Smith releases ad touting newspaper endorsements

U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) released a new ad Friday touting the newspaper endorsements he received for his re-election bid against U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley (D-Portland).

The ad was released shortly before Merkley released an ad touting his endorsement from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The ad says the newspapers backed Smith because of his moderate stances and ability to work across the aisle.

“The Bend Bulletin and Mail Tribune call Gordon Smith ‘moderate,’” the ad says. “He's a moderate who "opposes the war," supports "gay rights," stem cell research & green energy.

And Gordon Smith is a moderate who has shown the independence to represent Oregon."

The ad also takes a swipe at Merkley, saying his ads have been misrepresenting Smith’s record.

“Before you believe Merkley's ads, listen to those who know the truth,” the ad says.

But Merkley spokesman Matt Canter said that it was an ironic charge from Smith, considering that the image the ad shows of Merkley is the same image the campaign has used in previous attack ads against the Oregon House Speaker.

"Now he's goin to tell Oregonians that Merkley's the one running the negative campaign?" Canter said. "It is unbelievable hypocracy on Smith's part."

As for the newspaper endorsements, Canter was quick to point out that Merkley received endorsements around the state as well, including support from the Register-Guard, The Daily Astorian, Willamette Week, Portland Mercury, and others. He also warned that it was the voters, not the papers, that ultimately decided who would make a better Senator.

"If the Oregonian got to decide who won elections, Ron Saxton would be governor," Canter said.