Grassroots Resources

Pendleton Protest

Protestors criticized Gordon Smith again for catering to the special interests. Read the press release:

As Part Of Statewide Protests, Oregonians In Smith’s Hometown Protest His Corporate Sponsored Opposition To Climate Change Bill
Gordon Smith has become a vending machine for votes. Special interests insert money and Gordon Smith produces any vote they want.

Following earlier protests in Eugene and Medford, Oregonians in Pendleton, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith’s (R-OR) hometown, demanded that Smith stand up to his corporate donors and stop opposing important climate change legislation.

“Oregon cannot afford to have a senator whose special interest contributors have bought his opposition to fixing climate change,” said Ben Talley, Pendleton area organizer for the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign. “We can’t let Gordon Smith get away with serving the corporate interests rather than the people’s interests.”

“Why doesn’t Gordon Smith think Climate Change is a problem? Because he’s paid to ignore this crisis,” Talley said. “Smith has taken millions from Big Oil and other special interests who control his votes. In return, Smith has voted twice to keep $5 billion in tax breaks for Big Oil and oppose important climate change legislation.”

Smith’s donors have bought his opposition to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Oregon’s other U.S. Senator, Democrat Ron 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. Smith has taken millions of dollars from the special interests who oppose this legislation, including hundreds of thousands from Big Oil. For more information on how special interests control Smith’s votes, click here.

The bill would be an important step in combating climate change. It would cap greenhouse emissions and make appliances and buildings more energy efficient, according to The Register-Guard.
(The Register-Guard Editorial, 2-28-08)

The Eugene, Medford and Pendleton protests were held outside Smith’s offices. They were organized by the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign.

Discuss: Pendleton Protest

Posted May 5, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

What A Year!

Thanks for a great year.

In the past 12 months, our Stop Gordon Smith Campaign has protested several times at Smith's events and his Oregon offices, created web videos, handed out flyers at more than 100 events throughout the state and sent more than 110 press releases to reporters.

We've earned coverage on OPB, in The Oregonian and The Register-Guard and numerous other TV, radio, newspaper and blog outlets from Oregon to Washington, D.C.

Let's look at how you've held Gordon Smith accountable. For selling his votes to the special interests, for saying anything, and for opposing Oregon's Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden.

Flyers And Videos

Stop Gordon Smith activists have passed out flyers on Smith's record on everything from civil rights to Iraq and signed up supporters at more than 100 events across Oregon.

Click here to download flyers.

Thousands of people have watched our online videos. We've even inspired supporters to send us their own videos explaining why they want to Stop Gordon Smith.

Protesting The Special Interest Senator

June - Veterans led the way in June 2007, protesting Smith's continued votes for the Iraq War and dismal ratings from Disabled American Veterans.

December - Stop Gordon Smith Campaign protestors rallied outside all five of Smith's Oregon offices to expose his Say Anything pattern on the Iraq War. Five protests, in one day, outside all of a U.S. Senator's state offices. It was an Oregon first.

January - A month later, protestors greeted Smith in Medford at one of his rare public appearances in Oregon.

April - Medford and Eugene activists gathered outside Smith's offices the day before Earth Day to protest him for becoming a vending machine for votes, especially on the environment.

Exposing His Record

The Stop Gordon Smith Campaign makes sure that reporters get the facts on the Say Anything Senator's record, from his documented doubletalk and his opposition to a woman's right to choose, to how he's become a vending machine for votes.

Keep It Up!

With only six months left until the election, we need your help more than ever.

Sign your friends up for the campaign, pass out flyers, make a video, and keep sending in those letters to the editor.

Thank you for all your work!

Together, we will Stop Gordon Smith.

Marc Siegel
Communications Director
Democratic Party of Oregon

Discuss: What A Year!

Posted April 29, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

It’s 3 a.m.

With the Democratic U.S. Senate candidates set for another debate this weekend, it’s only fair that Gordon Smith has an opportunity to answer questions about his record and his vision for Oregon.

