OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley Goes After Gordon Smith

As I wrote the other day, Gordon Smith released a bizarre ad in which he claims that somehow he, the incumbent Republican, represents the real change in the Oregon senate race. Today, Jeff Merkley, one of the Democrats running in the primary to challenge Smith in November, has released an ad attacking Smith for his ad.

Watch it:

Interesting that Merkley would spend valuable resources going after Smith instead of Steve Novick, his opponent in the May 20th primary, or even to brand himself more although certainly other ads he's released have done that. It does appear, both looking at this ad and his previous one, that part of Merkley's strategy is to sort of ignore Steve Novick and cast himself as the presumptive nominee against Gordon Smith. It's a time-honored tradition but perhaps a risky one in a contest where his primary challenger is polling so strongly.



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Re: OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley Goes After Gordon Smith (none / 0)

Speaking of this region of the country, the EV counter on MyDD needs to reflect pollster.com's latest poll in Washington state. It has McCain beating Hillary (SUSA poll).

Both candidates get to where they currently are in different ways but they're shockingly similar results.

Regarding Merkley, I'm not sure casting himself as the front runner is a risk. What I do like is his attacks on the GOP senator at this stage of the game.


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by alex100 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 04:24:16 PM EST

Re: OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley Goes After Gordon Smith (none / 0)

I don't have a dog in the Merkley-Novick fight, but I'm always glad when a Dem aims his guns at the Republicans.


by RT on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:38:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

looks good (none / 0)

Merkeley clarifies his own record, which does affect the Novak craze at the same time shows he can take on Smith.  

This was very effective, even in the primary frankly.  

I am looking for video streams of the Oregon Senate Democratic primaries.  Frankly finding out exact positions is not easy and I'm personally trying to make a decision here.

If I'm looking to find out details you can bet there are tons of other Oregonians wanting policy position details to do the same thing.

IMHO Oregon has to be one of the worst for finding out real policy positions, votes, agendas online, although I do have a funny feeling that is more was known on Merkely he'd win this from what I have found to date.  But still, I mean digging out policy positions that are not vague is really tough.  Just the votes, positions and facts please!

All of those debate videos should be available for watching and I cannot find a damn one of them.

Or there should be a hell of a lot more info on their websites on policy positions.  


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Sun May 04, 2008 at 04:34:50 PM EST

Re: looks good (2.00 / 1)

I think Merkley's energy proposal on his website is pretty detailed don't you think? Here is a link to one of the recent debates that is a good one IMO:

There have been two debates since that last one and for some reason I can't find the links to the video for those. If anybody has them...post the links!

I'm a Merkley supporter and I really like the interviews Jeff did with Outlook Portland.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:56:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: looks good (none / 0)

If you are connected to the campaigns they really need to get more info out there.  I knew more about Novak than him and believe me, I will vote on policy positions, i want a competent legislator.


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:09:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: looks good (2.00 / 1)

KATU didn't post the latest debate on their website for some reason. Feel free to contact me at carla (at) jeffmerkley (dot) com for more info.

Here are Jeff Merkley's opening and closing statements from that debate:

Opening statement:

Closing statement--

Carla--Netroots Outreach, Jeff Merkley for Oregon


by carla on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:30:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

what cares!!!! (none / 0)

God, who gives a rats ass about opening and closing statements!  That's the whole damn problem, can we see specifics?  I'm not going to vote on feel good rah, rah, I'm going to vote on who specifically has policy positions I want to see.

What an info blackout and frankly there is so much corruption on politics when I see no policy, to me that means avoiding issues so they can vote per corporate lobbyists requests.

I even called up the campaign to get some specifics, no response back.


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:11:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: what cares!!!! (none / 0)

Actually, you called on Friday and message was handed to me late Friday morning for a very specific set of questions.

I passed the info on to the person who handles the specific policy questions--and as you can imagine, he's hip deep in Gordon Smith's votes as we worked to put this ad together.

I had planned to call you on Monday to let you know where it stood, but I guess this works, too.

And actually, you asked about debate video. That's what I have right now.  Since KATU didn't post the debate on their website, that leaves YouTube. Given the size of the files, posting it there is rather unwieldy. If there's a specific issue you'd like to hear about, email me and I'll see if I can find the snippet that covers that topic.

WADR, I hardly think there's an information blackout with any of the Democratic candidates. There have been multiple debates, town halls and forums all over Oregon. There's ample opportunity to see and hear from them, as well as ask questions.  The MerkleyforOregon YouTube site has quite a bit of video there for you to see.  There's also a lot of video at the Merkley campaign website.  The issues pages include quite a bit of policy. And if you don't see something you're wanting to know about, you can contact us and we'll get it to you (which is what I'm working on with you).

Carla--Netroots Outreach, Jeff Merkley for Oregon


by carla on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:53:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: what cares!!!! (none / 0)

thxs.  I put in a request to KATU to post the debate in full.

Perhaps others will too.

www.katu.com


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Mon May 05, 2008 at 02:53:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

It occurs to me that this can get you started (2.00 / 1)

Willamette Week recorded their endorsement interview that included 4 of the six candidates. Blue Oregon posted it here. It isn't all policy, but there is some. It's about 90 minutes, I think.

The KGW debate from awhile back is posted here.

Carla--Netroots Outreach, Jeff Merkley for Oregon


by carla on Sun May 04, 2008 at 09:22:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It occurs to me that this can get you started (none / 0)

WW:  That is worth watching for anyone else reading this.  It was quite clear Merkeley has the best handle on policy and probably has the negotiation skills to get somewhere in the very nasty Senate.

One although he needs to make sure on that supply/demand issue, that it is not corporate controlled but US policy/government controlled and most assuredly not part of WTO GATS mode 4.    The reason is corporations will do anything to increase labor supply/repress wages. Also, productivity assuredly does not always equal these days more laborers.  See Japan as an ex.

Another good read on corporate controlled global migrations is Herman Daly (U. Maryland economist, ex. World Bank).  

On taxes, I don't think anybody understood what he is saying but it's basically a Progressive cap. gains on non-retirement accounts and that's a very good idea because cap gains depending upon how they are structured (and no Bush's structure is not it) can actually increase tax revenues and increase corporate liquidity.    Then there is the issue that the US moved from pensions to 401ks and looking at the overall markets and how tax structure will affect them and thus people's retirement accounts is now yet another wonderful variable in this lovely (privatization) equation we have today.

What's good about this is they are being interviewed, as if for a job and because of the unusual format of that, it gave a lot of insight and assuredly more depth than what I usually see.

(Novick is right, for such a policy wonk you would think he would put out more details).


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Mon May 05, 2008 at 04:42:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

since policy is your main concern (none / 0)

the big differences i can think of (and i am a novick supporter, so i know his stuff more than merkley's):

  1. novick wants to repeal nafta
  2. remove the cap on ss
  3. tax wealth the same as income
  4. out of iraq in 6 months
  5. supports gay marriage (merkley does support civil unions)
  6. repeal nclb
  7. novick has a very detailed platform on fighting poverty
  8. their energy platforms are pretty similar, though, again, novicks is much more detailed.

on the merkley side, all i can think is that he opposes the death penalty, where as novick doesn't mind it for the most extreme cases (eg: serial killers)


end the blurring--vote steve novick for u.s. senate in oregon
by petrichor on Sun May 04, 2008 at 11:26:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: since policy is your main concern (none / 0)

how is he on national security and economic espionage?  This is separate from Iraq.  Now everybody is railing about NAFTA, la de da, the #1 contributor to the trade deficit is China, it's the China PNTR that is the most damaging.  Now how is he going to renegotiate that one?  WTO anyone?

Thanks for the answers.  I just watched the WW "interview" which is very insightful.

One would think there would be other interviews, videos and my God, that long as a Oregon legislator, you would think there would be floor speeches to youtube, or at least a series of policy accomplishments in detail, by the bill titles and numbers.  

I wasn't too happy with the children's health care tied to tobacco that they both loved, just a bad piece of legislation so for me they both bombed on that issue (meas. 11).

I thought he and Merkeley should kiss and make up.  Obviously a nasty primary is why, hope that chasm doesn't last.


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Mon May 05, 2008 at 04:48:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: since policy is your main concern (none / 0)

the only specifics i know on china is that he would impose a carbon tax on imports, and that he has criticized chinas PNTR status along with nafta, cafta, wto, etc, though i don't know if he has explicitly called for a repeal.


end the blurring--vote steve novick for u.s. senate in oregon
by petrichor on Mon May 05, 2008 at 06:57:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Exactly what we need (2.00 / 2)

Wow this is a great ad.  First it shows which campaign has the mettle to stand up to Gordon Smith and the Republicans.  Their in the middle of a contested primary and it took them what like 48 hours on a weekend to put up a hell of a response.  It seems like there is only one campaign in the primary that has the organizational capacity to take on Smith, and thats Jeff Merkley.

Secondly, in a contested primary where some are putting attack ads up against other Democrats, it is good to see Merkley keep his eye on the prize: beating Republicans!  Both of Merkley last two ads including this one go after Smith.  Gotta love that


by bdunn on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:35:16 PM EST

agree (none / 0)

I'm still researching (and am looking for videos online of the debates) but that's my impression overall too.


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:46:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

If you need any help give the campaign an email (none / 0)

carla their netroots coordinator is absolutely great carla @ jeffmerkley . com


by bdunn on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:09:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: If you need any help give the campaign an emai (none / 0)

TY, hopefully the campaign itself can contact the debate hosts and get them to put up the video for online streaming or at least access it for a few youtubes.  Even the voter booklet is so vague, but I suspect, strongly that if more positions are known, that would push him over.  (as well as just plain watching presence).


