Elizabeth Furse... blinded by the right.
Notwithstanding Gordon Smith's ridiculous right-wing votes on minimum wage, arctic oil drilling, gay rights, pharmaceutical negotiations, and much more... it seems that former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse, a Democrat, is once again going to endorse his re-election effort.
According to the O's blog:
In an interview today, Furse said she will support Smith in his re-election race next year, citing Smith's recent vote in favor of an appropriations bill that sets a timeline for troop withdrawal from Iraq. Smith was one of two Republicans voting for the bill."I'm certainly a big supporter of Sen. Smith although I'm a strong Democrat," Furse said.
Until December, Smith was a loyal supporter of Bush's Iraq policy, and he voted to authorize the use of military force in Iraq in 2002.
Furse said that had she been in Congress in 2002, she wouldn't have voted to use military force, but she understands why some members of Congress believed it was necessary.
Discuss.
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Apr 6, '07
Who cares?
Ms. Fruse is simply a winery owner, a private citizen. She can endorse whomever she wishes.
Apr 6, '07
Representative Furse, why do you believe anything coming out of a Republican's mouth? You should know very well that Smith is flip-flopping to the left to gain the suburban vote - you really think the soccer moms in Washington and Clackamas Counties are all for the torture Smith sanctioned in the Military Commissions Act?
4:44 p.m.
Apr 6, '07
Maybe it should say "former Democrat" instead of "former Congressman." Put down the wine, smell the coffee and read the tea leaves, Elizabeth!
Apr 6, '07
A multi-millionaire winery owner voting for a multi-millionaire frozen food scion. Who said the old boys network doesn't allow woman to play on the same field?
There doesn't exist an instrument that measures how little I care what Ms. Furse thinks.
5:36 p.m.
Apr 6, '07
The only aspect of concern I have about what a fake Democrat has to say about supporting Gordon Smith is how the Big-O catapults this into the larger public megaphone, which gives to the nonpolitically observant the impression Gordon Smith is not as much of a disaster for Oregon and a fake "moderate" that he truly is, which filters into the voting population.
If people want to know how Smith still has anything above single digit approvals from registered Democrats, here's your answer as to why. Because Big-O catapults non-news opinion of myopic non-serious people nobody not interested in perhaps buying wine might hold.
Apr 6, '07
Meredith: please hire someone for ED or press that has a fucking clue. You clearly do not.
6:22 p.m.
Apr 6, '07
So, Meredith is supposed to know in advance what someone will say or who someone will endorse? I've known Meredith for several years, and was pretty sure she didn't have those kind of special powers. "Problem" apparently had different expectations. If "Problem" has those skills, maybe he/she should have applied for ED, so the DPO could benefit. Taking pointless cheap shots may make "Problem" feel better, but that's pretty much it. In the meantime, I expect we'll have a new ED soon.
7:01 p.m.
Apr 6, '07
I not only second Wayne Kinney's opinion, I third it as well. As much as the news media likes rabid attack dogs, it is often more persuasive to be gentle in cases like this. I doubt very much anyone but political junkies even know about this endorsement, or who Furse even is. The only thing that could project it into their minds is some screeching over-the-top comment reminiscent of a blog, that gets quoted everywhere.
And who'd benefit most from the "Democrats in disarray" frame that would naturally result? Take a wild guess.
Well played Meredith, and well played Mr. Kinney. It sounds like everything is functioning smoothly down at the DPO.
Apr 6, '07
Fourth.
Why is it every thread I read here is four or five anonymous smears before there start to appear some rational-sounding posts by people with names?
Someone had better have a pretty strong resume before they start calling Elizabeth Furse a "fake Democrat." I have a great deal of respect for her, as well as for Avel Gordly. I strongly disagree with them over Smith.
I wonder when this blog was been taken over by 15-year-olds trained in the Fox News school of discourse.
John
Apr 6, '07
Not the first time this odd couple has been noticed:
http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3122/6176/
April 6th, 2005] * Odd couple: Republican Sen. Gordon Smith and former Democratic congresswoman Elizabeth Furse are on the same side-and it's not the first time. Smith is floating a bill called the Mark O. Hatfield-Elizabeth Furse Scholarship and Excellence in Tribal Government Act, which would hand $50 million in federal funds to the Furse-headed Institute for Tribal Government. The institute was founded at Portland State University in 2001 with $1.3 million that Smith also helped Furse get from the feds. In 2002, Furse surprised many by endorsing the pro-war Smith over fellow Democrat Bill Bradbury just days after Furse made an anti-war speech. Furse says there's no agenda behind the bill besides helping tribes, while Smith staffer Chris Matthews says any contrary speculation would be "out of left field."
