Sen. Gordon Smith ad touts ties to Obama, and Democrats protest

The Oregon Republican strives to emphasize his bipartisan efforts

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
JEFF MAPES
The Oregonian Staff

Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, stepping up his efforts to run from his Republican roots in his advertising, on Tuesday released a new TV commercial that promotes his ties to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Smith's effort to enlist Obama's name in his advertising was met with protests from Democrats, but the McCain campaign said it wasn't concerned that it would hurt their candidate in Oregon.

Meanwhile, another attempt by Smith to build his bipartisan credentials ran into trouble Tuesday.

Former Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Furse acknowledged she misspoke when she praised the Republican senator in a TV ad for his campaign.

Furse said she was wrong when she claimed in the commercial that Smith was "one of the first to stand up to George Bush and other Republicans to end this war" in Iraq. She said she should have stated that Smith -- who supported the war for its first 31/2 years -- was one of the first Republicans to speak out against it.

"I know that he wasn't the first to oppose the war," said Furse. "He was one of the first of his party to oppose the war . . . That is what I meant."

The two ads and the controversy surrounding them demonstrate how hard Smith has worked to attract Democratic and independent voters in a state where Republicans have become increasingly outgunned. Smith is the last statewide elected Republican, and he now repeatedly argues that he is effective at working across party lines.

The latest Smith ad, which began running in Portland and Eugene on Tuesday, begins with an announcer saying, "Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment?"

Sen. Gordon Smith ad touts ties to Obama, and Democrats protest - OregonLive.com

This is Oregon Republicans most desperate hour. Help us, Obama-Wan Kenobi; you're our only hope. ...

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

I'm sorry, but that's just funny as all heck...

"Remember when I praised the guy?...I didn't mean to."...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

He only has two sides of his mouth, and so do his detractors. Wonder what orifice they'll address their constituents out of when McCain becomes POTUS?

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