oregon senate ad 073108

Oregon Republican senator touts his work with John Kerry in new ad

By MATTHEW DALY , Associated Press

Last update: July 31, 2008 - 5:46 PM

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It is not easy running for re-election in 2008

if you are a Republican. Unlike our junior Senator Coleman at least he did not take $20,000 from Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens.

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WASHINGTON - Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith is crossing over the political fence again to boost his re-election campaign.

The two-term Republican recently touted his work with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. And now he's aligned himself with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

In a new ad, Smith cites his work with Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee for president, on legislation to protect homeowners against foreclosure.

Smith says in the new ad that "what matters is helping people, not who gets the credit."

That echoes a Smith ad from last month that touted his work with Obama to improve fuel efficiency standards.

A spokesman for Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, Smith's Democratic opponent, called the new ad a desperate move by Smith to shed himself of the Republican label.

"It's more desperation in an attempt to distract from his record of supporting George Bush 90 percent of the time," Merkley spokesman Matt Canter said Thursday.

Smith "is trying to fool Oregon voters into thinking he is something that he is not. He's not bipartisan. It's a myth," Canter said.

On issues ranging from making prescription drugs more affordable to ending the Iraq war to tax cuts for the wealthy, Smith has voted with President Bush, Canter said.

Smith's spokeswoman, Lindsay Gilbride, said the new ad — like the Obama ad before it — highlights Smith's oft-repeated pledge to work with Democrats and Republicans to solve problems.

"Partisan gridlock is not the answer to the real hardships facing Oregon families. Gordon Smith recognizes that and has shown a better way, reaching across the aisle to find answers on the housing crisis, gas mileage and health care," Gilbride said.

Kerry said his decision to back Merkley is not personal.

"Gordon Smith is my friend, but the problem is that when it's come time to vote in the Senate he's been a much better friend of George Bush," Kerry said in a statement.

"Voting with George Bush 90 percent of the time just isn't good for the people and issues I've fought for over a lifetime," Kerry added. "It's not personal, it's about what's best for our country. The inescapable fact is that electing Jeff Merkley is the only way we can win a Senate majority that gets things done for people again."

Smith, the lone Senate Republican on the Pacific Coast, is trying to keep his seat in a state that's been tilting toward Democrats. Polls show him and Merkley in a close race.

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