Media Credit: Courtesy Sen. Gordon Smith [Click to enlarge]

Sen. Gordon Smith visited supporters at a Eugene golf course Wednesday as part of a week-long campaign tour of the state while Congress is in recess.

About 100 invited supporters, including former and current office holders, gathered at the Oakway Golf Course for dinner and brief remarks from Oregon's junior senator who is currently seeking a third term in office.

Former labor commissioner Jack Roberts introduced Smith and joked, "I think this is the first time in three months Gordon has been seen in public with a Republican."

Smith is currently running television advertisements in Portland and Eugene that portray him as an ally of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama on the issue of fuel efficiency.

"I think it's really smart," incoming University senior Jeff Meray said of the ads. "I don't have a big problem with them."

Meray, a political science major, said he is a conservative but values doing what is right more than partisan politics. He said he has voted for Democrats before, but "not often."

Smith's message is similar. "Common ground" is emblazoned on his campaign sign, and he told the audience it is his goal "not to pick a fight but find a solution."

He and Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden "don't vote together 100 percent of time, but we work together 100 percent of the time," Smith said.

Smith hinted that he is aware this year's election could be a good one for Democrats, but warned that it's important Oregon does not "put all of its eggs in one party's basket."

One of the senator's aides said he has raised about $8 million. The most recent figures available show Smith with a wide financial lead over Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley. But the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is expected to direct sizable funds to defeat Smith, and an advocacy organization funded by activist and financier George Soros has spent $250,000 on ads against Smith, according to The Hill newspaper.

"This is outside money," Smith said in an interview. "George Soros is a notorious leftist figure in American politics. He believes in a different America than you and I grew up in."

Smith said his campaign "will have what it takes to communicate our message."

Smith also told the Emerald he has been an advocate of higher education and has voted to double Pell Grants.

Smith visited Hayward Field earlier Wednesday and attended the All-Comers Meet.

rdandrea@dailyemerald.com

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