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October 27, 2008

Which is the real Gordon Smith?

Gordon Smith has released a new ad which boldly misrepresents the truth on several issues. Chief among them is the following claim attributed to the Bend Bulletin and the Medford Mail Tribune.

"He's a moderate who... supports 'gay rights'"

Later in the same ad it says "Before you believe Merkley's ads, listen to those who know the truth."

In fact "the truth" is that the newspaper endorsements don't assert a blanket "supports gay rights," as Smith's ad clearly suggests. And the reason is quite simply because neither Smith's record nor his rhetoric would support such an assertion. The Mail Tribune asserts that Smith supports "most gay rights," which is itself a highly debatable assertion. What Smith has supported, at least in words, is hate crimes legislation. And that was arguably as much a PR stunt as anything else. But even if it was heartfelt, the Smith ad clearly distorts what the papers said. And the distortion doesn't end there.

A little over a week ago the Smith campaign gave the following statement to Jeff Mapes. "In the end, we do not think Brownlow will impact the race. He will not be a spoiler." Not even a full week later the Smith campaign launched a new ad attacking Dave Brownlow. An accompanying radio ad charges that "Brownlow supports gay marriage," another blatent distortion of the truth. In fact, Brownlow supports getting the government out of the marriage business altogether.

Smith's TV ad claims that he "supports 'gay rights,'" while his radio ad simultaneously attacks Brownlow for... supporting gay rights.

Which is the real Gordon Smith?

Posted by Kevin at October 27, 2008 08:13 AM