For Two Weeks Smith Has Falsely Attacked Merkley to Swing the Primary to Political Consultant Steve Novick

Gordon Smith has spent $500,000 falsely attacking Jeff Merkley in an effort to swing the Democratic U.S. Senate primary to professional political consultant Steve Novick. Smith has spent more than $430,000 on television smearing Merkley and another $35,000 on radio distorting Merkley's record delivering for rural Oregonians.

The truth about Smith's radio ads - "Water" and "Timber"

Gordon Smith is distorting Merkley's record fighting for rural communities. As House Speaker, Jeff Merkley united Oregon lawmakers - Democrats and Republicans - to deliver for rural communities. Under Merkley's leadership, the Legislature passed tax breaks for family farms, fisheries and woodlots; created the Oregon Farm-to-School Garden Program to get local produce into school lunch rooms; and established statewide water storage projects under the Agriculture and Community Water Act. [HB 3618, 2008; HB 3601, 2008; SB 1069, 2008]

In their 2007 review of the legislative session led by House Speaker Jeff Merkley, the Oregon Farm Bureau said, "Any way you slice it, Oregon's family farmers and ranchers -- and by extension every Oregonian who enjoys local ag products and rural scenery -- have a lot to celebrate from the 2007 Session of the Legislature." [Oregon Agriculture, Fall/Winter 2007]

Meanwhile, Gordon Smith failed to convince one Republican colleague in the U.S. Senate to support the county timber payments, resulting in disaster for Oregon's rural communities.

Jeff Merkley was born in rural Oregon and moved from Myrtle Creek to Roseburg when the lumber mill where his father worked closed down. Merkley understands Oregon's rural economy because he's lived it.

The truth about Smith's television ads

While Jeff Merkley refused to accept even a dime from state lobbyists and special interests during the legislative session, Gordon Smith was raising money from lobbyists and special interests in Washington D.C. Merkley went beyond the rules for federal candidates and refused to accept any funds during session from lobbyists and special interests in the state.

Jeff Merkley led historic bipartisan ethics reform to ban gifts from lobbyists, close the revolving door for legislators, and restore the independent Ethics Commission. While Merkley has led the fight for ethics reform in Oregon, Smith has opposed ethics reform in Washington D.C., including voting twice against creating an independent ethics committee similar to what Merkley championed in Oregon. [Senate vote 77, 3/28/06, Senate vote 18, 1/18/07]

###

She knows exactly why Gordon Smith is attacking Jeff Merkley. It's because Merkley has plans to change Washington D.C. and fight for kids and families, not the special interests.

She knows exactly why Gordon Smith is attacking Jeff Merkley. It's because Merkley has plans to change Washington D.C. and fight for kids and families, not the special interests.

Jeff will be riding the MAX to work most days leading up the the primary election on May 20th.

Today Jeff Merkley's campaign for U.S. Senate released a new television ad featuring Merkley's ten year old daughter Brynne. She knows exactly why Gordon Smith is attacking Jeff Merkley. It's because Merkley has plans to change Washington D.C. and fight for kids and families, not the special interests.

View the new ad.

Last week Smith launched false, negative ads attacking only Jeff Merkley because he is the strongest Democrat to bring change and the strongest to defeat Gordon Smith in November.

A new KATU-TV Portland News poll released last night conducted by Survey USA shows Jeff Merkley leading the Democratic race for U.S. Senate, 31% to 27%. Merkley has surged 20 points over the last month and has built a significant lead among women.

Late last week Gordon Smith began running negative ads falsely attacking only Merkley and ignoring Steve Novick. New polling from Survey USA and Rasmussen shows that Merkley is the strongest Democrat to face Smith in November.

As Oregon's next U.S. Senator, Jeff Merkley will take on the special interests and fight for hardworking Oregonians. He will take on the big insurance and drug companies to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. He will end unfair trade deals that have cost Oregon nearly 70,000 manufacturing jobs and close tax loopholes for corporations that ship jobs overseas. And Merkley will end the war in Iraq, bring our sons and daughters home, and fulfill the commitment we have made to our veterans and men and women in uniform.

Jeff Merkley spent his early years in rural Oregon in communities where the children of loggers and mill workers learned the value of honest work, good neighbors, and strong families. Jeff earned scholarships and became the first in his family to go to college. He went on to serve as a national security analyst, first for the Pentagon and then for Congress. After returning to Oregon with his wife Mary, Jeff led Habitat for Humanity and worked to help low-income families purchase a home, start a business, or save for college.
Jeff Merkley lives in East Multnomah County with Mary, a registered nurse at Providence Portland Medical Center, and their two children, Jonathan age twelve and Brynne age ten.

Complete Script: "Just a Kid"

Brynne: I'm just a kid but even I can see that Gordon Smith's afraid of you dad.

Brynne: Definitely

###

A new KATU-TV Portland News poll released tonight conducted by Survey USA shows House Speaker Jeff Merkley leading the Democratic race for U.S. Senate. Merkley has surged 20 points over the last month and has built a significant lead among women.

Late last week Gordon Smith began running false, negative ads attacking only Merkley and ignoring Steve Novick. New polling from Survey USA and Rasmussen shows that Merkley is the strongest Democrat to face Smith in November.

The New KATU poll shows Merkley leading Steve Novick, 31% to 27%. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA tracking poll released eleven days ago, Merkley is up 3 points and Novick is down 3 points. Merkley now leads Novick 33% to 26% among women.

As the poll notes, "momentum is with Merkley among a number of key groups":

Among men, Novick had led by 10, today trails by 2. Among voters age 18 to 49, Novick had led by 5, today trails by 2. Among voters 50+, Novick and Merkley had tied; today, Merkley leads by 7. Merkley and Novick are effectively even in the greater Portland area. Merkley leads by 13 in the rest of the state. Among the 43% of voters who have already mailed their ballot, Merkley leads by 6; among those who are likely to return a ballot, Merkley leads by 3.

A Rasmussen poll released over the weekend showed similar momentum for Merkley. Merkley has picked up 13 points since the end of March against Republican incumbent Gordon Smith and is now in a statistical dead heat, trailing Smith 45% to 42%.

###

Today a new poll from Rasmussen Reports shows that House Speaker Jeff Merkley is surging against Republican Gordon Smith. Merkley has picked up 10 points since the end of March and is in a statistical dead heat with Smith. This new polling explains why Smith is running false negative ads attacking only Merkley and ignoring professional political consultant Steve Novick.

In the last 48 hours Gordon Smith has launched an onslaught of false negative ads against Merkley because Republicans know Merkley poses the greatest threat to Smith.

According to Rasmussen:

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Oregon voters finds Smith leading Jeff Merkley by just three percentage points, 45% to 42%. In late March, he enjoyed a thirteen point lead. In February, he was ahead of Merkley by eighteen points.

According to the poll, Merkley is the strongest Democrat to face Smith in November. Merkley is trailing Smith by only three percentage points. The margin of error is +/-4%. Merkley fares better than any other Democrat against Smith. The poll also shows that over half of Oregonians would not vote to reelect Gordon Smith. For the third straight month Smith remains below the 50% level of support.

"This poll is not news to Gordon Smith. Smith and the Republicans know that Jeff Merkley is the strongest Democrat to work with a new Democratic President and change Washington D.C.," said Matt Canter, Merkley campaign spokesman. "Smith is lying about Merkley's record because Merkley passed real ethics reform in Oregon, while Smith was taking cash from special interests and voting to protect their profits in Washington D.C."

Smith's ad is factually false. While Jeff Merkley refused to accept even a dime from state lobbyists and special interests during the legislative session, Gordon Smith was raising money from lobbyists and special interests in Washington D.C. while the Senate was in session.

Jeff Merkley led historic bipartisan ethics reform to ban gifts from lobbyists, close the revolving door for legislators, and restore the independent Ethics Commission.

