>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Riley

While I agree with The Observer’s call for Jeff Merkley and Gordon Smith to debate, I am disappointed in our newspaper’s lack of research.

First, our U.S. Senate candidates have agreed to a series of debates. The first is scheduled to be broadcast on KGW News on Oct. 8. Using Google, I learned that this was reported in the Oregonian on Aug. 15 and the Salem Statesman Journal on Aug. 17.

The Observer editorial, focusing on “smears,” ran on Aug. 22. My problem with this editorial and Jeff Petersen’s column is not that they emphasize the dirty smears presented in this campaign, but that they portray both candidates as equal opportunity smearers. In fact, according to an Oregonian news report detailing the story behind Sen. Smith’s furniture ads, Smith’s campaign staff actually created the news story and then capitalized on it. Ironically, Jeff Merkley didn’t get new furniture in his office. Is Smith’s ad a smear? Probably. Is it an attempt to divert public attention from Sen. Smith’s history of backing disastrous policy? Decidedly.

Finally, after enduring days of hourly TV ads calling him a hypocrite, Jeff Merkley ran an ad calling out Smith for his focus on furniture instead of policy. (Many of us Democrats were relieved. Rather than smearing, we consider defending your record to be crucial to winning the election.)

So please, La Grande Observer. For many of us, you are our primary source of community news and opinion. Next time, take the higher road. Please emphasize the policy issues and change that we so desperately need to get our nation back on track.

Elinor Riley

Cove