Smith + McCain

Lobbyist-in-Chief?

Do lobbyists and the special interests need more control in Washington, D.C.?

Judging by who John McCain listens to and who Gordon Smith caters to, their answer is yes.

McCain has surrounded himself with lobbyist advisers, and Gordon Smith has spent his years in Washington, D.C. becoming a vending machine for votes for the special interests.

With Republican presidential nominee John McCain coming to Oregon on Monday to raise checks of $33,100, it’s time to examine McCain and Smith’s special interest ties.

Smith Is a Vending Machine For Votes

After cashing in more than a quarter million dollars from pharmaceutical and health care special interests, Smith voted to ban the federal government from negotiating lower drug prices for seniors, opposed improving Medicare and left rural seniors medically stranded.

Smith has also raised millions from Big Oil and the other special interests who control his vote on climate change. He has heeded his special interest bosses and opposed Democratic U.S. Senator Ron Wyden’s bill combating climate change.

McCain's Campaign Is Run By Lobbyists

From his senior advisers to his national political director, McCain's lobbyist roots are deep, longstanding and troubling.

“John McCain, who made his name attacking special interests, has more lobbyists working on his staff or as advisers than any of his competitors, Republican or Democrat.”
(Thomas B. Edsall, The Huffington Post, 6-23-07)

“All told, there are 11 current or former lobbyists working for or advising McCain, at least double the number in any other campaign. Among the current and former lobbyists working for McCain are: Campaign CEO Rick Davis, a partner at Davis Manafort, where his clients have included SBC Communications and Verizon; and former Davis Manafort associate, National eCampaign Director Christian Ferry. At the end of 2006, Mike Dennehy, who founded The Dennehy Group, a New Hampshire lobbying firm, was appointed McCain's national political director. He gave up that post in May to become a senior campaign advisor.”
(Thomas B. Edsall, The Huffington Post, 6-23-07)

“After championing campaign finance reform and ethics legislation to score political points, he now has a staggering amount of lobbyists involved in every aspect of his campaign. In fact, two of the top three sources for John McCain's campaign cash are D.C. lobbying firms, and he looked the other way as Jack Abramoff bought and paid for the Republican Party and the Culture of Corruption.”
(Governor Howard Dean, DNC Email, 2-6-08)

“This tandem can’t be trusted to bring the change we need in Washington, D.C.,” DPO Executive Director Trent Lutz said. “Oregonians don’t want more special interest influence in Washington, D.C., they want less. Oregonians don't want a lobbyist-in-chief, they want a leader. Lobbyists have been telling Gordon Smith and John McCain how to vote for so long, they can't relate to Oregon's working families.”

Discuss: Lobbyist-in-Chief?

Posted May 9, 2008 in Smith + McCain - 1 comments

The Numbers

The Oregonian reports today that Oregon Republicans say they have hit bottom.

But, the numbers show they still have room to fall.

With John McCain and Gordon Smith leading their Oregon ticket, state Republicans field a team doomed to defeat.

The Gordon Smith Numbers:

0 – Number of times Gordon Smith has polled above 50 percent this year.

7 – Number of contradictions, fact bending and inaccuracies pointed out by Oregon newspapers, and the Say Anything Senator's own supporters and allies.

8 – Number of times politicians, editors and pundits have said Gordon Smith is vulnerable.

Nearly $300,000 – The amount of debt the Say Anything Senator’s party is digging out of. How will they pay for Get-Out-The-Vote efforts, campaign staff and voter identification when they can’t keep the lights on?

Millions – Gordon Smith has accepted millions of dollars from the special interests who control his votes in Washington, D.C. No wonder he has opposed progress on combating climate change, improving health care and other issues.

The John McCain Numbers:

100 – Number of years John McCain says America will continue to occupy Iraq.

3 – A John McCain presidency would equal a third Bush term. Oregon rejected Bush in 2000 and 2004.

2 – Two of the top three sources for John McCain's campaign cash are Washington, D.C. lobbying firms.

“The Republican ticket is primed for defeat. Gordon Smith can’t break 50 percent and can’t break free from the special interests," DPO Communications Director Marc Siegel said. “John McCain represents a third Bush term and Smith wants to run right alongside him. McCain won’t change a thing in Washington, D.C. and the only thing Smith will change are his positions. Oregonians can’t trust this tandem to bring the change we need in Washington, D.C.”

Discuss: The Numbers

Posted February 29, 2008 in Smith + McCain - 0 comments

Gordon Smith Thinks Oregonians Want A Third Bush Term

How out of touch is Gordon Smith?

