Merkley Talks Jobs, Smith Talks Hot Dogs

Attack Ad Cannot Hide Smith's 90 Percent Bush Record

While Jeff Merkley is campaigning on his plans to change Washington and create jobs, Gordon Smith and his ads focus on hot dogs and credenzas. The latest attack ad that criticizes Merkley for not having country club table manners cannot hide Gordon Smith's record voting with George Bush 90 percent of the time. [CQ]

• Smith allowed Bush to invade Iraq. [Senate vote #237, 10/11/02]
• Smith sent troops to war without proper body armor. [Senate vote #376, 10/2/03]
• Smith failed to focus on Afghanistan, while Taliban and Al Qaeda forces increased strength. [DPC, 7/31/08]
• Smith never once challenged Bush's management of the U.S.-Russian relationship, which failed to prevent the conflict in Georgia. [NPR, 11/30/07]

"While our economy is losing jobs, energy prices skyrocket, and the war rages on, Gordon Smith offers no solutions to change Washington," said House Speaker Jeff Merkley, candidate for U.S. Senate. "For eight long years he's stood with George Bush and special interests and ignored the problems families face. These challenges are only getting more severe and we need new leaders who will listen to Oregonians and fight for change in Washington."

While newspapers have called Smith's negative ads on furniture and seniors "misleading," his latest ad attacks Merkley for not having proper country club table manners. Video from the latest attack ad was taken from a public forum Merkley held in The Dalles on his "100 Towns for Change" tour. Merkley had been holding open town hall meetings with citizens in Eastern Oregon for three days when stories about the Russian invasion of Georgia first appeared in the newspaper that morning.

While Gordon Smith rarely travels the state to give Oregonians an opportunity to ask him questions, Jeff Merkley has traveled to towns across Oregon to meet with citizens. Merkley has pledged to hold a town hall meeting in every county every year just like Senator Ron Wyden.

The Merkley campaign began airing television ads late last month that skip the mudslinging and focus on the real issues voters care about, like Merkley's plans to fix unfair trade agreements and cut taxes for middle class families.

Media outlets around the state have noted that while Jeff Merkley is highlighting detailed policy solutions, Senator Smith is refusing to say exactly what he has done or what he will do in the U.S. senate.

The Associated Press wrote that while:

The Merkley campaign has rolled out periodic policy proposals this summer, from a $309 million plan to pay for 50,000 local police officers around the country to an $88.7 billion proposal aimed at cutting middle class taxes....

Smith's campaign has sent out fewer substantive policy proposals. [AP, 8/30/08]

At the same time, the AP reported that, "Merkley has offered a detailed economic plan, capped by a $88.7 billion proposal to cut middle class taxes." [AP, 9/3/08]

The Bend Bulletin reported that Senator Smith has not offered much in the way of a detailed economic plan:

On his Web site, Smith says he "believes you should keep as much of your hard-earned money as possible," in a one-paragraph description of his tax plans. [Bend Bulletin, 8/31/08]

While Merkley has signed on to a comprehensive plan for Iraq, the AP noted that "Smith has been more circumspect on the Iraq question." [AP, 9/3/08]

When asked by the Bend Bulletin what he would do to address global warming, Senator Smith actually pointed to a bill that passed the Oregon Legislature when Merkley served as speaker. [Bend Bulletin, 9/1/08]

The East Oregonian, Smith hometown newspaper, noted that:

Smith didn't provide substantive solutions to questions about key issues such as high gas prices, health care costs and the price of education - issues he said Oregonians have talked about with him - and instead focused on hammering Merkley. [East Oregonian, 9/3/08]

Posted September 9, 2008
Press