Smith + Bush

Smith And Bush

The DSCC began running a new television ad this month highlighting Gordon Smith's record of voting in lockstep with George W. Bush. From Bush's tax breaks for the wealthiest to his plans to privatize Social Security, Smith has joined Bush in working against the priorities of average Oregonians for years.

Discuss: Smith And Bush

Posted October 31, 2008 in Smith + Bush, Smith Videos - 0 comments

The Smith/Bush Files

[Update, 9/24: Every day, Oregonians are learning more about Smith Frozen Foods. Watch our most recent video from Weston, Oregon.]

Make no mistake: Gordon Smith and George Bush are good friends. And no surprise - Gordon Smith votes with President Bush over 90% of the time.

Here's a few photos of George & Gordon (and a few good friends)...

Read more and discuss: The Smith/Bush Files

Posted August 14, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 1 comments

Bush - Smith Legacy

Other than a 45-foot, 28-ton bus, what do Gordon Smith and President Bush have in common?

A lengthy record favoring the special interests over Oregon’s working families, limiting a woman’s right to choose and passing reckless tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

It’s all detailed in the Bush Legacy Bus that rolled into Oregon today.

According to Salem-News.com, the bus will feature “…several interactive exhibits on how two terms of failed conservative policies supported by Bush and his allies – including Sens. John McCain and Gordon Smith – have weakened America’s security abroad while neglecting and undermining important priorities here at home.”
(Salem-News.com, 7-23-08)

“If Oregonians want a glimpse at what John McCain and his top Oregon supporter Gordon Smith have in store for us, all they have to do is tour the bus,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “Gordon Smith has voted down the line with Bush to limit a woman’s right to choose, to provide tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas and to favor the special interests over Oregon’s working families. Smith's choice for president, John McCain, is running to fulfill a third Bush term. That tandem won’t bring the change we need to Washington, D.C.”

Discuss: Bush - Smith Legacy

Posted July 23, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

Gordon Smith And George Bush Join Hands Again To Raise Campaign Cash

Read the latest from the DSCC on Gordon Smith and George Bush's $12 million partnership.

Bush to raise $12 million for Senate Republicans who have rubberstamped his agenda

Gordon Smith will once again join hands with George Bush to raise campaign cash tonight as the president attends a $12 million fundraiser for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. Smith has voted to support Bush’s agenda 85% of the time, and tonight he gets his reward as the president raises money for the campaign committee that works to elect Republican Senators.

“Twelve million dollars is a lot to pay for a rubber stamp, but Bush has gotten his money’s worth with Gordon Smith,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller asked. “But all the campaign cash in the world won’t fool Oregonians into buying Smith’s election year makeover. Smith’s record of supporting Bush 85% of the time may bring him millions in special interest contributions, but it will be rejected by voters in November.”

The fundraiser, dubbed the President’s Dinner, comes on the heels of a new Washington Post-ABC News poll showing that Bush’s approval rating has sunk to an all-time low of 29%.

Smith Praised Bush As A Man With “Clear Ideas, A Good Heart.” In his speech to Oregon delegates in 2004, Smith praised Bush as a man with “clear ideas, a good heart and a backbone of steel.” [AP, 8/30/04]

Smith Said Bush “Represents Economic Recovery And American Leadership.” "President Bush has set our country on the course of recovery at home and strength abroad," Smith said in May 2004. "We are safer today because this president has had the backbone to follow terrorism where terrorists are and go after them, and they have failed to strike us again on our own shores since 9-11… President Bush represents economic recovery and American leadership." [University Wire, 5/19/04]

Smith Said Bush “Understands What Creates Opportunity In America." At a 2004 GOP dinner, Smith said, “George Bush understands what creates opportunity in America.” Smith also added, “We need a president who says what he believes, pursues it with courage and conviction, and I tell you that that person for America, for another term, is George W. Bush.” [Oregon Daily Emerald, 2/18/04]

Smith Led Bush’s Oregon Re-election Effort. In 2004, Smith served as the state Chairman of the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign and was one of Bush’s top national fundraisers. “President Bush's steady leadership is resonating with the people of Oregon,” Smith said at the opening of the Bush-Cheney ’04 Oregon headquarters. [Gannett News Service, 9/2/04; Bush-Cheney ’04 Press Release, 4/13/04; AP, 10/17/03]

Discuss: Gordon Smith And George Bush Join Hands Again To Raise Campaign Cash

Posted June 18, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

It Started On A Blog

The unraveling of the Smith Myth didn’t begin with a TV ad or mail piece.

It started on a blog.

Blue Oregon editor Jeff Alworth’s revealing look at voting numbers shows Republican Gordon Smith consistently votes with Republicans and cancels out Oregon's Democratic U.S. Senator, Ron Wyden. And he caters to conservatives on almost every key vote where he could make a difference.

Click here to read the full post with the clear charts that debunk the Smith Myth. IT’S WORTH THE FEW MINUTES IT TAKES TO READ IT.

Click here to listen to Alworth’s quick explanation yesterday on KPOJ’s morning radio show.

Key Excerpts:

Reliable GOP Vote
“One of the handiest features allows you to see how often your Senator voted with his party. With Gordon Smith, an interesting pattern emerges. In the 105th and 106th Congresses--when Smith was not up for re-election--he was a reliable Republican vote. In fact, he voted with the GOP majority about 3% more often than his colleagues did on average. But during the 107th Congress, when he was running for re-election, he mavericked up, voting with the Republicans less frequently than his colleagues. So now that he's prepping up for the fight of his life, would you guess that he's mavericking up again?”
(Jeff Alworth, Blue Oregon, 4-21-08)

When Tough Votes Are Up
“Another way to assess Smith's maverick bona fides is to examine what he did when the vote was on the line. It's one thing to vote against drilling ANWR, as he did in 2005, when the outcome was not in doubt. But what about when it is in doubt? For each session, the Post lists the dozen or so closest votes, including names of defectors. You would imagine that a maverick like Gordon Smith would take brave stands against his caucus even when it meant scuttling their position, right? You would imagine wrong.”
(Jeff Alworth, Blue Oregon, 4-21-08)

"The Post had 12 close votes listed for 1999 (106th), and 15 for 2001 (107th). The GOP had pretty loose party unity in '99--just 88.4%. In '01, it was a more unified 95.2%. The number of times Gordon Smith deviated from the majority in these close votes: zero. Nada. None for 27. By contrast, Arlen Specter (R-PA) was a real maverick. In these close votes, he dissented from his party 58% and 40% of the time. Susan Collins (R-ME), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and George Voinovich (R-OH) were all far more maverick than our man Gordon."
(Jeff Alworth, Blue Oregon, 4-21-08)

Cancelling Out Ron Wyden
“For Oregonians, that means we have had a Senator cancelling out every effort Ron Wyden has made to end the war, address health care and wages, and make progress on the environment. For the next seven months, we're gong to hear a lot of hype about Smith's 'independence' in the Senate. Don't believe it--he is and has voted like a good, orthodox Republican, making sure the agenda of George W. Bush has had smooth sailing. The numbers tell us so.”
(Jeff Alworth, Blue Oregon, 4-21-08)

Discuss: It Started On A Blog

Posted April 23, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

Will Gordon Smith Answer The Daily Astorian's Question Honestly?

The Daily Astorian has lobbed a simple question to Gordon Smith.

“Will Gordon Smith embrace Bush?”
(The Daily Astorian Editorial, 2-12-08)

It's not hard to answer the newspaper's question. The Say Anything Senator has a long record of siding with President Bush, but running from his true record in an election year.

Smith Is A Loyal Bush Man:

-Smith consistently votes with President Bush.

-Smith led Bush Campaign in Oregon.

Smith Will Run From His Record In An Election Year:

-Bill Lunch, a non partisan political pundit says Smith tries to paint himself as a moderate, belying his true record.

-Columnist David Sarasohn of The Oregonian said Smith is “heading to the center like a gyroscope” as he prepares for re-election.
(David Sarasohn Column, The Oregonian, 12-2-07)

-Smith’s 2002 U.S. Senate opponent reminded Oregonians not to be fooled by Smith’s campaign conversions.

-Smith’s own supporters and allies have groused about Smith’s authenticity and accuracy.

