Well this is interesting news indeed. Will incumbent republican senator Gordon Smith switch parties next? He's been running from the Republican party since May.
First there were the ads touting Smith's independence and bipartisanship. Wrong. Then, there was the one where he said he was among the first to stand up to Bush on the War. I think not. Then he canceled his big golfing fund raiser. Then he acted like he and Obama were best buds. Wrong. But Jeff Merkley was still able to raise more money than Smith. Gordon Smith is still (last I heard) chair of McCain's campaign in OR, but hmm, now there is a new honorary co-chair. And now, it appears that Gordon Smith will not go to the Republican convention because:
"That’s a week where he can be here and focused on the campaign"
How close is this race? Close enough that Smith needs to be in Oregon every day apparently and can't spare a week for the convention. Merkley, on the other hand, had plenty of time to visit with folks at Netroots Nation.
I like where this is going.