It's not often that you see Republicans using gay rights as the positive foundation for a campaign commercial, but Oregonian Senator Gordon Smith is not your regular Republican.
The politico this weekend released an advert highlighting his support for gay-inclusive federal hate crime laws, measures Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy also supported.
Judy Shepard, whose son Matthew was murdered a decade ago, an event Smith's commercial invokes, praised the ad, saying: "I support Gordon. He’s been with us on everything except the gay marriage vote. He has shown tremendous leadership and compassion for all of our legislation. To lose that would be terrible."
Gay group Basic Rights Oregon, which has previously endorsed Smith, came out against the ad, and specifically took on the Senator's opposition to gay marriage. "…Gordon Smith was a poster child for 2004’s Measure 36, a (state) constitutional amendment that made gay Oregonians second-class citizens under the law by denying committed couples the security and dignity of marriage," said Basic Rights' executive director, Jeana Frazzini.
The Log Cabin Republicans are backing Smith's reelection.
Are Glee’s Kurt + Ugly Betty’s Justin Bad for Gay Youth? Absolutely Not. (45)
· Robert, NYC says: Attmay, be careful. THe fact that the UK uses a lot of cameras on the streets was... »
Adam Lambert: Out Magazine Can Eat Shit + Die (169)
· Ethan says: Romeo you are wrong. Adam is very, very open and loving with and toward his gay friends.... »
Canada’s Immigrants Learn About Homosexuals Via Meaningless Sidebar (1)
· Michael says: You can thank our Conservative government. They’ve also decided to glamourize... »
Don’t Buy Here: 10 Companies That Hate The Gays (175)
· Jennifer M. says: Good for you – great information to have. I will share with all my friends.... »
Should The Government Pay for a Boob Job? How About a Transexual’s Boob Job? (43)
· gabbygetsme says: You could argue that gays should not have treatment for Aids ! »
Transgender Day of Remembrance: Honoring Those Lost to Terror (5)
· Rodney A Ballard (Yelhsa), Nottingham,NG3-6FT says: As Transgender Day of Remembrance is now upon... »
Will the Matthew Shepard Act Play a Part In Jorge Mercado’s Murder? (48)
· jonathan stone says: o.k. so my bf is trans gender does that make him a liar about his sexual... »
For Her Big Return, Janet Jackson Returns to Her Entire Past (10)
· Dickie says: Oh, not to mention the blatant “Don’t Stop To you get enough” rip in... »
· Dickie says: Well, I think part of this criticism here is that people are looking at pop... »
Is It Wrong to Report on a Marine Starring in Hardcore Gay Porn? (39)
· Dawson says: The damages is done. The last time I heard such a stupid arguement like this was when I... »
Or, voters could choose Jeff Merkley, who supports marriage equality, and the repeal of DADT, and the hate crimes act, and gender identity inclusive employment nondiscrimination… Smith's support (and who could doubt the sincerity of his personal friendship with Judy Shepard) wasn't very helpful during a republican regime. I can't imagine that sending him home would be a huge loss in a democratic controlled congress.
Also: BRO didn't endorse Smith. HRC endorsed Smith in 2002. HRC is sitting out the race this year.