Here in Oregon, the Gordon Smith Campaign, the NRSC and shadowy rightwing lobbyist groups like Employee Freedom Action Committee and Freedom's Watch are rolling around in the mud. A lot of it. Today, the Gordon Smith campaign and the notorious neo-con lobbyist group, Freedom's Watch, both released their own ads attacking Jeff Merkley's record on seniors. Their ads are deceptive, misleading and downright disrespectful to Oregon seniors. More below the fold....
Full disclosure, I am the netroots director for OR-Sen candidate Jeff Merkley
The ad released today by the Gordon Smith campaign is yet another, false, misleading attack ad. Smith claims that Jeff Merkley cut in-home care for seniors by $4 million. Jeff Merkley did not cut in-home care for seniors by $4 million, he actually increased funding by one million. It's the same trick the Smith Campaign used in another recent attack ad against Jeff. They claim that Jeff (and the entire Oregon legislature) cut funding for senior's in-home health care by $4 million, when they actually increased funding. Talk about deceptive.
In reality, Merkley and the Oregon legislature increased funding for programs for seniors and the disabled by $365 million. Seniors programs got an increase! However, one program didn't get as much of an increase as initially proposed. So according to Republican logic - funding increases equal cuts. By using that same logic, the GOP peaceniks are constantly cutting military funding through their tremendous spending at the Pentagon.
The saddest part of the new Smith campaign ad IMO, is when they close with an older woman saying, "Shame on you Jeff Merkley."
It's sad because Jeff increased funding for seniors in the Oregon House. He lowered prescription drug prices for seniors. Heck, he increased funding for seniors health care by 365 million! It's disappointing to see that Smith has such disrespect for Oregon seniors that he thinks they deserve to be misled.
The second ad released today attacking Jeff on seniors issues was by Freedom's Watch. It's basically the same ad that the Smith campaign released. They claim that Merkley cut funding for a seniors in-home care program even though he INCREASED funding. Hmmmm, nice to see both the Smith campaign and Freedom's Watch released nearly identical ads on the same day. I wonder if they're old friends?
What has Jeff Merkley done for seniors?
• Jeff Merkley lowered prescription drug prices by passing a bill allowing bulk purchasing
• Jeff Merkley INCREASED funding for seniors and people with disabilities by $365 million
• Jeff Merkley improved the quality of in-home care so seniors could live in their homes as long as possible
• Jeff Merkley passed a bill to protect seniors from identity theft
• Jeff Merkley expanded energy assistance for Oregon seniors
Jeff Merkley is a strong advocate of universal health care for all Americans, vows to protect social security and will stand up to drug companies and lower drug prices for seniors.
What has Gordon Smith done for seniors?
• Gordon Smith voted at least three times to privatize social security
• Gordon Smith voted to increase premiums for Medicare recipients
• Gordon Smith voted against fully funding Medicare four times
• Gordon Smith voted against expanding prescription drug coverage for seniors
• Gordon Smith voted against negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drugs
• Gordon Smith even voted against allowing a two year grace period for seniors so they have time to choose the best prescription drug plan for themselves.
Gordon Smith's record stands on its own. Smith wants to privatize social security. Smith would rather help the drug companies than Oregon seniors who actually need the help. Gordon Smith has received over $315,000 from drug companies and their lobbyists alone. It's clear as day who Smith governs for.
The local media has been complaining that the Oregon Senate race has been too negative and not focused on the issues. The last three ads the Merkley campaign have run have been focused on jobs and unfair trade and tax policies. Jeff has detailed policy proposals on issues ranging from trade to creating a new energy economy. Jeff has visited nearly 100 towns in Oregon, talking to everyday Oregonians about the issues that matter. Gordon Smith's campaign has spent their time focusing on negative and misleading attacks. Smith can't run on his record because he would be advertising to all Oregonians that he governs for the special interests and not the people. Gordon Smith can't promote his plans to change the direction of our country because he doesn't have any. All Gordon Smith can do is throw mud and hope to stay in power.
If you'd like to help us fight back and set the record straight in Oregon, please consider donating to the Kossacks for Merkley Act Blue page.