Democrats protest Smith

By Phil Wright
The East Oregonian

Thursday, December 06, 2007

A small contingent of dedicated Democrats protested late Wednesday morning against Oregon Republican Sen.
Gordon Smith and his stance on the Iraq war. Local activist Ben Talley led Pendletonians Peter Walters and
Barbara Wright, who at times lofted signs saying "Stop Gordon Smith."

A couple of others later joined the hardy band that was part of a statewide action the Democratic Party of Oregon
organized to send a message to Smith and voters. The protest lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Smith's
offices in Portland, Medford, Eugene, Bend and downtown Pendleton.

About 40 people attended the protest in Eugene, 45 in Portland, 25 in Medford and 12 in Bend.

Talley said a year ago Smith announced he opposed the war in Iraq, but he continues to vote to fund it.

"He hasn't been walking his talk," Talley said. "We're here to hold Sen. Smith accountable to his record."

Talley criticized Smith, describing the senator as a political opportunist who won't stand up for Oregon when it
counts.

Walters said Smith once told Americans he was at the end of his rope when it came to the war in Iraq, but that
doesn't seem to have held true.

"Apparently his rope was a lot longer than he thinks because he hasn't taken the lead to get us out of Iraq,"
Walters said.

Smith has announced he will seek another term as Oregon's junior senator. Democratic challengers Jeff
Merkley and Steve Novick are contending for the nomination in the May 2008 primary. The Democratic Party of
Oregon considers Smith very vulnerable in the forthcoming election.

DPO Communications Director Marc Siegel said the party was thrilled so many people came out 11 months
before election day to hold Smith accountable for saying anything to win re-election.

"Smith has already been cited for not telling the truth," Siegel wrote in an e-mail. "It's important for people to know
that some media have already criticized him for not telling the truth."

Smith, however, has explained his view of the Iraq war in an interview with the EO in early August. The senator
said he opposed the military tactics under then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld even described them as
insane, while the strategy and tactics of Gen. David Petraeus are effective and the military should have used
them sooner. Smith also said he wants Americans out of the Iraq War, but not through cutting off funding.

"What I have been unwilling to do is vote for the Feingold Amendment, which simply cuts off funding to the troops
that are ordered to be in the trench. I think that is dangerous and I think that is dishonorable," Smith said at the
time.

However, Talley, whose son, Chris, was killed in the Iraq War, said Smith's votes to fund the fighting will bring
him down in the 2008 election.

"It's too late now. If he had voted with the bulk of Americans on this, he might have a chance at re-election in
Oregon. But I doubt it. I think it's too late," Talley said.

www.eastoregonian.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&subsectionID=48&articleID=70150&Q=65889.32
Search GSFSO
Democrats protest Smith