Merkley: Smith Should Renounce the "Rogue"

Tobacco Lobbyist Richard Berman Props Up Smith with New Misleading Ad Campaign

House Speaker Jeff Merkley today called on Republican Gordon Smith to renounce the efforts of the Employee Freedom Action Committee and its sponsor, tobacco company lobbyist Richard Berman, who are trying to prop up Smith's reelection with a new misleading ad campaign attacking Merkley for championing the Employee Free Choice Act in Oregon. Smith opposes the Employee Free Choice Act, which is supported by a bipartisan coalition in Congress. [Eugene Register Guard, 5/23/08]

Willamette Week has named the Employee Freedom Action Committee its Rogue of the Week for creating, "a political action group that tries to mislead voters, in part by pretending to be an aggrieved grass-roots movement." [WWeek, 5/28/05]

"Gordon Smith should renounce this rogue and the special interests that are bankrolling this organization," said Speaker Merkley. "Shadowy groups like this are planning to come into Oregon and mislead voters about important issues at stake in this election. Smith has fought hard to protect these interests and now they are protecting him."

Richard Berman also led the Guest Choice Network, a front group that downplayed the effects of secondhand smoke, bolstered Phillip Morris' Accommodation Program and opposes initiatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Berman is also counsel for the American Beverage Institute, which also fronts for the tobacco industry. Earlier in his career Berman fought the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Berman and other special interests from the tobacco and oil industries are investing heavily to support Smith's reelection. While he says he is moderate, independent, and bipartisan, Gordon Smith has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time and has fought for the most powerful special interests.

Smith Vacationed With Tobacco Lobbyists

Smith is so tight with big tobacco companies he traveled to Ireland on a trip paid for by tobacco industry lobbyists.

In 2005, The Hill reported that Smith and four other Republicans took a trip paid for by the Washington lobbying firm, Kessler & Associates Business Services Inc. Kessler represented cigarette maker Altria, formerly known as Philip Morris. Smith and the four other Republicans stayed at Ashford Castle during their trip. [The Hill, 5/4/05]

Posted May 28, 2008
Press