Veterans

Did Smith Tell The Truth To Veterans Today?

As Gordon Smith met with Central Oregon veterans in Bend today, did he disclose his vote this month to strip veterans funding at a time when our servicemen and women are facing ever greater difficulties at home?

Did he reveal that he has a failing, 40 percent score from Disabled American Veterans?

Did he explain why his Oregon counterpart, Ron Wyden, received an 80 percent score from the same group, yet they represent the same constituents?

Did Smith explain why on nearly every test on funding and expanding veterans health care, Smith has failed veterans?

Smith needs to explain to Oregonians why he will vote against veterans funding in Washington, DC, but market himself as a veterans champion in Oregon.

Discuss: Did Smith Tell The Truth To Veterans Today?

Posted November 26, 2007 in Veterans - 0 comments

Wrong Time. Wrong Vote.

Gordon Smith should check the calendar.

He chose the wrong week to undercut veterans health.

If Smith heads to Oregon for Veterans Day events, he will have to answer for his vote this week to "strip veterans funding," not to mention his failing Veterans Day Report Card.

“Gordon Smith’s message to our soldiers is fight them over there, but I won’t fight for you here,” DPO Chair Meredith Wood Smith said. “He will vote over and over again to keep troops in Iraq, but won’t support veterans programs for those same soldiers when they return home.”

While he’s home, Smith should also explain why he continues his Iraq War deception. Smith votes in Washington, DC to keep troops in Iraq, yet tells Oregonians he opposes the war.

WHAT SMITH WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR THIS WEEKEND:

VETERANS

This week Smith voted to strip funding from veterans. The bill he opposed and Ron Wyden supported would have provided necessary funds for the Veterans Administration so our veterans can get the care they deserve.

According to the Census Bureau, there are more than 350,000 veterans in Oregon. Nearly 20,000 Oregon men and women have been deployed overseas, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, to combat terrorism.

All of them would benefit from this funding. All of them have been ignored by Senator Smith. Smith’s vote this week will do nothing to help his 40 percent rating from Disabled American Veterans.

CONSISTENT SUPPORT FOR IRAQ WAR

Over and over again Smith votes to keep troops in Iraq. Twice in May, again in September and again in October he has chosen to stand with President Bush to keep troops in Iraq. By comparison, Ron Wyden voted opposite Smith on all four votes.

IRAQ WAR DECEPTION

Smith has made it impossible for Oregonians to trust what he says on the Iraq War. He will talk to every reporter he can to emphasize his opposition to the war. Then, he will retreat to the senate chamber and vote to continue the war. That’s not leadership, that’s deception.

What will you tell Gordon Smith if you see him this weekend in Oregon?

Discuss: Wrong Time. Wrong Vote.

Posted November 9, 2007 in Veterans - 1 comments

Veterans Hammer Smith’s Veteran Voting Record

Gordon Smith is learning that he can’t outrun his voting record.

His votes against veterans caught up to him yesterday as Veterans In Action criticized him for his atrocious voting record and asked him to change course.

Smith has earned a 40 percent score from Disabled American Veterans. That rating placed him in the bottom 25 percent of the U.S. Senate - lower than more than 25 U.S. Senate Republicans and every Democrat and Independent serving at that time in the chamber.

Why do you think Smith has earned a failing grade from Disabled American Veterans?

Why do you think Smith has consistently voted against veterans’ causes?

Does he not know how his votes damage veterans?

Or does he not care?

Discuss: Veterans Hammer Smith’s Veteran Voting Record

Posted August 29, 2007 in Smith vs. Smith, Veterans - 9 comments

Does Smith think 40 percent is a passing grade?

Will Gordon Smith discuss his real record with veterans or will he continue to grow the gap between his votes and his quotes?

As Smith is scheduled to appear before veterans in Bend today (Editor's Note: Smith ended up being unable to attend this event due to personal reasons) he will have to try and talk his way out of his failing, 40 percent score from Disabled American Veterans.

He will have to explain why he represents the same Oregon veterans as U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, but Wyden’s 80 percent score from DAV doubles Smith’s.

Smith will have to explain why his rating was lower than more than 25 U.S. Senate Republicans and every Democrat and Independent serving at that time in the U.S. Senate.

Will he discuss his real voting record and be honest with veterans? Or will he continue to grow the gap between his votes and his quotes?

Look at Smith's record on the jump.

Read more and discuss: Does Smith think 40 percent is a passing grade?

Posted August 14, 2007 in Smith vs. Smith, Veterans - 0 comments