In Ore., GOP Senator Cites Working with Obama

Copyright © 2009 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.

MICHELE NORRIS, host:

Joe Lieberman is not the only senator blurring party lines. Republican Gordon Smith of Oregon is facing a tough re-election challenge this November from Democrat Jeff Merkley, and Smith has got a new ad this week touting his record working with a certain Democratic colleague.

(Soundbite of television ad)

Unidentified Woman: Who says Gordon Smith helped lead the fight for better gas mileage and a cleaner environment? Barack Obama.

SIEGEL: Well, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton emailed reporters this morning to clarify. Here's what he said. 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. Burton went on to say, Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate.

NORRIS: And apparently, the feeling is mutual. Gordon Smith's office confirms that he is, in fact, supporting John McCain for president.

(Soundbite of television ad)

Senator GORDON SMITH (Republican, Oregon): I'm Gordon Smith, and I approve working together across party lines. And this ad...

Copyright ©2009 National Public Radio®. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to National Public Radio. This transcript is provided for personal, noncommercial use only, pursuant to our Terms of Use. Any other use requires NPR's prior permission. Visit our permissions page for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio.