Jeff Merkley calls on Gordon Smith to Return Cash from Indicted Sen. Steven's Contributions

Jeff Merkley, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Oregon, is calling on Republican Senator Gordon Smith to give up $39,000 in campaign contributions he received from Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens, who was indicted today. Merkley is calling for Smith to donate the money to charities to help provide health insurance to Oregon children.

Ted Stevens was indicted today on federal corruption charges. Stevens has contributed $39,000 to Smith's campaign.

"Senator Smith should donate these contributions to charities to help provide health insurance to Oregon children," said Speaker Jeff Merkley. "Ted Stevens has been indicted on very serious ethical charges. These charges cast an ethical cloud on money he raised from oil companies and others, some of which he passed on to Gordon Smith."

Merkley calls on Gordon Smith to Return Cash from Indicted Sen. Steven's Contributions

Date of Contribution / Amount of Contribution

3/14/2007 - $5,000

3/14/2007 - $5,000

3/28/2006 - $5,000

3/2/2005 - $5,000

Quarter 2 of 2002 - $10,000

5/12/2002 - $2,000

2/11/2002- $2,000

6/29/2001 - $3,000

10/31/1996 - $1,000

11/27/1995 - $1,000

Merkley calls on Gordon Smith to Return Cash from Indicted Sen. Steven's Contributions

The money from the corrupt Stevens should be given to charities to help provide health insurance to Oregon children.

Jeff Merkely is a better Democrat.  

He opposed the War from the Start and was the first U.S. Senate candidate to sign onto "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq". Ending the Iraq War  

He "strongly believes that we must fulfill President Truman's vision of health care for every man, woman and child in our country."   Health Care for All Americans  

Jeff Merkley has developed a four part plan to combat global warming.  Energy Independence and Conservation  

Jeff Merkley will fight to end unfair trade agreements that have cost Oregon nearly 70,000 jobs. Merkley will demand enforceable environmental and labor standards to protect our planet and protect workers in America and around the world. He's a strong union supporter.  For more on Jeff and his stands on the issues, go here.

This is a Better Democrat.

If you want to help him beat the Republican Senator and turn that Oregon Senate seat blue, please donate here:

Make a Donation

Update: From Sarahlane, who works for Jeff Merkley, in the comments:
It should also be noted that Gordon Smith's PAC donated $10,000 to Ted Stevens.
Update II:
U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) will give the money donated to his campaign by U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to charity, according to Smith campaign spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride. Gilbride did not elaborate as to which charity the money would go to.
http://politickeror.com/brittenchase/2235/smith-donate-stevens-contributions-charity

Display:


Re: Jeff Merkley (2.00 / 7)

Tips for Merkely taking it to Smith and the corrupt Republicans.


by TomP on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:33:19 PM EST

Nicely done, Tom... (2.00 / 4)

A non-VP-speculation diary... FINALLY!!!! :-D


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:48:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

But...we can turn it into one! (2.00 / 4)

So, does this mean that Senator Stevens will not be on McCain's short list for VP?

;)

Really, though, it is nice to see these crooks hoisted by their own petards. I hope to see a constant stream of indictments on thru next year. In fact, some of my fondest fantasies include indictments of high-ranking Republicans.


by Kysen on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:56:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: But...we can turn it into one! (2.00 / 3)

He would make McCain look younger!!


by TomP on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:01:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: But...we can turn it into one! (2.00 / 3)

Ageist!!!

;)


by Kysen on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:03:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why not? (2.00 / 3)

I mean, he'd actually make McBush look like less of a corrupt, pandering-to-extremists, neo-con, economic royalist CReep! hehe ;-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:36:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Why not? (2.00 / 1)

Creepist!!

;)


by Kysen on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:42:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Jeff Merkley (2.00 / 4)

Thanks for this info...
I have to wonder if Smith is the only one?
"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"
by nogo postal on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:44:01 PM EST

anyone have a list (2.00 / 3)

of all Republican candidates who have received campaign contributions from Ted Stevens?

That would be helpful.


See if Saxby Chambliss is helping you.
by desmoinesdem on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:44:04 PM EST

Thanks! (2.00 / 4)

Good Diary.  Rec'd, and Donated.  I live in Portland, so this race is pretty damn important to me.

I need to see if he needs volunteers.  ;-)


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:45:05 PM EST

Re: Thanks! (2.00 / 5)

Yes! We always need volunteers. Email me at sarah@jeffmerkley.com and I'll help you get set up.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:47:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Got anything... (2.00 / 4)

For us down south in Cali? I don't live in Oregon, but I'd like to see the last GOP Senator on the West Coast do down! ;-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:50:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Got anything... (2.00 / 4)

Here are a few things our friends in CA like yourself can do for us in Oregon. The most obvious would be to donate. Gordon Smith has millions COH and we're up against one million spent in attack ads. Second, if you have any friends in Oregon, encourage them to tell a friend about the race or volunteer. Lastly, we need your voice! By blogging about Jeff, you're helping up our candidate's profile. Even if you're blogging at Calitics or another CA blog, it helps to inform people about this hugely important race.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:13:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Got an ActBlue page? (2.00 / 4)

Perhaps we have room...

http://www.actblue.com/page/c4o

For some Senate candidates. ;-)


We shall overcome!
by atdleft on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:38:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Got an ActBlue page? (2.00 / 1)

Hey...thanks!!! We're in a very tight race in Oregon. It may actually be the race we all have to wait up for to see the results. Every little bit helps...so thanks so much for adding him to your Act Blue page. We really appreciate it!


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 08:28:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thanks! (2.00 / 3)

Hi Sarah.  

Will do.

-Chris


Obama/Adam West or Bruce Campbell or Lucy Lawless '08
by Purple with Green Stipes and Pink Polka Dots Dem on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 06:05:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Jeff Merkley calls on Gordon Smith to Return C (2.00 / 5)

I love how Merkley is calling on Smith to donate Stevens money to charity for uninsured kids. I won't hold my breath though.

It should also be noted that Gordon Smith's PAC donated $10,000 to Ted Stevens.


Netroots Director for Oregon Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley
by Sarah Lane on Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 05:48:34 PM EST


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.