“Anyone can look at Gordon Smith’s track record and determine his answer to The Daily Astorian,” DPO Communications Director Marc Siegel said. “Gordon Smith will publicly fight for President Bush up until Smith has to fight for re-election. Then, the Say Anything Senator will act like he’s never heard of the president he’s helped to lodge our troops in Iraq, jeopardize a woman’s right to choose, irresponsibly cut taxes for America’s wealthiest individuals and stall action on combating climate change.”

Read the full editorial from The Daily Astorian:

Daily Astorian
Editorial
2/12/2008
Will Gordon Smith embrace Bush?
Many Americans are eager to see an end to the Republican fetish of ideology

President Bush is ready to embrace Sen. John McCain as his successor. It is amusing that McCain thinks this is a good idea. Of course McCain faces the task of energizing the so-called Republican base, which tends to reside on the right wing. To the extent that McCain is attractive to the rest of us, it is because he has been an independent, pragmatic voice among congressional Republicans.

The New York Times on Sunday devoted space to a discussion among Republicans of the value President Bush brings to the McCain campaign. While Mr. Bush remains in the cellar with 30 percent approval ratings and four-fifths of Americans believing the nation is on the wrong track, the president still packs a wallop with moneyed Republicans.

The pointed and difficult question for all Republicans running in 2008 will be: "What part of George W. Bush's presidency do you accept?" The Iraq War? The economy? Environmental policy? Federal debt?

While Republicans quoted in the Times article thought the president could help Sen. McCain in various ways, GOP senate, gubernatorial or congressional candidates are not likely to rush to Mr. Bush's side.

In Oregon, the Senate race between incumbent Gordon Smith, one of two prospective Democrats, Steve Novick and Jeff Merkley, and Independent John Frohnmayer will assuredly be about George W. Bush. Sen. Smith grasps that and has for some time. Hence Smith's late-night conversion on the Iraq War.

Smith can take comfort in a January poll by Riley Research. That polling indicated a huge, 73 percent bloc of undecided voters when asked about the Democratic candidates for the Senate. But Smith's bottom-line problem is that Oregonians don't know what he's done or whether he's done anything beyond being seen with Sen. Ron Wyden. Smith seems to lack the legislative gene, a problem Wyden assuredly does not have. Riley Research polling indicates Smith's approval rating is stalled in the range of 38 to 39 percent.

Many Americans would like to see an end to the fetish of ideology - the mistaken notion fostered by Republican leaders going back to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich that the other political party's concerns could be ignored.

George Bush will be on the ballot in November, in the sense that this election will be a referendum on his eight years in office. Do we want more of it? That's the question that John McCain and Gordon Smith will be forced to answer.

Discuss: Will Gordon Smith Answer The Daily Astorian's Question Honestly?

Posted February 12, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

State Of The Union Decision For Smith

It’s an election year, so which character will the Say Anything Senator play tonight for George Bush’s State Of The Union address?

The longtime supporter of President Bush who consistently votes with Bush, praises his past State Of The Unions, supports his agenda, and led his re-election campaign in Oregon?

Or the Say Anything Senator who has a history of running away from his record during election season?

Smith Runs From His Record

1. Last month, columnist David Sarasohn of The Oregonian said Smith is “heading to the center like a gyroscope” as he prepares for re-election.
(David Sarasohn Column, The Oregonian, 12-2-07)

2. In October, Smith’s 2002 U.S. Senate opponent reminded Oregonians not to be fooled by Smith’s campaign conversions.

3.In September, Bill Lunch, arguably Oregon’s most quoted non-partisan political pundit, explained that Smith is trying to gloss over his conservative voting record with a moderate veneer.

4. No wonder a loyal Smith supporter said Smith only cares about re-election.

Bend Republican Dave Eaton said Smith “doesn’t stand for anything other than his own re-election.”
(The Bulletin, 11-27-07)

We’ll find out tonight which Smith shows up. The consistent Bush backer or the re-election candidate that runs from his record.

“If it’s election season, Gordon Smith must be posing as a bi-partisan senator,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “As Smith comments tonight on President Bush’s speech, will he mention his consistent support for the president and Smith’s five votes in 2007 to keep troops in Iraq? Will Smith be honest with Oregonians?”

