The Benedict Arnold of Gordon Smith's War on Furniture

Kari Chisholm

Gordon Smith is losing his mind.

He's now running a second TV ad attacking Jeff Merkley about the Oregon State Capitol renovation project. This time, the charge is that Merkley's 2006 House Democrats attacked then-Speaker Karen Minnis about buying nice, cushy furniture for her personal office.

Nevermind that Merkley removed the Speaker's office from the furniture project. Nevermind the fact that almost all the money for the renovation project was spent on wiring, cabling, fixing walls, and making the water safe to drink. Nevermind that the furniture was built by Oregon prisoners. Nevermind that it was done on a bipartisan vote and agreement of both parties.

Here's what's really interesting.

In Gordon Smith's "War on Furniture", he's got a Benedict Arnold in his midst.

That's right, folks. Gordon Smith's state director - the esteemed Kerry Tymchuk - voted for the Capitol remodel project as a member of the Public Commission on the Legislature.

And he didn't just vote for it. He praised the PCOL's recommendations as "thoughtful" and "innovative". Later, he even called it "realistic". From the meeting minutes (pdf):

Tymchuk: Reminds members that a goal of the commission early on was to adopt recommendations that were realistic and idealistic – thinks that has been accomplished thanks to the dedication and perseverance of the cochairs.

Now, I don't know Kerry Tymchuk.

But I do know this: When you're the state director for a U.S. Senator, you're representing that U.S. Senator at all times. You're their voice, their spokesperson.

When it comes to the War on Furniture, Gordon Smith's team is playing both sides.

By Kari Chisholm Aug. 14, 2008