(Sen. Gordon) Smith (R-Ore) backs Cheney, farmers in fish-kill debate

[stevedeshazer]

Klamath Basin - The GOP senator disputes findings that diverting water triggered the salmon die-off in 2002

Saturday, August 11, 2007
JEFF MAPES
The Oregonian Staff

Sen. Gordon Smith argues there is no evidence a massive fish kill on the Klamath River in 2002 was caused by water diversions to farmers.

Generating fresh controversy over a key Oregon environmental issue, the Republican senator also defends the role Vice President Dick Cheney played in intervening with federal officials to help farmers in the Klamath Basin. And he casts doubt on claims that the salmon die-off caused subsequent commercial fishing restrictions off the coast.

The Klamath issue is flaring anew because the House Natural Resources Committee is investigating whether Cheney exerted improper political influence to override scientifically based management of the water resources.

Smith backs Cheney, farmers in fish-kill debate
Klamath Basin - The GOP senator disputes findings that diverting water triggered the salmon die-off in 2002
Saturday, August 11, 2007
JEFF MAPES
The Oregonian Staff

Sen. Gordon Smith argues there is no evidence a massive fish kill on the Klamath River in 2002 was caused by water diversions to farmers.

Generating fresh controversy over a key Oregon environmental issue, the Republican senator also defends the role Vice President Dick Cheney played in intervening with federal officials to help farmers in the Klamath Basin. And he casts doubt on claims that the salmon die-off caused subsequent commercial fishing restrictions off the coast.

The Klamath issue is flaring anew because the House Natural Resources Committee is investigating whether Cheney exerted improper political influence to override scientifically based management of the water resources.

Environmentalists, who have long been at odds with Smith, said the senator's stance contradicts a study by the California Department of Fish and Game, which found that the water diversions played a key role in the deaths of some 77,000 salmon.

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I can't wait to get this jerk removed from the Senate.

[rodeodance]

1. The issue isNOT the # of dead fish but Whether Cheney put his nose int

this issue-------exerting influence for votes.


Oregon went blue anyway

[stevedeshazer]

2. I don't even know where to start with your response, but here goes

Yes, Cheney stuck his nose into it.

Yes, Oregon went blue in 2004, but that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

No, Gordon Smith was reelected in 2002.

No, 77,000 DEAD SALMON matters.

It puts Oregon and Northern California people out of work.

Jesus, did you even READ THE ARTICLE?

[acmavm]

3. The guy is a republican. Bottom line. Of course he's disputing that the

damming off of the water source contributed to the fish kill. This is the same party that says global warming doesn't exist, that it's a natural phenomenon.

And of course cheney interferred. He sticks his corrupt two cents into everything, and never on the side of what's good for the people and the country.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Smith knows where the power is. He's not about to take on Cheney.

He knows that will be the end of his political career.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Au contraire

Supporting Cheney in Oregon is political suicide.

It just happened. He's as politically dead as could possibly be now.

[TwilightGardener]

6. Well, I'm not there, obviously, but his war stance didn't help him any, from what it

sounds like--isn't he up for re-election? Cheney might reward him by not putting up a Repub primary challenger.

[stevedeshazer]

7. There will be no primary challenge

Question is, who will be the Dem? We've got a couple of good ones.