GOP Senator Runs New Ad Touting His Work With Barack Obama (Oregon)

[struggle4progress]

GOP Senator Runs New Ad Touting His Work With Barack Obama

... "Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment?" the ad asks. "Barack Obama! He joined with Gordon and broke through a 20-year deadlock to pass new laws which increase gas mileage for automobiles" ...

The ad is also further proof of just how far Smith will run away from the Republican brand in this blue state ...

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/gop_senator_runs_new_ad_toutin.php

Obama: Umm, I back the Democrat

... In case Oregon voters were confused, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton issued this statement tonight: “Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate. But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington” ...

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/obama_umm_i_bac.html

... Another Smith ad, another denouncement from a Democrat that Smith hoped to align with in order to reinforce his sinking campaign.

Smith's strategy? Pretend that he is a Democrat while voting to give big corporations a pass (telecom immunity, anyone)? continuing to support the occupation of Iraq, and blocking the adoption of universal healthcare.

http://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2008/06/update-obama-campaign-responds-to-smith.html

[stevedeshazer]

1. Gordon Smith is a phony. This "bipartisan" stuff is bullshit.

Here's his partial voting record, courtesy of http://ontheissues.org

"Free" Trade, voted 'Yes' on it EVERY time:

* Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
* Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
* Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
* Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
* Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
* Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
* Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
* Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
* Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
* Voted YES on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
* Promote the Andean Free Trade Agreement. (May 2002)
* Rated 58% by CATO, indicating a mixed record on trade issues. (Dec 2002)

Government Reform:

* Voted NO on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
* Voted YES on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
* Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
* Voted NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
* Voted NO on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
* Voted NO on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
* Voted NO on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
* Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
* Voted NO on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
* Reduce federal government size & scope, including military. (Sep 1998)

Gun Control:

* Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
* Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
* Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
* Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
* Rated B by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Dec 2003)
* Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007)

Rated 0% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)

Homeland Security:

# Voted NO on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
# Voted YES on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
# Voted NO on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
# Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
# Voted YES on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
# Voted NO on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
# Voted NO on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)

----

I could go on and on, but his claim to be bipartisan is a light-year wide and a nanomillimeter deep.

[Gabi Hayes]

2. what's the average percentage of voting for Bush on the pug side of the Senate?

they're almost always down the party line, yes?

we know McBush was 100 percent this year, and 95 percent last year, his being away for campaigning being taken into account, for fairness' sake

if HE's that doctrinaire, just imagine what the others are like.....

[Kansas Wyatt]

3. Can't he ride any coattails in his own Party?

What a bunch of pathetic losers... A few years ago, repubs were so full of arrogance and had so much hatred for any Democrat. Now they are trying to cling to the Democrats to save them from themselves.

[Blue Belle]

4. I can't stand Gordon Smith.

His commercials cause a visceral reaction that are almost as bad as the ones I have for Bush. The pandering is unbelievable.

[Pastiche423]

5. Gordo also claims in a recent ad

that he was one of the 1st republics to go against whistle ass on the Iraq War.

I get MegaVote via email. It reports the voting of your reps by zip code. I've kept them all

Gordo is lying and it's so easy to prove.

[bullwinkle428]

6. Smith strikes me as a "McCain Jr." kind of guy -

runs to the left for the "maverick" tag when he wants the attention of liberals, and runs right back to the right to show his Neocon allegiance!