Blumenauer, DeFazio, Hooley, Wu: 'Smith was not one of the first to speak out against the war'

U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, Darlene Hooley and David Wu are publicly criticizing what they feel are inaccuracies in one of U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith’s (R-Pendleton) new ads.

“After watching Gordon Smith's new television ad featuring Elizabeth Furse and Avel Gordly we feel compelled to respond and to help set the record straight,” wrote the four U.S. representatives in a joint statement.

“Gordon Smith was not one of the first to speak out against the war. It was only after the resounding rejection of the failed Bush agenda at the ballot box in 2006 that Gordon Smith revealed that he harbored second thoughts about the war,” they added. “To this day, he has turned a blind eye to the other abuses: Halliburton; independent contractors; torture. The list on the war alone is as extensive as it is troubling.”

However, the four also stated: “We welcome Senator Smith's change of heart. We hope that it extends past just the war, to deal with all the assorted disasters and outrages associated with it.”

In an email to PolitickerOR.com, Lindsay Gilbride, Smith’s spokesperson defended the incumbent senator: “Senator Smith is proud to have been one of the first Republicans to advocate an end to the Iraq war. Regardless of the political season, he will continue working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance our national security, strengthen our economy and promote energy independence.”

Gordon Smith is currently running against state House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D- Portland), in one of the most closely watched U.S. Senate races in the country.

ALSO on PolitickerOR.com:

• Ad: Furse and Gordly voting for Smith