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Candidate Conversation: U.S. Senator

AIR DATE: Monday, October 27th 2008

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What's important to you in Oregon's Senate race?

Arguably the closest and most contentious race on the Oregon ballot this year is for U.S. Senate, with Republican incumbent Gordon Smith against Democrat Jeff Merkley. Smith, from Pendleton, is seeking his third term in the Senate. Some of his supporters argue that he's a moderate Republican who isn't afraid to go up against the GOP. Jeff Merkley is speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. Before getting into politics Merkley worked with Habitat for Humanity. He is originally from Myrtle Creek and now lives in eastern Multnomah County.

A new poll released by Riley Research Associates shows this race to be neck-and-neck with 35 percent of likely voters behind Smith and 36 percent supporting Merkley. Twenty-five percent of the people surveyed are still undecided. The race is so tight it's being watched nationally (including articles in the New York Times and the Washington Post) as one of the few Republican seats that could turn Democratic.

It is also a particularly negative race. The candidates have only done two debates -- one in Portland and one a few days later in Medford. But mostly their campaigns have been waged in increasingly nasty TV ads. (You can check our hour-long discussion about those, and other political ads right here.) Smith has portrayed Merkley as concerned only in the interests of Portland and says Merkley is "more of the same when it is time for change." Merkley, meanwhile, has called Smith a "special interest senator" who is running a broken and sleazy campaign.

On Monday Jeff Merkley will join Think Out Loud to answer your questions about his run for the Senate. Gordon Smith has declined our invitation.

Are you among the 25 percent of registered voters who still haven't made up your mind about the race? What are hoping to hear -- from Merkley or Smith -- that will get you off the fence?

Tagged as: jeff merkley · senate

On the off chance that someone from close enough to the Senator actually does drift by here before the show goes on, I want to encourage him to reconsider. Rather than address this nebulously, let me hope this is seen by such a person.

Senator Smith:

I ask you to reconsider and participate in the Think Out Loud program about your reelection. I have already voted for you, so it won?t change my mind, but I think you may have listened to bad advice or opinions about this show. Contrary to the norm for NPR or the national programs OPB carries, the radio broadcast of TOL has consistently tried to be fair and balanced.

Let me give you an example: you can check back in the archives for their show on abortion. As a pro-life Evangelical, I have NEVER heard such an even handling of the topic on any station, much less in the socially liberal elitist programming handed out by NPR. Emily and Dave both have shown both a willingness and a significant talent in acting as objective reporters on hot topics; ones where few others have even come close.

TOL does not represent the normal presumptive bias of shows like ?Talk of the Nation? or ?Fresh Air?; I can pretty much guarantee that the on-air presentation will be fair and balanced if you chose to overcome your concerns and take the time to participate. I make no pretense that you?ll be happy with the online environment (it is unmoderated and many of the folks who choose to come here and participate are at best hostile to you), but you won?t reach nearly as many folks who might otherwise vote Constitution as you could here (there are a lot of conservatives and moderates who listen to TOL, we know the staff at least tries to be even handed on-air about things that matter). Please reconsider. Thanks.

tpohara — Fri Oct. 24th 7:42p.m.

Smith is a very Conservative Republican trying to pose as a moderate, he helped cause the problems that our nation currently faces, let's throw all of those Conservative Republican bums out and start anew!

Tom D Ford — Fri Oct. 24th 10:25p.m.

What I?m hoping for is to hear a clear voice in my head telling me what to do. I?m a democrat. I want the democrats to take the senate. But Oregon is not just Portland. Smith?s views speak to rural voters. I want those people to have a voice. I think Oregon is the perfect place to have both a senator from both major parties. So I?m confused.

It doesn?t help that I find Merkely to be vaguely smarmy. I don?t trust him, he gives me the ?oh-oh? feeling. Also, Smith has gone through the death of a family member and has changed his public opinion on the war. People get to change their minds. I think he may be genuine in his new attitude. But for crying out loud, he?s a republican and I think it?s time for that party to stand down for a while.

So I?m full on undecided.

MissRuby — Sun Oct. 26th 8:57p.m.

I've heard a lot about how Gordon Smith is a Senator that represents interests outside of Portland, because he's got a home and a business in Pendleton. I'd like to hear from Jeff Merkley about what he thinks are the important issues for all of Oregon, not just Portland. And how he plans to represent the interests of our state as a whole, should he become Senator.

carlaaxt — Sun Oct. 26th 10:09p.m.

Former Governor and Senator Mark Hatfield is a much beloved icon of Oregon political history because he marched to the beat of his own drummer and did so with great courage and deep conviction.

Speaker Merkley, I understand that you interned with then Senator Hatfield when you were younger. What is the single most important thing that you learned from him and how has that informed your current views and/or policy positions?

navoter — Sun Oct. 26th 11:08p.m.

I find it fairly dis-appointing that Gordon Smith declined the invitation to the show. As an undecided voter, it adds doubts to my mind as to why Gordon Smith wouldn't want to get his point of view heard by the people.

sghiassy — Mon Oct. 27th 3:25a.m.

I think that it says a lot that Senator Smith doesn't think it is important to appear on Think Out Loud. I think that the total disconnection I feel from and towards Senator Smith is a large part of why I feel disconnected with him. I share many things with Senator Smith, including our faith, and yet I will not be voting for him this time.

I think that the Smith campaign has done a good job of ignoring the fact that Merkeley grew up outside of the Metro area, and I hope that we get to hear from Merkeley about how his formative years help shape his way of looking at Oregon.

JuliaMJK — Mon Oct. 27th 12:14p.m.

People think the jabs at Smith's hiring illegal aliens as "negative advertising" - but I wonder how many of them have actually looked into it? I grew up out in Pendleton Area, and I worked at Smith Frozen Foods - they do hire illegal aliens (and sometimes there would be a lot of people "out sick" coincidentally on the same day the immigration service reps would be in town)... and the food plants had numerous EPA violations for dumping bad stuff in the nearby streams... it just irks me that he sits in Washington and touts himself as "environmentally friendly" or against "illegal immigrants" - in my opinion he is the epitome of a hypocrite, I've never voted for him, and never will...

syd6luc5 — Mon Oct. 27th 12:18p.m.

That was the weakest reasoning by a news organization that I've heard in quite some time. Think Out Loud is a talk show, not a good forum for debate. If the Senate campaign is as important as was just explained on air, then voters would benefit from similar questions being asked both candidates with each given the "less-than-an-hour" format just described. No debate should ever be conducted in under an hour.

A good interviewer is much better than some false debate. OPB got it wrong this time.

TalkShow — Mon Oct. 27th 12:20p.m.

I think that a half hour of sound bites from each candidate is completely useless. Why let Smith avoid taking responsibility for his choices as a candidate? I want very different questions answered from each candidate.

JuliaMJK — Mon Oct. 27th 12:24p.m.

With all the economic news, I haven?t heard much about the Supreme Court recently. I'd like to hear dihttp://action.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/posts/list/1772210.page#scussion this morning about this topic and the part Oregon's senators will play.

macp503 — Mon Oct. 27th 12:22p.m.

While I appreciate Morgan Holm's explanation for excluding Constitution Party candidate Dave Brownlow from this debate, the facts of this race contradict OPB's justification.

Gordon Smith is now running attack ads on TV and radio, accusing Brownlow of being "too liberal."

If Brownlow is drawing enough support to warrant Smith's attacks, OPB owes Brownlow the same opportunity to respond in a public forum. He may be a minor party candidate, but Smith's own actions make it clear Brownlow is now a major factor in the race, and as such, he ought to be offered the same forum OPB offered Merkley and Smith.

pdx333 — Mon Oct. 27th 12:22p.m.

Is there anyone Smith doesn't want to attack?

JuliaMJK — Mon Oct. 27th 12:46p.m.

Merkley is talking too fast. He is not considering his answers. Everything is a soundbite. Get him to give us a real look at who he is, not who he has determined to present. You're doing a good job, you're not lobbing him softballs, keep up the good work.

MissRuby — Mon Oct. 27th 12:28p.m.

From Tim in Island City: On what issues do you disagree with Barack Obama?

Tislandcity — Mon Oct. 27th 12:29p.m.

Tim,

Well, Emily got the question in! Sorry we couldn't get your name on, as well. Sometimes live radio moves quickly...

David Miller — Mon Oct. 27th 12:46p.m.

Mr. Merkley, I appreciate you participating in the TOL and City Club of Portland forums aired on OPB. Could you give us an example of an action you've taken in your Oregon political career that you would like to change today given hindsight?

trurl9 — Mon Oct. 27th 12:33p.m.

OPB should be THE place that all candidates are given a chance to talk about their positions - since we know the other media doesn't always cover topics fairly. Then, maybe more people would vote for the lesser-known party candidates (Green party, etc.) because we would know more about them! I appreciate OPB - because most of the time I feel I get a clearer picture of the issues. Give the other parties a chance to represent themselves!!

opbnewbie — Mon Oct. 27th 12:37p.m.

I'm interested in the greater issue of globalization and what the candidate knows and thinks about the very different world we live in. Our foreign aid system is based on a 1961 Cold War Model. Would the Speaker support a complete rewrite of the legislation? Over 1 billion people world wide live on less than $1.25 a day. How would the Speaker support in policy change to address a global food system?

anti-hungeradvocate — Mon Oct. 27th 12:41p.m.

Instead of you asking Merkley about the ads, I would be more interested in what he plans to bring to Oregon if he gets elected. I appreciated Gordon Smith for his moderate social views but I feel that his voting with Bush on the major issues really hampers us. I would rather have a new senator who will better represent Oregon than a conservative who gives us a nod on social issues without hurting himself with his party.

I also want to tell Merkley that if all he intends to do is raise taxes he will not be the senate for very long. I want people in office who will first clean up all of the waste, reorgainize, then look at raising taxes fairly. I suggest starting with the rich and become a frind to small businesses.

elliott423 — Mon Oct. 27th 12:43p.m.

I agree, enough on the ads!!!!!!

JuliaMJK — Mon Oct. 27th 12:47p.m.

I congratulate Merkely on showing up and I am disappointed that Sen. Smith decided not to.

In listening to Mr. Merkely though, I am very chagrined to hear him not seemingly say anything outside of his own 'talking points', I find him somewhat evasive, not willing ot speak about specifics and staying closely to his talking points over the questions asked.

I do not know much about his political career but this interview is not painting him very positive, except for his willingness to appear.

I am not a Republican, and though I generally lean Democratic, I can now say I am more undecided than when he appeared on this show.

Charles Erickson

cerckl — Mon Oct. 27th 12:45p.m.

I worked in the 07 session in the house as a democratic staffer. I think it is important to mention that Speaker Merkley gave the minority more rights than the dems had during republican rule. A lot of the dem staffers were in the feeling that we should "screw" the republicans just like they did to us.

spricke — Mon Oct. 27th 12:50p.m.

I am shocked saddened and appalled that OPB would demonstrate the flagrant lack of judgment and favoritism reflected in the decision to give Jeff Merkley an entire uninterrupted hour of publicity on your airwaves without granting Gordon Smith the same. The flimsy excuse that you chose this route because wanted to have a proper debate does not hold water. Had that been your intention, and you then found, as was stated, that it was not possible to schedule Gordon Smith -for whatever reason- then a more appropriate (dare I say fair and balanced) approach would have been to interview each man on separate shows, or to forgo the interview format all together.
You claim that you did not want to let Gordon Smith dictate the debate format you had chosen, yet no debate happened, and Jeff Merkley handed control of the full hour unchallenged.
I am a life long democrat, the only exception is that I am considering voting for Gordon Smith this election cycle. I, and other Oregonians, would have been well served by interviews with both candidates. OPB failed us.

kwestwind — Mon Oct. 27th 12:52p.m.

That is Smith's choice to give Merkely uninterrrupted air time - not OPB's who did their best to get Smith to appear. When Smith declined (or didn't respond) to the invitation to appear, at the very least the 3rd party candidate - Brownlow - should have been invited.

opbnewbie — Mon Oct. 27th 12:57p.m.

I agree. The decision was Smith's when he chose not to appear. He knew that Merkley would get airtime.

I also agree that the 3rd party candidate should have been asked as well. I think it'd be a service to listeners to hear from other parties.

mwilger — Mon Oct. 27th 1p.m.

Why would you let Gordon Smith dictate the programming schedule for TOL? He hasn't had any public forums where ordinary citizens can answer questions, and this is just one more place where he shows that he isn't interested in thoughtful conversation and debate.

JuliaMJK — Mon Oct. 27th 12:57p.m.