Since his first run for Congress, Smith has taken $296,871 from the lobbying industry and consistently opposed ethics reform. [Center For Responsive Politics]

Twice Gordon Smith voted against creating an independent ethics committee to investigate charges of misconduct of public officials. [Senate vote 77, 3/28/06, Senate vote 18, 1/18/07]

Smith protected a loophole that allowed the coworkers of registered lobbyists to provide gifts and meals to members of Congress or their staffs. [Senate vote #80, 3/29/06]

###

Merkley has picked up 10 points since the end of March and is in a statistical dead heat with Smith.

In the last 48 hours Gordon Smith has launched an onslaught of false negative ads against Merkley because Republicans know Merkley poses the greatest threat to Smith.

According to Rassmussen:

The latest Rassmussen Reports telephone survey of Oregon voters finds Smith leading Jeff Merkley by just three percentage points, 45% to 42%. In late March, he enjoyed a thirteen point lead. In February, he was ahead of Merkley by eighteen points.

According to the poll, Merkley is the strongest Democrat to face Smith in November. Merkley is trailing Smith by only three percentage points. The margin of error is +/-4%. Merkley fares better than any other Democrat against Smith. The poll also shows that over half of Oregonians would not vote to reelect Gordon Smith. For the third straight month Smith remains below the 50% level of support.

"This poll is not news to Gordon Smith. Smith and the Republicans know that Jeff Merkley is the strongest Democrat to work with a new Democratic President and change Washington D.C.," said Matt Canter, Merkley campaign spokesman. "Smith is lying about Merkley's record because Merkley passed real ethics reform in Oregon, while Smith was taking cash from special interests and voting to protect their profits in Washington D.C."

Smith's ad is factually false. While Jeff Merkley refused to accept even a dime from state lobbyists and special interests during the legislative session, Gordon Smith was raising money from lobbyists and special interests in Washington D.C. while the Senate was in session.

Jeff Merkley led historic bipartisan ethics reform to ban gifts from lobbyists, close the revolving door for legislators, and restore the independent Ethics Commission.

Since his first run for Congress, Smith has taken $296,871 from the lobbying industry and consistently opposed ethics reform. [Center For Responsive Politics]

Twice Gordon Smith voted against creating an independent ethics committee to investigate charges of misconduct of public officials. [Senate vote 77, 3/28/06, Senate vote 18, 1/18/07]

Smith protected a loophole that allowed the coworkers of registered lobbyists to provide gifts and meals to members of Congress or their staffs. [Senate vote #80, 3/29/06]

Last night Gordon Smith launched a false negative ad attacking Jeff Merkley, sending a clear message that Smith is cheering for Steve Novick to win the Democratic primary.

Why is Gordon Smith attacking Jeff Merkley?

Because Republicans know that Merkley is the strongest Democrat to bring change.

The strongest Democrat against Smith because Merkley passed real ethics reform.

Because Merkley refused to take a dime from state lobbyists or special interests during the legislative session.

Because Merkley stood up to the big drug companies to lower medicine costs.

Because Merkley will always protect a woman's right to choose.

Say no to Gordon Smith and the big special interests who are trying to fool Democrats. It's time to send Washington a message by sending Democrat Jeff Merkley to the US Senate.

While Jeff Merkley refused to accept even a dime from lobbyists and special interests during the legislative session, Gordon Smith was raising money from lobbyists and special interests in Washington D.C. while the Senate was in session.

Jeff Merkley led historic bipartisan ethics reform to ban gifts from lobbyists, close the revolving door for legislators, and restore the independent Ethics Commission. Merkley went beyond the rules for federal candidates and refused to accept any funds during session from lobbyists and special interests.

Make a contribution today to help keep this ad on the airwaves!

Entitled "Know", this ad features Jeff's wife Mary Sorteberg. Mary is a practicing nurse who speaks about Jeff's passion for changing the nation and commitment to fixing America's health care system.

