Take a minute and watch the latest attack ad by Smith to see what we're dealing with here in Oregon.

The facts don't matter to Gordon Smith. It doesn't matter to Gordon Smith that the renovation was unanimously approved of by the Republican and Democratic commission. It doesn't matter that Oregon prisoners built the furniture and it's supposed to last for 75 years. It doesn't matter that the project actually came under budget. And, of course is doesn't matter that Speaker Merkley, who Smith is blaming for the cost of the renovation, elected NOT to have new furniture purchased for his office.

Gordon Smith's State Director Called Renovation "Innovative" and "Thoughtful"

Gordon Smith's own State Director Kerry Tymchuk called the renovation proposal "innovative" and "thoughtful." When the local media brought up this fact, the Smith Campaign resorted to more mudslinging. Smith's spokesperson had this to say:

"He cannot defend his leadership on this issue so he is flat out lying," Gilbride said. "Jeff Merkley is responsible for two million dollars in furniture."

The minutes are there for anyone to see. The truth is, Gordon Smith and Gilbride don't want to talk about Gordon's legislative record so they're resorting to ridiculous attacks. I'm curious, how much has the Smith Campaign spent on ads attacking Jeff and the Oregon legislature on the issue of furniture? At the rate they're going, the Smith Campaign will soon be spending more money airing ads about furniture than it cost to furnish the entire Oregon Capitol Building.  

Gordon Smith is the real hypocrite

While Gordon Smith spends hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking Jeff Merkley on spending, let's look at his record shall we? Gordon Smith supports the Iraq War. How much has the biggest foreign policy blunder in American history cost taxpayers thus far? Gordon Smith supports 18 billion in tax breaks for big oil. 18 billion and he wants to attack Jeff on couches? Seriously? Gordon Smith supports Bush's bloated budgets, the pork-laden transportation bill, and the 221 million dollar bridge to nowhere. Last but definitely not least, Gordon Smith supports the 621 million dollar Capitol Building Visitor's Center renovation.

It's funny to see Gordon Smith attacking Merkley, who BALANCED the state budget, a skill that Smith has yet to acquire. If Gordon Smith really cared about fiscal responsibility, he should start walking the walk. My guess is he could care less about balanced budgets and using taxpayer dollars wisely. After all, he supports using taxpayer dollars for new makeup studios for Senators in the Capitol Building Visitor's Center.

This is Gordon Smith's 9th attack ad so far in this campaign. He can't be bothered to talk about the real issues that matter. He can't be bothered to talk about the fact that Oregonians can't afford health care coverage. He can't be bothered to address the fact that we're losing brave men and women in Iraq. He can't be bothered by the fact that gas prices are $4 a gallon and working families are struggling to make ends meet.

I hope my fellow Oregonians do not buy what Gordon Smith is selling. Jeff Merkley has been an amazing progressive leader as House Speaker. Jeff balanced the budget, increased public school funding by 18%, passed the Rainy Day Fund for public schools, passed the most expansive renewable energy package the state has ever seen and lowered prescription drug prices.

Gordon Smith is no Jeff Merkley that's for sure. Jeff Merkley isn't afraid to address the serious problems our nation is facing. He's not afraid to propose a withdrawal plan for Iraq and call for a Truman style committee to investigate war profiteering. He's not afraid to stand strong on issues like protecting our civil liberties and protecting a woman's right to choose. Jeff Merkley just visited his 82nd town on his 100 Towns for Change Tour. Jeff is out there day in and day out talking to Oregonians about the problems they're facing. Smith is talking about furniture.

The last thing our country needs is someone like Gordon Smith in the Senate, who has continued to support harmful domestic and foreign policies. If you want to help us fight back against Smith and his misleading attacks, go here to donate to the Merkley Campaign.