Discuss: State Of The Union Decision For Smith

Posted January 28, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

Republican Leader Whiffs On Smith's Record

John Ensign must be listening to Gordon Smith’s quotes and not paying attention to Smith’s votes.

Otherwise, Nevada’s Republican U.S. Senator would have noticed that on choice, the environment, truth and President Bush, Smith’s record is completely out of step with Oregon values.

In an interview published today in Real Clear Politics, Ensign said Smith matches his home state “incredibly well.”

But, nothing about the Say Anything Senator’s consistent support for President Bush, his truth problems, or his anti-choice, and anti-environment record matches Oregon values.

Oregon is arguably the most pro-choice state in the country. Yet Smith has amassed a long anti-choice record.

Oregon is pro-environment. Smith has been hammered for not defending the environment.

Oregon voted against George Bush in both 2000 and 2004. Smith consistently votes with President Bush and led his re-election effort in Oregon in 2004.

And it’s safe to say Oregonians value honesty. Yet newspaper editors and Smith's own allies have criticized him for contradictions, fact bending and inaccuracies.

“John Ensign should know by now that Gordon Smith will say anything to get re-elected. But, Smith’s votes don’t match his quotes,” DPO Communications Director Marc Siegel said. “Senator Ensign, don’t fall for Smith's quotes. Look at his votes.”

Discuss: Republican Leader Whiffs On Smith's Record

Posted January 25, 2008 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

Statement On Smith's Support For Mukasey

DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith’s statement on U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith’s (R-OR) support for U.S. Attorney General Nominee Michael Mukasey.

“Gordon Smith had a chance to break from his party, stand up for principle and tell the world America does not torture. Instead, he sided with President Bush and every member of his Republican Party to support a man who will not admit waterboarding is torture.

Smith could have said no candidate who allows torture should pass. He should have told Michael Mukasey and Oregonians he does not support waterboarding.

Instead, he shrunk from the opportunity to support Oregonians and oppose the President. This is no surprise. On issues large and small, Gordon Smith sides with President Bush. He votes with him 90 percent of the time. ”

Discuss: Statement On Smith's Support For Mukasey

Posted November 8, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

Oregon’s Most Prominent Political Pundit Exposes Smith

No matter how hard he tries, Gordon Smith can’t hide his conservative voting record.

Yesterday, Bill Lunch, arguably Oregon’s most quoted non-partisan political pundit, explained that Smith is trying to gloss over his conservative voting record with a moderate veneer.

“Smith, who was handily re-elected in 2004, is seen by Democrats as particularly beleaguered this election cycle in part because of his loyalty to President Bush, who is wildly unpopular in the Beaver State with its left of center political leanings.

Bill Lunch, a political science professor at Oregon State University, said Smith has tried to paint himself as more moderate than his voting record indicates.”
(Ashland Daily Tidings, 9-12-07)

Although Oregon is a pro-choice, pro-environment state that opposed President Bush in both 2000 and 2004, Smith hasn’t gotten the message. Here is the conservative record Smith doesn’t want Oregonians to know about.

Read more and discuss: Oregon’s Most Prominent Political Pundit Exposes Smith

Posted September 13, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 4 comments

Smith Tells a Whopper to The Register-Guard

Gordon Smith fails honesty test in editorial board interview in Eugene. His 2007 answer contradicts his 2001 quotes.

Uh Gordon, do you want to try that again?

United States Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) tried to convince The Register-Guard editorial board Tuesday that he barely worked with Vice President Dick Cheney and the White House when they made a political decision to abuse environmental and commercial resources to get him re-elected in 2002. The 2002 Klamath River water diversion ended up destroying coastal fishing communities.

“Smith downplayed his connection to Cheney in that chapter. He said he did not recall speaking with the vice president, but did lobby President Bush during a flight on Air Force One to allow some of the basin's water dedicated for imperiled sucker fish to be diverted to withering croplands and pastures.

‘I was not familiar with all the things the vice president was doing,’ Smith said, referring to the Washington Post's account.’”
(The Register-Guard, 8-8-07)

Yet, in 2001, Smith demonstrated clear and direct knowledge of Cheney’s involvement.

