Oregon’s Most Prominent Political Pundit Exposes Smith
No matter how hard he tries, Gordon Smith can’t hide his conservative voting record.
Yesterday, Bill Lunch, arguably Oregon’s most quoted non-partisan political pundit, explained that Smith is trying to gloss over his conservative voting record with a moderate veneer.
“Smith, who was handily re-elected in 2004, is seen by Democrats as particularly beleaguered this election cycle in part because of his loyalty to President Bush, who is wildly unpopular in the Beaver State with its left of center political leanings.
Bill Lunch, a political science professor at Oregon State University, said Smith has tried to paint himself as more moderate than his voting record indicates.”
(Ashland Daily Tidings, 9-12-07)
Although Oregon is a pro-choice, pro-environment state that opposed President Bush in both 2000 and 2004, Smith hasn’t gotten the message. Here is the conservative record Smith doesn’t want Oregonians to know about.
-Anti-Choice Record. Smith has earned a 15 percent score from pro-choice advocates.
-Voting 90 percent with President Bush. Yes, Smith agrees with nine out of 10 decisions this president makes!
-Anti-Environment Record. Smith has earned a 14 percent score from environmental advocates.
-Veterans Record. Smith earned a failing, 40 percent score from Disabled American Veterans.
But, Smith pushes his moderate facade only so far.
He knows he has to remind his conservative base how partisan he is. When Smith talks to his conservative core, here is what he says to reassure them that he’s with them.
Posted September 13, 2007 Smith + Bush 4 comments
Comments
"...handily re-elected in 2004"?
Perhaps Mr. Lunch might want to check his calendar. I think senators serve six year terms.
Just to note: The date is part of the Ashland Tidings quote, so the reporter should be doing the checking.
I'm glad to see people like Mr. Lunch are stepping up and showing that is beyond pure partisanship, it's about what's best for Oregon.
Mea culpa. The way it was excerpted, I thought it was a direct quote from Prof. Lunch.
Like a whole host of other Republicans, Gordon Smith has demonstrated over and over that Party is more important than country.
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