New Merkley Ads: Oregon Police Officer Tells Smith to Knock Off the Sleazy Campaign

At News Conference TODAY Outraged Oregonians Respond to Smith's "Willie Horton" Style Attack

Just 48 hours after Gordon Smith launched his latest and sleaziest attack on Jeff Merkley, the Merkley campaign is punching back with two new ads setting the record straight about Jeff Merkley and urging Smith to stop the lies. The first new ad features Kristi Gustafson, an Oregon law enforcement officer for 28 years, who touts Merkley's crime fighting credentials and tells Gordon Smith to knock off the sleazy campaign.

WATCH THE NEW MERKLEY ADS HERE

Oregonians are outraged over Gordon Smith's latest attacks, which national media are calling the Willie Horton ads of Oregon. A coalition of state and community leaders is coming together TODAY at 1 p.m. at Merkley campaign headquarters urging Smith to stop the smear campaign and tell the truth - Jeff Merkley has always been a champion for children and families. For more information about Smith's lies, click here.

Former Governor Barbara Roberts will be joined by prominent crime victim advocates Marlene Young, PhD, and John Stein of International Organization for Victim Assistance (IOVA), and Maria Peyerwold, a Portland mom and rape survivor to voice outrage over Smith's sleazy attack at Jeff Merkley's Campaign Headquarters, 3016 SE Division, Portland, TODAY at 1 p.m.

Script: "Shameless"

Kristi Gustafson:

I've been an Oregon law enforcement officer for 28 years

Frankly I'm offended by the lies and innuendos from Gordon Smith's campaign.

Jeff Merkley has been endorsed by the Oregon State Police Officers' Association. He supported mandatory life imprisonment and doubling the statute of limitations for sex crimes.

Jeff is a husband and father of two children.

No one is more committed to keeping our families safe than Jeff Merkley.

Gordon Smith, knock off the sleazy campaign.

We deserve better.

Jeff Merkley:

I'm Jeff Merkley and I approve this message.

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Script: "Broken Smith"

Female Voice Over:

Just one lie after another.

And now, from Gordon Smith, the lowest of the low.

Smith knows Jeff Merkley supported mandatory life imprisonment and doubling the statute of limitations for sex crimes.

That Jeff is a devoted husband, the father of two young children and the only candidate endorsed by Oregon State Police Officers' Association.

Gordon Smith's sleazy campaign: Proof that Washington is truly broken and so is Gordon Smith.

Jeff Merkley: I'm Jeff Merkley and I approve this message.

Posted September 15, 2008
Press