Democratic candidates are debating Sunday at Pacific University in Forest Grove. Here are the questions we hope reporters will ask Smith on Sunday.

-It’s 3 a.m. and the phone rings. It’s Big Oil and your other special interest friends thanking you for your loyalty and asking you to continue opposing Ron Wyden’s climate change bill. At 4 a.m., your Oregon constituents call and ask you to stand up to the special interests and support the bill. What will you tell your constituents?

-Blue Oregon’s Jeff Alworth recently reported that you consistently vote with Republicans on close votes in the U.S. Senate.
More so than many other Republican U.S. Senators. When your influence matters most, why do you exercise it least?

-During your 2002 campaign you ran TV ads saying you would not vote to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Then, you voted to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2005 and 2006. Given that track record, how can you assure voters they can believe your 2008 campaign statements?

-If you could spend your time purchasing million dollar golf clubs or fighting for the middle class, what would you do? Never mind, you already answered that question.

Discuss: It’s 3 a.m.

Posted April 25, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

Just Before Earth Day, Oregonians Protest Gordon Smith’s Corporate Sponsored Opposition To Climate Change Bill

"Gordon Smith has become a vending machine for votes. Special interests insert money and Gordon Smith produces any vote they want."
DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith

On the eve of Earth Day, protestors in Eugene and Medford demanded that U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) stand up to his corporate donors and stop opposing important climate change legislation.

“Oregon cannot afford to have a senator whose special interest contributors have bought his opposition to fixing climate change,” State Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene) said in Eugene. “We can’t let Gordon Smith get away with serving the corporate interests rather than the people’s interest.”

“Why doesn’t Gordon Smith think Climate Change is a problem? Because he’s paid to ignore this crisis,” Allen Hallmark said in Medford. Hallmark is a Southern Oregon organizer for the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign. “Smith has taken millions from Big Oil and other special interests who control his votes. In return, Smith has voted twice to keep $5 billion in tax breaks for Big Oil and oppose important climate change legislation.”

Smith’s donors have bought his opposition to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. Oregon’s other U.S. Senator, Democrat Ron 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. Smith has taken millions of dollars from the special interests who oppose this legislation, including hundreds of thousands from Big Oil. For more information on how special interests control Smith’s votes, click here.

The bill would be an important step in combating climate change. It would cap greenhouse emissions and make appliances and buildings more energy efficient, according to the Register Guard.
(The Register Guard Editorial, 2-28-08)

Both protests were held outside Smith’s senate offices in Eugene and Medford. They were organized by the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign.

Discuss: Just Before Earth Day, Oregonians Protest Gordon Smith’s Corporate Sponsored Opposition To Climate Change Bill

Posted April 21, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

Medford And Eugene Protests

This Monday, on the eve of Earth Day, let's Stop Gordon Smith!

Gordon Smith's special interest contributors have bought his opposition to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act.

They have bought his opposition to combating climate change.

This Monday, April 21, we need to remind Smith that he's in Washington D.C. to represent Oregonians, not the corporations who fund his campaigns.

The Climate Security Act has bi-partisan support in the U.S. Senate. Oregon's other U.S. Senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, is a co-sponsor. Yet Smith won't stand up to his corporate backers and support this bill.

So, stand up for Oregon and our environment on April 21 in Eugene and Medford. Remind Gordon Smith that he works for us, not the special interests.

Eugene State Rep. Paul Holvey and Central Lane and Linn County State Rep. Phil Barnhart will speak at noon outside Smith's Eugene office. Southern Oregon Stop Gordon Smith Campaign organizer Allen Hallmark will speak outside Smith's Medford office.

And if you can't make it to Eugene or Medford, let your friends in those cities know about these events.

Read all the details on the jump!

Read more and discuss: Medford And Eugene Protests

Posted April 16, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 1 comments

Debate Questions For Gordon Smith

With the Democratic U.S. Senate candidates set for two debates this week, it’s only fair that Gordon Smith has an opportunity to answer questions about his record and his vision for Oregon. Democratic candidates are debating Friday in Portland and Saturday in Newport.

Here are the questions we hope reporters will ask Smith tomorrow and Saturday.

-Why do you let special interest checks dictate your U.S. Senate votes? Big Oil donations have paid for your opposition to tackling climate change and raising fuel standards. Pharmaceutical industry dollars bought your votes to raise seniors’ prescription drug prices.

-How will you repair your relationship with the middle class now that they know you’ve earned failing grades from the TheMiddleClass.org Congressional Scorecard and have been criticized for spending $1.25 million (easily the cost of four middle class homes in Oregon) on golf clubs. Do you encourage Oregon’s working families to spend $1.25 million on leisure equipment rather than groceries, gas, medical bills or college?

-When will you apologize to Ron Wyden for consistently cancelling his votes in the U.S. Senate? You have cancelled out Ron Wyden more than 1,600 times in the U.S. Senate on heath care, climate change, Iraq and other key issues.

-During your 2002 campaign you ran TV ads saying you would not vote to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Then, you voted to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2005 and 2006. Given that track record, how can you assure voters they can believe your 2008 campaign statements?

-Even some of your supporters and allies have questioned the accuracy of your statements or the sincerity of your actions. Is this the first time your own supporters have criticized your accuracy and sincerity? If not, how have you dealt with this in the past?

Discuss: Debate Questions For Gordon Smith

Posted April 3, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

Sign Up Sheets Here!

Signing up new people to the StopGordonSmith.com email list is easy. Just print out this simple sign up sheet and take it with you to meetings and events along with some flyers.

After you have some names and emails, send the sheet to:

Stop Gordon Smith Campaign
232 NE 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97232

We’ll do the rest!

Thank you for helping build the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign. We need your help to expose Smith’s real record to Oregonians.

Discuss: Sign Up Sheets Here!

Posted February 7, 2008 in Grassroots Resources, static - 0 comments

It's Not Easy Being Green

At least not for Gordon Smith. Download these flyers highlighting Smith’s broken campaign promise not to drill in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and his opposition to combating climate change.

Let your green friends know about Smith’s anti-environmental record! Pass out these flyers at environmental events and email your friends the link to StopGordonSmith.com/environment so they can learn more.

Discuss: It's Not Easy Being Green

Posted February 1, 2008 in Environment, Grassroots Resources, static - 0 comments

New Flyers! Gordon Smith’s GLBT Record

Gordon Smith voted for the Federal Marriage Amendment to ban gay marriage, and supported Measure 36, which banned gay marriage here in Oregon.

Download these flyers to help spread the word about Smith’s record.

Discuss: New Flyers! Gordon Smith’s GLBT Record

Posted January 31, 2008 in Civil Rights, Grassroots Resources, static - 0 comments

Flyers on Smith's Labor Record

Read about Smith's anti-worker record, then print out some flyers and help spread the word!

Download flyer here.

Discuss: Flyers on Smith's Labor Record

Posted January 25, 2008 in Economy, Grassroots Resources, static - 0 comments

Say Anything Senator Greeted By Protesters In Medford. Answers With More Empty Rhetoric.

Stop Gordon Smith Campaign activists and other protesters greeted Gordon Smith during his visit to Medford yesterday, criticizing him for saying anything to get re-elected. They focused on his Iraq War record.

Watch the local TV coverage of the protest.

KOBI

KTVL

Rather than seriously discussing the issue, the Say Anything senator repeated more parsed, empty rhetoric in response to the protesters.

“I substantially agree with them. I want our troops home as fast as they can come home safely. And I think we are on the cusp of a way home. And the sooner the better as far as I’m concerned.”
(KTVL, 1-16-08)

We’ve heard this kind of empty rhetoric before from the Say Anything Senator.

