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GOP Senator In Tough Race Quits Role On McCain Campaign
Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon has taken yet another step to distance himself from the national GOP as he runs for re-election: The Oregonian reports that Smith has resigned his role as a state co-chairman for the McCain campaign.
The official reason Smith is doing this is so he can focus his time and effort on his re-election campaign in this blue state. But bear in mind that these co-chair roles are really honorary titles -- he wouldn't have to actually do anything except lend his name to the campaign, at any rate.
But for a senator who has now been airing ads tying himself to Barack Obama and John Kerry, it seems like even an honorary role on the McCain campaign is too off-message.
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Until he starts drinking lattes and windsurfing I will view his maneuvering with the utmost skepticism.
August 13, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV, current chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee) recently apologized for not having dug up stronger candidates.
Oh, they're out there. It's just that they look too much like Gordon Smith. Shudder.
P.S. Smith is being opposed by Dem. Jeff Merkley. Here's a link to his ActBlue contribution page.
August 13, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Gordon Smith staffers, (I know at least one of you reads this site), tell him we appreciate his giving up on Mr. old, angry, and stupid.
In appreciation I'm not sending any contributions to you oppositon, (heck, the money is needed to keep Hooley's seat anyway.)
Besides, Gordon Smith is a decent fellow, one who actually is a compasionate conservative.
August 13, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, please. As election time nears he's a moderate Republican at best. The other five years of his term he's in lockstep with the looney right....
Gordon Smith voted against the minimum wage six times, but voted against repealing tax incentives for corporations that outsource jobs.
Gordon Smith supported extremist judicial nominee Leslie Southwick, who has a record of suppressing both women’s rights and gay rights.
Smith voted for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and supported a similar ballot measure here in Oregon.
15% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2006; 0% for nearly half his time in office.
Gordon Smith voted against reaffirming Roe v. Wade.
Gordon Smith voted to allow violent anti-abortion activists to escape fines by declaring bankruptcy.
Gordon Smith voted twice to ban certain types of abortion and against health exceptions when a mother’s life is in danger.
14% rating from the League of Conservation Voters in 2006; 26% lifetime score.
Gordon Smith voted against limiting greenhouse emissions and better fuel standards.
Gordon Smith received a failing, 40% score from Disabled American Veterans.
In 2002, Gordon Smith ran ads emphasizing his opposition to drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, then voted for it.
Gordon Smith won’t speak honestly about his coordination with Dick Cheney in deciding to divert water from the Klamath River, resulting in 75,000 dead salmon and a crippled coastal economy.
Source: Stopgordonsmith.com"
Pete in Portland
August 13, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a laugher! Supporting Barack and moving away from McCain won't cut it Gordon. Try switching your party!
August 13, 2008 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I attended an event for Jeff Merkley (Oregon Speaker of the House and Gordon Smith's opponent) this week and asked him about his budget as compared to Smith's. He said his was 2.5 million, "much of it spent," and Smith's is 10 million (also "much of it spent.")
Everyone who reads this--PLEASE send money to Merkley, no matter how small the amount. He can't compete on TV without more money. Last month two polls had him ahead of Smith, and a poll this month (after many ads by Smith) has him behind. Oregon is a blue state, at least presidentially, so Merkley might beat Smith and be another senator for our side. But HE NEEDS MONEY--i.e. your help.
August 13, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey people: e-mail this link to EVERYBODY you know, right, middle or left -
http://phoenixnewtimes.com/content/printVersion/848709
It is a piece of journalism which could make history, if enough people see it.
August 13, 2008 8:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ever the contrarian, I would offer this tidbit on Mr. Smith in Washington which may explain some things:
"As the 109th Congress drew to a close, Sen. Gordon Smith took to the Senate floor and delivered a scathing indictment of President Bush’s policy in Iraq. Gordon said, '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.'
Smith added, 'That is absurd. It may even be criminal.'"
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/12/09/gordon-smith-iraq-criminal/
August 13, 2008 9:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ich bin ein Oregonian, so I've watched El Gordo since his days in the state Senate. And as it happens I'm also a longtime admirer of Mark Alan Stamaty's "Washingtoon." I think Smith must have modeled his presentation and his career on Stamaty's Congressman Bob Forehead, but come to think of it, the same of true of any number of Republicans past and present. Now why would that be?
August 13, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS FOR HILLARY !!!
had to be said ...
August 14, 2008 12:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain will win because of the racist vote.
I am white and am ashamed of my country.
Why else is McCain even close in the polls?
Old bitter white folks will vote for him even though they know his Bush polices will continue and our once great country will continue it's downward slide.
When it happens, I hope all white folks who voted for him are happy!!!!
August 14, 2008 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink