Oregon’s Republican Senator Cozies Up to Obama
EmailABC News’ Tahman Bradley and Teddy Davis Report: Sen. Gordon Smith, an Oregon Republican who finds himself in a tough re-election fight, is airing a new television ad in which he touts his work with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on tougher mileage standards.
"Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment?" asks the ad’s narrator. "Barack Obama. He joined with Gordon and broke through a 20-year deadlock to pass new laws which increase gas mileage for automobiles."
Watch the ad HERE.
Obama’s campaign seized on the ad Tuesday to burnish its record of working across the aisle. Obama spokesman Bill Burton was quick to add, however, that Obama is backing the Democratic candidate.
"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," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate."
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (D.S.C.C.), the party committee in charge of helping Democrats build on their Senate majority, used Smith’s ad as an opportunity to circulate some harsh words that Obama had last month for the incumbent senator.
"I think Gordon Smith’s problem is that he rarely breaks away from George Bush and the Republican agenda that I think has done this country great damage," Obama is quoted telling the Willamette Week on May 14.
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
It took a commercial from the republican senator in oregon to make the obama campaign realize taht they worked across aisles. They are really on top of the campaign
Posted by: lord of war | June 24, 2008, 8:24 pm 8:24 pm
It wasn’t that they didn’t realize it. It was that they didn’t try to use it to score points, and effectively have blunted their Republican opponent from using the Democratic Presidential Presumptive Nominee’s Momemtum as an advantage point against the Democratic Senator Candidate. Politics really is fun….it’s almost like watching a sport….not sure which sport, but something involving intellect, speed, and verbal sparring, points….really cool.
Posted by: MyAudacity | June 24, 2008, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm
This kind of sounds like the old tried and true line, “some of my best friends are black.”
Posted by: Masterfull | June 24, 2008, 9:02 pm 9:02 pm
“Politics really is fun….it’s almost like watching a sport….”
Well, yes, it is a little like that, but perhaps it should be less like that than it is.
Part of it is the way it’s covered. Listening to pundits on CNN talk about elections is, for my taste, just a little too similar to watching something like SportsCenter, all “horse race”, no policy analysis. Maybe they do it that way because it’s cheaper, or faster; I don’t exactly know.
Also, that’s just sort of the culture in politics. Cynical point-scoring seems to be the rule, while serious problem-solving remains the exception. Can Barack Obama do anything about this? Maybe a little, and for that, I’m willing to vote for him, but really the system itself is what needs to change. I mean the election system, the campaign finance system, the structure of media… all of it.
Posted by: James Green-Armytage | June 24, 2008, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
He drank the koolaide.
Only reason…….
Obama’s speech is a mind conditioning hypnotic program.
Most of obama ads will carry the reinforcement techniques.
That is why he needs the money, and had to opt out.
To keep as many people in his trance he will need mega bucks to keep the conditioning and reinforcements going.
beware.
Posted by: seah | June 24, 2008, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
“To keep as many people in his trance he will need mega bucks to keep the conditioning and reinforcements going.
beware.”
LOL, Thats hilarious! The most educated people in our country are voting for Obama and you think they are all in a trance? Hillary is gone sweetie, get over it!
Posted by: Mark | June 24, 2008, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
As an Oregonian, Gordon I never met a Democrat every 5.5 years, is a great panderer. This article isn’t about Obama, it’s about the willingness of Smith to prostitute himself and try to paint himself as an independent Repuglican’t. If Gordo had any integrity, he’d be aligning himself with the Repuglican’t candidate who is campaigning as a maverick.
That neither McSame and SmithShame fail to align themselves with each other, tells you volumes about each other.
Bye Bye Gordo, Janus would be so proud of you.
Posted by: Thomas Payned by Smith | June 24, 2008, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
This whole campaign makes me wonder about democracy in America. It’s all about who has the most toys which is sickening. And it gets worse and worse each election. Obama will most likely buy the office of the Presidency. There are so many naieve people in this country, especially the young people. I’ve voted in every presidential election since JFK and not one has made me want to vomit like this one. The comments on the blogs are irresponsible, crude, rude and make no sense most of the time. The future of America looks mightly bleak.
Posted by: love234america | June 24, 2008, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
Looks like Oregon is going blue this year.
Posted by: Asilomar | June 24, 2008, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
“Obama will most likely buy the office of the Presidency.”
No, its more like the American people are BUYING a president.
Posted by: sai.mati | June 24, 2008, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
Isn’t it GREAT to see an average American really make it big. Obama was raised by his single-mother with the help of his grandparents. He worked Hard, got a good education, and turned down large sums of money to go to work for the average American. What a great story. He raised his large sums of money for his campaign, not thru big corporate donors like many others, but thru average Americans giving $10 or $20 at a time. I suspect he is going to go down in history as one of the great presidents of all time. Obama will be Great in 2008!!!
Posted by: pt | June 24, 2008, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
This article is AMAZING! Barak actually did something before running for president? Who knew? Leave it to the Democrats to find the least qualified junior senator available to run for president. (But hey, he’s kinda black, so vote for him – it’s historic). He wants to raise taxes, attack our allies, spend billions, impair our national sovereignty… Barak, just another tax and spend democrat…Maybe his election would make Michelle proud of her country for one more day. . .
Posted by: Pete | June 24, 2008, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
Obama asking donors to help pay off Hillary Clinton’s debt….so he can neatly tuck her in his back pocket too. Money, money, and more money buys you everything, right OBAMA…..it will buy you the White House.
Posted by: Anne | June 24, 2008, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
Pete,
It’s people like you that make it understandable how bush could win 2 elections.
It all comes down to whether or not you think we should continue the bush policies. If you think the war should continue indefinitely, while we spend $10,000,000,000 a month, and you think that bush has done well with the economy then mc-more-war is your man. If you think that it’s time we start to get out of iraq and do some positive things for the average American instead of just the top 5% then vote for Obama.
Obama will be Great in 2008!!!
Posted by: pt | June 24, 2008, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
That money Anne is complaining about comes from over two million Americans who gave an average contribution of $100. They aren’t giving money to buy access, they are giving money to change America.
Posted by: Keith | June 24, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm
While it’s good that GOP Senator Smith readily agrees and points out that Senator Obama does reach across aisles to get a job done, he speaks with a somewhat forked tongue. The CAFE standards bill he refers to is Senate Bill S-767 “Fuel Economy Reform Act” that Senator Obama authored. Senator Smith signed on as a co-sponsor. I might point out that S-767 was a bill that is a continuing effort by Senator Obama to have CAFE standards raised. He has been defeated twice before by the Republican votes in the Senate. Also S-767 did not pass new fuel mileage standard’s for automobiles. The current standard at the time this bill was introduced was 27.5mpg. The bill did not seek to change this mileage rating, but to up the required rating on SUV’s to the same standard, rather than automobiles. Futhermore Senator Smith is on record voting against two previous attempts to raise CAFE standards. Once on June 29,05, Senate Vote 157,H.R.6, and again Jul. 29,03, Senate Vote 309,S-13. The Senator needs to check his own record I believe before he opens his mouth. These things are too easy to verify.
Posted by: devilkev | June 24, 2008, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
It amazes me that a Republican would cozy up to Obama. Why? Oh, yeah – he’s one of the p-o-p-u-l-a-r boys… Republicans need to stand true to their ideals – smaller government, individual freedom, lower taxes. Democrats turn “My country ’tis of me” into “My country does for me…” The federal government is not supposed to be a social program to redistribute wealth. If democrats run find Robin Hood (“Tax the rich. Give to the poor.”) they would. Don’t need to – they’ve got Barak.
Posted by: ChuckChan | June 24, 2008, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
mc-more-war quotes:
“There’s not a history of clashes that are violent between Sunnis and Shiahs. So I think they can probably get along.” [MSNBC, 4/23/03]
“Because I believe that the success will be fairly easy,” [CNN, 9/24/02]
“We’re not going to get into house-to-house fighting in Baghdad.” [CNN, 9/29/02]
“But the point is that, one, we will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” [MSNBC, 1/22/03]
“But I believe that the Iraqi people will greet us as liberators.” [NBC, 3/20/03]
“It’s clear that the end is very much in sight.” [ABC, 4/9/03]
“This is a mission accomplished.” [This Week, ABC, 12/14/03]
“I’m confident we’re on the right course.” [ABC News, 3/7/04]
Can you estimate when we can bring our troops home? (Matt Lauer) “No, but that’s not really important.” [ABC 6/12/08]
Posted by: pt | June 24, 2008, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
Hmmm, the pendulum swings wide on a predicatble pattern. George Bush is at an all-time low. Obama is at an all-time high. Just a matter of time my friends, just a matter of time.
