Voters can send back the garbage U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith has been shoveling and elect a senator who genuinely supports what students want and need — Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury.
Although both these candidates are similar in their stances on some issues, they differ greatly on issues often embraced by the campus community. Smith’s campaign portrays him as a moderate, but voting records tell a different story.
According to Vote-right.com, Bradbury has voted in support of a woman’s right to choose, while Smith thinks abortions should only be legal if pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. Bradbury has taken an active role in supporting equal rights for minorities and homosexuals while Smith seems to have signed his name and little else. Bradbury was a proven environmental advocate in the state Senate; Smith received a lowly 24 percent score from the League of Conservation Voters for his environmental record in the 107th Congress.
Bradbury also has taken action to engage students; former President Bill Clinton will be on campus Thursday to get out the vote. Smith, on the other hand, said in an Emerald interview that students aren’t political because they can’t understand the long-term impact of taxes.
Bradbury and Smith agree that more federal grants are needed for college students, but Bradbury added that higher education funding should remain strong to keep tuition down and low-income access up.
Bradbury is the best choice for students — his understanding and support of issues extends beyond a TV commercial.