Apr 6, '07
As I recall, Elizabeth Furse was a Democrat for Hatfield in 1990.
Apr 6, '07
Walter Karp: The Republican and Democratic parties are the two wings on the corporate bird of prey.
Alexander Cockburn: There isn't a dime's worth of difference between the two parties.
Ralph Nader: "...the Democrats know that no matter how many GATTs, NAFTAs, empty OSHAs, and other betrayals... , they can be had because, once again, the Republicans are deemed worse."
Yogi Berra: It's deja vu all over again.
It's time for concerned progressives to make a declaration of independence and to think and act as independents.
10:15 p.m.
Apr 6, '07
So I take it from your comments, Bill, that you were a Naderite in 2000? Because there wasn't a spit of a difference between George Bush and that so-called "Democrat" Al Gore? Two wings on the corporate bird of prey?
Let me say, mildly, that I'm not all that impressed with what that kind of thinking has done to our beautiful country over the last 6 years.
Apr 6, '07
We have a 2008 sentatorial candidate who is well qualified. Let's get behind his re-election.
Myra Schumer
Apr 7, '07
Elizabeth Furse spoke at the first of Portland's big "no Iraq war" rallies, before the invasion took place. Not long after that event, she endorsed Smith in his re-elction bid. When questioned about endorsing a candidate who voted to authorize the war, she told the peace community, more or less, "get over yourselves, there are more important issues." I've assumed she's just an opportunist ever since.
12:27 a.m.
Apr 7, '07
Adulteress! Next thing you know she'll say something bad about Wyden. Obviously, she should be stoned to death.
12:35 a.m.
Apr 7, '07
Why is it every thread I read here is four or five anonymous smears before there start to appear some rational-sounding posts by people with names?
We're deep into working on it. Stay tuned.
Apr 7, '07
I'd say JackBob posted the most pertinent comment on this thread:
April 6th, 2005] *Smith is floating a bill called the Mark O. Hatfield-Elizabeth Furse Scholarship and Excellence in Tribal Government Act, which would hand $50 million in federal funds to the Furse-headed Institute for Tribal Government. The institute was founded at Portland State University in 2001 with $1.3 million that Smith also helped Furse get from the feds. In 2002, Furse surprised many by endorsing the pro-war Smith ...
Journalism 101: Follow the money Journalism 102: Follow the money
Apr 7, '07
Jackbob has it just right. Everyone has their price. Furse has been bought. Sad state of affairs for her. Smith is toast in any case.
Apr 7, '07
[Anonymous fake-named smear deleted.]
Apr 7, '07
As I recall, Elizabeth Furse was a Democrat for Hatfield in 1990.
I am trying to remember what Democrat's election Elizabeth Furse has supported other than her own. I am sure there are some. Elizabeth Furse has proven herself to be an opportunist. She is of no use to Democrats, so she is making herself useful to Republicans.
What I don't understand is why groups keep empowering her to betray them. Once her husband retires, she will probably sign on as a leader against tribal casinos.
9:09 a.m.
Apr 7, '07
Maya -- Ron Wyden isn't running for re-election in 2008; Gordon Smith is. he's demonstrably unqualified, so he needs to be replaced by someone who is.
but thanks for endorsing Sen Wyden.
9:12 a.m.
Apr 7, '07
Myra, not Maya -- sorry. (not enough caffeine yet)
Apr 7, '07
"why do you believe anything coming out of a Republican's mouth?" Oh here we go, the great BlueOregon lie detector machine, that never seems to work right here in their own Blue dominated back yard. It's an amazing thing to watch. How perceptive you all are. Able to detect and interpret every Republican word as lies, while granting all the local Blue electeds a pass and pretending to ethically pure and above the dirty political frey.
9:42 a.m.
Apr 7, '07
there wasn't a spit of a difference between George Bush and that so-called "Democrat" Al Gore? Two wings on the corporate bird of prey?
Oh, I don't know...what about that great "Democrat" Al Gore chose as his running mate?
Apr 7, '07
First of all, someone who was active on Furse's '92 campaign told me that wasn't even registered to vote before that.
I think that Furse was clearly a good D in congress and I'm not going to attack her character or motives for her support of Smith.