========================================
Obama, don’t waste our time with vetting him.
========================================
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | June 24, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
“Pete,
It’s people like you that make it understandable how bush could win 2 elections.”
Jimbo- Yep. It’s true. We kicked your butt with that guy! Hey, it’s people like you who run John Kerry and Al Gore! (Did I mention Bush had higher grades at Yale than Kerry? Go figure.)
Democrats would vote for a teletubby if it were running “against Bush” and his “policies.” Hey, isn’t Congress in the hands of Pelosi and the liberal democrats? (Note to democrats: Congress is the sole branch of government that can pass a law.)
What do democrats stand for? Let’s see. Killing unborn children (You call it “Choice”); Global Warming (You’ve found an issue we can’t prove you wrong on for a thousand years); homosexual marriage (while you ‘out’ gay republican lawmakers); taxing America to death (Curiosly giving money back to people who don’t even pay taxes.) You don’t like Bush? I bet you think Bill Clinton was a great president, eh? Really, now? A liar? An alleged rapist? A disbarred lawyer? Someone who left his mark on the dress of an intern?
Now you support Barak.Gee, Wally, do you think Barak can pass his legislative agenda of “Hope”? I “hope” the terrorists don’t attack us. I “hope” the insurgents don’t take over Iraq when we cut and run. I “hope” the American Taxpayer can shoulder more and more burden for social programs. I “hope” you can afford your electric bill with the added carbon tax.
I’m really surprised the Democrats didn’t run Michael Moore.
Posted by: Pete | June 24, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
The African Americans are voting for Senator Obama by over 92% in most primaries. In recent years, only 50% of Africans Americans are now being graduated from high school; the other drop out. Over all AAs highschool graduation rate is 37%. These are the people voting for Senator Obama. So when the campaign brag about having so many well educated supporters, that is simply a marketing gimmick.
Having a college degree certainly does not make you wise. Use common sense, voters. Who has the most qualifications, intergity, judgment and experience for the position.
Also, small donor amounts only make 32% of contributions. The remaining amounts are from large doners, corporations, union special interest, lobbyist, etc. Another marketing ploy.
Posted by: Mary | June 24, 2008, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm
The election campaign starts labor
day.
Polls don’t mean nothing at this time.
TV commercials 24/7 will play the
biggest role again this year.
Hussein Obama has very bad political
resume compare to McCain.
More likely Obama will be toast in
november.If the republicans establish
Hussein Obama as a left wing liberal,
socialist,the game will be over.
Americans NEVER voted for a left wing
liberal………
Stay tune………
Posted by: Nicholas | June 24, 2008, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
mccain cant win he has desided to board the evil bush train and that is his down fall if he had stayed were he has always been in the middle he would have had a chance but he is getting in bed with king george.
Posted by: tom | June 24, 2008, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm
RE: Asiloma Looks like Oregon is going blue this year.
actually oregon IS and HAs been a blue state and prides itself as being the most democrat state in the union. so it remains a blue state, what is your point?
Posted by: sonia trevino | June 24, 2008, 11:47 pm 11:47 pm
checking if this post
Posted by: tom | June 24, 2008, 11:52 pm 11:52 pm
Pete, I’m so bored with your tired old arguments about ‘tax and spend’ democrats. Can’t you GOP dead-enders think of anything new to criticize us for? What next, calling us communists? Hippies and druggies? The GOP has nothing left in the tank and your inability to point to a single thing the GOP has accomplished proves it. We had 8 years of Democratic leadership, and the country was peaceful and prosperous. After 8 years of republican administration, we’re wasting trillions on an ill-advised and unnecessary war, the economy is collapsing, the constitution is under attack and the world hates us. So, what’s your argument again? SHUT THE HELL UP, you republican wanker.
Posted by: Tom | June 25, 2008, 12:14 am 12:14 am
Pete, I’m so bored with your tired old arguments about ‘tax and spend’ democrats. Can’t you GOP dead-enders think of anything new to criticize us for? What next, calling us communists? Hippies and druggies? The GOP has nothing left in the tank and your inability to point to a single thing the GOP has accomplished proves it. We had 8 years of Democratic leadership, and the country was peaceful and prosperous. After 8 years of republican administration, we’re wasting trillions on an ill-advised and unnecessary war, the economy is collapsing, the constitution is under attack and the world hates us. So, what’s your argument again? SHUT THE HELL UP, you republican wanker.
Posted by: Tom | June 25, 2008, 12:15 am 12:15 am
djp
Americans vote for president with certain values,traditions and
qualities.
Obama doesn’t hold all the above.
Posted by: Nicholas | June 25, 2008, 1:07 am 1:07 am
nicholas- thanks for your “toned-down”response. passion is important, but we need cold, hard analysis.
However…
values: what about his being a devoted christian, a dedicated father, husband and community organizer can be called anything other than all-American?
traditions: what about his multi-cultural family background can be called anything other than all-American?
qualities: seriously, which ones don’t you like?
Posted by: djp | June 25, 2008, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Gordon is going down. His 11th anti-war conversion a few days after the mid-term election was so cynical, so calculating it was sad. And now this..”hey, I’m cool, I hang out with Obama! You know, the guy who had more than 75,000 voters at a rally in Portland? Yeah, that guy, I’m with him.” He’s a Bush suck-up and he’s history.
Posted by: thebob.bob | June 25, 2008, 1:30 am 1:30 am
It isn’t possible that Gordon worked on legislation with Obama because up tp now, according to Repukelicans, Obama never accomplished anything………
Posted by: dk | June 25, 2008, 1:51 am 1:51 am
“Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment”…..I guess TWO years in the senate equates to a long record.
Posted by: Be Independent | June 25, 2008, 6:56 am 6:56 am
be Independent —- Barack Obama has been in Government for 13 years, he served 8 years in the Illinois Senate, and 5 years in the US Senate. In those 13 years he has worked with both democrats and republicans to get things done.
Posted by: Sara | June 25, 2008, 9:27 am 9:27 am
NIcholas and WestCoastMessanger, get over it, primaries are gone, and get behind the winer Barak Obama. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | June 25, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Can someone explain to me how Dems are tax and spend when the last 3 Republican presidents in this country broke ALL records for deficit spending. The latest Bush has blown his previous Republican president out of the water. Maybe this is why “EDUCATED” people vote DEM. Simple math idiot. Check your facts next time y ou call a dem a big spender. Maybe the key difference is we choose to spend tax dollars on AMERICANS and you spend them slaughtering innocent women and children in Iraq. PIG.
Posted by: Patrick | June 25, 2008, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
So McCains been in the Senate for 30 years and we still don’t have alternative energy, we are still nation building, the debt is bigger than ever, so what was this about EXPERIENCE?
Posted by: Jason | June 25, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
well, how much money traded hands or what kind of deal was made, or what kind of threat was made to the 5 senators that are a total disgrace to the republicans? and i wonder who is behind this, really! can it be the obama campaign? it sure could be, cause they treatened donors of anti obama ads and they can sure do it to these five fools, or should i say scum, yes,SCUM! A VOTE FOR OBAMA IS A VOTE TO DESTROY AMERICA! WAKE UP FOLKS, DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO OUR COUNTRY!
Posted by: rut | August 13, 2008, 12:48 am 12:48 am
hey for all those people who complain about how much the iraq war is costing and use that to fuel obama’s campaign…did you know there was a bill up for vote in the congress and senate that would require the government of iraq to meet dollar for dollar what the U.S. was spending in this war and your candidate Barack Obama voted against it??? his voting record is open for public scrutiny for anyone who would like to check it our for themself….
Posted by: d | October 8, 2008, 11:58 am 11:58 am
oh yeah and another thing..democrats complain that republicans condone the slaughter of innocent women and children in other countries…what about the slaughter of innocent children here in the united states??? democrats are all for abortion, a woman’s right they say, what if that child they are aborting is a girl?? wouldn’t her woman’s right be violated if someone visciously took her life??? obama says he would put our military behind humanitarian efforts in other cuntries that were suffering from genecide and violence. will he turn our own military against himself and his party then becuase they condone and promote the slaughter of millions of americans through abortion? and something else if you were to take all those innocent lives that have been aborted since roe v. wade and allow them to become productive working tax paying citizens the deficit would not be where it is now because you would have millions of people now working and paying taxes for all the democrats and republican little pet projects not to mention funding for social security, medicare and medicaid…….
Posted by: d | October 8, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm