Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR): Bush's war is not criminal, it's insane

[blitzen]

let's just agree to settle on "criminally insane"



http://rawstory.com/news/2007/GOP_Senator_Gordon_Smith_calls_Iraq_0710.html

Smith is known for a speech last December in which he stated, "I, for one, am at the end of my rope when it comes to supporting a policy that has our soldiers patrolling the same streets in the same way, being blown up by the same bombs day after day. That is absurd. It may even be criminal."

Smith told Fox, "If I could do anything over, I would – in that speech I gave – I would replace the word 'criminal' with the word 'insane.'" He suggested that the "surge" might have had a chance of working four years ago, but said, "On my numerous visits to Iraq ... each time I go, the government seems more and more dysfunctional. And all we're doing is depending on them to step up and govern."

[tularetom]

1. How big a leap is it then to assume those who carry on the war are

also insane? And if so, shouldn't they be divested of whatever power they have.

[Alexander]

2. Easy to say when you're up for re-election next year...

Smith needs to get booted.

[Pastiche423]

3. Gordo knows Oregon is turning bluer

and he's up for re-election in 2008.

When I our rep and senators come for a town meeting in my small town, the room is usually packed.

When Gordo came last week, there were maybe ten people in attendance.

[0rganism]

4. Smith is picking his 2 or 3 "moderate" issues for 2008

He does this every time, this is how he keeps winning in statewide elections.

District by district, the only hardcore conservative the GOP gets out of Oregon is from east of the Cascades (currently Rep. Walden); the population centers pretty much vote Democratic, just like anywhere else in the country, and we regularly elect Democratic governors. The other senator is a Democrat, and a fairly progressive one. So how does Smith do it?

Every six years, he picks a few issues to use for urban campaigning. People who are otherwise sensible, liberal, registered Democrats listen to him and think, "Gee, what a nice moderate fellow that Gordon Smith is, it won't hurt to split my ballot just a little bit to let him stay in the Senate." The local newspapers go out of their way to bend over backwards in offering continuous apologetics for Smith, playing up his "statesmanship", shamelessly exaggerating how well he represents Oregon, and trumpeting his "cooperative" relationship with Sen. Wyden (D-OR) to further solidify a veneer of moderation. Smith also happens to be very photogenic, much moreso than anyone else in Oregon's congressional delegation, and for some reason that makes him credible. :shrug:

Smith's way off the mark when it comes to matching up with the majority of Oregonians on the issues, and even the ones he singles out for appearance of moderation are often countered by his voting record. However, his campaigns are masterpieces of spin, style over substance, and very well funded. Although Smith's senate seat is the most likely pick-up for national Dems in Oregon (Walden's seat is basically safe GOP), he's going to be a tough one to unseat, which is why Democrats appear reluctant, perhaps even afraid, to offer strong challengers.

[MissB]

5. Yep.

Gawd. You'd think people would catch on by now.