(CNN) - Barack Obama's name is likely to help several Democratic candidates down ballot, but what about a Republican?
Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans, is stressing his history of working with the presumptive Democratic nominee in a new campaign ad hitting airwaves Tuesday.
"Who said Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment? Barack Obama," the ad's narrator states. "He joined with Gordon and broke through a 20 year deadlock to pass new laws which increased gas mileage for automobiles."
The Obama campaign immediately made clear the Illinois senator is supporting Smith's Democratic opponent.
“Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said. "But in this race, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington."
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Gee, I really am surprised at how fair your reporting is for each candidate.
From your own web page:
Categories
Barack Obama (1813)
Hillary Clinton (1748)
John McCain (968)
Iowa (542)
New Hampshire (483)
Mitt Romney (473)
South Carolina (422)
Race to '08 (382)
Mike Huckabee (338)
John Edwards (328)
Rudy Giuliani (326)
President Bush (272)
Heck, his name will help anybody. I'll vote Republican if they can work together with Barack.
Even republicans want to jump aboart the Obama Train. he he he he
I guess that kinda kills John Mc Cains Faux image that he is the bipartisan candidate when he voted with GW Bush 95% of the time. Now we see who the real bi partisan candidate is the one who has republicans trying to use his name for support because they have worked together in the past. All Mc Cain has is extremely conservative democrats or ex democrats AKA republicans all along.
When Mc Cain worked across the isle we got campaign finance reform with more loopholes than Swiss cheese, loop holes he is now useing to take in $70,000 individual donations
When Sen Obama worked with his republican cousin they raised fuel efficiency standards for cars! Hum change we can believe in isn't it nice!
Go Obama 08 Yes We Can
Obama is what our country need. Someone who looks at the best and the brightest to lead us into the future. Go Obama.
Wow... This is kind of cute in a bipartisan sort of way, but it also shows how much in trouble John McCain might be. If GOP candidates start using Obama as a positive instead of a negative, that doesn't say much for McCain's prospects...
I find it pretty funny that this guy is trying to endorse himself with Barack's name
.
NO....keep the slippery suckers away from the Democrats
when even Repubs are clinging to the coat tails...you know he is the right candidate..
he is about America nomatter what party you are with.
go OOOOOObamA
Well, will you look at that. You see, who said no one can get along??? Even if you may not support that person, LOL!!
The Obama campaign immediately made clear the Illinois senator is supporting Smith's Democratic opponent.
“Barack Obama has a long record of bipartisan accomplishment and we appreciate that it is respected by his Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Senate," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said.........
OBAMA IS the MAN
Adios, Gordon.
You made your bed with republicans. You could've switched long ago, but you chose instead to hang out with Bush. Now the chickens have come home to roost.
After all this talk of how a candidate named "Barack Obama" could possibly not do well, and now his name is helping Republicans. I love how things play out, quite ironic.
Now that's some serious coattails!
What will the Republicans try next? First they try to vilify Sen. Obama and now that are saying he is my best friend.
how remarkable!!!
Even the "unthikable" are happening...
wow!
Ridiculous – just more obfuscation!
Obama doesn't have a long record of anything let alone bipartisan accomplishment!
Hillary Clinton and John McCain do!
Oops! Obama does have a long record of questionable relationships, poor judgment, egomania and ruthless lust for power!
That right we welcome everybody including Rep.
Gordon Smith is a good man and a good representative for Oregon. This will only help him defeat the embarresing opponent the Democrats have put up against him.
Go Gordon Smith!
Republican for Obama '08!
This is kind of funny really. GOP candidate using the name of the democratic nominee to further himself.... show me a Democrat trying to use McCain as an advantage to his campaign and I'll call it a draw.
For now, it's avantage Obama
Barack Obama 08
Not exactly an honest move in my opinion ... my how the GOP has fallen.
So what is Senator Smith's voting record in the Senate?
Tax cuts for the rich?
Cutting back on consumer protection?
Far right judicial nominations?
100 years in Iraq?
Two senators can be best buddies without being politically similar.
