New Merkley Campaign Ad: Oregon Deserves Better

Smith Wants to Talk Furniture, But Forgets to Check His Facts

In a new ad Jeff Merkley's campaign is exposing Smith's deceptive attacks and informing voters that Smith's own top aide voted to approve the bipartisan plan to renovate the capitol.

View the ad here:

Newspapers from Portland to Pendleton slammed Gordon Smith for his campaign's bogus ads. The Oregonian, The Statesman Journal, The Daily Astorian, and Smith's hometown newspaper, The East Oregonian all criticized Smith for talking about furniture when the economy, energy and Iraq need immediate attention.

Documents from the Legislature show that Gordon Smith's own top aide, State Director Kerry Tymchuk, approved the capitol renovation project and called the project "thoughtful" and "innovative." [A Blueprint for a 21st Century Legislature, 11/13/06; Minutes of the Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature, 11/13/06]

Tymchuk served on the Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature and recommended a complete renovation of the capitol facility, including renovation of the wings of the capitol. The recommendation states clearly the need for "ergonomic furnishings." [PCOL Facilities Committee Recommendation, 7/24/06]

The subcommittee that made the recommendation detailed what kind of new furniture the Legislature should include in the wings. According to minutes from the subcommittee, both Democrats and Republicans acknowledged that the current furniture was not functional and discussed specific "pragmatic enhancements." They recommended that the Legislature use leather, not fabric, since it is more cost-effective. The subcommittee called these furniture upgrades "pragmatic" and said the renovation is "not fancy and expensive, but rather functional and timeless." [Minutes of the PCOL Facilities Committee, 4/14/06]

After the furniture discussion took place in the subcommittee, Tymchuk requested a 15 minute recess to review the final report and wholeheartedly approved their recommendations. In fact, he gave them a ringing endorsement, voting in favor of the subcommittee recommendations and calling the report "thoughtful" and "innovative." He never raised one question about the furniture. [Minutes of the PCOL, 11/13/06]

Gordon Smith's furniture attack is his latest attempt to distract voters from his record voting with George Bush nearly 90 percent of the time. In fact, Smith nearly always supports the Bush-Cheney position except in an election year when he flip-flops on important issues to pretend he is moderate. It is the Smith Myth. [CQ Member Profile]

The truth is that Gordon Smith has been a rubber stamp for George Bush

• Tax breaks for oil companies at a time of record gas prices [Senate vote #222, 6/21/07]
• Tax loopholes for corporations that ship jobs overseas [Senate vote #63, 3/17/05]
• Spending America into more than 9 trillion dollars of debt [TreasuryDirect.gov]
• Authorizing the war in Iraq with no plan to bring American soldiers home [Senate vote #237, 10/11/02]

Script: About

JM:

I'm Jeff Merkley and I approve this message.

Male VO:

The economy. Energy. The war.

So, Gordon Smith talks about...

...furniture.

Newspapers criticize Smith's ads as "wobbly." And "desperate."

Now, we learn a top aide to Gordon Smith called the Capitol renovations "thoughtful." And "innovative."

And voted in favor of the bi-partisan plan Smith now criticizes.

Gordon Smith.

He'll say anything to hide he's voted for George Bush's agenda...

...nearly ninety-percent-of-the-time.

Oregon deserves better.

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Supporting Documents

Full report and recommendations:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/pcol/final_report/PCOL_full_report.pdf

Specific recommendation for furnishings:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/pcol/documents/facilities_comprehensive_renovation_plan_72406.pdf

Meeting minutes that describe Tymchuk's comments:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/pcol/full_commission/minutes/pcol_11132006.pdf

Meeting minutes that detail discussion of furniture, including leather:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/pcol/comm_facilities/minutes/pcolfa_04142006.pdf

Posted August 21, 2008
Press