MyDD :: Senator Gordon Smith got to go

Senator Gordon Smith got to go

by Jerome Armstrong, Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 04:24:20 PM EST

Steve Novick says whoever takes on
Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith next year
"needs a hard left hook."

Smith's gotten in the way and blocked too many progressive reforms to count, and he's been a tool in W's woodshed far to many times. Can the Dems beat him in Oregon in 2008? Hell yea. I was in Oregon in 2002, when Bill Bradbury followed the classic DSCC script of calling for dollars until 2 months before the election, and then blowing it all on television ads. Bradbury had to raise enough funds to show competitiveness before the DSCC was going to spend money attacking Smith. Well, that never happened. The election was over before it ever began, with Smith going after Bradbury hard with negative ads early in 2002. Smith plastered Bradbury 56 percent to 40 percent in November.

Steve Novick sounds like he's got the itch to take on Smith. Portland's Willamette Weekly has a cover story on Novick (via BlueOregon), and how he would beat Smith. Here's a sample:

Someone Is Going to Beat Him

Someone is going to beat Smith. Now-former Sen. Mike DeWine had a much greater claim to "moderation" than his fellow Republican Smith--and DeWine lost last year in Ohio. Lincoln Chafee had no real liabilities in Rhode Island other than the "R" by his name in 2006--and he lost, too.

Smith won his last race in 2002 because it was a Republican year, and even Oregonians weren't yet disgusted with George W. Bush. Now, they are--and an aggressive candidate will go to every corner of the state, pointing out that when Bush was taking the country to hell, Smith had his hand on the handbasket every step of the way.

The Democratic candidate against Smith will take a lesson from Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Nobody thought Kulongoski would win re-election last year. But he made a simple statement, about himself and his Republican opponent, Ron Saxton: "You know whose side he's on."

It is painfully clear whose side Gordon Smith is on.

And it isn't yours.

Steve Novick's email address is cica@mindspring.com.

Email Novick, tell him to run and beat Smith for all of us.

Tags: Gordon Smith, Steve Novick (all tags)

Permalink :: 23 Comments :: Post a Comment

Start Today, Join the Draft Fund (none / 0)

The great thing about this is that we can start today to catch our nominee's back with ActBlue US Senate Nominee Funds. Here's the one for Oregon. While it's not a draft fund like the presidential candidates, any donations made to it are held and given to the Democratic nominee after the Oregon primaries are over.

So why wait, let's get ready starting now to take back Oregon.

by KTatActBlue on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 04:43:15 PM EST

Re: Start Today, Join the Draft Fund (3.00 / 1)

To clarify my title. These aren't actually Draft funds, but having a chunk of change for the nominee ready to go can almost act as an incentive and may 'draft' folks into running to get it. They are Nominee Funds in reality.

The Presidential Draft Funds are indeed more like a real Draft Fund where the money gets transferred to the candidate's account when they officially file. We also just added the 2008 Presidential Nominee Fund so whomever actually wins the nomination will get those funds transferred at the time of the convention in Denver.

by KTatActBlue on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 04:53:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If you can (none / 0)

Email him, encourage him, and if you can, contribute to the above mentioned ActBlue, and tell him you did so. I can't contribute money, but I'm telling him that I will volunteer 100s of hours, since I live here in Oregon.
As an Oregonian, being familiar with our politics, I know it would be hard to take Gordon Smith down, but I also know that it is one of our best opportunities, and that Steve Novick is a stand-up guy. It will be tough, but it is looking good right now.
Smith is increasingly out of step with Oregonians, and the local press gives him a free ride. In the same article that the Oregonian (our statewide paper) called Gordon Smith a moderate, Smith called Democrats just a bunch of "socialists". Yeah, Ron Wyden is a socialist. Sure. And so are the 39% of Oregonians who've registered as Democrats (to 35% Republicans). So are the 49% of Oregonians that say they usually vote Democratic (to 39% Republican). So are the voters who've elected only Democratic governors in Oregon since 1990 and given their electoral votes to every Democrat since, and including, Dukakis.
Democrats at the top of the ticket in Oregon have done better in each of the last elections:
In 2000, Gore won by 6,765 votes
In 2002, Kulongoski won by 36,219 votes
In 2004, Kerry won by 76,332 votes
In 2006, Kulongoski won by 110,038 votes
... while all statewide elected, state offices have been held by Democrats for years, Democrats have gone from minorities in both state houses to majorities in both in the last few years, with a whopping 18-11-1 majority in the senate (the independent is a good former Dem).
Bill Bradbury is a good guy, but was a bad candidate, a former DLCer if I recall, and never got the support he needed, and deserved. He's been a great Secretary of State, IMHO. 2002 was a bad year for Democrats, though. Regardless, with a good candidate, and a real effort, we can take down Gordon Smith.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 06:25:23 PM EST

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (3.00 / 1)

I went ahead and looked it up myself, but based just on this post and previous coverage of this race, um...who the hell is Steve Novick?

by Lucas O'Connor on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 07:31:16 PM EST

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

There was some explanation of this in the Willamette Week piece, IIRC, but Novick has a history in Democratic and progressive politics in Oregon. I don't think its still available without a fee, but the Oregonian had an interesting article about him, and I think I've read some columns by him in the Oregonian. He's worked for a variety of progressive candidates, politicians, and causes, and he's probably one of those most responsible for the movement thats going on in Oregon today, though he isn't very well known.
He's a consultant, which some of you may not like, but he's a great, brilliant guy, that everyone I know loves.
From The Hill:
"Novick said he would yield should any Democratic members of the state's House delegation or Smith's 2002 opponent, Bill Bradbury, decide to run."

Bradbury won't run, because of his MS, Rep. DeFazio has said he won't run, Rep. Wu has problems, Rep. Hooley would be decent but has expressed no interest in any office other than that she occupies, and Rep. Blumenauer is very interested in running, or so I've heard, but hasn't said either way.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 07:56:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Any chance Kitzhaber would run? How would he do?

John McCain Opposed Expanded GI Bill

by hilltopper on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:01:02 PM EST
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Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Kitz doesn't want to get back into electoral politics. He'd have a good chance if he did, but he doesn't.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:15:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

From what I gather, he's exceptionally unknown. I don't for a moment dispute is credentials ideologically, but the best I dug up briefly was his being Communications Director for Citizens for Oregon's Future and a blogger. I think that if people are serious about getting any sort of movement behind this guy, we'd better get a brief bio and resume in addition to the snappy LTEs.

by Lucas O'Connor on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:26:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (3.00 / 1)

Hey all... Kari Chisholm here, from BlueOregon. I'm a friend of Steve's, so let me give you a little bio.

He was a lawyer for the US Justice Department (under Clinton) who was the lead counsel in the Love Canal case. He won a $129 million settlement from the polluters.

After that, Steve came back to Oregon and served as a policy director for Governor Kulongoski's 2002 campaign, and as a policy director on the campaigns against a bunch of anti-tax anti-union ballot measures from our local Grover Norquist groupies. He's a hard-core policy guy, but also very good with communicating tough policy concepts in an easy-to-understand way.

Has he run for office before? No. But neither had Paul Wellstone when he won a US Senate seat.

A campaign from Steve Novick would be hard-punching and strong on ideas. He's not the most well-known and wouldn't be the most well-funded, but he'd be a great candidate.

Oh, and he's a blogger. Check out his stuff on BlueOregon here.

by karichisholm on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:46:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Oops, one minor correction. Paul Wellstone had run for MN State Auditor, but lost. Beside the point, but I didn't want to let it go uncorrected.

by karichisholm on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:16:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

I would not assume he "wouldn't be the most well-funded." If he's an impressive guy, he may surprise you. The netroots really came together and raised a lot of money (as well as doing a lot more) for Tester, Webb, and a lot of others last year. I would love it if we "adopted" a couple of senate races real early. At the moment, NH and Oregon would be my top picks.

Also the DSCC would jump in big time with money if they think a challenger is credible.

John McCain Opposed Expanded GI Bill

by hilltopper on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:29:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Novick seems well connected enough to get good funding. If he looks credible, the Schumer (he is still chair of DSCC, right?) will definitely throw in. As you said, Oregon is one of the top opportunities. I might rank it behind Minnesota, though, and definitely behind NH and Colorado. And we'll need them to offset Louisianna.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:44:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

To clarify, I was not ranking NH and Oregon as the top Dem opportunities. I would put Colorado above each of them and several others above Oregon. I was suggesting them as potential candidates for where the netroots could have more impact, both locally and for fundraising from afar. Compare to MT and VA last year.

John McCain Opposed Expanded GI Bill

by hilltopper on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:56:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Thanks!

I really hope I didn't give the impression that he wasn't up to the task. My concern is exclusively with presentation, and I'm really glad that you're able to give us a better picture of him.

by Lucas O'Connor on Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 12:38:09 AM EST
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Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Didn't Steve "run" against Rod Monroe in the primary?

by torridjoe on Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 01:13:38 AM EST
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Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

The primary for what?

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 04:44:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

jesse cornett

mydd straw poll vote: 1. other (gore) 2. unsure 3. dodd 4. edwards 5. obama

by colorless green ideas on Tue Feb 06, 2007 at 03:20:48 AM EST
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Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

I am serious about replacing ol Gordo the stealth bushie ... he needs to be gone big time! Now that being said, I have to shake my head when I hear an almost unknown name bandied about as a possible opponent. I am a registered democrat and I must confessed I have never heard of Novick.

There is no doubt in my mind Kitz could beat Smith easily and I think Earl would stand a very good chance as well ... I don't think DeFazio will run mainly becuase of his influence in the house. If all else fails, how about a person with name recognition that is flirting with becoming a democrat ... yes, Ben Westlund. Any of these options would be better then trying to build up a totally unknown candidate in my mind. Mr. Novick might be a great guy and a wonderful progressive; but, he certainly lacks a track record.

No matter how it goes ... I will contribute and work the democratic candidate. Lets get busy!!!

by bamabarrron on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 08:48:43 PM EST

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Westlund has already registered as a Democrat, late last year.

by torridjoe on Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 01:14:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

I've been working on this for a while. Here's a rundown.

John Kitzhaber is out.
Peter DeFazio is out.
Dan Gardner is out.
Susan Castillo is out.

Earl Blumenauer hasn't said.
David Wu hasn't said.
Bill Bradbury hasn't said.
Ben Westlund hasn't said.

by karichisholm on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:20:44 PM EST

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

I'd be happy to support any of the above, though I've heard less than stellar things about plenty of them. DeFazio is my favorite Oregon Democrat. Its too bad he's out. I'd have walked the state E to W, N to S for him 100 times over, were he in.
There's still talk about Superintendent Castillo, and Ben Westlund, but neither of them are necessarily strong candidates. There's so little talk about anyone else, that I'm worried. Kari has said before that we will have a strong candidate, or maybe he said a good one, and I hope he's right. I hope he's right. Smith can be taken out. It's just a matter of actually doing it.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 09:41:24 PM EST
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Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Follow up: Today, Oregon's NPR affiliate reports that Congressman David Wu is also out.

by karichisholm on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 10:22:16 PM EST

Re: Senator Gordon Smith got to go (none / 0)

Wu would have been the weakest candidate.

by Marylander on Wed Jan 31, 2007 at 10:37:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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