Gordon Smith: All things to all people

Gordon Smith has carved out a reputation is a "moderate" Republican who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, even if that means "crossing the aisle." The Oregonian has always gone out of their way to perpetuate this mythical idea of the maverick Republican Senator from Oregon. They've gone so far out of their way in fact, that even articles pointing out Smith's "partisan attack dog" moments look like long, sweet kisses.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., works hard to cultivate an image as a lawmaker who will work with the enemy to get things done. His affiliation with liberal Sen. Ted Kennedy recently on several issues only reinforced the image.

On Wednesday, however, Smith assumed another role -- partisan attack dog.

In a mid-afternoon news conference designed to shred Democrats, Smith took the stage with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Trent Lott, Charles Grassley, and John Kyl -- all Republicans -- to condemn Democrats for not yet renewing legislation that would shield 25 million middle class taxpayers from an unintended tax. [...]

"That's a wrong we ought to right and it isn't being righted because of the intransigence of this Congress,'' Smith said. "We believe in a low tax society. We believe in a high opportunity society.''

In fact, you have to read all the way till the second-to-last paragraph to shed any sort of light on the Republican antics at play here.

Yet even Republicans admit that the AMT will pass eventually. And they often fail to admit that one reason it's being delayed is that Republicans have linked other tax cuts to the bill.

Ah ha. So there we have it, folks. Attach tax cuts for the rich and famous whilst decrying Democrats for not protecting the middle class. It would be cute really, if the Oregonian's first priority was to slice through the bullshit, but it's not. Their first priority is to let you know how willing our Junior Senator is to cross the aisle, never mind that it's merely in the interest of the haves.

Also snuck into the latter end of this article is Gordon Smith's cozy friendship with Trent Lott.

Smith found a friend in Lott, the Republican from Mississippi.

``If you want a better example of how this Congress has become dysfunctional, take a look at this,'' he said.

Yes, that Trent Lott.