News Last night, at the Medford debate between U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley, Smith said he was sorry the National Republican Senatorial Committee ran the now-infamous hot dog ad. (Posted below.) But before Smith was against the ad, he was for it, according to this KXL radio interview from Sept. 18. "I think what Jeff Merkley forgot is what his mother I'm ...   More

News The second and last U.S Senate debate between Republican Sen. Gordon Smith and Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley in Medford is online here now. If the last debate in Portland Thursday was a toss-up (or a close win for Merkley on his home turf), Monday night's debate may have gone the other way. Point 1: Smith, flush with cash to spend on his own ads, said he would work with Merkley to ensure ...   More

News USA Today has tracked down the 62 lawmakers who left Congress last year to see what they're up to, Turns out 16 of the 62 lawmakers who left Congress are working for outfits trying to influence their former colleagues. Count former Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith among the sweet 16." The Republican tells the paper that his work for Covington & Burling is "doing what counselors at law do all the ...   More

News Die-hard political junkies may remember R.C. Hammond, a staffer for former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) who served as Smith's campaign spokesman during the heated 2008 election cycle that swept the GOP incumbent out of office. They may also remember Hammond's abrupt exit from Oregon politics. About a year ago, just as Smith's ill-fated battle to keep his seat was gearing up, Hammond left ...   More

News Former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) has been chosen as the new president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters. Smith, who lost his re-election bid last year for a third term to Democrat Jeff Merkley, is scheduled to start his new gig on Nov. 1. Until now, Smith had been working as a lobbyist in Washington, DC for Covington & Burling. No word on salary for Smith, not that ...   More

News Mitt Romney comes to the metro area (loosely defined) this weekend for a fundraiser (PDF) hosted by money manager David Nierenberg and sponsored by a bunch of familiar Oregon names. The former Massachusetts governor and 2008 GOP presidential candidate (and likely 2012 contender) will come not to Portland, however. Instead, Romney will venture to the leafy tax haven of Camas, Wash. where Oregonians ...   More