Oregon (pronounced Ore-gun, btw) has a proud tradition of independent-minded politicians who won't allow party identification to sway their votes on the issues.
From Democratic Senator Wayne Morse who was only one of two votes against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to Republican Governor Tom McCall who was instrumental in pushing Oregon's innovative land-use policies, public beach access and other environmental measures, this state's most revered politicians are those they strike out on their own and follow their own conscience.
So it's not surprising that Republican Senator Gordon Smith has decided to pose as an independent for his re-election. Even in a year in which the tide wasn't pushing so strongly towards Democrats, Gordo would still be trying to pretend he was some sort of maverick that regularly worked across the aisle rather than the Bush-toady that he is.
Smith took to heart the most important lesson of the Bush presidency that in this era of postmodern politics words speak louder than actions. Thus a fiercely partisan Senator like himself could portray himself as a moderate though he voted with his party and the President on practically every issue, supported every one of that president's nominations to the court and even for the impeachment of president Clinton. One's man's moderate is another man's political hack.
Smith's made national news for a couple of campaign ads he's run recently. In the first former Democratic congresswoman Elizabeth Furse claims Smith was "one of the first in congress to stand up to George Bush on the Iraq war." A claim belied by the fact that it took the Republican hammering in the 2006 election for Smith to "See the light" on Iraq. Up to that point he was a reliable pro-war vote in the Senate.
His most recent ad which just began airing is almost more audacious in a sense in that it implies that Smith, the campaign chair in Oregon for John McCain's campaign, is endorsed for his re-election by none other than Barack Obama. Here's the ad--
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (my favorite bow tie wearing pol at the moment) released this response to Smith's silliness--
Personally, I'm enjoying all of the national attention this is getting. Smith may have tried painting the pig that is his voting record one to many times. Oregon voters aren't buying it this time around. We can hear the oinking.
From Democratic Senator Wayne Morse who was only one of two votes against the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to Republican Governor Tom McCall who was instrumental in pushing Oregon's innovative land-use policies, public beach access and other environmental measures, this state's most revered politicians are those they strike out on their own and follow their own conscience.
So it's not surprising that Republican Senator Gordon Smith has decided to pose as an independent for his re-election. Even in a year in which the tide wasn't pushing so strongly towards Democrats, Gordo would still be trying to pretend he was some sort of maverick that regularly worked across the aisle rather than the Bush-toady that he is.
Smith took to heart the most important lesson of the Bush presidency that in this era of postmodern politics words speak louder than actions. Thus a fiercely partisan Senator like himself could portray himself as a moderate though he voted with his party and the President on practically every issue, supported every one of that president's nominations to the court and even for the impeachment of president Clinton. One's man's moderate is another man's political hack.
Smith's made national news for a couple of campaign ads he's run recently. In the first former Democratic congresswoman Elizabeth Furse claims Smith was "one of the first in congress to stand up to George Bush on the Iraq war." A claim belied by the fact that it took the Republican hammering in the 2006 election for Smith to "See the light" on Iraq. Up to that point he was a reliable pro-war vote in the Senate.
His most recent ad which just began airing is almost more audacious in a sense in that it implies that Smith, the campaign chair in Oregon for John McCain's campaign, is endorsed for his re-election by none other than Barack Obama. Here's the ad--
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (my favorite bow tie wearing pol at the moment) released this response to Smith's silliness--
Personally, I'm enjoying all of the national attention this is getting. Smith may have tried painting the pig that is his voting record one to many times. Oregon voters aren't buying it this time around. We can hear the oinking.
Posts
12 comments:
People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print.
As soon as I read that I thought "Man isn't that the truth!"
Yep. Even talking spiders can get it right once in a while.
I'm glad the people of Oregon can see that pig for what it is.
"this state's most revered politicians are those they strike out on their own and follow their own conscience"
I like the rare politicians that fit this profile as well - we get them once every 10 years or so in Canada, where it is all mostly as partisan as usual and the smell of bacon fills the air!
That is quite a state you have there.
Blumenauer forgot Chuck Hagel and Ron Paul, but he only had 30 seconds or so.
It is sad to see a staunch Republican acting like Mr. Green Party even with his logo.
It would be fun to see him go down, but the people Smith is selling out to globalization in Eastern Oregon can't quite get their heads around that and could re-elect him.
Then again, farmers and ranchers in Oregon are a strange breed who take tons of public money and land (often to grow or do nothing), but can't stand the thought that some black kid in NE Portland might get one penny more than they are entitled to even though their own kids get 10 students per class in the rural schools.
It's not very neighborly, pardner.
Just think how good the Blazers will be though. Does that help?
liberality-
We're slow but eventually we catch on.
westcoast-
Canada sometimes seems so much more progressive but I know politicians are the same the world over.
franiam-
It's not mine, but thanks.
don-
Then again, farmers and ranchers in Oregon are a strange breed who take tons of public money and land (often to grow or do nothing), but can't stand the thought that some black kid in NE Portland might get one penny more than they are entitled to even though their own kids get 10 students per class in the rural schools.
I know you've been following the state shortfall in funds at the Protect our Communities Act expired and wasn't renewed.
Even though that money was targeted for rural Oregon our governor has expressed the pain will be spread around when it comes to education dollars.
I don't believe it's up to him as there is some sort of state law that spreads education dollars around equally. I'm beginning to have a big problem with how education dollars are spent in Oregon because rural schools and schools in wealthy tax bases seem to have plenty of money but schools in North Portland are strapped for cash.
Our equitable system is nothing but.
randal-
I'll believe it when I see it. It's been years since we even made the first round of the playoffs.
Gordy is quite the BS-er and Oregonians will never stand for it!
I must confess that I don't know a lot about Gordon Smith, other than he does seem to show up at Gay Rights rallies in DC, and seems pretty good on our issues.
BAC
lipstick on a pig.....
]
smith is a gop at heart and everyone knows it
Ha! Can you ear the little piggies...
Post a Comment