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:38:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: agree (none / 0)

Ed,

Try digging through the archives at Blue Oregon (blueoregon.com) for debate video.

Unfortunately, the most recent televised debate was run by KATU and they've not released footage of the debate... just clips from their newscasts which have the talkingheads yammering over whatever the candidates were saying. Unfortunate because I was in the audience for that debate as well as the earlier one hosted by KGW and the KATU debate was an especially strong one for Merkley. If you dig through the Blue Oregon archives you'll find posts I wrote about both debates.


by Preemptive Karma on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:12:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Ooops (none / 0)

I meant "Robert" rather than "Ed".

Dunno where that came from. Must have seen a comment by an Ed recently and it got lodged in my brain.


by Preemptive Karma on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:13:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley Goes After Gordon Smith (2.00 / 2)

It's not risky at all for Merkley to be going after Smith like this. It gives Oregon Democrats a glimpse of what we can expect from the Merkley campaign when it comes to attack ads on Smith. This was a very strong ad against Smith and I'm sure it will impress Oregon Dems like it impressed me.

I'd also like to add that going negative against fellow Democrats is a turnoff here. Both Novick and Merkley are progressives so to go negative on eachother would be a mistake IMO. The Novick campaign did create a negative ad about Merkley that was leaked which did result in negative feedback for the Novick campaign.

The Merkley campaign is being smart by focusing their attention on Smith. The way they have run their campaign is obviously working considering Merkley jumped 16 points in just a few weeks.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:45:17 PM EST

Re: OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley Goes After Gordon Smith (none / 0)

and the merkley campaign got caught push polling against novick as a ralph nader voting tax supporter among other things.


end the blurring--vote steve novick for u.s. senate in oregon
by petrichor on Sun May 04, 2008 at 11:30:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Merkley gone much more negative (none / 0)

Merkley has created three videos specifically attacking Novick, you can see them at the MerkleyforOregon YouTube account.

Novick's not released one. And when he criticizes his opponent it's on policy, and in areas where Merkley is further away from Democratic principles. Merkley seems to attack only on non-policy issues, and where Novick is CLOSER to those principles. Trying to attack Novick for being pro-tax is absurd, for instance.

The Social Justice Alliance here is backing Novick, and they're using this document of differences between them.

Robert, I'd be happy to help get you responses you'd like on specific policy positions. loadedorygun at gmail.


by torridjoe on Mon May 05, 2008 at 06:22:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Oregonian thinks Novick would be stronger (none / 0)

Novick declared his intention to run against Smith early on, but Merkley, thanks to his party organization's support, became the automatic front-runner when he entered the race. Yet Novick has gained national attention as Merkley's campaign has stumbled. Novick clearly is a smart campaigner and has an untypical but convincing record of productive achievement...

...Novick is an unusual man with an unusual resume -- characteristics that some suggest aren't suited to the U.S. Senate. But we think his passion, his intellect and his personal style give him an intriguing combination of qualities that most senators don't possess.

We think Novick represents a bold choice for Democrats who seek to dislodge a veteran incumbent. He has the potential to press Smith as he has done Merkley. And, should he pull off what would be a major electoral upset and go to Washington as the new junior senator from Oregon, he has the potential to make Oregonians proud.


http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/ore gonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1209153 348185500.xml&coll=7


It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama
by Lefty Coaster on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:14:47 PM EST

Seriously? (none / 0)

Jesus, Gordon Smith has a media and money machine from hell as well as a Professional presence.

Think about the job title Senator and what kind of negotiations and brain that requires to be a good legislator.  The fact Smith even won in the first place should give a very good history on what Oregonians are going to like or dislike in a general.  The whole state is purple to blue so the fact he even got elected says way more about who ran against him than anything.


NoSlaves.com | The Economic Populist
by Robert Oak on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:42:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

all four PDX papers, and 7 of 10 statewide (none / 0)

Actually, Novick has the nod from the three other general circulation papers published in Portland: Willamette Week, Portland Mercury and the Portland Tribune. I'm not sure that happens very often in major races.

Novick also has backing from papers out of the Democratic comfort zone, in Medford, East Oregonian (Pendleton/Hermiston) and Ashland (which is a liberal island in a sea of red).

As far as newspaper endorsements are concerned, they went pretty strongly for Novick. The O's was pretty surprising to some folks...


by torridjoe on Mon May 05, 2008 at 06:27:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: all four PDX papers, and 7 of 10 statewide (none / 0)

"And if people actually read newspapers, we wouldn't have to buy TV time."

That's a direct quote from one of Novick's strongest supporters -- though from another time, in another race.


by karichisholm on Mon May 05, 2008 at 11:56:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]


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