Smith's Record

Although over the summer Smith boasted to columnist George Will he would have a dozen Republican U.S. Senators by September 2007 helping to get troops out of Iraq, he’s tallied zero support for removing troops.

And last year, only after America kicked Smith’s Republican Party out of office and said no to the Iraq War did Smith say he would oppose it.

Smith has been “here, there, everywhere” on the war according to The Oregonian’s February 10, 2007 editorial.

In fact, in 2007, even after he said he would oppose the war, he has actually voted five times to keep troops in Iraq and prolong the conflict. Oregon's other U.S. Senator, Ron Wyden, voted opposite Smith on all five of those votes.

“Every time Gordon Smith speaks he erodes his credibility," DPO Communications Director Marc Siegel said. "The more you examine his record, the more you understand why editorial writers and Smith’s own allies and supporters have questioned his accuracy and authenticity.”

Discuss: Say Anything Senator Greeted By Protesters In Medford. Answers With More Empty Rhetoric.

Posted January 17, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 3 comments

Debate Questions For Gordon Smith

With the Democratic U.S. Senate candidates set for their first debate next week, it’s only fair that Gordon Smith has an opportunity to answer questions about his record and his vision for Oregon.

Here are the questions we hope reporters will ask him on Tuesday, January 22.

1.The Oregonian chastised you for too much contradiction. The Register-Guard charged you with bending the facts. Do you agree or disagree with the editorials they’ve written about you?

2. During your 2002 campaign you ran TV ads saying you would not vote to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Then, you voted to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 2005 and 2006. Given that track record, how can you assure voters they can believe your 2008 campaign statements?

3. In their February 10, 2007 editorial The Oregonian said you have been “here, there, everywhere” on the Iraq War. The Stop Gordon Smith Campaign protested outside all five of your Oregon U.S. Senate offices because of your willingness to say anything about the Iraq War. Do you feel Oregonians know and trust your position on the Iraq War?

4. Even some of your supporters and allies have questioned the accuracy of your statements or the sincerity of your actions. Is this the first time your own supporters have criticized your accuracy and sincerity? If not, how have you dealt with this in the past?

5. Although Oregon is a pro-choice and environmentally conscious state, you routinely earn low scores from pro-choice and pro-environment interest groups. Can you explain the disconnect between what Oregonians want and how you vote?

What other questions do you think he should be asked?

Discuss: Debate Questions For Gordon Smith

Posted January 16, 2008 in Grassroots Resources - 2 comments

Democrats Hold Smith Accountable in Statewide Protests

Eleven months before the 2008 election, the grassroots energy aimed at replacing Gordon Smith ignited Oregon. Oregonians showed up outside all five of Smith’s offices across the state in Pendleton, Portland, Medford, Eugene and Bend on December 5 to hold Smith accountable for saying anything to win re-election.

This unusual level of activity and organization this early in the campaign drew local media attention at all five protests and statewide radio and blog coverage. Even Smith’s hometown paper, the East Oregonian, splashed the protest across their front page:

Read more and discuss: Democrats Hold Smith Accountable in Statewide Protests

Posted December 11, 2007 in Grassroots Resources, static - 0 comments

New Stop Gordon Smith Flyers

Here’s your flyer to hold Gordon Smith accountable for saying anything to win re-election.

This flyer covers his Iraq War Record and encourages people to sign up with our campaign. Use it for our Wednesday, Dec. 5 protests.

Discuss: New Stop Gordon Smith Flyers

Posted December 3, 2007 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

Hold Smith Accountable on Iraq. Statewide Protests on Wednesday, December 5.

By Meredith Wood Smith
Chair
Democratic Party of Oregon

It’s time to hold Gordon Smith accountable.

For not being honest on the Iraq War.

For saying anything to get elected.

Read more and discuss: Hold Smith Accountable on Iraq. Statewide Protests on Wednesday, December 5.

