Merkley hits Smith hard on Iraq, health care
Over at the Talking Points Memo Election Central, Jeff Merkley outlined his strategy, talked issues, and hit hard on Gordon Smith:
"Smith had an election night conversion," Merkley said, speaking of the GOP Senator's newfound call for withdrawal from Iraq."Smith says now that last year he read a book that persuaded him he was on the wrong track. If that's the case, he stayed silent until the election occurred, he saw that he was fully out of sync with the American public, and then he made his conversion. We don't need a senator who makes election night conversions." ...
"My feeling is that this election is a referendum on where Smith, in lockstep with Bush and Cheney, have taken our country," Merkley says. "I think the majority Of Oregonians recognize that things are deeply awry in our national policies, and it is time we have a much different vision for our country."
On health care, Merkley pointed out that Gordon Smith has never stood up for universal health care:
Merkley adds that Smith is deeply vulnerable on domestic issues, too, arguing that the Republican record on healthcare has provided him with a campaign opening. "Well, let's talk about healthcare. We have 45 million uninsured Americans," he says. "We have more than 600,000 uninsured here in Oregon. We have 117,000 children that don't have access to health care in our state."Merkley's message seems simple and to the point: Even if Smith calls himself a moderate on the issue and favors some amount of public subsidies, he's still part of the Republican caucus, and has a bias against universal healthcare. And that means a vote for Smith is a vote to help Republicans get back into the majority, and to keep people uninsured.
"We need to have a philosophy where access for everyone to healthcare is a fundamental pillar of our society," he added — an idea that the usually conservative Smith is unlikely to convert on anytime soon.
Asked why 2008 would be different than 2002, when Smith ran away with the election, Merkley responded:
"Two thousand two was a tough year for Democrats running for the Senate. It was right after 911, and our nation was focused on national defense." Merkley said. "This year our nation is focused on rectifying the mistakes we've made in Iraq and recognizing the middle class has gotten the short end of the stick. Working families have gotten the short end of the stick; that giving bonuses to billionaires, which is what the Republicans — what Smith — has supported in lockstep with the Bush Administration."
On his campaign strategy, Merkley outlined his plans:
"We're going to be taking this campaign on the road to every corner of the state," Merkley says. "We will never be able to compete with Senator Smith on money, but we will absolutely be able to reach the citizens of the state through thousands of volunteers and grassroots organization. This is how we beat the Republicans and took control of the Oregon House, and this is how we'll win the Oregon Senate race."
Read the rest. Discuss.
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connect with blueoregon
10:18 a.m.
Aug 8, '07
Wow. Brilliant. That's how it's done.
For Political Science students (both with degrees, and amateurs like myself), notice the difference between Jeff's statements and Steve's:
Steve tells you all the reasons why you SHOULDN'T vote for Gordon Smith.
Jeff tells you both why you SHOULDN'T vote for Gordon Smith, and why you SHOULD vote for him instead.
It's a fine point missed by us partisans who hate Gordo, but swing voters rarely vote on a pure negative. People who are willing to change their vote not only need to be unhappy with their previous decision, they need to feel that the other guy might actually be better.
On electability (my sole criteria for deciding this primary race, since I love both Steve and Jeff), this point goes to Jeff.
Aug 8, '07
hmmm, kind of bland article, if you ask me. I do wish to see some fire, please? not a big rush, but...
Aug 8, '07
I mean there's so much to choose from Iraq, trade issues, energy, civil rights, FISA, NAFTA, CAFTA, Bush & Cheney, how we are perceived in the world, Smith's distance from OR issues/voters,
If I were Steve or Jeff I'd be putting out huge statements about how awful Smith has been over the years. StopGordonSmith or whatever that website is should have a ton of info, let's get that spread around - when the reporters ask, here are your talking points - and what you're going to do differently when we have 60 Dem Senators, that's the punchline or left hook :)
Aug 8, '07
On a similar note, I made a video on Gordon Smith's values.
Aug 8, '07
If Merkley passed on the opportunity to work towards universal health care in Oregon this past legislative session what makes you think he'll do better than Gordo?
11:31 a.m.
Aug 8, '07
Funny how I was composing my post when someone (Kari?) put this one up. Leading with health care--magnifique!
Aug 8, '07
Steven Maurer: It's a fine point missed by us partisans who hate Gordo.....
HATE?
I was hoping our party could keep the hate out of the campaign this time around. All members of Oregon's Congressional delegation are class people when it comes to public discourse. They all represent the state well in that regard.
Hate? Pfffffffffft. Geeeeeeeeez Maurer!
12:52 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
Can you point out where that occurs in these excerpts?
*What is Merkley's position on Iraq? Withdrawal, I assume--but when, and how far does he go? Clinton far, or Richardson far, or somewhere in between? He doesn't say.
*What is Merkley's position on health care? Single payer? Wyden model? Does he plan to support national legislation, or state block grants? He doesn't say.