“‘Dick Cheney stopped that order from coming down,’ Smith said. ‘He ordered the biologists back to Washington’ to see if there were some way to get around the conclusion that all available water must go to protect endangered suckers in Upper Klamath Lake and threatened coho salmon in the lower Klamath River.”
(Herald and News, 4-9-01)

Smith even ran TV ads touting his coordination with the White House.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2WkhoGut6E

“Where is the honesty from Gordon Smith?” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith asked. “In 2001 he couldn’t stop talking about his coordination with Vice President Cheney and the White House. Now, he says he barely worked with them. Gordon Smith has let the truth become a casualty in his re-election bid. His disregard for the truth is troubling and a disservice to Oregonians.”

Multiple choice quiz on the jump.

Read more and discuss: Smith Tells a Whopper to The Register-Guard

Posted August 9, 2007 in Smith + Bush, Smith vs. Smith - 5 comments

Smith’s supporters reveal how out of touch he is

Pro-Bush, Anti-Choice, Anti-Environment is “Mainstream” For Gordon Smith

Someone needs to tell U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) that Oregonians are pro-choice, opposed to President Bush’s failed policies and care about our natural resources.

According to his loyal GOP supporters, he doesn’t know.

In today’s edition of The Oregonian, GOP officials claimed that Smith – who votes with President Bush 90 percent of the time and earned a 15 percent score from pro-choice advocates and a 14 percent score from environmental advocates - represents “mainstream” Oregonians.

Tucker Bounds, an Oregon State Republican Party spokesman, claimed that Smith “…fits the mold of mainstream Oregonians.”
(The Oregonian, 8-2-07)

In polls, ballot initiatives and elections, Oregonians have repeatedly shown they are pro-choice, pro-environment and not fans of President Bush. Yet Smith has apparently not been paying attention.

“How many Oregonians agree with nine out of ten decisions this president makes and have built a public service record opposing pro-choice and environmental causes?” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith asked. “Sadly, only one, and he’s our junior U.S. Senator. It is laughable for Gordon Smith and his GOP cronies to claim someone who votes with President Bush 90 percent of the time and earns a 15 percent score from pro-choice advocates and a 14 percent score from environmental advocates represents mainstream Oregonians.”

Discuss: Smith’s supporters reveal how out of touch he is

Posted August 2, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 1 comments

No apology, no explanation yet from Smith

As newspapers, broadcasters and bloggers report on Gordon Smith’s political abuse of the Klamath River, Smith still won’t apologize or explain his coordination with Cheney, Rove and Bush for abusing an environmental and commercial resource for political gain.

Two days after DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith called on U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) to apologize for coordinating with Karl Rove, Vice President Cheney and President Bush to earn votes by endangering Oregon’s fishing industries and salmon population, Smith is still silent on the issue.

But, the media is raising more and more questions for Smith about his coordination with Cheney and other White House leaders to choose politics over science to earn him votes.

“Gordon Smith should not stay silent on his political abuse of the Klamath River,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “In 2002, Gordon Smith couldn’t stop running television ads and boasting to Oregonians about turning on the water. Now that 70,000 salmon are dead, countless fishermen have lost their livelihood and the U.S. House is looking into his actions, he’s suddenly media shy. Gordon Smith should take responsibility for his actions. Gordon Smith should explain when he first contacted Dick Cheney and the White House, what he asked of Dick Cheney, and why Dick Cheney made personal calls on his behalf to divert the water to earn Smith re-election.”

Read the facts on the jump!

Read more and discuss: No apology, no explanation yet from Smith

Posted August 1, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 1 comments

Gordon Smith Should Apologize

What a difference 70,000 dead salmon make.

And a congressional investigation.

In 2002, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) campaigned on his ability to coordinate with the White House to divert Klamath River water to farmers - a move that killed more than 70,000 salmon, countless fishing businesses and local economies and earned him an election victory.

Now, with the House Natural Resources Committee hearings looming on “the alarming role Vice President Dick Cheney may have played in Klamath River Basin decisions,” Smith is silent on the issue.
(Chairman Nick J. Rahall II Press Release, 6-28-07)

That’s why DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith has called on Smith to use the hearings to apologize for coordinating with the White House in the largest adult salmon kill in the history of the West.