Obama will never win . He is a fraud. Can anybody name me anything he has done for this country. Mccain has proven himself to be a true american hero. Mccain all the way because Obama cannot win the general election. God bless america.
I think this is a good thing.]
Go get um Barack
Hey Clilnton News Network:
Maybe you can run the story of the D.N.C. Sueing McCain Over Campaign Loan.
Then, you can run the ethics behind McCain's flip flop.
Then you can factcheck it.
Then you can leave it on your political homepage for a week.
Dude -
Don't you want to align yourself with the GOP Presidential nominee, John McCain .... ??
Obama .... YOU ARE THE MAN
Yeah, well Gordon Smith know's what's good. Bet your Faux noise won't report this ad. Obama is brilliant and he is what is needed right now. All aboard the Obama train!
Interesting. From the blogs on CNN I read a lot of cynical, mean, ignorant and spiteful comments. But...... the truth is that we need a new vision in DC., before things get worse.
On the CBS evening news I heard that Israel has asked the U.S. to help them attack Iranian nuclear facilities! YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS...........
MORE WAR, TROOPS DYING, MAIMED, MOUNTING NATIONAL DEBT!
FOLKS, CAN WE AFFORD MORE WAR? This is Bush's legacy.
I am from Portland, Oregon. Oregon has recently been turning more blue than purple. I think this is Gordon Smith's tactic on being reelected. It's funny after watching the Mississippi special elections because the candidates down there were playing ads that were explaining how they hold conservative values. Where as Gordon Smith has had to consistently tell Oregon voters that he is a moderate more-so than a conservative. Using Barack Obama's name is once again to attract the moderate voters of Oregon who will most likely vote for Obama.
As an Oregon Independant; I think Sen. Smith is just fine as one of Oregon's two Senators. Why the state would replace a veteran Senator who has established clout in the Senate with a rookie unknown is beyond me. Sen. Smith has worked well with Sen. Wyden (D) and I expect him to continue to do so for the next six years.
immediately putting someone you worked with out in the cold just because hes from a different party?
yeah sounds like a whole new washington to me...obama is foolish to think he can change anything if hes running under the umbrella of either of the two parties, especially when he clearly is still toting the party line when it comes to support
kinda sad....
Typical Gordon Smith. For approximately 4 1/2 years, Senator Smith votes very conservatively. Then, as the election approaches, all of a sudden Senator Smith moves to the middle. There is nothing new here, except that this time hopefully Oregonians will see through the charade.
How desperate is it when a repug using the democratic presidential nominee in his campaign? Pretty desperate and laughable. Should tell you repugs something.
First
He should change party.
Republican for Obama
Obama 08 & 12
Yellow teeth McSame take that. Your own people don't want to touch you. Obama08 is coming with or without the PUMA people.
Hillary still needs you guys to support her with your money. Don't run out on her now. Money,Money,Money Honey. Talk is cheap so put up or shut up and get out of the game. I knew it was republicans acting like Hilary supporters. It was republicans voting for her all the time. Even PUMA PAC has faded quickly.
Obama08 for a better America and world. YES
More of what the nation needs, agreement on issues and conserns that need to be addressed.
Can we all just get along.
Remember this is how we WON'T get anything done. We have to cross party lines over and over to do what's best for the country. Hopefully this will be the new trend.
Sound good to me–Go Obama, you rock.
I'll talk to a Martian, if it will bring the soldiers home.
This is a good thing. We need more Dems and Republicans talking, talking, talking.
This says a lot for both sides. We need this in our government. However, I live in Oregon and will vote for the democrat.
Hey, we're all Americans, don't forget that. What a revelation, we can actually work with the GOP.
Obama 08
I hope Mr. Obama pick Mr. Bloomberg as his running mate. This two will make a great combo. Much better than any other combo. I think.
The last time I checked, John McCain was a US Senator – If he really thinks that gas tax holiday gimmick (I mean idea) is such a winner, exactly what is preventing him from introducing legislation to make it happen? The same thing that prevented HRC from doing the same, I suppose. Their failure to do so is its own kind of bipartisanship, no?