Gordon Smith made the decision to give Jeff Merkley an unopposed opportunity to present his views (although Miller and Harris really grilled and challenged Merkley in a manner consistent with their interviews of public officials not generally present with non-public officials). I voted for Merkley partly because he has been willing to present himself before voters from all over Oregon while Smith has not. Public officials and candidates seeking public office have a duty to present themself to the citizens they represent and/or would like to represent. Where is your anger toward Smith ? According to you OPB is responsible for Smith not being present and/or should have allowed Smith to veto power to prevent OPB from interviewing Merkley. Morgan Holmes, the VP ended by saying the door was still open for Smith to appear. How balance can you get. I suspect you would have voted for Smith regardless. I am not a member of any political party and proud of it. I vote for the man/woman not the party, except for judicial candidates where I do not vote because there is no choice except for the higher court.

MeanMachine2 — Tue Oct. 28th 1:15a.m.

Rising food prices and the economic downturn in our country has severely impacted the poorest people in the world--in many cases, countries who contribute to our country's own prosperity and consider themselves U.S. allies.

Earlier this year, Sen. Smith partnered with Sen. Durbin (D-IL) to restore funding for the international affairs budget for programs that are focused on poverty reduction in poor countries. Will Mr. Merkley support better U.S. policies and funding for proven, effective foreign assistance programs?

Does Mr. Merkley agree with the 9/11 commission that recommends international development as a strategy to fight global terrorism? Nearly half the world's population lives on less than $2 a day. Does Mr. Merkley believe that the United States have a moral responsibility to help them? If so, how?

SHines — Mon Oct. 27th 12:56p.m.

Response to Brownsville caller: An example of why not to indemnify GM for drunk drivers. When we need to pass a breathalyzer to start the car, and GM designs the system in a way it can be easily defeated, and the solution spreads like wildfire on drunkdrivers.com and the drunk driver succeeds in killing. GM is then protected.

redfernc — Mon Oct. 27th 12:58p.m.

I am a registered Democrat, and have already cast my vote for Mr. Merkley, however I strongly disapprove of the tones which both his and Mr. Smith?s campaigns have adopted. I do not believe that the negative attacks are beyond the power of either candidate to stem, but if they are, a nice step would be to put away statements such as the one to the effect that Mr. Smith is waging war on the working family. It is impossible to believe that any of our political voices have entered office with that agenda, or that they have developed such agendas while in office.

camshaftt — Mon Oct. 27th 1p.m.

This show is an embarrassment to Oregon, and Emily Harris should be fired. If I wanted to hear a blowhard conservative pundit recite GOP talking points about how Democrats should fight their own party and about the same old Trickle-Down tax-cuts-solve-everything-from-bad-breath-to-marital-infidelity bromides, then I'd tune into Fox. This show is the reason I've finally stopped donating to OPB.

Thisistom — Mon Oct. 27th 1:35p.m.

I am disappointed Smith did not participate. I am also disappointed there is no mention why. I am not fully decided in this election but it seems you have just backed this candidate by giving him an hour of free public advertising. It strikes me a bit contrary that during the introduction it was communicated that you would not allow Smith on by himself, which it also seems he requested, yet here is Merkley by himself...unchecked? Even the tone of how you say Smith declined shows evidence of inbalance. Are you representing the public in your public broadcasting?

So far it seems Jeff is just continuing his ads.

Disappointed,
emjay

emjay1 — Tue Oct. 28th 1:26a.m.

I am disappointed Smith did not participate. I am also disappointed there is no mention why. I am an independent and not fully decided in this election but it seems you have just backed this candidate by giving him an hour of free public advertising. It strikes me a bit contrary that during the introduction it was communicated that you would not allow Smith on by himself, which it also seems he requested, yet here is Merkley by himself...unchecked? Even the tone of how you say Smith declined shows evidence of inbalance. Are you representing the public in your public broadcasting?

So far it seems Jeff is just continuing his ads.

Disappointed,
emjay

emjay1 — Tue Oct. 28th 1:30a.m.

I did listen in and I thought Jeff Merkley came across as a very viable candidate. I appreciated your on air comment that SEN Gordon Smith declined your invitation to visit the program and I was disappointed that Gordon Smith failed to avail himself of that opportunity to present himself and to give the audience a more balanced program and discussion.

marko3 — Wed Oct. 29th 4:15a.m.

Comments are now closed.