Where in the World Has Gordon Smith Been?

Smith's Travel Outside Oregon Stands in Stark Contrast to Visits to Beaver State

Portland - Gordon Smith has become a fixture on the jet-set scene since he joined the U.S. Senate. While Ron Wyden has visited every county every year, Smith is more likely to be seen in Switzerland than Sherman County.

"Senator Smith goes through customs more often than he travels through rural Oregon," DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. "Oregonians deserve two senators that will give them the time of day. While Ron Wyden is listening to citizens, Gordon Smith is hitting the European links."

Ron Wyden visited nearly twice as many counties in January 2004 than Smith visited the entire year. In January 2004 Ron Wyden visited 23 counties. In all of 2004, Smith visited 12 counties. Incredibly, public records indicate that in 2005, Smith traveled to more locations outside Oregon than counties in Oregon.

Year	Counties Visited by Smith	Smith Travel to Foreign Nations and Other States	Counties Visited by Wyden
2004	12	7 trips -- locations included France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, New York City and Miami, Florida	36
2005	17	18 trips -- locations included Denmark; Egypt; France; Italy; Jordan; Morocco; Norway; Slovenia; Switzerland; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; Cambodia; China; Kyrgyzstan; Thailand; Vietnam; Miami, FL and Pinehurst, NC	36
2006	19	12 trips -- locations included Belgium; Canada; France; Germany; Spain; Egypt; United Kingdom; Austria; Italy; Coral Gables, FL; Orlando, FL; Seattle, WA	36

Smith Says He Travels Oregon As Much As He Can

What is Smith's explanation for operating under the same senate schedule as Wyden, but matching just a fraction of Wyden's in state travel?

His spokeswoman, Lindsay Gilbride said "He visits as many counties and as many communities and meets with as many constituents as the Senate schedule allows." (The Bulletin, 10-7-08)

The Real Record

A full accounting of Smith's travels over the last four years shows that he spends much of his time hopping from European capitals to resort destinations in the U.S.

"We've asked Gordon Smith to release his schedule to show Oregonians exactly how often he travels our state and he has refused," Wood Smith said. "With this new information, it's clear that he doesn't want voters to look too closely at his trips outside the state."

Two weeks ago, Smith claimed on two occasions that he has visited every county every year. When the DPO challenged Smith on his absurdly false claim, it was quickly corrected by his office and soon after disproven by publicly available records.

Despite all the attention on Smith's limited travel, he still hasn't accepted Jeff Merkley's challenge to visit every Oregon county, every year.

Smith's Recent Foreign Travel

2007: Smith Visited 4 Foreign Countries. According to the Senate public records, in 2007 Smith made 4 trips to foreign countries. Smith visited Greece, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Jordan. [Senate Public Records]

2006: Smith Visited 12 Destinations Outside Oregon. According to the Senate public records, in 2006 Smith made 12 trips either to foreign countries or privately funded trips in the United States. Smith's 2006 trips included Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Egypt, United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Coral Gables, FL, Orlando, FL and Seattle, WA. [Senate Public Records]

2005: Smith Visited 18 Destinations Outside Oregon, But Only Visited 17 Counties. According to the Senate public records, Smith took 18 foreign and U.S. trips while only visiting 16 Oregon counties in 2005. Smith's foreign travel in 2005 included trips to Slovenia, Italy, Morocco, Denmark, Norway, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Jordan. Smith's trips in the United States in 2005 included trips to Miami, FL and Pinehurst, NC, home to one of the world's most famous golf courses. [Senate Public Records]

2004: Smith Made 7 Foreign Or Privately-Funded Visits Outside Oregon - Wyden Visited Nearly Twice As Many Counties In One Month Than Smith Did In The Entire Year. According to Senate public records, Smith made 7 foreign or privately-funded visits outside Oregon including France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Germany and privately-funded trips to New York City and Miami, Florida. [Senate Public Records]

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