We can talk to our enemies, but we can't talk to each other? That's absurd.
This is a great country and we can work it out.
It took a lot of guts for this Republican to do that. I say welcome him to the fold. We've got a big tent.
Hey aware you're ridiculous!!! You're like a zombie moaning: "McCain...Hillary...." I didn't know that you were a politician. You have access to the records. Perhaps, YOU can tell me what his records really are :-/
Full of hot air....that is very unfortunate
BTW: "Oops! Obama does have a long record of questionable relationships, poor judgment, egomania and ruthless lust for power!"
So does McHagee, McDrill, McMavric, and McPOW
Relax, bud. This will be over soon enough....
Smith is also running local ads featuring former Dem congresswomen endorsing him. Seems he's conceded that Oregon will vote Dem again in November and he wants some of that action.
Another odd note about this new ad... the font he used is the same that the University of Oregon uses for their sports teams. Is that a nod to liberal Eugene, home to the school, or an implication that he's given up on the more conservative Oregon State vote?
I guess if you call 3 years in the Senator, while campaigning for the last 2 years –"A long record." What a laugh!
Senator Obama is truly a light weight!
McCain 2008
Hillary 2012
well there goes bipartisanship.
Mr. Change has now thrown a fellow senator under the bus!
wow!!
–rd84
Yes, but would he continue to work with Senator Obama? Sorry, but I don't have much faith in the Republicans.
DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!!
It just goes to show, that we all need to work together across the board. Because we all live in this country and we all want progress and it be beneficial to everyone. Like a company, keep your employees happy, management and higher ups will prosper and everyone will be happy. I personally say their are some things that we all must work together on for both parties and 3rd parties even and that is clean energy and reduce oil dependence. That should be top priority among other things.
This is funny as hell. Republicans like Gordon Smith are desperate and are willing to use Senator Obama to help their own reelections especillay those in Blue States.. How say you all Republcain's out there? Why does Gordon Smith want Bush or even McCain to campaign for him??
Thats hiliarious...a Republican candidate trying to ride the coat-tails of change in Oregon.
Oh, Gordie, we have lived with you being our Senator for WAY too long as it is. We are tired of you shifting in the political breezes. You will need to get your resume in order as come next January, you will be out of a job...FINALLY!
The GOP brand is so damage to the extend that one of them will use Obama name in his campaign. Why don't you use McCain name?
Yes we can use his name now in a possitive way from both party.
One person have to win, Obama name which affiliate with 3 senate and house rep helped them win their election.
I am proud that everyone is agreeing to affiliate with Obama cuz he is a good man. God be the glory.
God Bless America and one day I will be recognised with status.
Amen.
At the state and local level, these contributions are difficult to trace. At the federal level, contributions are reported and traceable. There is a lengthy lag time. Recent figures may take weeks to be reported and analyzed; however, February records can be examined. Obama had donated to delegates more than $700,000; Clinton more than $236,000. Studies have found that a presidential candidate who gives the most money to superdelegates receives their endorsement 82 percent of the time.
The Weekly Standard commented “... if 82 percent of the superdelegates are endorsing the candidate who donated more to them, that’s indicative of something other than a belief in the ‘audacity of hope.’ It sounds like old-fashioned bribery.”
As a Democrat, I wouldn't mind Obama endorsing a Republican. Republicans are Americans too, and if one of them is qualified to keep his Senate seat, then that should be part of the "change" we need. Helping the right people, not the right party. Though, I know nothing about these two candidates, so I'll trust Obama's judgment.
David
I think the Senator should switch parties if he does not aggree with their platform.
Obama 08
WOW!
Who would have thought that a "skinny guy with a funny name" would draw republicans to use him in their ads... to get elected!?
obama is the man
If you can't beat them join them philosophy? At least he is smart enough to read which way the wind is blowing. More than can be said for the older women pretending to be for Clinton who say they are voting for McBush. If they really supported Clinton, they would support Obama, her only chance to continue to build on what she stands for.