My problem with her support is that Furse won by the narrowest of margins in her three congressional elections and would not have gone over the top without solid and unified Democratic support, plus a ton of Democratic money. If somone like Wyden, AuCoin or Kopetski had decided to endorse Tony Meeker, Furse might not have won. Apparently, party support and unity deosn't mean as much to her now.
12:15 p.m.
Apr 7, '07
In case it's not obvious, a troll has used my name in a brainless smear. Ignore him.
Apr 7, '07
First of all, someone who was active on Furse's '92 campaign told me that wasn't even registered to vote before that.
That is definitely not true. Washington County election records showed her often failing to bother to vote. But she was registered.
3:44 p.m.
Apr 7, '07
Frank Dufay Oh, I don't know...what about that great "Democrat" Al Gore chose as his running mate?
So in other words, you'd rather have Dick Cheney as Vice President than Joe Lieberman.
I don't really have a printable reponse to that.
I'm not sure there is one.
4:06 p.m.
Apr 7, '07
Alexander Cockburn: There isn't a dime's worth of difference between the two parties.
Cockburn was on C-SPAN last week saying that the global warming threat was really just a plot by the nuclear power industry. Seriously.
Democrats believe global warming is real -- and that we must take action to stop it. The majority of Republicans in Congress don't. Apparently, this is not just a difference between the two major parties, but also with a highly visible member of the Pacific Green Party as well.
4:20 p.m.
Apr 7, '07
FWIW, I'm guessing that Cockburn is a member of the Green Party - not the Pacific Green Party (which only exists in Oregon.)
5:16 p.m.
Apr 7, '07
Noted, and in fairness, Cockburn's views are thankfully way out-of-synch with rank-and-file members of their party.
Apr 7, '07
So I take it from your comments, Bill, that you were a Naderite in 2000? Because there wasn't a spit of a difference between George Bush and that so-called "Democrat" Al Gore? Two wings on the corporate bird of prey?
I did vote for Nader after I became disgusted with Gore. I didn't want to see Bush in and was prepared to vote for Gore even with his shortcomings until they became too much to endure. He ran a pathetic, and at times a squalid, campaign. Remember how he was prepared to sell little Elian Gonzales down the Miami River to get the Cuban vote by separating a father and son? And it was obvious he was always adjusting his position according to his audience. In 2000 Nader and the candidate from the Reform Party were the only two honest candidates running for president. The rest meant you got to choose the least evil. As for Bush in 2000, I doubt that even the most skeptical ever thought he and his administration would be as extreme as they proved to be.
Recommended Reading: Walter Karp's retrospective (The Politics of War, Buried Alive, Indispensable Enemies, and Liberty Under Siege) available through Harper's magazine and Ralph Nader's "Crashing the Party." You can get a few of Karp's essays via an Internet search.
For the record, I held my nose and voted for Kerry despite the fact that his campaign was as abysmal as Gore's, but he did have the advantage of being "anybody but Bush."
As for the corporate bird of prey, check the Democrats' voting record. They supported NAFTA and many other pro-corporation and anti-people schemes. And pro-war policies!!
In the case of Alexander Cockburn, I do not accept everything he says, and I was taken aback by his comments on global warming on C-Span but not enough to have a closed mind to what else he might have to say on the subject. On the other hand, Cockburn gets many points right. Including there isn't much difference when it comes to paying off corporate campaign donors.
6:45 p.m.
Apr 7, '07
So in other words, you'd rather have Dick Cheney as Vice President than Joe Lieberman.
Wow...now there's a choice, huh?
One pro-war candidate versus another pro-war candidate. And which is the bigger jerk? Maybe the one who pretends he's something --i.e. a Democrat-- that he's not.
Apr 8, '07
Maya and I live contentedly on another planet - a sunny place devoid of grey skies.
I have just launched my independent study of American diplomatic history. When you get the timing right so much is possible. Maya and Jason know that.
Happy Easter everyone.
Myra Schumer
9:49 a.m.
Apr 8, '07
Bill B: "As for Bush in 2000, I doubt that even the most skeptical ever thought he and his administration would be as extreme as they proved to be."
you gotta be kidding me. they had already published books noting their intent to seek a mideast war. hell, even the Onion knew what they intended to do. did you not live thru the Reagan years? you expected Bush to be better than that? do you recall the death toll throughout the world brought on by Reagan's policies? and the way they gutted McCain in the primaries -- that didn't give you a clue?
there is no excuse for having supported Nader. it was foolish at the time, and the events of 9/11 turn that foolishness into a horror. plain and simple: with Gore as president, there would have been no attacks. they would have been stopped because Gore and his people would have kept Al Queda at the fore of their anti-terror efforts. Bush and his people turned a blind eye.
the Democratic Party at its worst is always a better choice than the GOP. always. and now that we are leaving the DLC behind, that difference is growing -- and improving.
