JOHN DAY -- Gordon Smith was adamant Monday about his support and involvement in U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign.
JOHN DAY -- U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Pendleton) was adamant Monday about his support and involvement in U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign.
“I’m for John McCain,” Smith said as he was leaving a meeting with Oregon cattlemen in John Day. “I’m in his kitchen cabinet. I’m one of six senators on his advisory committee.”
Smith’s insistence that he is a McCain supporter comes after it was announced last week that he would not take an active role in McCain’s grassroots campaign in Oregon, and after Smith has released multiple television ads touting his work with McCain’s presidential rival, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
According to Smith’s spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride, the “kitchen cabinet” is a more informal advisory committee that helps McCain guide his campaign. Gilbride said the kitchen cabinet has played a less active role as of late. But she confirmed that Smith was still involved in the McCain campaign through his kitchen cabinet role.
As to why Smith did not take a more active role in McCain’s Oregon grassroots team, Smith said that McCain understood that the incumbent senator was engaged in a very competitive race.
“He wants me to focus on my own campaign so we can work together in Washington,” Smith said.
