OR Senate: Merkely Knocks Off Smith

Before I could get to Part II, The Oregonian had to go and call the Oregon Senate race for Democrat Jeff Merkely. Projected results from heavily Democratic Multnomah County seem to indicate that Sen. Gordon Smith will be defeated in his bid for a third term. While Smith is as of yet not conceding, this one looks all but wrapped up. Smith's unseating makes six Senate pickups for the Democrats this cycle, and puts them just three seats away from the likely unattainable filibuster-proof majority.