And this sure sounds like a "it's about Gordon" approach: "My feeling is that this election is a referendum on where Smith, in lockstep with Bush and Cheney, have taken our country," Merkley says.
I'm still a bit curious as to why Jeff validates Smith's attempted Iraq conversion by agreeing that he's converted. If that's the case, why hasn't Smith voted yes on any actual bill to set a binding timeline for withdrawal?
Jeff says mostly the right things here, but let's not give him credit for things he didn't say, shall we?
Aug 8, '07
Here is Steve pointing out all you need to know about why to vote for him. I know Jeff's campaign isn't even off the ground yet, much less on point about their exact issue positions, and that's why I think it's a little early to start awarding points. But if I had to, I think they'd go to Steve at this point. Get my point?
2:08 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
"This year our nation is focused on rectifying the mistakes we've made in Iraq
Even George Bush has admitted we've made "mistakes" in Iraq. What is Merkley saying?
Pull out? End the war?
"Rectify mistakes" should be our "focus?" Can anybody explain what that means?
3:09 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
PD wrote If Merkley passed on the opportunity to work towards universal health care in Oregon this past legislative session what makes you think he'll do better than Gordo?
Um, PD, you seem to have missed part of the legislative session. In 2007, the House Dems voted to put a tobacco tax for children's health care on the 2007 ballot - and passed the plan to work toward a universal health care plan in 2009.
They didn't implement a universal health care plan in 2007, or pass Kitzhaber's Archimedes plan, but that doesn't mean they did nothing.
Aug 8, '07
Kari,
I didn't miss it. I just mean to say I feel that Novick is talking a bigger and bolder talk than Merkley. Maybe if Merkley gets elected we'll see a tabacco tax at the fed. level to help further sustain an ailed system.
I'm not against Merkley but I'm not gonna start drinking the Kool-Aid quite yet.
3:50 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
I'm not gonna start drinking the Kool-Aid quite yet. PD, You'll need to pick a flavor in May!
4:02 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
Gee, Ben, that's a great list. Just tell Steve the next time you see him to work those points into his speeches, because the last time I heard him, I didn't hear a single pro-Steve Novick word out of Steve Novick's mouth. It was all anti-Gordon Smith.
Granted, this was a speech before the proudly partisan audience of the Washington County Democrats, so maybe he was tailoring his points to us (and we ate everything he said up). But still: It's the Electability, Stupid. Show me the Electability!
Gordo's got to go, even if I don't actually, really, quite, personally "hate" him - just what his philosophy has done to this country.
Aug 8, '07
NDP,
I'll always choose Progressive Portland Punch over Moderate Merkley Mango* any day.
*Note to reader, the above suggested flavors are trademarked by Kool-Aid Co. and non-existant. Consumers are allowed to drink any flavor they wish
4:31 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
"But still: It's the Electability, Stupid. Show me the Electability!"
Smith 50 Novick 27 Smith 49 Merkley 25
Novick name ID 46 Merkley name ID 39
regardless of the "electability" these initial numbers might indicate for either, it's a pretty tough call to suggest that they are not in exactly the same boat at this stage. That could well change--but not yet.
Aug 8, '07
Portland Dem, what positions of Merkley's make you think he's not progressive?
6:38 p.m.
Aug 8, '07
Steve M, Reagan beat Carter on nothing but negatives. based on the polls taken at the time, about 12% of the electorate cast a vote for Reagan. there were a lot of Rs that got negatived out last year: Allen, Burns and many others around the country.
fortunately, we have 2 very positive Dems to choose from. that'll draw a ton of votes, whoever gets the nomination. but we also have work for the negative votes, the people who don't bother to learn how great Jeff & Steve are (a large contingent of the voters). these are the voters who vote based on the most effective ad -- and Gordo has given us plenty of ammo to use. thanks, Senator.
8:17 a.m.
Aug 9, '07
In 2007, the House Dems voted to put a tobacco tax for children's health care on the 2007 ballot
Yes, a patently regressive tax.
I'm just sayin'...
Aug 13, '07
I wasn't very impressed with Jeff Merkley's strategy for beating Senator Smith. While I thoroughly distrust Gordon Smith, I am not convinced that running against him and Bush is the best way to elect a Democrat, and know it is not the best way to provide needed leadership to the people of this state. I would much prefer hearing about Jeff's ideas and vision, and about what type of a Senator he hopes to be, than simply trying to torpedo Smith for his flip-flops and association with Bush. Given the public distrust of government and lack of political sophistication -- particularly among people outside of Portland -- I agree with Steve Duin (See August 10th column in The Oregonian) that that sort of a campaign is not likely to be effective, nor is it worthy of voters' support, particularly in view of the critical issues that are facing this state and our nation. How about some real leadership from Mr. Merkley? Is he up to it? David
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