Can’t Run Away

Gordon Smith can’t run away from his record this campaign cycle.

In an editorial today The Oregonian said it will watch closely how candidates handle climate change this election cycle.

“Thus the challenge for us in making endorsements -- and ultimately for voters in marking their ballots -- lies in distinguishing the sincerely green candidates from the Sam Brownback fakes. Global warming isn't the only crushing issue, of course, but it's a big one, requiring voters to weigh some tough questions in making their choices.”
(The Oregonian Editorial, 4-22-08)

So, where does Smith stand on the issue?

He stands opposite Oregon’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and right in line with the special interests who fund Smith’s campaigns.

Smith’s donors have bought his opposition to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Wyden is a co-sponsor of the bill to combat climate change and the bill has bi-partisan support.

But Smith won't support this important legislation. He’s taken millions of dollars from the special interests who oppose this legislation, including hundreds of thousands from Big Oil.

Oregonians made that point yesterday as they protested outside Smith's offices in Eugene and Medford.

Smith’s environmental negligence is no surprise. He consistently earns low environmental ratings, including an anemic 14 percent from League of Conservation Voters in 2006.

And he has consistently chosen to provide tax breaks for Big Oil over funding alternative energy development.

“Gordon Smith’s record shows that the only green he cares about is campaign cash,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. "Gordon Smith has become a vending machine for votes. Special interests insert money and Gordon Smith will oppose climate change legislation, provide tax breaks to Big Oil and vote any way the special interests want him to."

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