Caveat: this is a Democratic poll. This poll has Smith's job approval rating at just 29% (which is awfully tough to believe), but it's still clear that President Bush's job low job approval and the majority of voters who think the country is on the wrong track could really drag down Smith. Merkley just won the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, and we've seen in several other states that challengers who have won primaries got a boost in the polls. Still SLIGHT ADVANTAGE FOR SMITH, but as the national tide continues to build against the Republicans this year, Merkley could easily wind up being the favorite.