“As the committee meets tomorrow to investigate Vice President Dick Cheney’s move to open the Klamath River irrigation system to earn Gordon Smith votes, Smith can finally apologize to Oregonians for abusing an environmental and commercial resource for political gain,” Wood Smith said. “In 2002, Gordon Smith couldn’t stop boasting about turning on the water. Now that 70,000 salmon are dead, countless fishermen have lost their livelihood and the U.S. House is looking into his actions, he’s suddenly media shy. Gordon Smith should take responsibility for his actions. If Gordon Smith can open an irrigation system to release thousands of gallons of water, surely he can open his mouth and apologize to Oregonians.”

SMITH BOASTED IN TV ADS AND TO REPORTERS HOW HE COORDINATED WITH THE WHITE HOUSE TO TURN ON WATER

During his 2002 campaign, Smith boasted about his ability to convince the White House to turn on the water.

This is Smith's old campaign ad on restoring the water:

Read more and discuss: Gordon Smith Should Apologize

Posted July 30, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 2 comments

Gordon Smith (hearts) George W. Bush

They say breaking up is hard to do.

It sure is for Gordon Smith. Despite the disastrous, wrongheaded policies of the Bush administration, Smith stands by his man.

Gordon Smith votes with President Bush 90 percent of the time. He’s voted with him on the Iraq War, on tax breaks for corporations, on drilling in ANWR, and a host of other bedrock conservative issues.

Again, that’s 90 percent. So, the only person in Oregon who agrees with our President on nine out of every 10 decision he makes unfortunately also happens to be our junior U.S. Senator.

Read more and discuss: Gordon Smith (hearts) George W. Bush

Posted July 5, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 1 comments

Smith Votes With Bush 90% of the Time.

That's right. In the last six years, Gordon Smith has voted with the President an average of 90% of the time. In Bush’s first term, though, and before Smith was looking ahead to his own re-election bid, Smith supported Bush an average of 94% of the time. [CQ Member Profile]

Read more and discuss: Smith Votes With Bush 90% of the Time.

Posted June 30, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments

Strong Quotes, Weak Votes

Smith takes ineffectiveness and cowardice to a new level this week on two important issues.

The gap between U.S. Senator Gordon Smith’s (R-OR) votes and his quotes grew this week as Smith turned two opportunities to show leadership into a clinic on senatorial cowardice.

ALBERTO GONZALES

Despite tough talk, Smith blew an opportunity to stand up to President Bush and stand for Oregonians by not supporting a no confidence vote on U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Read more and discuss: Strong Quotes, Weak Votes

Posted May 23, 2007 in Smith + Bush, Smith vs. Smith - 0 comments

President Bush’s Personal U.S. Senator is Vulnerable

Politicians, editors and pundits agree, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) is a vulnerable candidate

What happens when Oregon voters send you to the U.S. Senate, but you choose to represent the White House instead?

You become vulnerable.

That is what has happened to Gordon Smith, President Bush’s personal U.S. Senator. His consistent support of Bush’s policies has made him an attractive electoral target.

"’In politics, there are very few times when you feel confident you can take on an incumbent and win. This is one such time for Democrats to think that,’ [Ronald Tammen, director of the Mark O. Hatfield school of government at Portland State University] said.”
(AP, 4-21-07)

“The Senate Democratic Campaign Committee regards Sen. Gordon Smith as among the most vulnerable Republicans in 2008.”
(The Register-Guard Editorial, 4-22-07)

“Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski said Friday that Smith is vulnerable, but warned that he is a tough campaigner whose aggressive style belies his nice-guy image.”
(AP, 4-21-07)

Read more and discuss: President Bush’s Personal U.S. Senator is Vulnerable

Posted April 25, 2007 in Smith + Bush, Smith is Vulnerable - 0 comments

DPO calls on Smith to call off Karl Rove

U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) should stand for Oregonians by standing up to Bush’s top henchman, Karl Rove.

Will U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) side with Bush’s Brain or Oregon’s interests?

Although Smith consistently votes with President Bush and proudly campaigns with him and for him, he has an opportunity this week to show rare independence from the White House.

Read more and discuss: DPO calls on Smith to call off Karl Rove

Posted April 11, 2007 in Smith + Bush - 0 comments