Apr 8, '07
Furse is a two bit opportunist always looking for a two-point bump on the Street. Her elevation and support by Oregon Democrats speaks volumes of the naiveté of Multnomah County liberals. Is Randy Leonard all this town has got???
1:23 p.m.
Apr 8, '07
Not only is t.a.barnhart right, I need to point something else out: people who don't vote for our party don't have any business pretending they're the judge of who is and who is not a Democrat.
So if you voted for Nader, go Cheney yourself.
As an actual Democrat and Lamont supporter, I'm not happy with Lieberman. But give the man his due. He won his State without the Democratic Party, and yet he still caucuses with us in the Senate. His decision to stay is the only reason Senator Reid - who is authoring a Iraq withdrawal bill - is Senate Majority leader. Further, Lieberman's voting record on labor and working family issues is more liberal than most Democrats, so if failure to oppose the "Corporate Bird of Prey" is where you think our representatives fail us, Lieberman is your man. Or as the Senator himself put it, "Foxes guard the foxes & middle-class hens get plucked."
If Al Gore was President right now, I have no doubt Lieberman would have faithfully followed his boss's lead in pursuing Peace and Energy Independence.
6:15 p.m.
Apr 8, '07
>follow the money
I'd like to think that Ms. Furse is motivated more by some element of personal friendship she may have developed with Smith, than by pure economic self-interest.
Having said that, it's not shocking that the Oregonian would blow something like this up way out of proportion to its actual news value. It feeds their pre-established narrative too nicely.
Apr 8, '07
I have much respect for Congresswoman Furse, she like a lot of Democrats have found Smith to be a much more independent vote than expected when he first went to the senate. If DeFazio runs - I'm with Peter all the way but if it is Earl - I am probably a Smith voter myself.
Apr 9, '07
Senator Blumenauer and Speaker DeFazio.
A promotion for Senator Smith is in the offing.
Myra Schumer
Apr 12, '07
As a Furse supporter, I was dismayed when she supported Smith. Because I worked as a volunteer with the Oregon Peace Institute, I had assumed that she was pro-peace. As a Democrat, I assumed that she was loyal to the Democrats. I was one of those naive Oregonian idealists who worked on her campaign. I hope we have all learned that any one who voted and continues to vote for the Iraq war, does not deserve our vote, money, or attention.
Smith voted for a pre-emptive war and the Military Commissions Act. Those are the issues. Oregonians need a new Senator.
1:34 p.m.
Apr 12, '07
Elizabeth Furse is a big girl, and she should be able to endorse whomever she wishes. She will not be the last prominent Democrat to endorse Senator Smith. He has supported her Native American project at PSU, and that obviously counts for something to her. Okay, so she is loyal to someone who supports a program she founded. I suspect most of us have been in that situation at some point in life, be it politics or job or family, etc.
Instead of handwringing about her support of our thoroughly mediocre junior senator, why can't we find someone credible who will take the guy on and explain to voters what an empty suit he really is? (His last six month conversion on Iraq is pathetic and would be easy for someone to show as phoney. I don't see Smith recanting his votes for key federal judicial appointees which will have far more negative impact on Oregon's long term than just about anything he has done in office).
Go ahead and blame Elizabeth Furse since it makes everyone feel good, and she has become an easy target. I hope that she would at least wait until the Dems decide who will run before she gives Smith the nod. But in lieu of an inspiring alternative, can you really fault her?
Apr 12, '07
I agree with Chris. I will be voting against Gordon Smith, even if I have to vote for Steve Novick to do it (Run, Peter, Run, or alternatively, Run, Earl, Run).
But Elizabeth Furse was an excellent, progressive Congresswoman, has served our Native American community long and well, and should be allowed to speak her own mind. Neither she nor her motives deserve the smears and condemnation above. And she has earned our respect and praise for giving much of her life, to this day, as a servant of the public interest. As for The Oregonian, our daily newspaper will, before it is done, sicken us once again with its ability to find means and rationale to support Gordon Smith, just as it did with Ron Saxton. It is enough, at The Oregonian, just to CLAIM to be a moderate Republican -- you don't have to prove it consistently by your actions, your public statements or your voting record.