Smith ad touts cooperation with Obama

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) and his campaign released a new ad Tuesday to diffuse what they believe has been false attacks from special interests on Smith's energy record.

"Gordon Smith and Barack Obama joined forces to protect the environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. That's a reality that Jeff Merkley and his special interest allies would like to ignore," Smith campaign spokesperson Lindsay Gilbride said. "The truth: Gordon Smith is a leader in the fight for energy independence."

The ad touts the Fuel Economy Reform Act he co-sponsored with now-presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2006 and 2007. The bipartisan measure was co-sponsored by five Democrats and three Republicans.

"Gas prices are skyrocketing but they're just the part of our problem," Smith said when the 2006 version of the bill was introduced. "Importing so much oil leaves us vulnerable to some of the most unstable regimes in the world. Automakers have been too slow to change and we're risking damage to American security and the economy."

The ad quotes both Obama and Oregon's Democratic Governor Ted Kulongowski, who praised both Obama and Smith for their "bipartisan partnership" for their work on the bill.