Make a contribution today to help this ad stay on the airwaves!

Click below to view the ad:

News coverage of the race has consistently emphasized this contrast, reporting that the race has "revolved around matters of style." (AP, 4/4/08)

Both Gordon Smith's campaign and Steve Novick's campaign ran negative ads last week falsely attacking Merkley.

"Jeff Merkley is a leader who brings people together to fight for change," said Merkley campaign spokesman Matt Canter. "That's how he took back the Oregon House, cracked down on payday lenders, took on big drug companies, and protected a woman's right to choose. Steve Novick is a professional political consultant, who insults those who disagree with him, even other Democrats. Oregonians are tired of the bitter politics of the past and are ready for the positive leadership that Jeff Merkley will bring to change Washington D.C."

During his campaign, Novick has been forced to defend past statements he made insulting Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other Democrats.

Jeff Merkley led historic bipartisan ethics reform to ban gifts from lobbyists, close the revolving door for legislators, and restore the independent Ethics Commission. Meanwhile, Smith opposed ethics reforms and fought for the special interests who bankroll his campaign.

Smith Sides with Special Interest Campaign Contributors

Gordon Smith raised over $760,000 from the timber industry and voted to gut environmental regulations. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/2/08; Senate vote #266, 9/9/99]

Smith has taken more than $275,000 from oil and gas interests and delivered $18 billion in taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/2/08; 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 taken more than $265,000 from pharmaceutical companies, and voted against allowing the federal government to negotiate for lower drug prices for seniors. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 5/2/08; Senate vote #60, 3/17/05]

Smith Opposes Ethics Reform in Washington DC.

Twice Gordon Smith voted against creating an independent ethics committee to investigate charges of misconduct of public officials. [Senate vote 77, 3/28/06, Senate vote 18, 1/18/07]

Smith protected a loophole that allowed the coworkers of registered lobbyists to provide gifts and meals to members of Congress or their staffs. [Senate vote #80, 3/29/06]

The 21st Century Democrats, a national grassroots organization that supports candidates who fight for working families in the tradition of Paul Wellstone, endorsed Jeff Merkley's campaign for U.S. Senate. Founded to give progressive and populist candidates the support they need to win elections, 21st Century Democrats has grown to become one of the largest political action committees in the nation.

"21st Century Democrats don't make endorsements lightly, particularly in contested Democratic primaries," said Mark Lotwis, the Executive Director of the 21st Century Democrats. "But this Senate race is a real opportunity to defeat an entrenched Republican in Gordon Smith, who consistently works against our core values of universal health care, a clean and sustainable environment, living wages and secure jobs, and fair taxation.

"Jeff Merkley has been a leader for progressive values in Oregon and a fighter for working families. 21st Century Democrats enthusiastically supports Jeff's campaign because Jeff brings the courage and skill needed to take our nation in the right direction."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of 21st Century Democrats", said Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley. "Their commitment to progressive values and grassroots organizing are key to winning tough elections. I'm ready to take on the special interests that have been running Washington and fight for hard-working families."

Jeff Merkley spent his early years in Roseburg, Oregon, a community where the children of loggers and mill workers learned the value of honest work, good neighbors, and strong families. Merkley earned scholarships and became the first in his family to go to college. He went on to serve as a national security analyst, first for the Pentagon and then for Congress. After returning to Oregon with his wife Mary, Merkley led Habitat for Humanity and helped low-income families work their way into the middle class.

As Oregon's next U.S. Senator, Jeff Merkley will take on the special interests and fight hard for regular hardworking Oregonians. He will take on the big insurance and drug companies to make health care more affordable and accessible for all. He will end unfair trade deals that have cost Oregon 70,000 manufacturing jobs and will end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. And Merkley will end the war in Iraq, bring our sons and daughters home, and fulfill the commitment we have made to veterans and men and women in uniform.

Today, Jeff Merkley lives in East Multnomah County with Mary, a registered nurse, their two children, Jonathan age twelve and Brynne age ten.