Choice

Smith ally confirms Senate Ethics violation

Smith used taxpayer resources to film a promotional, political video
for Oregon Right to Life

According to a recent article in The Bulletin, the head of Oregon Right to Life has confirmed that the video U.S. Senator Gordon Smith filmed in the U.S. Senate Recording Studio on behalf of the group “was always intended to promote her group's activities.” Senate rules explicitly prohibit the use of Senate resources for promotional or political purposes.

In an Oct. 24 article in The Bulletin of Bend, the Executive Director of Oregon Right to Life, Gayle Atteberry, also said that, "The original purpose was just to make an Oregon Right to Life promotional video to talk about Oregon Right to Life and the many things it does."

According to the U.S. Senate Ethics Manual, “Senate space may NOT be used for any...promotional...purpose whatsoever.”

Additionally, Smith's campaign manager seemed to recognize the video was a violation of Ethics rules. In the same article in The Bulletin, Brooks Kochvar, Smith's campaign manager, said he had asked Oregon Right to Life “to take the spot down” late last week.

The issue of Smith filming a political video promoting Oregon Right to Life came to light last week when NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon filed an Ethics complaint against Smith.

“Senator Smith has said several times that lawmakers should not be lawbreakers, but when it comes to helping his right-wing allies he's apparently willing to bend the rules,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “At the very least, Senator Smith should reimburse the taxpayers for using Senate resources for a political purpose.”

Discuss: Smith ally confirms Senate Ethics violation

Posted October 28, 2008 in Choice - 0 comments

Who Will Stand Up To Bush’s Attack On Women’s Health?

While Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden and Barack Obama challenge the Bush Administration, Gordon Smith stays silent.

The Democratic Party of Oregon released this video today to encourage Republican U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith to join Jeff Merkley and Democratic U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Barack Obama in protecting a woman’s right to choose.

Merkley and 28 U.S. Senators are battling the Bush Administration’s push to radically limit women’s access to contraception.

Merkley is gathering supporters to oppose the plan and encouraging thousands of people to speak out.

Wyden and Obama are two of the 28 U.S. Senators urging the Bush Administration to drop the proposal.

While Merkley, Wyden and Obama are standing up for women’s health, Gordon Smith, who has long opposed a woman’s right to choose, is noticeably silent on this issue.

“A spokeswoman for Smith did not return an email or two phone calls asking for Smith's comment on the proposed rule change affecting abortion. UPDATE ON FRIDAY: Lindsay Gilbride, spokeswoman for Smith, said there was ‘no real evidence it could be a reality ... so at this point, we aren’t going to speculate on it.’"
(Willamette Week, 7-17-08, Updated on 7-18-08)

Discuss: Who Will Stand Up To Bush’s Attack On Women’s Health?

Posted July 29, 2008 in Choice, Smith Videos - 0 comments

Smith Against Oregonians on Choice

Although Oregonians overwhelmingly respect a woman’s right to choose, Gordon Smith wants to give women zero control over their bodies.

Incredibly, Smith has voted against reaffirming Roe vs. Wade and against allowing overseas military facilities to provide privately-funded abortions for women who are in the military or are military dependents.

Yes, that’s right. Gordon Smith wants to tell women in uniform, on foreign soil protecting our country’s freedoms, what they can and can’t do with their bodies.

He seems to care more about the rights of those who break the law and use violence to oppose a woman’s right to choose. In 2005, Smith voted to allow violent protestors, including anti-abortion activists, to escape court-ordered fines or judgments by filing for bankruptcy protection.

Read more and discuss: Smith Against Oregonians on Choice

Posted July 2, 2007 in Choice - 1 comments

Smith on Choice

Smith Voted Twice For Parental Notification Laws. Smith voted to make it a federal crime to take a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion in order to circumvent state parental notification and consent laws. The Child Custody Protection Act would make criminals of grandparents, adult siblings, and even clergy members for helping young women obtain medical care that is legal – even if that person does not intend, or even know, that the home state parental-involvement law has not been followed. [Vote #263, Vote 216, 7/25/06; 9/29/06; American Medical Women’s Association Letter, 7/19/06]

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Posted June 15, 2007 in Choice - 1 comments

"Gordon Smith is not, and never has been, pro-choice"

NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon blasts Smith’s anti-choice, anti-Oregon record

As the 2008 election nears and U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) tries to run away from his right wing record, his votes are catching up with him.

Michelle Stranger-Hunter, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, set Oregonians straight today on Smith’s anti-choice record.

In a comprehensive review of his votes posted on BlueOregon, Stranger-Hunter explained that Smith is no moderate. In fact, he’s a longstanding, ardent opponent of womens' right to choose.

Key column excerpts:

“With a Senate voting record that dates back to 1997, Senator Smith has voted with his anti-choice allies at least 80 percent of the time... and usually more. In nearly half of his years served, he scored a 0% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.”

Read more and discuss: "Gordon Smith is not, and never has been, pro-choice"

Posted June 11, 2007 in Choice, Press Room - 0 comments