Oregon Public Broadcasting

On Senator Gordon Smith’s website and in his TV commercials, he rarely if ever mentions he is a Republican.

In some of his ads he talks about his work with Democrats like Barack Obama. But now, in his campaign appearances, the incumbent is publicly criticizing the Democratic presidential nominee. Ethan Lindsey reports.

Throughout the campaign, Smith has been saying he has worked with Obama in the past – and would be a good partner in the Senate.

But then, on the conservative Lars Larson radio show on Tuesday, Smith tacked to the right on issues like the military, taxes, and energy.

Sen. Gordon Smith: “And those are the issues that would go by the board, if a President Obama has no brakes.”

In Bend at the end of this week, Smith said those two positions aren’t paradoxical.

Gordon Smith: “Absolute power unchecked is always a danger. Our best laws come when we have a loyal opposition, not that wants to kill everything. Heavens, I’ve worked with Barack Obama many times.”

A spokesman for Smith’s opponent, Democratic house Speaker Jeff Merkley, says it's just another case of Gordon Smith “saying different things to different audiences.”