Smith Won't Chair McCain Campaign in Oregon

Oregon Senator Gordon Smith says he will not be the Oregon chairman of Senator John McCain's Oregon presidential campaign.

Smith, who is Oregon's only Republican elected statewide, was Oregon chairman for President Bush's two Oregon campain efforts. Former Governor Victor Atiyeh will take the chairman job instead. Smith says he needs the time to campaign against challenger Jeff Merkley. He also will skip the Republican convention this summer, citing the same reason.

Merkley said Smith is trying to distance himself from other Republicans and would "throw his good friend John McCain under the bus to win re-election."