Another Oregonian Questions Smith's Authenticity - Does Anyone Trust "Say Anything" Senator?
While the country is buzzing over the Iowa Caucus, Gordon Smith has lost the trust primary in Oregon.
Yet another Oregonian has gone on record questioning Smith’s authenticity.
All different kinds of Oregonians – from Republican, Constitution and Democratic parties, editorial writers, folks from Smith's hometown in Pendleton – have cited Smith for his honesty problem.
“Is there anyone left in Oregon who trusts Gordon Smith? Every time he speaks, Oregonians question the "Say Anything" Senator’s authenticity or accuracy,” DPO Executive Director Trent Lutz said. “Oregonians have lost trust in Smith and for good reason. He speaks without regard for the truth.”
OREGONIANS THROUGHOUT THE STATE DON'T BELIEVE SMITH
Yesterday, former Portland area television host and 2006 Constitution Party gubernatorial candidate Mary Starrett questioned if Smith is “genuine in his opposition to the war.”
(Mapes on politics, The Oregonian, 1-3-08)
Starrett’s comments follow a string of editorials and comments – some by Smith’s own supporters - questioning Smith’s veracity.
Last month, The Oregonian questioned Smith’s contradictions on U.S. Sen. Trent Lott and segregation.
“The senator's tribute to the GOP leader could have been more clearly, and less contradictorily, expressed.”
(The Oregonian Editorial, 12-20-07)
Earlier in December, Democratic activist Ben Talley of Pendleton – Smith’s hometown – worked with the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign to organize a protest of Smith’s willingness to say anything to win re-election.
“Talley criticized Smith, describing the senator as a political opportunist who won't stand up for Oregon when it counts.”
(The East Oregonian, 12-6-07)
SMITH'S OWN ALLIES DON'T BELIEVE HIM
In November, a loyal Smith supporter, Bend Republican Dave Eaton, said Smith “doesn’t stand for anything other than his own re-election.”
(The Bulletin, 11-27-07)
The winter flurry of criticism followed a rough August for Smith.
An editorial by The Register-Guard criticized Smith for bending and omitting key facts when discussing the Klamath River water diversion that decimated coastal fishing economies.
And on that same issue, Smith’s own allies said they did not believe Smith’s version of events.
“Sen. Gordon Smith's explanation this week of how the 2002 diversion of Klamath Lake water for irrigation related to a massive salmon die-off has fish advocates questioning the accuracy of his account.”
(The Register-Guard, 8-11-07)
“Commercial fishing advocate Glenn Spain said Smith has been an ally over the years. But after reading the senator's comments, Spain said Smith's version of those events in 2002 did not square with his own.”
(The Register-Guard, 8-11-07)
“There should be a warning label on future Gordon Smith comments," Lutz said. "Warning, the content of this Senator's comments are volatile, may not be truthful and can change quickly.”
Posted January 4, 2008 Smith vs. Smith 0 comments
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