Merkley releases new ad focusing on abortion

U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) released a new campaign ad Monday laying out his position on abortion and accusing U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) of siding with President Bush on working to take away a woman’s choice.

"There are stark differences between Gordon Smith and Jeff Merkley on reproductive rights. In the U.S. Senate, Gordon Smith has done everything he can to outlaw a woman's right to choose," said Julie Edwards, Merkley campaign spokeswoman. "Smith has stood with Bush and Republicans to overturn Roe v. Wade and pack the courts with extreme right-wing judges who seek to eliminate a woman's right to choose. Jeff Merkley has fought to expand reproductive rights and keep politicians out of our personal lives."

Smith campaign spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride confirmed that the incumbent Senator is pro-life, but she also said that the senator had supported stem cell research.

“Twelve years ago, Senator Smith said that while he is pro-life, he would not be single issue senator, and on issues like medical research, international family planning and judges he's been proving that ever since,” Gilbride said. “Merkley's divisive ad will not change the fact that Oregonians know and respect Gordon Smith's views."

Smith, who voted to confirm Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, also voted to confirm several of President Clinton’s pro-choice judicial appointees. Gilbride went on to question why Merkley chose to bring the issue up as the country was focusing on an economic crisis.

"Gordon Smith is focused on uniting our state and our country,” Gilbride said. “JeffMerkley is focused on dividing it.”