Does he really think Oregonians want more special interest influence in Washington, D.C., an indefinite stay in Iraq and a third term for President Bush?

Yesterday, Smith told The Oregonian he thinks John McCain can win in Oregon. Here's what a McCain candidacy represents.

More Special Interest Influence In Washington, D.C.:

“After championing campaign finance reform and ethics legislation to score political points, he now has a staggering amount of lobbyists involved in every aspect of his campaign. In fact, two of the top three sources for John McCain's campaign cash are D.C. lobbying firms, and he looked the other way as Jack Abramoff bought and paid for the Republican Party and the Culture of Corruption.”
(Governor Howard Dean, DNC Email, 2-6-08)

Unending Iraq War:

“His objective isn't to figure out how to get us out. His objective is to get us to let him figure out how to keep us there.”
(Ron Eachus Column, Statesman Journal, 2-4-08)

A Third Bush Term:

“The Iraqi defense minister has said it won't be able to handle its own security until 2018. McCain says we ought to stay in Iraq for 50 years the same way we've done in Japan and South Korea. Anything less is tantamount to defeat. And, like Bush, he continually tries to link a necessity for continued occupation to winning the war on terrorism as if Iraq was an al-Qaida bastion before we arrived.”
(Ron Eachus Column, Statesman Journal, 2-4-08)

“From Iraq to health care, Social Security to special interest tax cuts to ethics, he's promising nothing more than a third Bush term.”
(Governor Howard Dean, DNC Email, 2-6-08)

“Gordon Smith doesn’t get it,” DPO Executive Director Trent Lutz said. “Oregonians don’t want more special interest influence in Washington, D.C., they want less. They don’t want 100 more years in Iraq, they want a responsible exit. They don’t want a third Bush term, they want a change in Washington, D.C. Lobbyists have been telling Gordon Smith how to vote for so long, he doesn’t recognize what Oregon families want in Washington, D.C.”

Discuss: Gordon Smith Thinks Oregonians Want A Third Bush Term

Posted February 21, 2008 in Smith + McCain, Who Loves Gordon? - 0 comments

Smith Gets His Man, But Does Oregon Want A Third Bush Term?

United States Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the candidate Gordon Smith endorsed for president, will be on the Oregon ballot.

But, do Oregonians want a president committed to continuing Bush’s failed policies?

According to Statesman Journal columnist Ron Eachus, a McCain presidency would mean an increase in the national debt President Bush has created and an endless stay in Iraq.

“He's wrapped himself in Ronald Reagan's ‘voodoo economics’ and hopes the public will forget that the national debt doubled under Reagan's eight years and doubled again under the same refrain from Bush.”
(Ron Eachus Column, Statesman Journal, 2-4-08)

“But on the war, there's no shifting. McCain has always supported it and believed in it.”
(Ron Eachus Column, Statesman Journal, 2-4-08)

“The Iraqi defense minister has said it won't be able to handle its own security until 2018. McCain says we ought to stay in Iraq for 50 years the same way we've done in Japan and South Korea. Anything less is tantamount to defeat. And, like Bush, he continually tries to link a necessity for continued occupation to winning the war on terrorism as if Iraq was an al-Qaida bastion before we arrived.”
(Ron Eachus Column, Statesman Journal, 2-4-08)

“His objective isn't to figure out how to get us out. His objective is to get us to let him figure out how to keep us there.”
(Ron Eachus Column, Statesman Journal, 2-4-08)

A McCain presidency would mean a third Bush term according to Governor Howard Dean, Chair of the Democratic National Committee. McCain could overturn a woman’s right to choose, let lobbyists continue to corrupt Washington, DC and keep us in Iraq for a century.

“On a woman's right to choose, McCain has vowed to appoint judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade.”
(Governor Howard Dean, DNC Email, 2-6-08)

“From Iraq to health care, Social Security to special interest tax cuts to ethics, he's promising nothing more than a third Bush term. After championing campaign finance reform and ethics legislation to score political points, he now has a staggering amount of lobbyists involved in every aspect of his campaign. In fact, two of the top three sources for John McCain's campaign cash are D.C. lobbying firms, and he looked the other way as Jack Abramoff bought and paid for the Republican Party and the Culture of Corruption.”
(Governor Howard Dean, DNC Email, 2-6-08)

“On the war, McCain scoffed at Bush's call to leave troops in Iraq for 50 years, saying ‘Make it a hundred!’”
(Governor Howard Dean, DNC Email, 2-6-08)

“John McCain represents a third Bush term and Gordon Smith thinks that’s a good idea for Oregon,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “McCain won’t change a thing in Washington, DC and the only thing Gordon Smith will change are his positions. Oregonians can’t trust this tandem to bring the change we need in Washington, DC.”

Discuss: Smith Gets His Man, But Does Oregon Want A Third Bush Term?

Posted February 6, 2008 in Smith + McCain - 3 comments

Will Smith Use McCain To Repair His Credibility With Oregonians?

As New Hampshire voters go to the polls today, one prominent Oregonian faces a choice of his own.

Gordon Smith can rescind his support for the Iraq War’s most ardent proponent - U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) - or he can continue to endorse a man who is campaigning on prolonging the war.

Since launching this video of Smith and McCain in July, the DPO has been criticizing Smith for his contradictory support of McCain. Smith says he opposes the war, but continues voting to prolong the war and has endorsed the war's most unyielding proponent for president.

Click and Play it Now

McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, said McCain’s presidential candidacy is no longer about the White House, it’s about staying in Iraq.

“’This isn’t about electing a man president,’ Davis said. ‘It’s about continuing a war.’”
(Roger Simon, The Politico, 9-18-07)

“If Gordon Smith truly opposed the Iraq War, wouldn’t he end his support of the war’s most stubborn proponent? By tomorrow morning, John McCain will be the favorite to take the Republican nomination. By tomorrow morning, will Gordon Smith show character and credibility and drop his endorsement of McCain?” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith asked. “The Iraq War is not just another policy issue. It is the most important issue facing our country and a daily matter of life and death for our armed forces. But apparently it’s not an important enough issue to Gordon Smith. He is letting his friendship with McCain outweigh his obligation to his constituents and our men and women in the military to bring the troops home.”

It’s no surprise to Oregonians that Smith is less than credible on the Iraq War.

His own supporters, editorial writers, and other voices throughout Oregon have all criticized Smith's credibility in 2007 and 2008.

Discuss: Will Smith Use McCain To Repair His Credibility With Oregonians?

Posted January 8, 2008 in Iraq, Smith + McCain - 3 comments

As McCain Digs In His Heels On Iraq, Smith Stands By Him

Here is Gordon Smith’s chance to prove Oregonians can trust him – and his judgment.

As U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) makes national news for opposing withdrawal from Iraq, Gordon Smith should finally end his misguided support for McCain’s presidential campaign.

McCain not only supports the war, but as The Politico’s Roger Simon writes, staying in Iraq has become the singular theme of McCain’s White House bid.

“This week he capped off his ‘No Surrender Tour,’ which was dedicated entirely to fighting Democratic efforts in Congress to mandate a troop withdrawal from Iraq.”
(Roger Simon, The Politico, 9-18-07)

In fact, McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, said his candidacy is no longer about the White House, it’s about staying in Iraq.

“’This isn’t about electing a man president,’ Davis said. ‘It’s about continuing a war.’”
(Roger Simon, The Politico, 9-18-07)

If Gordon Smith truly opposed the Iraq War, wouldn’t he end his support of the war’s most stubborn proponent?

What Supporting John McCain Means

A John McCain presidency means our next generation is likely to be patrolling Baghdad.

A John McCain presidency means billions more dollars will be spent in Iraq, not in America.

A John McCain presidency would further weaken America’s relationship with the rest of the world.

And Gordon Smith wants him to be president.

Does that make you think Gordon Smith honestly opposes the Iraq War?

Does that make you trust Gordon Smith’s judgment?

Discuss: As McCain Digs In His Heels On Iraq, Smith Stands By Him

Posted September 21, 2007 in Smith + McCain - 0 comments

Gordon Smith: More War?

United States Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) just can't get enough of war presidents.

After nearly seven violent, disastrous years under President Bush, Smith is pushing for four more under U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

McCain, who along with Bush is the most unyielding proponent of staying in Iraq, is Smith's choice for president.

Where do Smith and McCain want to take us next? Watch the video:

Click and Play it Now

Although Oregonians oppose the war, Smith has voted more than 20 times to authorize and fund it – including twice in May – and thinks the war's most intractable U.S. Senate proponent is a good fit for president.

"A John McCain presidency would lead us to endless losses in Iraq and potential armed conflict with Iran. The only Oregonian who endorses that direction is Gordon Smith," DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. "Smith could stand up for Oregon values and endorse a different candidate, or he could withhold endorsement. Instead, he stands steadfastly by McCain's misguided military missions."

Discuss: Gordon Smith: More War?

Posted July 11, 2007 in Iraq, Smith + McCain - 7 comments