"Kidding"

Gordon Smith is rated one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country and he is already resorting to desperate campaign tactics. On Friday, Smith released a negative ad falsely attacking Merkley - a clear sign of Smith's vulnerability.

Jeff Merkley led historic bipartisan ethics reform to ban gifts from lobbyists, close the revolving door for legislators, and restore the independent Ethics Commission. Meanwhile, Smith opposed ethics reforms and fought for the special interests who bankroll his campaign.

Smith Sides with Special Interest Campaign Contributors

Gordon Smith raised over $760,000 from the timber industry and voted to gut environmental regulations. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/2/08; Senate vote #266, 9/9/99]

Smith has taken more than $275,000 from oil and gas interests and delivered $18 billion in taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/2/08; Senate vote #69, 4/2/98; Senate vote #456, 11/21/03; Senate vote #67, 4/7/04; Senate vote #331, 11/17/05]

Smith has taken more than $265,000 from pharmaceutical companies, and voted against allowing the federal government to negotiate for lower drug prices for seniors. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/2/08; Senate vote #60, 3/17/05]

Smith Opposes Ethics Reform in Washington DC.

Twice Gordon Smith voted against creating an independent ethics committee to investigate charges of misconduct of public officials. [Senate vote 77, 3/28/06, Senate vote 18, 1/18/07]

Smith protected a loophole that allowed the coworkers of registered lobbyists to provide gifts and meals to members of Congress or their staffs. [Senate vote #80, 3/29/06]

Posted May 7, 2008
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