Gordon Smith - absent

Mr. Smith - WHO IS A REPUBLIC - is not in Minneapolis - said he's too busy with his campaign - HUH [see below]

Jeff Merkley - -WHO IS A DEMOCRAT AND SUPPORTED BY WYDEN AND OBAMA - wrote Smith's speech for him just in case Smith goes to the R convention....

Is Smith Attending the Republican Convention?

Just in Case, Merkley Camp Prepares "Remarks" for the Senator

Unlike Democrat Jeff Merkley, who proudly attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week, Republican Gordon Smith says he is not planning to join his chosen party at their national convention.

Smith says he will be campaigning in Oregon all week, but as of Monday there is no information on any public campaign events, leading the Merkley campaign to ask: Has Smith changed his mind?

There is certainly ample precedent. Smith changed his mind and flip-flopped his position on many issues this election year.

The Merkley campaign has put together remarks for Smith to give at the convention just in case he does change his mind and head to Minneapolis this week.

Every single word in this speech comes from remarks Smith has made previously during his time in the Senate. Enjoy!

Thank you all so very much.[1] I'm very proud of you for being here. And I'm very grateful that you're here, because this event gives us a chance to come together.[2]

It's very meaningful to have African-Americans support me because I view them as God's children, too.[3]

The Democratic Party is not my constituency. These are people that believe in socialism. I don't.[4]

My campaign people will kill me for saying this but[5], President Bush has set our country on the course of recovery at home and strength abroad. We are safer today because this president has had the backbone to follow terrorism where terrorists are and go after them, and they have failed to strike us again on our own shores since 9-11.[6]

I believe when President Bush stood in front of ``mission accomplished'' on an aircraft carrier that, in purely military terms, the mission was accomplished.[7]

And I for one am thankful that we have a military as capable as this, and a commander in chief that had the courage not to listen to Hollywood, or the New York Times, or the French.[8]

It's not John Kerry's fault that he looks French.[9]

George Bush understands what creates opportunity in America.[10]

President Bush represents economic recovery and American leadership.[11]

And[12] I'm for John McCain. I'm in his kitchen cabinet. I'm one of six senators on his advisory committee.[13]

Thank you.[14]

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[1] Oregon Leadership Summit, 12/3/07
[2] Oregon Leadership Summit, 12/3/07
[3] Fox News Network, 4/1/02
[4] The Oregonian, 8/22/06
[5] Center for American Progress remarks, 6/11/08
[6] Oregon Daily Emerald via U-Wire, 5/19/04


[7] Senate Floor Speech, 12/08/06
[8] Senate Republican Conference, "Great American Moment", 4/9/03
[9] Los Angeles Times, 8/13/04
[10] Oregon Daily Emerald via U-Wire, 5/19/04


[11] Oregon Daily Emerald via U-Wire, 5/19/04
[12] Oregon Convention Center Press Conference, 10/26/07
[13] PolitickerOR, 8/20/08
[14] Oregon Leadership Summit: Dec. 3, 2007