Gordon Smith = Vulnerable Incumbent
Nearly three months after the words “Gordon Smith” and “vulnerable” started appearing together, the vulnerable tag still applies.
Vulnerable.
That’s the term that has dogged U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) the past three months as his re-election campaign morphs into an un-election slog.
Politicians, editors and pundits have noticed that as Oregonians learn more about Smith’s consistent support for the Iraq War, firm backing of President Bush’s policies and rigid opposition to protecting a woman’s right to choose and preserving the environment, his re-election chances wilt.
In today’s edition of The Oregonian, Portland pollster Adam Davis was the latest expert to pair Smith and vulnerable.
"’Yes, Gordon Smith is vulnerable,’ he said.”
(The Oregonian, 6-27-07)
Davis’ comments follow months of declarations by Republicans, Democrats and non partisan experts on Smith’s vulnerability. Last month it was conservative columnist David Reinhard. A month before that, it was, well, everybody.
“They not only know Smith is vulnerable, but they also know Smith knows he's vulnerable, because he acts vulnerable.”
(David Reinhard Column, The Oregonian, 5-20-07)
“Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said he expects to put together as many as 30 joint fundraising events around the country for the four most vulnerable senators of 2008: Sens. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon and John Sununu of New Hampshire.”
(The Politico, 4-25-07)
"’In politics, there are very few times when you feel confident you can take on an incumbent and win. This is one such time for Democrats to think that,’ [Ronald Tammen, director of the Mark O. Hatfield school of government at Portland State University] said.”
(AP, 4-21-07)
“The Senate Democratic Campaign Committee regards Sen. Gordon Smith as among the most vulnerable Republicans in 2008.”
(The Register-Guard Editorial, 4-22-07)
“Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski said Friday that Smith is vulnerable, but warned that he is a tough campaigner whose aggressive style belies his nice-guy image.”
(AP, 4-21-07)
“Smith is clearly more vulnerable than he was in 2002, when he easily defeated Democratic Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.”
(The Oregonian Editorial, 4-8-07)
“Smith's got a laundry list of vulnerabilities—he's voted to lower wages for restaurant workers, give tax shelter to multinational corporations, expand bankruptcy laws to enrich credit card companies at the expense of the working class, and is a staunch supporter of Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. At the same time, he supports expansion of some public services, while gutting the taxes that pay for them.”
(Scott Moore Column, The Portland Mercury, April 19-25 Issue)
“Gordon Smith’s vulnerability is no surprise. Oregonians will not support a representative who says he opposes the Iraq War, but votes more than 20 times to authorize and fund it,” DPO Executive Director Trent Lutz said. “Oregonians will not support an elected official who votes with President Bush 90 percent of the time, earns a 15 percent score from pro-choice advocates and a 14 percent score from environmental advocates.”
Posted June 27, 2007 Smith is Vulnerable 0 comments
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