Oregon Public Broadcasting

Sen. Gordon Smith's campaign says it will give away $10,000 it received from indicted Alaska senator Ted Stevens. Ethan Lindsey reports on the campaign's latest developments.

With about three months until Election Day, neither Smith, nor Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley, seems to have found an overarching campaign theme.

Not that they haven't tried.

For instance, in the wake of Ted Stevens' indictment, Merkley spokesman Matt Canter said Smith needs to explain the $39,000 he received from the Alaska Republican.

Matt Canter: “And now he says he's giving away $10,000, but what about the other $29,000?”

$29,000 Stevens donated to Smith before 2006.

Smith spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride says it's Merkley who needs to do the explaining.

She says this week, the Democrat highlighted his plan to lower gas prices.

Lindsay Gilbride: “And one point in that plan seems to be lifted straight from the Center for American Progress' website.”

Merkley's campaign says the Center for American Progress is a policy think tank - its ideas are meant to be borrowed.

Both candidates insist voters want to focus on policy.

But, at the same time, the campaigns have traded barbs about everything from golf clubs to Ikea furniture.