We are the future of America and we want Obama!
i love obama
but why is the party so divided based on parties and all?
we should work together,
its abt the american pple,
not abt demoocrats,republicans,libertarians,conservatives,liberals,black,white,male ,female.,hispanic,black,white,asian,gay,straight,christians,muslim,jews or what ever
its about the people who are the americans
gosh
What a LOSER!
Rise Barack Rise
LOL, Republicans 're in real deep trouble. Majority of them will loss re-election this year and next year............
I live in Oregon and I can say Gordon Smith is smart to get under the Obama wing. Senator Obama has a good chance at a 60/40 percent win this fall over Senator McCain. The voters in this state want to see some change and they are not afraid of giving Senator Obama a shot at making some changes. Senator Smith is moving in the direction of becoming a Demican. That’s a cross between a Democrat and a Republican. Senator Smith may be calculating correctly that the GOP is doomed this year!
holy poop!, even republicans are trying to ride Obamas coat tails.
Being from Oregon, I'm just curious where Gordon Smith's money is coming from. He's been running ads in prime 5:30-6:30 slots for months now, with not a single ad from Merkley. Not that I really feel Merkley needs to advertise, but it's really disconcerting.
To Aware:
"Word of the day" toilet paper?
To Aware:
You are an example of people who choose to ignore the truth about Obama because you are too busy hating! I bet these same people did the most screaming about Jeremiah Wright! "Ruthless lust for power?" Please.
Things look better for Obama every day. McCain reminds me of the annoying kid that keeps saying "Look at me, look at me, look at me" while doing something crazy for attention.
I can't wait until a debate. Is there any doubt how the comparison will be standing next to each other and Obama speaking intelligently and thoughtfully and McCain spinning out and forgetting his last answer?
Oh well, when he is all about bipartisanship, why can't he support Gordon? After all, he worked with him as a partner!
THAT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT HE IS NOT WHAT HE SAYS HE IS.
and c'mon , the ad quotes obama's statement about gordon. that means obama supports gordon's views. How on earth can anyone interpret it as gordon supports obama???????? that is so stupid man. some people are blinded badly.
I hope Obama picks Hillary as a VP. It will be an unbeateable ticket. I am an Obama supporter but I think Hillary ran a great campaing and she is a fighter and I am glad what she is doing now keeping her promises.
If he can vote for impeachment and other key issues instead of filibustering. then so be it.
cnn can you guys stop it, you don't have any good news to post here? can you be more oveues, why don't you expose mcsame, that is so sad you guys are so iger to talk bad adout Obama.PLEASE STOP IT.
GO OBAMA08-12
All repubs will hit the street,no blocking the votes next year.HaHA
I am not from orgeon thank God. This poor guy probably needs all the help he can get in that state . Unfortunately for him and some of the decent americans who live in orgeon they are ate up with left wing "latta drinkers" Everytime I hear the gas price is about a dollar higher than ours I start laughing.
Yeah! He's gonna help a republican senator alright, in fact he already has and his name is John McCain!
SMART PEOPLE WILL WRITE-IN HILLARY CLINTON, the only sane choice!!!
How can Obama have a long record on anything??? He hasn't been
around that long. Most of his time in the Senate has been spent on campaigning.
I don't think he needs to do that. I'm a democrat but I believe Senator Smith has done a fairly good job while in office. He would have gotten re-elected regardless of his campaign strategy, imo.
my party won't put out a formidable opponent to run against him. they haven't done it since senator ron wyden beat him back in the 90s. senator smith ran two years later and won handily. both senators haven't had any real competition imo.
See....Obama isn't about change...he's just another typical Democrat politician. The Democrats and the people who vote for them are all to blame for the current state of madness we are finding ourselves in. Democrat congress....what have you done to help our current crisis? Answer.....NOTHING!
even republicans know who the best candidate is?this could get really good.
the world want to work with Obama live alone republican... he is the one we are telling you people he is the one...
can jack ask " why republicans are using Obama's name in there campain and what it mean for Mcwar ?"
Is nothing wrong for a different party candidate supporting others, is just like proving that if you belief this guy just belief me too we have worked together and achieve, and we can work together