Obama: Umm, I back the Democrat

It's come to this: A Republican US senator, trying to keep his seat in November when there could be a Democratic surge, is citing praise of him by presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, who then has to clarify that he is actually supporting the Democratic candidate.

Gordon Smith of Oregon -- whose primary Obama carried handily and where he had the biggest rally of the campaign with more than 75,000 people packed into a Portland park -- says in a TV ad that Obama praises his partnership on a bill to increase fuel efficiency standards. "I'm Gordon Smith and I approve working together across party lines," he says.

In case Oregon voters were confused, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton issued this statement tonight: “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.”