Posted November 30, 2007 in Grassroots Resources - 3 comments

Poll Results – Smith's Votes To Keep U.S. In Iraq Tops All Options

Oregonians won’t accept a U.S. Senator who goes back on his word.

That’s the message they sent this Halloween as “Creepy Credibility” outpolled all other options in the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign’s Halloween poll.

Nearly 40 percent of those who participated in the poll chose Smith’s four votes to keep troops in Iraq – after he said he would work to get them out – as the scariest part of his record. By comparison, Ron Wyden voted opposite Smith on all four votes.

The results, in order of percentage:

Creepy Credibility: Smith voted 4 times to keep troops in Iraq since he came out against the war. - 39%

Eerie Economy: Smith cut taxes for Big Oil and corporations while voting against the minimum wage 6 times. – 26%

Endangered Environment: Smith was against drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, until he voted for it. No wonder his environmental rating is 14%. – 19%

Haunted Honesty: Oregon's second-largest newspaper has questioned his willingness to bend the facts. - 9%

Chilling Choice: Smith is consistently anti-choice, even voting against reaffirming Roe v. Wade. - 6%

Discuss: Poll Results – Smith's Votes To Keep U.S. In Iraq Tops All Options

Posted October 30, 2007 in Grassroots Resources, Iraq - 0 comments

Tricks But No Treats - Gordon Smith Halloween Poll

Gordon Smith won’t need a costume this Halloween. His record is frightening enough.

What do you think is scariest, ghastliest or most horrifying about Smith’s votes?

Take our Halloween poll and find out for yourself…if you dare.

Then send this link to your friends and encourage them to vote in our poll!

Discuss: Tricks But No Treats - Gordon Smith Halloween Poll

Posted October 25, 2007 in Grassroots Resources - 13 comments

Be The Voice - Tell Your Friends In Oregon About Gordon Smith

Let's work together this Labor Day Week to put U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith out of a job.

Find an issue on www.StopGordonSmith.com that appeals to your family and friends in Oregon. Copy and paste the web link, email it to them and encourage them to join our campaign to Stop Gordon Smith.

Let’s put in the work this week to let our friends, family and co-workers know about his record.

Whether it’s on the environment or veterans or voting with President Bush, email the links that you think will convince them to join our campaign. You can be the voice that informs Oregon voters.

Important Smith Links

-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.

Labor Record

As this is Labor Day Week, it’s important to note Smith’s votes against Oregon’s men and women who labor every day to support their families.

He’s repeatedly voted against the minimum wage, and he voted against an amendment that would repeal tax incentives for companies that move their manufacturing plants offshore.

So, Smith doesn’t support a living wage for waiters, store clerks, assisted living workers and other folks trying to make a living, but will fight for tax incentives for major corporations that move jobs overseas.

He doesn’t support Oregon’s working families or Oregon values, so why should Oregonians support him?

Scroll through www.StopGordonSmith.com and find a category or post that will inspire your friends and family in Oregon to join us. Send it to them and encourage them to join the Stop Gordon Smith Campaign.

Sincerely,

Trent Lutz
Executive Director
Democratic Party of Oregon

P.S. Our efforts are paying off. Smith garnered only 38 percent of the vote in a recent poll. In that same survey, Undecided polled at 35. That means a 10-year incumbent U.S. Senator is in a statistical dead heat with Undecided! We are getting our message out to Oregonians and they are responding. Let’s keep up the fight.

Discuss: Be The Voice - Tell Your Friends In Oregon About Gordon Smith

Posted August 31, 2007 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments

We've got your flyers - Four to a page

You wanted this flyer four to a page and we've got it. Please download the PDF and cut it into four. Then hand them out to your friends and family, go to a public place to spread the word or organize a canvass.

Think of how many people you can reach by November 2008!

Please download it now and help Stop Gordon Smith.

Discuss: We've got your flyers - Four to a page

Posted July 25, 2007 in Grassroots Resources - 0 comments