An internal poll conducted by Senate candidate Jeff Merkley’s (D-Portland) campaign shows Merkley pulling ahead of U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton), 43-41 percent.

The poll, which was conducted by Peter Brodnitz of the Benenson Strategy Group in Washington D.C., pointed to Smith’s diminishing job approval rating as a big reason voters were inching toward Merkley. The poll shows 61 percent of voters disapproving of the job Smith has done, which increased by 4 percent in August. It also shows that 70 percent of undecided voters disapprove of the job Smith is doing.

“Voters clearly want candidates that are talking about the issues, and that’s what Jeff Merkley is doing,” Merkley campaign spokesman Matt Canter said. “And rather than talking about healthcare and the economy, Senator Smith is talking about hot dogs and furniture.”

Smith spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride seemed unconcerned by increasing voter discontent with the incumbent Senator.

“This is a competitive race as expected,” Gilbride said. “There will be many polls between now and election day."

Bronditz was named “Pollster of the Year” last year by the American Association of Political Consultants for the work he did for Gov. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Virginia) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.   For this poll, Benenson Strategy Group conducted 702 interviews statewide with likely voters September 7-9, 2008. The margin of error is ±3.7 percent.