1st Gordon Smith Flip Flop Alert: Global Warming

Warning to Oregonians: Smith May Switch Position In Election Year

Jeff Merkley's campaign for U.S. Senate is issuing the first Gordon Smith Flip Flop Alert, warning Oregonians that Smith may decide to switch his position in an election year. While Smith votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time, he flip flops on key issues in an election year in order to pretend he is a moderate, independent, and bipartisan. The Merkley campaign will be issuing Smith Flip Flop Alerts to help keep the media, bloggers, and all Oregonians apprised of the evolving Smith Myth.

Since coming to Congress Smith has voted against measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least three times. All three times Smith canceled out Ron Wyden's vote. [Vote 148, 6/22/05; Vote 149, 6/22/05; Vote 420, 10/30/03]

Smith could flip-flop this week when the Lieberman-Warner-Boxer Climate Security Act comes up for a vote. This legislation would institute a cap-and-trade system that would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, help America achieve energy independence, and create good paying green-collar jobs.

House Speaker Jeff Merkley, who championed the strongest global warming reduction measures in the nation, has urged Smith to support this legislation and relieve our dependence on foreign oil.

While Gordon Smith was giving tax breaks to oil companies and opposing efforts to relieve our dependence on foreign oil, Jeff Merkley:

• worked to require Oregon to obtain 25% of its energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2025;
• established a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050;
• and created and expanded renewable energy tax credits for consumers and businesses that encourage investment in energy efficiency, conservation and renewables.

Over his career Gordon Smith has taken over $275,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry and delivered more than $18 billion in taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies. [Center for Responsive Politics; 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 voted against measures to increase fuel economy standards at least four times. Smith's votes include a vote against an amendment to boost Café standards to 40 MPG in both 2005 and 2003 and a vote to halve the subsidies for car companies to research fuel efficient engines. [Vote 157, 6/23/05; Vote 309, 7/29/03; Washington Times, 7/30/03; www.LCV.org; Vote 309, 7/29/03; Vote 48, 3/13/02]

While running for re-election in 2002, Republican Gordon Smith pledged to the people of Oregon that he would oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Then in 2005 and 2006, Smith voted three times to allow drilling. [Vote 74, 3/16/06; Anchorage Daily News, 3/17/06; Vote 364, 12/21/05; AP, 12/20/05; Vote 303, 11/3/05; Los Angeles Times, 11/4/05]

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has given Smith a career rating of 28.9. But last year, after six Republican senators lost reelection and while Smith prepared for his own reelection battle, he dashed toward the center and amassed a 70+ record, according to LCV - a great anomaly for his career.

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Posted June 4, 2008
Press